(Chapter 8: One Scorcher of a Mission)
It was a bit further into the month of September as Naruto was elated for two reasons, the first being that he had received news that the factories would be up and running, all that was needed was to use Tech-Goblin to staff them with drones and then he'd be able to pump out all the 'toys' he could want. The second reason for his elation was that he had received his first official mission as a ROOT operative, and from what Iruka told him; this one was a highly important one that would require his A-game.
(September 18th, 996 S.E, The Academy, 1:24 Pm)
It was early in the afternoon as Naruto was currently with Iruka to be briefed on the details of his 1st mission, and the Ultimatrix wielder couldn't be any happier to hear what it was going to be.
"Alright, Iruka-sensei. I gotta know what the mission is gonna be, already?...The suspense is killing me!" Naruto asked having been pumped for whatever his 1st mission could be
"Since you've been more than patient enough, I will inform you of the mission details. To be honest with you, I was rather surprised that Lord Danzo would give you something so important for your first mission." Iruka replied
'Then again this will be a rather decent one to see how Naruto fairs for his 1st off-the-books mission.' Iruka noted to himself
"How big is this mission we're talking about? I know he said it was going to be big, but I gotta know how big, if you get what I'm saying?" Naruto asked in terms of the scope of his mission
"I would say that this counts as an A-ranked mission. Seeing as how you will be helping to escort a very important ninja back to the village for asylum." Iruka told the Ultimatrix wielder
"Whose the lucky person?" Naruto asked
"Their name is Pakura, or as she's more importantly known as, Pakura of the Scorch Release, and Hero of the Hidden Sand." Iruka informed him of whom it was he'd be helping
"Wait why would a hero of a hidden village want asylum here? That doesn't make a lick of sense." Naruto wondered as to why someone like her would want asylum
"Unfortunately for Pakura, despite her impressive track record. It seems as though the current Kazekage and the elders of the village believe she's outlived her usefulness. Therefore, they decided to give her the martyr treatment." Iruka said in disgust that they'd waste such a powerful shinobi like this
"They decided to make a martyr out of one of their best shinobi, for what reason exactly? Because this honestly sounds like an extremely bad idea on their end….Since you know, they happen to be the weakest of all 5 villages, and doing this really doesn't help their case." Naruto asked once more
"Apparently, from what our men in Suna have gathered, due to the state of things in Suna. Rasa had concocted this hairbrained scheme of his in order to unify the village under his control even more. So he planned to have his men, and from what Fu had informed us while he was leading this operation; had heard that he was receiving help from Yagura's men in Kirigakure for this endeavor." Iruka told him
"With the deal being that if Yagura's men, worked with his men to eliminate Pakura. Then in exchange for sending troops to help deal with the bloodline purge in the Hidden Mist, there would be an alliance between Kirigakure and Sunagakure. Which in turn will help bolster the amount of missions shared between the two of them. Something that Yagura and Rasa were all too happy to agree to, after all it is a win-win situation for both parties. Yagura gets to eliminate another bloodline off the map, and Rasa gains an alliance, someone to help with the declining state of his village, and a massive moral boost on top of it." Iruka further explained
"Just…Just what the fuck on all of this…Alright, and side-tangent here. Who is gonna be the fall guy in all of this? Because I doubt that the Kazekage is gonna turn around and stab the madman who is a full-powered jinchuuriki in the back." Naruto wondered as to who was gonna be a fall-guy in this
"It is going to be Iwa…Pakura had already interfered with their plans in an earlier feud with Suna, when they were going to try and push for a take-over. So it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to pin the blame on them, for the death of the Suna's hero." Iruka answered back
"Go figure it would be them. At this point; they may as well be the punching bag of the shinobi world." Naruto remarked
"To be fair, Naruto. It's their own fault for putting their hands in things where they don't belong. Just look at their leader, the man belongs in a retirement home, more than he should in the office of a Kage." Iruka said back, eliciting a small chuckle from Naruto
'Alright, I'll give Iruka-sensei that one.' Naruto said to himself
"Back on topic, however, you will be sent to meet up with her in Yugakure. Although, she has seen better days, given that she managed to survive against all odds, against a deadly ambush. I would advise you to make it back safely before her pursuers find her." Iruka told the Ultimatrix wielder
"When do I need to head out? Just say the word and I'll turn into one of my aliens, and be there faster than a starving Akimichi." Naruto asked
"You are to head out as soon as you can. Once you are at the location, you will be meeting with your contact who has been tending to Pakura for the time being…Are there any further questions that you have." Iruka answered back
"Not really. .Just let me go home, grab some gear, turn into Phantasma so I can slip past everyone. Then from there, I'll shift into Mantabomber and fly out as soon as possible." Naruto said to Iruka of what his gameplan was
"Good to know, and good luck, Naruto." Iruka replied as Naruto got up to leave
"...There is one thing I have to ask?...What's the whole excuse for my being gone, while I'm out on mission?" Naruto asked
"Don't worry, I already have something planned. Something about you having fallen sick, and needing a few days, maybe a week of bedrest before your well again." Iruka told the Ultimatrix wielder
"How are you gonna get this past Granny Tsunade? You do know once she hears about this that, that she's gonna check and see what's up?" Naruto questioned
Since even he knew that it was going to only be a matter of time before Granny Tsunade found out that instead of resting at home sick, that he was instead out and about on an A-Rank mission was going to raise red flags.
"Don't worry, Lord Danzo has already accounted for that, and has taken precautions should Lady Tsunade begin to ask questions." Iruka answered back
"Wait a minute? He's got everything taken care of that quick?...Man, he works fast." Naruto said surprised of the speed of which the warhawk already had something in place
"Of course, he does. After all, Naruto. The roots of the Hidden Leaf run far, far deeper than what you expect." Iruka replied with a cryptic smile
"Fair enough. Anyways, I'll go and get ready for everything." Naruto said back
"Before I forget…catch!" Iruka told Naruto as he tossed an envelope to him
"This envelope contains where she is staying at for the time being. I can't have you going on your mission without the proper coordinates." Iruka said as Naruto pocketed the envelope in one of his pockets
"Thanks, Iruka-sensei. You are a lifesaver." Naruto said back before continuing on his way
'I can't believe he's not even a official shinobi yet, and he's already going on his 1st mission…Good luck Naruto, you're going to need it.' Iruka said to himself as he watched an Naruto run off and away
(The next day later, September 19th, 996 S.E, Yugakure, 7:38 Pm)
It was the next evening later for Naruto who had flew at nearly hypersonic speeds to make it to Yugakure in a timely manner, only having stopped to rest after flying nonstop for so many hours.
'Well, I'll give her credit for picking a pretty cool hideout.' Phantasma remarked as he phased through the walls of the hotel where Pakura was staying at
"Now all I gotta do is meet with the contact and Pakura and then I'm golden." Phantasma said before he transformed back into Naruto
From there Naruto wandered around the halls of the hotel where he searched for the hotel room where Pakura and his contact were staying at, with it taking him a few minutes before he made it to their room on the 3rd floor. Once the Ultimatrix wielder knocked on the door where the two he was to meet were staying at, a few moments had passed before the door opened and to the surprise of both himself and his contact; Naruto was staring at the face of none other than Shizune, while Naruto was looking at the face of what was essentially his aunt.
"Wait a minute…Auntie Shizune…your a Root agent?!" Naruto said downright flabbergasted to see her
"I feel like I'm the one who should be surprised, Mr. I can shapeshift into whatever those creatures are you can turn into…Of all the things for me to see today. Your being in Root wasn't one of them, either." Shizune said in surprise as she had Naruto come in
"Wait a minute, how the heck do you know about my transformations? I thought that stuff was top-secret and shit." Naruto questioned the medic ninja who was locking the door behind her
"Lord Danzo gave me the details about it, when he told me that we would be having someone to assist getting Pakura out of here and back to Konoha." Shizune answered back
"By the way, did you really have to pick Legion as your callsign?" Shizune asked as she continued to lock the door
"Hey, it sounded like a badass codename. Besides, it worked with the whole being able to transform into multiple aliens thing, I got going on." Naruto answered back with a shrug of her shoulders
"Fair enough…Still, this is going to be a lot to deal with." Shizune said with a wearisome sigh
'First having to play nurse to Pakura here, and then finding out my nephew is a shapeshifter...Just what is this world coming to.' Shizune thought to herself
"You aren't gonna tell Grandpa and Grandma about me being in Root, or my being able to turn into aliens are you? Because I'm still working out how to do all of that...Especially without Granny freaking out about it." Naruto asked, knowing that he'd have a lot to explain to said Senjus
"No on both of those things. I'm not going to snitch on you to anyone, Naruto. We are family, and I'd never do something like that to you." Shizune told him
"Also, concerning your transformations. That is also safe with me. It isn't in my place to tell anyone about what you're capable of,. Which is why, I'm going to let you handle when you want to tell Uncle Dan and Aunt Tsunade, about you being a shapeshifter." Shizune added in knowing full well that either way she had no right to blab to anyone on Naruto's secret in regards to the Ultimatrix
"Thanks for understanding." Was Naruto's only relieved reply that Shizune wasn't gonna blab his secret to anyone
"Hey, this is the least I can do for you. Also, we're comrades now. So it is my responsibility to have your back…Also, Aunt Tsunade would have my hide if she found out I let something happen to you." Tsunade said back
"You definitely aren't wrong about that. I'm pretty sure no one is stupid enough to piss her off. Except for pervy sage, now THAT is a man with a death wish." Naruto said knowing full well of the stories of Tsunade's temper
"I agree. However, I would rather we see to Pakura; than continue to talk about the man that tries to have sex with my aunt." Shizune replied
"Fair point...I still can't believe he tried to get in Granny's pants." Naruto said
"You and me both." Shizune said back
From there they went in to and entered the room where Pakura resided in, with the now former Hero of Sunagakure who was still bandaged up from Shizune having worked her magic as an apprentice of the Slug Sannin to heal her. Although, without a proper medical facility to work with, the results weren't as great or expedient as she would have liked, and as such while she was able to have healed the Scorch Release user over the course of the month, she was more at somewhere of 60 to 65 percent of her full capacity due to her injuries.
"Hello, Pakura. I would like you to meet the person who is going to help you get to Konoha." Shizune said introducing the Ultimatrix wielder
"What's cracking', my name's Naruto Uzumaki. Pleasure to meet you." Naruto greeted the Scorch Release user
"It is nice to meet you as well, Naruto. Although, you are not what I would expect to see on a mission this dangerous." Pakura spoke
"Really? What's that all about?" Naruto asked
"It isn't that I do not trust in your abilities. It is more to do with the fact that you are so young to be on a mission like this. If anything you look as though you are the same age as my former student…perhaps slightly younger." Pakura answered back
"Old, young, or whatever, Auntie Shizune and I are here to get this mission done, and get you to Konoha…Which reminds me, how are we gonna do this? Because last time I checked with Iruka-sensei, she's still got a bunch of ninja from Kiri and Suna that's after her." Naruto replied before turning his attention to the senior ROOT operative
"I actually have something in mind for that. However, it will require you to be on your A-game to work, Naruto. Also, I will need some of your blood for this to work, Pakura." Shizune told the Ultimatrix wielder and Scorch Release user
"What do you have in mind?" Pakura asked
"What I plan on doing is to create a blood clone. However, I intend to make this a strong enough clone in order to act as a diversion for you to get enough of a distance from your pursuers. While they're distracted in dealing with your clone. Naruto and I, will then launch a surprise attack against them and neutralize them. Once we have dealt with them, we will meet you in Tanzaku Town and reconvene to continue back towards Konoha." Shizune explained
"That is a rather decent plan. However, how will this clone not only provide a worthy distraction to aid in my escape? How is it also going to turn the tides in your favor to combat them? My former comrades, and those maggots from the Hidden Mist hold a considerable numbers advantage against the two of you…So even if you manage this, you will still face a significant disadvantage." Pakura pointed out although the resentment within her voice could be very much heard
"That is because I'm going to make some modifications to your blood clone. Luckily, I have some of my supplies with me to make it happen." Shizune said as she grabbed her backpack which was full of various storage scrolls
"Sadly, I don't have enough time to make something that can kill them quickly. However, what I can do is make something that will debilitate them without a doubt." Shizune added whilst she began to pull out various jars and such from the scrolls
"Wait a minute, are you gonna make some kind of super poison?" Naruto asked
"Less of a super poison, and more of a biological weapon that will destroy their respiratory system, and cause them to not only give them the equivalent of super rabies. In addition, it will also cause their hearts to implode from the stress its going to put on their bodies, from the dramatic increase of adrenaline and testosterone that's going to be putting them through the paces." Shizune explained
"Granted it won't have as large a radius as I would normally like, if I had time to prepare. But it should still do the job." Shizune told them as she pulled out 3 separate scrolls
"Here I thought you were just a super medic like Granny Tsunade." Naruto said
"Your half-right about that, Naruto." Shizune said as she pulled out a large glass vial and supplies for drawing a persons' blood
"It is true that Lady Tsunade trained me to be a very proficient medic. I chose to go a far different route than what she had as one of our greatest healers…While she chose to perfect her skills in medical ninjutsu, and become one of the it not the greatest at what she does. I chose to understand and create methods on how to destroy the human body, and learn all of the vast and different manners that are possible to fell it…It just so happens that learning about and creating poisons was the first step." Shizune added as she put together the tube and needle in order to drain Pakura's blood
"So how did you go from making poisons and stuff, to making biological weapons that fry peoples' insides?" Naruto asked
"I would tell you the full story, right now. However, we are pressed for time…Also, Pakura if you could hold still for a few moments?" Shizune replied whilst the former Suna kunoichi complied as Shizune quickly stuck the needle into a vein
"The short version is that after the 3rd Shinobi War, their were still many enemies that wanted Konoha destroyed. Even moreso after the 9 tails attack left the village weakened. Which meant that I had to go beyond poisons, if there was going to be an assured way of making sure our enemies would die as quickly as possible." Shizune told the Ultimatrix wielder
'Just holy shit. Why is it that almost everyone I know is either super strong, or some secret badass?' Naruto wondered
"Anyways, if everything goes accordingly, then we should be able to kill Pakura's assassin's in no time." Shizune said her voice returning to its usual energetic tone of voice as the vial had quickly filled up
"I would help aid you in killing my treacherous comrades…However, I feel as though my body must say otherwise." Pakura groaned in her given injured state of being
"As your 'doctor' I will say that you are in no condition to fight anyone. In fact, it is a miracle how you even survived that ambush." Shizune said knowing full well that Pakura was on her last legs when she found her
"I don't know how I was able to survive either. What I do know is that, I couldn't allow for my death to be at the hands of those I once served alongside…If that happened then I would leave my student in that pit of vipers, and I could not allow that to happen." Pakura said back her teeth grinding in fury at the thought of having left Maki behind in the clutches of the betrayers she once called her comrades
'If I get my hands on any one of them, they are all deadmen for what they've done.' Pakura swore
"Luckily for you, you will be in far better hands in Konoha." Shizune assured her
"I hope so, I would rather not have to suffer through another Rasa." Pakura said with a biting amount of disgust for the current Kazekage
"Believe me when I say that Lord Minato is a far cry from the 4th Kazekage. That much I can guarantee you." Shizune said as the vial had soon filled to full
"And there we are. Thank you for the generous donation, Pakura." Shizune spoke as she was quick to bandage and clean the spot where she drew blood from
"If it means guaranteeing my survival against them, then I will give whatever is needed." Pakura replied as Shizune bandaged up Pakura with all the speed and skill befitting a medic of her aptitude
"Now then, Naruto. I will need you to watch over Pakura while I'm preparing the blood clone. I'm going to need someone to watch over her while I get everything ready." Shizune ordered
"No problem. Also, I did bring snacks over. I figured since we're going to be here for awhile, that it wouldn't hurt to have something to keep everyone's strength up." Naruto said as he pulled out a small box containing Onigiri and handed it to Pakura
"Thank you, you are too kind, Naruto...was it." Pakura said as she took the box from Naruto
"Hey, your one of my people now. So I gotta make sure you keep your strength up." Naruto replied as Pakura began to eat out of the box
"Thanks a lot Naruto, I really appreciate this." Shizune said to the blonde
"Hey, anything to help you out…Now go on and do your thing, and I'll do mine." Naruto replied as Shizune nodded and went to work
(6 days later, September 25th, 996 S.E, Fire Country, 2:25 Pm)
It was nearly half-past 3 in the afternoon as Naruto and Shizune were watching from afar as Pakura's blood clone was running through the forested area, whilst her pursuers were hot on her heels.
"I still can't believe this is gonna work...You really are something else, Auntie." Naruto said as they watched the clone Pakura rush away from the horde of pursuers
"Luckily enough, I spent that extra time making sure that the clone would be able to build up the viral payload. Otherwise, this wouldn't be anywhere near as effective as I'd hoped." Shizune spoke thanking both that and the fact that a blood clone was sturdier than a regular clone
"So how long is it gonna take for this stuff to kick in, once it pops?" Naruto asked
"Around, 2 hours before it sets in." Shizune answered back
"Good to know. Also, am I gonna have to worry about possibly getting infected by this stuff? Because, I'd rather not get infected with super rabies?" Naruto asked the Slug Sannin's apprentice
"No. This is mainly an airborne pathogen I created to be a one-and-done. The risk of it spreading to potential allies in the line of fire was too great, to risk making it a full-blown contagion." Shizune told her 'nephew'
"That's really great to know..The last thing I want is to get hopped up on a murder virus." Naruto said with a shudder at the thought of going fully rabid
"Don't worry, Naruto. Even if that happened, I already have an antidote packed with me should that somehow happen." Shizune said as she tapped her flak jacket
"You really do come prepared for everything, don't you?" Naruto questioned
"Of course. I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't." Shizune answered back as she saw clone Pakura become increasingly surrounded
From there the duo watched as Pakura's blood clone was soon surrounded by the small band of Kiri and Suna ninja, and although it was able to put up a valiant effort against the originals' would-be-assassins'; to the point of managing to take out 3 of them in part to Pakura's Scorch Release. However, the sheer numbers by which it was faced against was too much and it was eventually shredded to ribbons by a trio of Wind Release: Pressure Damage jutsus that turned the clone into a thick red mist that caught nearly half of the pursuers in question.
The band of Kiri and Suna ninja having looked over their handiwork and done everything they could to make sure that this wasn't the trick of some genjutsu, they eventually departed and went to head back to their camp with haste; all the while Naruto and Shizune followed behind them. With the trip towards their base camp taking approximately 50 minutes to reach their camp, as our duo was able to remain hidden some 100 yards away in keep a close eye on them, and waiting for the pathogen to take effect.
Something that felt like moments, as after a solid hour passed before the pathogen took effect as though that had been exposed when the blood clone exploded and soon let out a bloodcurdling shriek as their veins pulsed and bulged furiously against their flesh, before they grabbed whatever they could, and went to attack the nearest person to them like a bloodthirsty tiger. The 2 ROOT operatives watched as the encampment erupted into outright bedlam, as it descended into a brawl between disease-fueled berserkers, and the stupefied jonin/ANBU who were caught very much unawares and were scrambling to grab weapons against their now maddened comrades.
The now berserk shinobi unleashed the full totality of their aggression against their now former comrades, as while they were unable to use jutsu due to their newfound state of hyper-aggression; they nonetheless attacked with a ferocity and savagery that made up for it. The berserk shinobi soon started attacking with such recklessness that regardless of how many times they were stabbed and slashed at by katanas and tantos, or stricken by water and wind jutsu; that their virus-fueled rage forced their bodies to keep going like maddened zombies.
"Holy shit, that stuff is super effective." Naruto remarked as he saw the berserk shinobi attack like rabid jaguars
"I told you that biological weapons and poisons are awesome…Everyone wants to learn flashy jutsus, but have them learn about poisons and they'll throw a fit over it." Shizune said watching the carnage unfold
"After this, I will never take poisons for granted ever again after this." Naruto replied after watching one of the one-armed berserkers tear out the throat of a Kiri shinobi
"If you want I can start teaching you how to make them?" Shizune offered
"That sounds pretty cool…Hey, maybe I can use some of my aliens to make some bombs for you to use. That way you can chuck your poisons and bio-weapons at people." Naruto suggested
"That actually doesn't sound like such a bad idea." Shizune replied as they continued to watch the carnage unfold
Whilst they were continuing to talk shop about Naruto learning under Shizune in how to make poisons, and Naruto using the abilities of his aliens to beef up the delivery and potential of her poisons and biological weapons; the carnage was nearing its end. Meanwhile, the uninfected were able to overwhelm their former comrades through the use of keeping them at range with jutsu, and their ability to co-ordinate with each other to outmaneuver the berserkers; despite their physical advantage of superior strength and inability to feel pain.
The sounds of flesh being clawed and bitten away at, bones being broken with wild flailing punches and kicks were met with the sounds of weapons slicing through flesh and bone, alongside the echoes of jutsu ripping through the evening. However, while the battle between the berserkers and the un-infected going on for what felt like hours of nonstop bloodshed of limbs being dismembered, heads severed from the shoulders, innards blasted into a crimson slurry from water and wind jutsu alike, and bones being crushed and snapped as though some great beast had their way with them.
Yet the bloody battle soon came to an end as the non-infected albeit at the cost of their own either having died, or sustained a considerable number of injuries from the vicious melee of the infected; they still managed to come out on top nonetheless. However, this didn't come without considerable losses as what remained of their team barring that of their first fight with Pakura, and now that of the unexpected battle with the infected left them at a measly 7 out of the 2 dozen that was with them initially.
Unfortunately, their reprieve was short-lived as their last remaining medic had a beam of concentrated lightning punch a fist hole through their chest; the remaining 6 barely had enough time to evade a barrage of senbon shot after them, did they see a masked Shizune accompanied by a several foot and a quarter tall creature with multiple eyes all over its upper-body and lower legs. The creature had large bat-shaped ears that stretched from where its eye sockets would've been had taken up either upper portion of its skull, bright sapphire-colored skin, unusually long muscular arms that ended in skeletal 4 fingered hands with razor-like talons at the end of them, and feet reminiscent of a bat and ostrich.
It wore a pair of navy-colored knee-length trunks with broad golden stripes on the side, as each of its teal-colored eyes constantly moved about on its body taking in every detail around it, and lastly was the Ultimatrix that was located on a bronze-colored belt around its waist…this was none other than Blindspot.
"Do you believe me now about being able to transform?" Blindspot asked with a grin full of teeth like a goblin shark
"I do..and I will probably have nightmares about this for a week…Can you...Can you stop staring at me, it's really weird." Shizune said finding it hard to look Blindspot in the eye…or eyes
"Ok…Which eyes do you want to stop staring at you?" Blindspot asked as a portion of the eyes then rapidly moved to the unnerved and worn-down shinobi
"All of…Never mind, we have bigger problems to worry about." Shizune answered, knowing they didn't have the time to bicker
"Good point. Let's get to it!" Blindspot replied as he directed the eyes on his right shoulder and chest to fire beams of plasma and pure cold
The remaining 6 wounded/unnerved Suna and Kiri shinobi were barely able to dodge the beams that raced towards them like a swarm of angry wasps, not all of them were able to come out of it unscathed, as a Kiri ANBU found their right leg at the knee frozen solid, and a Suna jonin was struck in the shoulder with a plasma beam with bone-breaking force. All the while; Shizune being quick to close the gap and take advantage of the partially frozen Kiri Anbu; who Blindspot blasted a hole through their femur with a beam of concentrated lightning to put them on their knees, and allow for Shizune to quickly unsheathe a Kukri blade from her side and quickly slash their throat open.
The rest of the 5 tried to regroup and mount an offensive against them, but Shizune using one of her poison-based ninjutsu known as Ninja Art: Toxic Wave to attack them by spewing forth a wide stream of foul pale orchid-colored sludge from her mouth like a fire hose. While the remaining 5 were quickly going through hand-signs to try and fire off jutsu to try and counter it, only for Blindspot to use his superhuman levels of athleticism to leap into the air and fire a quick barrage of plasma beams and streams of searing flame to disrupt their concentration and force them to dodge out of the way.
With this unfortunately causing them to splinter off from one another, as one half was able to narrowly evade the wave of poisonous sludge; albeit with 4 of Blindspot's eyes coming together to unleash a mighty blast of fire that outright incinerated a Kiri jonin into a charred skeleton. All the while the other half that were caught in Shizune's Toxic Wave were covered in the foul sludge, and left screaming in agony as the toxicity of the ooze caused large blisters and boils to split open their flesh; while their throats began to seize and swell shut, as they fell to the ground spasming, as their blisters voraciously spread across their body.
Whilst they tried to crawl away in agonizing pain of their bodies being subject to the poisonous jutsu, Blindspot quickly leapt upon the Suna Jonin who had a broken shoulder, and was currently trying to fend off the Opticloid with a tanto, while Shizune was fighting with her Kukri in one hand and a chakra scalpel in the other against the remaining Kiri jonin who wielded a katana. Meanwhile with Blindspot who was taking advantage of his unnatural reach and flexibility to launch jabs, hooks and crosses from unexpected angles all the while keeping the jonin at bay, and using his eye beams in short bursts to disrupt their rhythm.
"What the hell even are you?!" The Suna Jonin questioned out of fright at the Opticloid
"Does it even matter? You and your friend over their are dead meat, anyways." Blindspot retorted as he launched a barrage of flicker jabs at the jonin
Blindspot continued to fire off flicker jabs at the jonin who despite his wounded arm off-balancing him, was still able to expertly parry the attacks with his tanto; albeit his efficiency in doing so was hampered by the wounds from the previous battle. With the Suna jonin being unable to make hand-signs for any jutsu due to the Opticloid making sure that any attempt to get distance away from him and make to the motions to do so, was met with a swift plasma beam that gouged out the flesh of his lower legs and wounded shoulder.
The Opticloid in question then used his inhuman athleticism and the many eyes across his body to pay attention to every detail and motion made; so as to make the most effective counterattack in response to his parries and attempts to slash out his throat or innards. The Suna Jonin pushing forward with a chakra-assisted leap leaped backwards before Blindspot could swipe at him with his large, long limbs, he switched his tanto over to his damaged arm and began weaving hand signs for a wind jutsu to shred the Opticloid to bloody ribbons.
Only for Blindspot in a 'blind' panic of what would be unleashed against him had every eyeball on his right side look upon the jonin and unleash a mass torrent of royal blue flame came rushing in like an almighty tidal wave; scorching the ground into molten stone. With it being by the time he was going to exhale and release his wind jutsu; that he was not only caught within the wave of flame and fire, but the wind jutsu that he would have released combined with the flames and caused a raucous explosion of flames to burst into existence.
Something that caused Blindspot to be flung through 2 and nearly collapse another one, before being able to albeit very, very roughly catching himself and tumbling over to cushion himself, as he staggered to his feet with a groan before he rose to his feet; his vision swimming and shaking from quite literally all ends due to the multiple eyes on his body…So after a few brief moments to shake himself to ready to fight against the last of the shinobi, only to find Shizune who finished breathing a point-blank Poison Mist jutsu at the jonin who was clutching his belly from Shizune shoving her Kukri hilt deep into his liver.
"Well, damn, Auntie. I swear I should stop forgetting your a super-badass." Blindspot spoke as Shizune sliced upwards and disembowled the jonin who was foaming at the mouth from her poisonous jutsu
"Anyways, what do we do now?" Blindspot asked
"We burn this place to the ground, and leave no trace of what happened here. We cannot allow any evidence that we were here to be left, Naruto." Shizune answered
"Understood. I'm just going to need help gathering all the bodies together, and then I'll get started on burning it all to the ground." Blindspot told her as she flicked the blood off of her kukri
"Good, we've got a few hours of time to play around with before it gets dark at the very least." Shizune replied as the two began gathering up the bodies to torch
'Of all the things I thought I'd be doing this week. Killing enemy shinobi, and torching their bodies wasn't one of them…Still, pretty dope mission.' Blindspot said to himself as he continued to help gather up the bodies
(2 days later, ROOT HQ, September 27th, 996 S.E, 9:45 Am)
It was a few short days after Shizune, Pakura, and Naruto flew back via Mantabomber to ROOT Headquarters after the 2 ROOT operatives had destroyed the combined unit of Kiri and Suna shinobi. With Pakura and Naruto standing before the Warhawk; who looked at the Ultimatrix wielder with a pleased expression that was tempered by his usual stoicism.
"Well done on completing the mission, Naruto." Danzo said to the Ultimatrix wielder
"Thank you, Lord Danzo. Although, I wouldn't have been able to get the job done without Auntie Shizune. If it weren't for her, then things would've gone to shit without her pulling a hell of a lot of weight." Naruto replied in full admission of that fact
"Even still, you succeeded in the mission at hand…That is all that matters." Danzo said back before turning his attention towards a still recovering Pakura
"As for you Miss. Pakura. Welcome to Konoha, I hope that you will be able to adjust to things here in the Hidden Leaf." Danzo spoke to the Scorch Release user
"All that I ask is that I am not betrayed, and used as a martyr, as Rasa and the senior members of the Hidden Sand had attempted." Pakura replied
"Rest assured. You will not have to worry about betrayal of any sort. The Hidden Leaf does not waste a potential asset, and with someone of your skillset and potent bloodline. I will make sure that your talents are put to good use." Danzo told her
"Just as long as I am given the opportunity to defend my new village, and strike out against Rasa and those under the rule of the current Mizukage. Then I will be more than happy to do whatever is needed for the Hidden Leaf." Pakura said back to the warhawk her pupilless brown eyes set with vengeful resolve
"Do not worry, once you have made a full recovery. I will find you plenty of opportunities to strike out against the Hidden Mist and your former village. That much you have my word upon." Danzo spoke
"Thank you…Now then, if you do not mind, I would like to continue my recovery." Pakura responded back to the ROOT leader
"Of course. I will not waste your time with idle chatter. You are free to leave at any given time." Danzo said, as Pakura gave a deep bow before leaving Danzo's office
"So where does that leave me?" Naruto inquired
"That leaves you with the matter of your payment for the mission. Which will be transferred to your account." Danzo answered back
'Score! Oh man am I gonna get paid big time for this.' Naruto said to himself
"That being said, I hope that your first mission lived up to your expectations…Granted it wasn't something as grandiose as saving one of the Daimyo's children, or the assassination of a Kage. However, missions such as these are nevertheless important to the Hidden Leaf." Danzo replied
"To be honest, this was pretty cool for my first mission. I got to go out of the village, see Auntie Shizune be a badass, and do a cool team-up with her to fight our enemies…So to be real with you, it was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had!" Naruto said back
For Naruto felt like this was one of the best experiences he could've had by sheer virtue of being able to go out of the village, and do something that was pretty awesome in the grand scheme of things.
"I'm glad you see it that way…There will be many more missions for you to undertake in the future, Naruto. The world is in a precarious state right now, a state in which the order of things has the potential to shift into something greater or far more dire than what we have now. As such it is our responsibility to make sure that when that shift happens, Konoha not only survives; but flourishes under whatever may come." Danzo said to the Ultimatrix wielder
"That is why I will be calling upon you far more often in these coming months. With your unique abilities, I feel as though you will be instrumental in helping make sure the village is ready for what comes." Danzo added in seeing Naruto's role in things to come as one of the most valuable
"Don't worry, I'll do everything we can to make sure we come out on top. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to make sure, we come out on the otherside." Naruto swore
"I will be holding you to that. In the meantime, you are free to leave." Danzo told
"Thanks a ton. I've got some things I wanna start putting together with my aliens, and they aren't going to do it themselves." Naruto replied before rushing off
Yet while Naruto was off to enjoy his accomplished mission and use the power of his aliens to build more machines and such for himself and his comrades in ROOT, on the other side of the Elemental Nations; Maki was sitting beside herself at the fact that her sensei was no longer here with her in the Hidden Sand any longer…Apparently 'killed in action' as it were by Iwa as the Kazekage had put it, with the young Suna kunoichi wanting in her heart of hearts to believe that her sensei against all odds survived against the band of Iwa shinobi…however, the fact that they reported that their was nothing left but a pile of blood and gore in the aftermath; cemented the fact that her sensei was no longer for this world.
"Is there something wrong, Maki?" A familiar tired voice questioned that held an odd mix of calm, bloodlust, and oddly enough…kindness
"Oh...Hi Gaara. Sorry, I'm just still down about what happened with Pakura-sensei." Maki said to the youngest daughter of the Kazekage
"Yes, I heard it from father. He is all too happy that we are gaining an alliance with the Hidden Mist…It is still a shame that it had to come at your sensei's death. I rather liked her to be quite honest." Gaara said, having next to Yashamaru, grown rather fond of Pakura
"She was one of the few that I actually liked here." Garra added as she went to take a seat beside her one and only friend
"I just don't understand why it had to be her. She was so wonderful, and powerful, and the best person I ever had…So why did she have to die? Couldn't there have been some other way to get the villagers behind him?..." Maki asked…once more finding herself on the verge of tears
"To be honest with you, I cannot give you the answers you want. You are talking to someone whose entire existence has been set up from birth to be nothing short of complete misery." Gaara answered back as she conjured forth the sands around them into a still-forming shape
"Yet even through the misery of my own father disregarding me as a monster, sending my own uncle to try and assassinate me, my very own brother and sister regarding me as a devil, and to top it off the village itself nearly regards me as Shukaku's second coming…However, while I cannot give you an answer to why their couldn't have been someone else to take Pakura's place. I do know that she is not truly gone, Maki." Gaara said back as she continued to mould the sands into a more humanoid shape
"You really think that she isn't dead?" Maki asked her eyes reddened from the many hours she's cried herself to sleep
"Not in the physical sense, no. Yet I know that the memory of her, and who she was as a wonderful woman, will never die. That as long as we keep her memory alive in our hearts. Then no matter what may have befallen her, she will be immortalized within not just the village. But moreso, she will remain undying in the heart of her favorite student, and that is something that can never be taken." Gaara said as they finished forming the sand into a life-like replica of Pakura made of sandstone
"Thank you for the kind words, Gaara. I really do appreciate them." Maki replied with a tear-streaked and puffy-eyed smile
"Of course…Out of everyone in the village, you remain as my only friend…As such I would be a very poor friend to you if I did not return the kindness you and Pakura have shown me…Even mother agrees with my sentiments." Gaara said with the smallest of smiles gracing their ever-weary host of Shukaku
"I'm happy to have made friends with you too, Gaara. You really are a kind person, even if everyone in the village can't see that." Maki said back with a smile and warmth that made Gaara's heart flutter from the warmth shown towards her
"Thank you…I know it may not return what you have lost. But at least have this, it is the least I can do to help honor her memory." Gaara said as she used her power of sand to float the statue of Pakura over to Maki
"I should be the one to thank you, Gaara. I promise I'll find a way to repay you for this." Maki told the red-haired jinchuuriki
"Think nothing of it, Maki. This is something I am happy to do for you, out of respect for your sensei, and our friendship." Gaara said as she straightened herself
"If you wouldn't mind. Would you stay with me for a little bit longer? I don't want to be alone to grieve my sensei's passing." Maki requested from the redheaded insomniac
"If that is what you wish. Then I will be more than happy to keep you company." Gaara replied as she sat down beside Maki, using her sand to push them together
'Pakura-sensei, I don't know if you're up there. But if you can hear me, then I promise to make you proud.' Maki swore as she looked up at the evening sky above alongside her friend
So with Naruto's first mission under ROOT completed alongside an unexpected team-up with Shizune, Konoha gains a new addition to its ranks in the form of Pakura…Now with a mission under his belt, how will Naruto continue to fair in the trials to come? Well, find out in the chapters to come of; The Alien Soldier.
Alright, that takes care of that as I hoped you enjoyed this installment of the story and what it entailed, as I figured it would be a fun thing to tackle in regards to Pakura and how she'll be affecting things further down the line. Also sorry for the long-ass wait, writers' block and having to deal with College classes is a pain in the ass.
Furthermore, I hope you guys will continue to enjoy this story for better or for worse, as any favorites, follows, reviews or suggestions are welcome. Yet as per the standard, flames are ignored since if ya don't like then go on and read/support someone else's story that's more your speed.
Now with all that done and out of the way, this is Nomadic Chaos signing off until next time. With the next chapter tackling Naruto's birthday among a pretty big chance to come, so stay tuned for all of that good stuff.
But before I forget I would want to say go take a look at my friends Kourtney Uzu Yato's Naruto story called The-She Devil since its' a pretty stellar fem-Naruto neglect story, and also Pravus666's Naruto and Pokemon crossover called Naruto: The Pokesage which is so far a pretty good read.
Prelude Theme Song: Regulate by Warren G and Nate Dogg
Random End Song: Fire it Up by Thousand Foot Krutch
Now then onto some of the reviews from the last chapter.
Kourtney Uzu Yato (Chapters 6-7): Glad you liked the story so far and also can't wait for the next update of The-She-Devil since its been a banger to read thus far. Also, concerning the prophecy I've got something in mind next chapter to turn it around, as it turns out that Naruto's gonna have some ripple effects on it. Also, yeah its gonna be pretty fun for everyone to realize that Naruto essentially just ghosted his own family and as for where I'm gonna put that happening; I'm still working that out so have fun figuring out where it'll take place. Also, yeah I've got plans for Mizuki to be an actual problem given that I do plan on making his reasons for not fucking with Hayase and Naoya go beyond that of them being that of the 'Fox Brats' as it stands...Also, I wonder how the She-Devil version of Naruko would think of Naruto in this universe given what he's trying to accomplish and how things are in his timeline. Other than that hope your having a happy holidays.
God of Wind 200: You got it right for Naruto's pairing but as for who Sasuke ends up with; that's gonna be a surprise I've got hidden.