A/N: Beta by
First of all, I got my first hater. yay. Some people should maybe check their priorities in life. I mean going onto a page where people post made-up stories as a hobby and engage with others only to tell them to kill themselves is something I not only have the utmost pity for but also report and ignore from this point on.
I got some hints for fixes in other chapters. Thank you guys! I will go over them when I will go back to edit the earlier chapters. May take some time to get there though.
Scarease: You may want to pick up writing yourself. You already have some solid ideas to start with.
In the heart of Iron Country, nestled between towering mountains and lush green valleys, lies a city unlike any other. This is the capital of Iron Country, a bustling metropolis steeped in tradition and honor, where samurai walk the streets and bushido is not just a code but a way of life.
The city itself is a sight to behold; its buildings are made of dark red brick and towering wooden structures that seem almost organic in their design. The streets are lined with cobblestones, making it difficult for anyone to move quickly without causing a racket. Everywhere you look, there are signs of the samurai culture that permeates every aspect of life here: intricate cherry blossom tattoos adorn many of the citizens' arms, while others wear traditional kimonos or haori jackets over their armor.
The city's centerpiece is undoubtedly the castle, a massive fortress that rises above everything else like a beacon of strength and power. Its walls are made of iron-reinforced stone, with turrets and watchtowers dotting its perimeter. Inside, the halls echo with the sound of steel on steel as samurai train in the art of swordsmanship.
But it's not just about combat here; Iron Country highly values education. The city boasts several prestigious academies where young aspiring warriors can learn everything from history and strategy to literature and calligraphy. These schools are run by some of the most respected figures in the land, many of whom have served as advisors to past leaders.
Despite its martial focus, there is also a strong sense of community within the city walls.
Neighborhoods are tight-knit, with families looking out for one another and helping each other whenever possible. There's even an active nightlife scene, with many taverns and teahouses serving as gathering places to relax and unwind after a long day of training or work.
Naruto looked in awe at all those sights. He and Jiraiya had again put their headbands away and looked like locals moving through the streets the teenager enjoyed being just that, a teenager. Looking at different shops, and browsing the wares Jiraiya had really trouble holding him from buying other weapons or metal. All those things had slowed them down immensely but finally, they had reached the spot where Jiraiya wanted them to be.
One of the main government towers was the place where the General of the Samurai resided. Lord Mfune was one of the people that had survived a battle with Hanzo the salamander. One would think that a shinobi would always win against a samurai but those samurai were trained in the art of Iaido, the art of drawing the katana. With a technique to draw their weapon nearly in a blink, a ninja would not be able to form hand seals at the same time. Something Jiraiya and the iron-willed Samurai had connected over the years.
The two shinobi gave the samurai leader a respectful bow that Mifune answered with a short nod before his voice boomed through the halls, which were aligned with his personal guard in their armor.
"Jiraiya, old friend, what brings you into our mountains, and who is this little one at your side? A new apprentice?" Jiraiya nodded his head and put a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"Mifune. Still not too old to swing your blade I assume?" Both older men chuckled before Jiraiya continued. "Yes, this is Naruto. We are currently traveling the nations. Sightseeing and training." Mifune looked intrigued at the blonde before he noticed the black blade the blonde wore in his obi.
"You know Kenjutsu boy?" Mifune stood up coming around his desk before he stood before the two. Naruto looked at the samurai Jiraiya had told him so much about and gave a short nod as an answer. "That is good, not many Shinobi try to be good in this field. Mostly leaving that to the professionals like us. But some really are good at it. Like the Swordsman of the Mist. Do you want to be as good as the young apprentice?"
Naruto thought about his answer momentarily then slowly shook his head. "I do not want to sound rude, but no I do not. I aim to be better but not by specializing in one branch of the arts while ignoring the others. So…" He looked at Jiraiya for a moment before he looked back at Mifune and gave him his foxy grin. "If I want to improve Relations around the nations I need to understand how you samurai think. Something that once was taught to me best was to be done by sparring and crossing blades in a friendly manner."
For a moment the room was silent before Mifune broke out in a deep rumbling laughter, pointing at Naruto while looking at Jiraiya. "I really like this one." He looked back at Naruto.
"Well I would love to let you cross blades with my son who is still learning the art, but before that, we would first have to wait for him to get back. Some days ago he and a small platoon of my warriors made their way to an old and nearly forgotten place. We heard some rumors of a rogue faction that wanted to move us out of neutrality and take a more active role in the nations. Something, to be honest, I won't have. So. They should have been there and investigate and report back. But. That never happened. I was about to prepare to investigate that myself, but pressing matters have come up. Could you and your student look into the situation Jiraiya? Without raising suspicion so to speak?"
Looking at the old Samurai General Jiraiya gave him a small nod. "Sure, let us look into that. But where we should start looking for your son?"
Mifune gave him a small grateful smile.
"That is easy… in the Three Lions Mountain Range."
Later in the Three Lions Mountains
The Three Lions is a majestic series of peaks that stretch across the western region of the Land of Iron, dividing it into three distinct sections.
These mountains are characterized by their rugged terrain, dense forests, and towering cliffs that rise up to touch the clouds.
The range is home to many unique species of flora and fauna, including rare herbs with powerful medicinal properties and creatures that can only be found in these harsh environments.
The mountains are also rich in mineral deposits, making them a valuable resource for iron-working villages located at their base.
Deep within the heart of The Three Lions lies an old and nearly forgotten temple. This temple is said to be a sacred place where the priests have blessed the warriors' blades, so they could banish the bad.
However, over time, the temple has become shrouded in mystery and rumors, with many believing it to be nothing more than a myth.
The temple's location remains unknown to most, but those who have ventured into the depths of The Three Lions speak of a hidden valley surrounded by towering peaks.
The entrance to this valley is marked by an archway carved from solid rock, bearing ancient runes and symbols that glow softly in the darkness.
Inside the temple complex, visitors are greeted by a series of intricate corridors and chambers adorned with elaborate sculptures and paintings depicting scenes from the history of the Land of Iron.
As one delves deeper into the temple, they begin to sense an eerie presence watching their every move, as if the very walls themselves are alive.
Jiraiya and Naruto stood at the entrance of the hidden valley. Naruto consulting a map Mifune had quickly drawn them. "Naruto, take a good look around us. This is the hidden valley we've been searching for all this time."
Naruto sealed the map away and sighed. "Yeah, because the old Samurai can't draw to save his life." Then the young Ninja took a good look around and was in awe. "Wow! It's beautiful here. The air is so clean and fresh. I can feel the chakra in the air, too."
Jiraiya had to stop himself for a short moment as Naruto mentioned that he could feel Senjutsu Chakra here. "Indeed, it's a place of great power. Many legends surround this valley, including tales of ancient civilizations who once lived here and wielded incredible abilities." The Toad-Sage explained.
Naruto nodded. "I can't sense anything behind the temple walls. But when the son of the old sword man is somewhere it should be right in the temple right?"
"We must proceed with caution, Naruto. The temple may hold great secrets, but it also carries immense danger. There are rumors of traps and guardians protecting its halls"
Jiraiya warned before both of them used some Fuinjutsu tags to analyze the locking mechanisms on the temple doors. Between two seal masters, the door was quickly opened.
Naruto was taking the first steps into the darkness. Using his Sharingan paired with his sensing to stay aware of possible threats he looked at Jiraiya with a big grin.
"There you have it when you are behind the doors everything will be fine." He took some steps forward leading to a deep rumble going through the building. Naruto gulped down looking at Jiraiya before he looked at his feet which now seemed to float over a dark nothingness.
Jiraiya wanted to reach out for his student but was to lead with a comical girly scream Naruto fell down the trap pit. The ground closed again shortly after. "Just Great Naruto" The Toad Sage mumbled before taking slow steps into the depths of the Templebuilding.
With Hatsumi in Uzushio
Hatsumi Uzumaki stood atop a hill overlooking the vast expanse of what once used to be the bustling capital city of Uzushiogakure.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the ruins below as workers busily rebuilt their homes and businesses.
It had been years since the tragic attack from Iwa and Kumo that left the once-thriving village in tatters.
The Uzukage Tower stood tall amidst the rubble, its majestic spires reaching towards the heavens like a beacon of hope.
The tower had withstood the onslaught of chakra blasts and explosions, but not without sustaining significant damage.
Now, the sound of hammers and chisels echoed through the air as skilled artisans worked tirelessly to restore it to its former glory.
To Hatsumi's right stood the Sealing Facility, a sprawling complex that housed countless jutsu scrolls and seals.
The attack had breached its defenses, releasing a torrent of forbidden knowledge into the hands of their enemies. Luckily most of it was recovered by Danzo and his Root so it was now back in the right Hands.
Now, the facility lay in ruins, with only a few buildings still standing amidst the charred debris.
Beyond the Sealing Facility lay the Academy, once a place of learning and growth for young shinobi.
The walls were scarred by countless battles, and many of the classrooms had been reduced to rubble. But even in its current state, Hatsumi could see the potential it held.
To her left stood the Hospital, a testament to the resilience of Uzushiogakure's medical-nin.
Despite being targeted by their enemies, the hospital had managed to save countless lives during and after the attack.
Now, it was undergoing extensive repairs, with new wards being built to accommodate the growing population.
Finally, at the foot of the hill stood The Mask Temple. This sacred site held great importance for Uzushiogakure, as it housed the legendary Uzumaki masks.
Although it had sustained heavy damage during the battle, the temple remained standing, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that told tales of Uzushio's rich history.
As Hatsumi watched the workers below, she felt a sense of pride welling up within her. Despite the devastation they had faced, her people were determined to rebuild their homes stronger than ever before.
And with each hammer blow and chakra infusion, Uzushiogakure was one step closer to reclaiming its rightful place among the great shinobi villages.
Hatsumi Uzumaki found herself smiling as she watched Shisui and Tayuya engage in their usual bantering. The two were standing near one of the half-reconstructed buildings, their backs turned towards her as they conversed animatedly.
"You know, Tayuya," said Shisui with a grin, "I've always wondered why you never tried to get out of that response." He gestured vaguely at his own body, implying that he meant the lewd remark he often teased her about.
Tayuya rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smirk back. "Oh, please," she retorted. "Like you could handle a real woman like me." She puffed out her chest for emphasis, causing one of her breasts to nearly pop out of her shirt.
Shisui laughed heartily at that, his black hair bouncing around his face as he shook his head. "You really are something else, Tayuya," he said between giggles. "But I'll have you know that there are plenty of women who would gladly take me on."
Tayuya snorted derisively at the thought but couldn't help but feel a little pleased by his response. "If they would know you were alive and all that" She playfully punched him in the arm before turning back to their work, chuckling under her breath.
Hatsumi watched them for a moment longer, feeling happy that despite all they had been through, her people were still able to find moments of levity amidst the hardship.
"So, any luck finding a man who can handle you?" he asked with a grin.
Tayuya let out an exasperated sigh. "Oh, please," she said, rolling her eyes. "Like there's anyone in this village who could keep up with me." She puffed out her chest again, causing another near-wardrobe malfunction.
Shisui laughed heartily at that, his black hair bouncing around his face as he shook his head. "You really are something else, Tayuya," he said between giggles. "But I'll have you know that there are some men who would gladly take you out. If you would stop insulting them of course"
Tayuya snorted derisively at the thought. "Yeah, well, if they are so weak," she said with a shrug, "I guess we'll see about that when the village is rebuilt."
Turning away from the bantering duo Hatsumi was looking for Sai so she could get her Security Update from him. Some Agents had picked up on patrolling the border to ensure that the project would stay secret not that they had encountered enemy shinobi for the moment. But it was always better to be safe than sorry.
With Naruto back in the temple
Naruto fell through a dark, narrow shaft after being separated from Jiraiya. The air whistled past his ears as he tumbled downwards, feeling disoriented and alone. Suddenly, the shaft opened up into a large underground chamber filled with ancient armor and swords arranged neatly on racks along the walls. The chamber was illuminated by flickering torches mounted high above, casting eerie shadows across the room.
As Naruto regained his footing, he realized that the room was not entirely empty. In one corner, an animated suit of armor stood guard, its eyes glowing red in the semi-darkness. The armor moved towards him with surprising speed, raising a giant sword above its head.
Naruto quickly assessed his surroundings and decided to use his chakra to enhance his strength and speed.
He launched himself at the animated guardian, landing several powerful blows that dented the armor but didn't seem to slow it down. The armor counterattacked with a mighty swing of its sword, forcing Naruto to dodge nimbly to avoid being struck.
The battle raged on for several minutes, with both combatants trading blows and dodging each other's attacks. The young Shinobi had to notice that something was preventing him from using Ninjutsu.
Genjutsu was useless too. Whatever kind of Guardian attacked him was completely immune to it. Naruto could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he fought against this seemingly unstoppable opponent. Just when he thought he had it defeated, the animated armor let out a deafening roar and charged at him in full force.
Naruto quickly leaped backward, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the massive sword swing. He took a deep breath, gathering all his chakra into one powerful punch. As he launched himself forward once again, he focused all his energy on that single blow—and it connected. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the room, shattering several nearby swords and sending the animated armor tumbling backward.
With a victorious shout, Naruto landed lightly on his feet and surveyed the damage he had inflicted. Breathing heavily, he looked around for any other threats in this strange underground chamber before moving on to search for Jiraiya or another way out of this labyrinthine temple. He unsealed his sword which would maybe be the better weapon for the time being.
Speaking out loud while he tried to sense something and noticing he just could not sense anything, not even himself he sighed. "Well, that's new and creepy." Slowly moving forward he encountered three more guardians. Something that his equipment showed now. Some cuts had found their new home on his clothes after he had crossed blades. The guardians were stupidly resilient till he found out that only decapitating would shut them down easily.
The Chakra Chains had not helped him either, his usual best way to defend himself was as inefficient as Ninjutsu and would not even manifest themselves. A bit out of breath and with sweaty hair Naruto stood in the next chamber, which was much bigger than all before. Still, he could not find Jiraiya or anyone else but somehow he had the strong feeling that after the closed door, he could see, he would be one step closer to fulfilling their mission. Arriving at the door he tried to open it finding it locked he had to sigh after he heard the rumbling sound of the ghostly samurai guardians assembling themselves.
Suddenly, four animated guardians sprung to life and charged at him simultaneously. Their movements were swift and precise, wielding massive swords that glowed ominously in the dim light.
Naruto readied his own katana, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He knew he couldn't rely on his usual speed to evade these opponents with the Hall not so wide and four of them at once; instead, he would have to use strategy and precision. He dashed forward, weaving between the guardians with incredible agility. His sword slashed through the air, leaving behind a trail of chakra as he attacked each one in turn. Getting blocked with the same chakra sword technique by the suits of animated armor.
The battle was intense, with sparks flying and metal clashing against metal. The animated guardians were relentless, their attacks growing more ferocious with each passing moment. Naruto found himself pushed to his limits, using every ounce of strength and skill to stay ahead of them.
As he fought on, he noticed a pattern in their movements—they seemed to be coordinating their attacks based on his own style of combat. Realizing this, Naruto changed tactics, feinting left and right while dodging their blows. He managed to land several powerful strikes against the guardians, but they were slow to go down. He needed to get to their necks. But for that, he had to outmaneuver them, which was proving more than difficult. Utilizing Shunshins, the only real Jutsu he could use in conjunction with the pattern recognition of his eyes he finally managed the feat to round all four of them up so two of them blocked the other two.
After that, he managed to take them out one after another.
Finally, with a deafening roar, the last animated armor crumbled to the ground. Naruto stood panting for breath, his clothes torn and his katana pointed downwards. Turning at a rumbling sound he witnessed the door behind him opening.
As Naruto made his way through the ancient temple in the Three Lion Mountains, he found himself entering a large hall adorned with intricate drawings of strange creatures and symbols. The only exit was a narrow path that wound its way deeper into the mountain.
The air was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by Naruto's footsteps echoing off the walls. He felt a sense of unease as he walked down the path, his mind filled with thoughts of what other dangers might lie ahead. Suddenly, the ground beneath him shook violently, and a low rumbling sound filled the air.
Naruto's heart raced as he realized that he was walking over a pressure plate—a trap designed to trigger some sort of deadly mechanism. He forced himself to remain calm, focusing all his energy on maintaining his balance and avoiding any sudden movements. Slowly but surely, he inched forward until the shaking stopped and he was safely past the trap.
As he continued down the path, Naruto encountered more strange occurrences—a flickering torch that seemed to move on its own, a cold draft of air that sent chills down his spine, and an ominous voice whispering in his ear. "You're not strong enough," one voice said, showing him a vision of himself failing to protect those he loved. Seeing Hatsumi and Haku with pierced hearts lying before him. Halting him in his steps. He needed to push forward. Not even Kurama's voice managed to push through.
"You'll never achieve your goal of bringing peace to the world." Another added, showing him a vision as he looked at something closely resembling a battlefield. Dead bodies lay everywhere, and the craw of crows could be heard as they and other scavengers attacked the remains of the fallen. It was a gruesome sight.
The smell of blood, charred flesh, and excrement assaulted Naruto's senses as he seemed to wade through the corpses. Looking down and seeing the familiar face of Hatsumi again. Shortly after the faces of the Rookies of Konoha, his former classmates joined her. Gulping down the scene changed again.
"And what about all that ramen you love so much? You'll never get to eat it again."
Naruto was looking at Ichirakus feeling the hunger rising but with each step he took in the direction of his favourite ramen stand the stand moved away further. He unsealed his emergency ramen rations but found all of them empty already.
Naruto gritted his teeth, pushing past the terror as he continued forward. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, but he refused to let his fears control him. With every step, he grew stronger, more determined to face whatever lay ahead.
As he approached a darkened chamber, the voices grew louder, their taunts piercing his mind like needles. But Naruto didn't flinch. He knew that he had faced these fears before, and he would do so again if necessary. Without the pictures, it was even a bit easier.
With one final burst of courage, Naruto stepped into the chamber, ready to confront whatever horrors awaited him here, readying his sword. To his surprise, there was nothing there but an old, dusty mirror. He reached out to touch it, feeling a strange sensation as he did so. Suddenly, the mirror shattered, revealing a hidden door behind it.
Naruto smiled grimly, realizing that he had overcome his fears once again. With newfound strength and determination, he pushed open the door and stepped into the unknown.
"Welcome traveler, it has been a long time for one trained in the art of Ninshu to cross these halls." Naruto was shocked to find another inhuman apparition but this one looked more like a monk, a monk without a face that is.
Naruto bowed his head before he spoke up "I was unaware that this was a Ninshu temple in the past. To find such a sacred place in such a remote area while investigating the case of a missing person is most intriguing."
The monk nodded. "You will be able to find this person after we conclude our conversation. Now you are the first human after many years to pass all the tests required to qualify for teachings we provide those that don't come here looking for it." The monk replied in a sagely manner. Naruto had to blink away the surprise and had the feeling that would not make any sense, his irritation was not lost on the construct and temple monk who gave the explanation without getting prompted.
"The sage once thought that those who want to have power should neither crave it nor search for it so he hid away parts of his knowledge behind certain trials. Only those people would have the right mindset to use his teachings in the intended way. Here in the land of Iron, he did so with the Art of Forging. Before you, the warrior Gorō Nyūdō Masamune was the last human coming here and passing the tests. He came here to hide and find his inner center. After learning the art of Forging he changed his ways and became a famous blacksmith. So I ask you, young Uzumaki are you ready for the knowledge that will be entrusted to you? Knowing you won't be able to teach it to others?"
Naruto had a good guess that Masamune was the person responsible for the swords of the seven swordsmen. But did he want this knowledge? Did he want to use it? Before he could formulate an answer in his mind he was assaulted by pictures and instructions. Overwhelmed his mind shut his body down and Naruto fainted only able to see black.
As he opened his eyes again he was in a new room. Looking at a forge he took out his Katana and without much thinking began heating up the fire, preparing the tools. He somehow got the feeling that he would just heat it up to include the last steps into his blade.
Letting his hand be guided by the the knowledge that was now speaking to him the shinobi began his work, heating up the blade before chanting to it in a different voice he never had heard before, forming hand seals and activating a jutsu he could feel as something was getting into the hot blade. Like a soul that came out of another domain and was now living inside his blade.
Feeding it heat, chakra, and a bit of his blood, Naruto tried to sustain the sword. Altogether Naruto could never tell how long the whole process took but in the end, he sharpened the blade a last time before reactivating the seals on it. Looking at it with a judging eye and finding no blemish on the onyx-like blade, he had no trouble expanding the sword with the segments. But as he pumped Chakra into it, it was like a voice was whispering straight into his mind.
"Awake, Sen no Genso" Shortly after more swords appeared around him moving on their own. Perfect Mirror images. Naruto knew some of them were illusions, others were more like a Kage Bunshin version of his own blade. He inspects the blade, its mirror images, and his outfit. He would need a change that was for sure. He would have to hold this sword close to him, but seal it away? Somehow that would not felt right. But first, he would have to get out of here, find Jiraiya, and finish the mission.