Chapter Thirteen; Rocky Homecoming
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf
Flashback;
A five-year-old blond-haired, blue-eyed Naruto was running, again. The villagers were coming. It wasn't even his birthday this time. Darting between trashcans, over a stray cat, side stepping a thrown rock but tripped when a kunai struck his calf. Tumbling into the darkness, the crowd of villains closed in, but he did not dare part his lips. Just like the rest, this beating will not be swift, it will not be painless, it will not be pleasant, and it will not end until he was broken.
During the beating, the boy was dragged into his 'den' before being thrown in completely and broken beyond recognition before the whole apartment complex was lit ablaze. As the smoke filled the air, the blond glanced up at the bellowing gasses beyond the shattered glass of what was once his window. He breathed a chocked, blooded breathe "…I… gues…" coughing wheeze "…jiji… why…?" flames begin to lick up the outside of the window, lightening up the dark visage "…you said… they…" he sniffled continued as his body began to feel cold.
The broken bodied child just laid still for an unknown length of time as his silently cried, devoid of strength to even cry out, his tears slowly evaporating along with his will. His grandfather figure had always told him that the people just needed time to accept him but "…why…? Why… me…?" flames that engulf the walls reflect in his dulling blue eyes. Despite the growing sense of emptiness and betrayal, he willed himself to try stay awake knowing that he did not want to die here.
Boom.
"Naruto!" a softness in the feminine voice was encompassing, "Kushina! Hurry up." Another feminine voice "The Anbu are closing in." Naruto felt himself being cradled in the very essence of softness and… love?
"Right." Naruto used the rest of his strength to glance up and for the first time saw the brilliant red hair of…
Flashback end
Naruto jerked up in his cell, glancing around in a panic until a woman of pale complexion and equally pale blonde hair "Relax." Her soft voice calmed him down considerably "Leon." He breathes out as he calms, "Another nightmare?"
"Yeah." As he leans back down his right hand caressing her back before glancing at his missing left arm "It's been so long."
"Hey boss!" a voice from the open cage door at the base of the room caught the duo's attention "Kelko. What's wrong?" Naruto asked "Seems that the manager wants a word. Something about this month's quota and the thunderheads." This earned a groan from the former Uzu-shinobi "Fine. Tell the thunderers to meet me in the cafeteria for breakfast for briefing."
"Got it boss." The man, formally of the Hidden Mist which was evident with his shark like teeth, nodded before moving off; his friend and confident got up from his chest. She was formally of the Hidden Leaf herself, Leon Yamanaka was captured during a routine border patrol and too found herself in the Hidden Prison Mine deep within the Land of Earth. When he first arrived, Leon could tell how mentally broken he was, yet he never let it show and the fact he was missing an arm showed that the Iwoa torture and interrogation got nothing from him.
For the six months, he avoided her like a plague and the Kumo group had shielded him from them as it had seemed a few had heard of the Uzumaki alliance with their own, thus he was one of them by default.
As the two got presentable, she glanced back at, what could only be a tired warrior, to find him struggling to dress and promptly assisted him before the two grabbed and attached his artificial arm he got as a peace offering from the Suna group, numbering only six, to join the alliance under Naruto. Using his agreement with the supervisor allowed a package of chakra wood in and their expertise in the puppetry allowed them to create the artificial arm with chakra pathways and everything. Despite the fact that all their chakra was sealed off, his was partially, just enough to allow his arms movement.
Land of Earth; The Pit
Strolling through the prison camp Naruto took notice of the inmate's chuckles in the corner that briefly stopped and looked at their boss, nodding in appreciation at him. He nodded back as he and his 'secretary' as she is called by the others despite it being an open secret that she was his woman and off limits.
Reaching the prison supervisors office, a knock on his door alerted the man to his accomplice "Come in Naruto." And the red head opened the door with his second in command at his side "You called Chief?" the man smiled as he stood, extending a hand to his inmate turned confidant "Yes. Though…" a heavy sigh as they return to their seats "…it's bad news."
"In what way? I'm sure we met the quota this month, even a bit extra after finding that new vain in the southern tunnel." Naruto asks glancing behind him as Leon nodded at that "That, in itself is the problem." The man states resting forward on his desk "Ever since you've unified the prison force, stopped the internal strife, and organised both the guards and the inmates into a non-aggression pact; our output has skyrocketed past even our contracted mine companies."
"That's a problem, why?" Naruto with a raised red eyebrow as the man sighs again "The higher-ups have noticed. Thus, I am being transferred to another site." A sense of dread now formed in Naruto's stomach "Oh…" gaining a nod from said supervisor "They hope that I can work the same magic elsewhere and cut funding to 'Outside forces' in regard to the contractors." Everyone snorted at that line of thought "Not only that, due to the lack of guard injuries over the past three years, most the current wardens will be transferred out."
"Let me guess…" Naruto chiming in now, suspecting the worst "…some 'Nobel' clan heir will take over, bringing his personal guards to 'increase' production further; yada yada yada." He quipped earning soft laughter from the room's occupants. "You sure you aren't spying on the council?"
"The game of politics is even more cutthroat than our jobs as shinobi. No matter where you go." Naruto replied earning a nod from the man opposite. "Indeed." The supervisor breathed out heavily, "Then…" Naruto spoke up after the several minutes of silence dragged on too long "…when's the transfer?"
"End of the month."
"Any final orders?" the former Uzu-shinobi questioned gaining a head shake from the bold Jonin commander, who still proudly wore his flack vest over his kimono like outfit "Then…" Naruto standing up, his plain olive shirt covered in grease and dirt despite only just awaking "…it's been an honour working with you, Silace-san."
"Likewise, Naruto-san." The two men shaking hands with a smile.
Land of Earth; The Pit; North Shaft
Naruto arrived at the common area before the decent into the mining shaft "Yo boss." One kumo shinobi called out upon seeing Naruto enter that drew the attention of the other miners who all smile at their leader, "Yo guys…" Naruto stepping before them all with a hallow smile, which set a lump in their stomachs "…I got bad news." He sighs hard with hands in his grey cargo trousers, Leon at his side with a silent smile, "The big man is being replaced by some stuck-up noble phony shinobi type."
"You fu real?" a former Kankako force kunoichi with an arched brow "Yeah…" Naruto sighed again "So, depending on how things turn out, things could get difficult and thus we continue as normal until they step outside the boundary." He then smirks foxily with the whole room matching his, including the guardsmen, "Then, we'll tear them apart."
"Yes boss!" they all cheer smirking "Now then…" he smiled with arms on his hips, nudging his head to the shaft "…let's get to work!"
"YES BOSS!"
Many hours later…
Land of Earth; The Pit; Cafeteria
"Yo boss." A Suna shinobi this time Kalr dropping into the seat opposite the red head "Kalr, how's the southern operation going?"
"Fine." The dark blond waving his hand nonsense like, "Though, word is we getting a new overlord."
"Yeah. Was going to come round and explain it to your crew along with the Eastern team too." Naruto explained as he scooped up mash potato from the metal plate "No doubt. How'd Ryan take it?"
"She's pissed."
"No doubt…" Kalr chuckled as he jumped back up, his baggy clothes were similarly dirtied and covered in an assortment of dust, at this point it was basically a uniform and only real way to tell the guards apart from the inmates.
"…I'll pass on the message to my lot."
"Please do, Kalr. See ya later." Naruto responded with a lazy wave "Later boss…" Kalr looks to Naruto's shadow and 'secretary' who hasn't left his side since he got here "Leon." with a nod, she nodded back silently.
End of the Month
Land of Earth; The Pit; Office
Naruto leaned against a wall in the office, his former boss and current boss discussing policy and other bureaucratic speak. Half paying attention until he caught the signal from his former boss and pushed off the wall, arms unfolding and his shadow moving along with him. "This is my number two man and my liaison/enforcer with the inmates. Without him, we wouldn't be discussing this all." Silace explained to his successor "Ah, yes. So, you're that Uzu-trash…" the other in the room noticed the gleam in Naruto's eyes at that proclamation. "…right, then yes. Pleasure and all." The man waved him off and the Red head just nodded and moved passed, offering a final hand shake with his old boss with no words shared. Leon shared the gesture too and moved off without another word.
When both inmates had left Silace turned to his successor "You know you've made a big mistake, right?" his replacement shrugged "He will be reminded of his place in time." Silace dared not even contemplate snorting but couldn't bring himself as he was too busy cackling internally at the strife his next in line was about to go through.
Land of Eddies; Council room
The council room of the Uzumaki clan hasn't been the same for the four years since the failed iwoa's negation and the start of their cold war. Due to the acts of sons of both the Uchiha and Namikaze took so much flak they dropped down to the advisory committee. Thus, the council was now reduced to the Uzumaki, Yuki, and Yuzuki, the latter with the return of the three Yuzuki sisters.
A story for another day, as before this council was a bowing kunoichi that was not an Uzumaki as her hair was a vibrant lime atop a slim figure, caramel skin, white crop top above mesh shirt that covered all exposed skin into a dark orange skirt and arm guards. Her Takigakure headband was rapped around her left arm that was current out front, fist pressed against the ground as she spoke up somewhat nervous "Lord Uzumaki, I come seeking asylum in exchange for information from my recent 'deep reconnaissance' mission." The way she spat out the nature of her mission told the three council members exactly what they thought it meant.
The three council members, sitting cross legged within the simple council chamber made of wood and stone, a dome of glass above the centre where she knelt before them "Oh, and that information is valuable enough to go against Waterfall, and possibly the leaf?" Ashina spoke up with a raised eyebrow, head resting in his palm "Yes. Chomei told me you would be the best to trust with the suspicious terrorist groups around at the moment." The now suspected former Taki shinobi stated and if the Uzu-council were surprised, they didn't show it.
The council all shared a look a very subtle nod as they continued on "Well, Fū we accept your request. Lord Kuruma told us to expect you after all." Ashina explained with a smile that Fū snapped up so fast, even her sealed companion thought she snapped something, and saw the smiles upon the councilmen and was watery eyed as she spoke "Y… you… mean…?" they all nodded again "You are welcome here Fū."
Karin, Honoka, Melissa, Jacob, and Mikoto arrive into the council room having been summoned ANBU. "Is it true?" Karin all but growled "Yes." Ashina looking down at the map in the centre of the room "If the information is to believe at least." Spoke Luna who too hadn't looked away from the desk since she had been informed "Can the information be trusted?" Melissa questioned now closely inspecting the markers, looking at the geographical plots and the area indicated the surrounding.
"Yes." Luna reports and they nod along "So, the Pit, huh?" Melissa with a growing smirk, looking up at Karin "It'll be a tough nut to crack."
"Perhaps. We have no other choice. Quick fast, and decisive." Karin states almost monotone; ever since Naruto was captured, she had been in a forced smile with her emotions buried beneath the happy mother façade. The clan had been concerned but her children have been happy, but a very few knew the truth with her eldest Kartel being one. The Chunin had risen to Elite status, refusing to accept the Jonin promotion whilst taking up his father's position as leader of the Land of Snow's Defence forces.
Speaking of the Land of Snow, Koyuki Kazahana was notably upset at the news of her crushes suspected death in defence of others hit her hard. Even harder when looking on the defeated eyes of the only child she knew of her guardian broke her heart and she had drawn the kid into a hug, she was no mother but perhaps as his older sister, she could lend a hand though her county came first.
"Should we call in…?"
"No." Melissa cutting of Honoka, drawing the attention of all, as she flexes her prosthetic hand and arm "Kartel will be too rash, impulsive, and unhinged. We, the Zeroes, will recover our lost kin and rejoice in his return as a family." She continued earning nods from the others beside Honoka who was unreadable, who was interrupted by the boys' mother "Honoka…" earning said woman's attention Karin continued "…I must agree with Melissa. My boy is much like his father when he was younger. I love him but this mission requires a more…"
"Focused brutality." Jacob offers "Silent accuracy?" Melissa asks "Both." Karin concluded before looking to the newest member of the council "Lady Yuzuki, can we ask for your support?"
"Yes. Our blades are ready." Yugao responded with a stoic nod, as her mind ran a mile a minute, she decided that this would be her first mission since her daughters' birth and her younger cousin, Yuria, in charge of the clan of five and students "I'll take part myself."
"I too." Spoke up Luna who now earned the rooms attention, gaze so hard that diamonds would be jealous "He sacrificed himself for my well-being. Now, it's my turn."
"He saved me and my clan from being wiped out, I now need to respond in kind." Mikoto added earning nods from all around "Then, the team will be…" Karin taking charge.
Land of Earth; The Pit; Cafeteria
A week later…
A riot. A full blow prison riot was underway as within two weeks of the handoff, the changes implemented caused the group of inmates, and a few disguised guards, were wreaking in the place to let their displeasure known. It was great satisfaction when the others spotted, the lynch pin of the prison Naruto Uzumaki atop at the balcony with his top 'Generals' at his side. "It seems that our time is ny." Klar chuckles as he leans backward on the railing, arms crossed whist looking over his shoulder down at the protesters "Indeed." Naruto spoke this time however Leon stepped up and whispered into his ear.
A smirk upon his face "Oh… this ought to be interesting." Gaining everyone's attention as he kicked off the wall he was leaning up against, "Confirmed?" looking to his 'lieutenant' standing at his side to which she wordlessly nods, "Then, ears in, and tongues still, and listen up," all six of his people leaned in.
Land of Earth; The Pit
The Raid – Northern Side
That night…
Boom. Alarms sound as numerous paper bombs wreaked the prisons barracks, though none of the loyal ones happened to be there at the time. During the breach, several of the guard towers erupted into flames as no one saw the numerous shadows flew in, and as one of those shadows landed beside the North Shaft entrance. "Took you guys long enough." a new voice from the unnaturally dark shadow, drawing the unknown shinobi's attention "We've been expecting you, Uzu-shinobi."
"…expecting…?" was uttered beneath the mask just as additional prisoners all appear from the shadows "My boss got word of your intent and as such, we are hereby assigned to your command."
"Who's your boss?" the unknown shinobi asks, a raised eyebrow not that anyone knew, and it all changed as a single word was uttered.
The Raid – Eastern Side
In the shadows of the barracks, currently engulfed in flames, finds another two masked shinobi currently surrounded by another group of prisoners and guardsmen "Your late." spoke a man stepping forward from the group "The boss is expecting you guys. Follow us." The two shinobi glance at one another "Your target is our boss… so hurry up…" moving off with the other prisoners, despite lacking access to their chakra moved as a cohesive unit despite all being from different villages.
The loyalists were overwhelmed and cornered, cutting down with ruthlessness befit the Anbu level shinobi most were originally. It was nice working with professionals again as a unit, moving towards the gate to cut off the retreat of any escaping officials, and protect the escape route for the entire prison.
The Raid – Central Hub
In the hub of the prison, the last of the Uzu shinobi find the entire area locked downed, with guards tied up in the cafeteria and various prisoners standing around talking and chuckling that fell silent as the arrivals come into view. "Uzu shinobi." A man stepping forward "Names, Kelko. Third in command of this outfit. I'll take you to the boss. He's been expecting you."
"The boss?" was heard from one to which he nods, placing a toothpick into his mouth smirking with his fingerless cotton gloves covered in dust. "Your target is here." Leading the two shinobi towards the office. As the Uzu duo passed through the prison they noticed how, despite being a prison, things were no where near as bad as it should be. A full medical wing, cinema suite, and even a hot spring.
As the group converged on the main office, they began to hear the tail end of what appeared to be an interrogation. "…that case. Take him to the rest."
"Yes, sir." was heard as before two former prisoners carry out the former supervisor and his office staff, along with a few others were dragged out of the office pass the arriving group.
"…reports from the other sectors?"
"Everything is set to blow on command. Once our guests arrive, we'll move on to third stage of the plan. After rollcall, we'll set up stage four…" the room fell silent when the two masked shinobi entered the room and met the violet eyes of one Naruto Uzumaki, hunched over a desk with his two other generals around him.
A stare down, between the two groups but before any words could be shared, the masks come off revealing a surprise for the one-armed Redhead who smiled softly, violet eyes dully shimmer in recognition "It's been a while, Honoka." His voice was gruffer than before, but the woman moved quickly and engulfed him, "I missed you."
"We missed you." The second masked shinobi that removed said object "…yet looking at you now, you really look like shit."
"Melissa… you came out here? How'd you manage that?" Naruto questioned whilst still holding onto Honoka, who he was whispering sweeting nothings into ears, "It's a long story. But we're ready to go."
"Right." Naruto looking to his men "Proceed." They nod as he then looks to his right where his sectary stood "Let's get to our positions."
The Raid – Pit Entrance
As the groups converge upon the exit, the Uzu team all saw their target among the leadership and as much as they wanted to squeal and hug him, they chose to stay on mission.
Naruto reaches the front of the pack of nearly two hundred, "All checks?"
"Northern Side; here!"
"Eastern Side; Here!"
"Southern Side; Here!"
"All right, let's get moving." Naruto looking to the Whirlpool shinobi and nodding "We'll follow your lead." they nod along and proceed back. No more than twenty minutes later an earth quaking, mountain shuddering, and sky splitting eruption of flames from the location of the former prison.
Land of Fang; Checkpoint Beta
"This is checkpoint Beta. We're safe now." Spoke one of the masked shinobi states and the group, of former prisoners' cheer and celebrate their escape was clear cut and as promised by their boss. "We're free!" cheers all around.
It took less than half hour to set up tents, and reinforcements arrived shortly after the last tents went up. "NARUTO!" was yelled out repeatedly as said man was reunited with his fellow gen zeroes, Honoka, Jacob, Melissa then "You are so troublesome you know that." Was the final member "Karin." Was the shared cry as the group share a sake "Four years and that's the first thing you say…?" Naruto was cut off by her searing kiss, a kiss that caused many reactions across the camp especially one Leon Yamanaka.
The other Generation Zeroes cheer and hug, bringing out sake, "Four years ago we all made a vow to get you back…" Melissa states with a raised glass in her own prosthetic, "Assuming you were still alive." Jacob cut in only for Honoka to elbow him "That being said…" Karin jumping in "Looked like you didn't even need us." Kazer led the chuckle of the group as Naruto looks into the saucer between his two hands with a soft smile "Yeah… to be honest, I was broken when they threw me in there." A distant gaze within his eyes but before he could get too deep in that rabbit hole, a certain blond appeared and with a single touch, brought him back from the brink.
A blue-green eyes stare into vivid violet with the subtle glow dying down he finally sighs out hard, offering her a smile "Thanks Leon."
"Don't mention it." She says returning to his side, behind and just beyond the circle of friends "I see – so that's what happened…" Jacob murmurs to which Naruto nodded "I'll probably be out of action for some time." Breathing out so heavily, you could feel the whole weight of a military campaign within it "I'm battered…" lifting up his puppet like arm "…physically and mentally…" glancing back at his therapist and partner "…emotionally patched together." Leon nods at that, she admittedly knew she had done her best but the environment they were in wasn't exactly conducive to recovery.
"We've all been withdrawn from frontline service." Honoka informs causing Naruto to raise an eyebrow, to which the others all nod "Yeah… after that incident, it was decided that our mental conditioning needed to be addressed." Kazer informs causing an amused snort from his long-lost brother in all but blood, the same reaction that Karin gave "A… little late, no?"
"Either way…" Karin spoke up, "…after we get back; you'll have a lot to do."
"Yeah…" Naruto looking over the camp, "My people will be given a choice, right?"
"More than likely." Honoka offers "We'll head to Wave first, sort them out and check everyone over. During their recovery, we'll contact families, villages, etc…" Karin explained causing Naruto to nod "What about…?" thumbing over to the Yamanaka sitting near enough in his shadow, everyone shared a look before sighing "Just as I thought huh?" Naruto commented and they all nod though he felt Leon stiffen at his back "Yeah… the Leaf and Fire Country is a bit of a… sensitive subject."
"Cold war?"
"Probing strikes across the Islands, ambushing our teams within allied territory, and they still claim innocence." The dark looks over the other Gen Zeroes told Naruto all he needed to know about the whole thing. "I see." Taking a sip from his drink "Guess… we should pay the traitor a visit, no?" his foxy grin had them matching it. Yes, the prankster king of the Uzumaki clan had returned and the Elemental Nations would never be the same again. Many, many spines collectively shivered upon that grins reappearance.
Land of Waves; Port
"Look at this place, looks better than my last time here…" Naruto looking over the large ports that now covered the formerly small island nation turned Sea trade hub. "You did destroyed half the dry docks and the supply warehouses." Spoke a new voice causing the former prisoners to turn back and find Mikoto who appears with a bright smile and Naruto approaches then hugs her tight "Mikoto… you came out to the field…"
"Of course I did." She whispered directly into the man's chest, hugging him tighter, and although most didn't notice, Karin did at the sheer amount of tenderness shared between the two in their embrace and whispered words to one another, not heard by any but them as he whispered into her ear "I missed you."
"I thought…"
"We missed you."
"We?"
"We."
"You mean…?" she nods, and he holds her tighter "Unclaimed?" she nodded at that again "Good. It'll be…"
"Listen…" she whispered softly as she continued to bury herself within his embrace, "…I know I was the one who said that we can't…"
"True."
"…but I realised when I was told I was expecting, I need something, someone to hold on to." Mikoto took a deep breath in, enjoying his aroma whilst she could "Then, when I was holding her, my little Mura, I was so overwhelmed that I then realised…" she looked up at him "…I needed you." was spoken below a whisper.
"I see."
A/N: I had forgotten to add a few things as the groundwork for Chapter's Fifteen's plot and a subplot for Chapter Fourteen. Trouble from Konoha, Uzumaki and Uchiha feud begins. The Grand prank on the Leaf. The Yuki clan officially plan to ensnare Naruto causing a three way tug of war to split into a fourth when Koyuki jumps into it.