Location: Hokage Tower Time: 6:45 p.m.
In the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi presided over a gathering of Jounin who had qualified to become Jounin instructors. Iruka, the head instructor for the graduating class, was also present. All seemed to progress smoothly until the discussion turned to the two blond, unknown Jinchuuriki whose names were raised. Following their recent scuffles with Kiba and Sasuke, many seemed hesitant to include them on their teams, dismissing their victories as mere flukes. One dissenting voice, however, belonged to Kakashi Hatake.
"I believe I should mentor Naruto Uzumaki," Kakashi proposed.
"Why is that necessary? You already have Sasuke Uchiha, the rookie of the year, and Sakura Haruno, who topped the class. Adding Naruto to your team would create an imbalance," countered another Jounin, smugly referring to Naruto as the "dead last," a title he had held for years.
In an instant, the atmosphere turned tense as two intense killing intents permeated the room. One emanated from a purple-haired ANBU, incensed at the derogatory remarks about her brother. The other, more ominous, originated from Kakashi himself, his visible Sharingan betraying his anger.
Before anyone could react, Kakashi vanished, leaving only the sound of chirping birds in his wake. Moments later, a lightning-infused strike incapacitated the offending Jounin, leaving him writhing in agony.
"Now that I've dealt with the trash, can we continue?" Kakashi's demeanor had shifted drastically, his former laziness replaced by an aura of seriousness.
Sarutobi chuckled, observing as the injured Jounin was escorted away. However...
"We shall proceed, but I regret to inform you, Kakashi, that your request cannot be granted as the council will not approve it," Sarutobi interjected, sensing Kakashi's disappointment and anger. While he had vowed to protect Naruto, the council's interference had prevented him from doing so. Nevertheless, Sarutobi had a plan.
"However..." he continued, catching the attention of everyone present.
"Based on my assessment, BOTH Uzumakis possess mid to high Jounin-level skills," he declared, eliciting laughter from some, until a voice silenced them.
"Hokage-sama speaks the truth. Naruto has made significant strides in the past decade," the voice asserted.
All eyes turned to an unfamiliar figure clad in a standard Konoha Jounin uniform, adorned with a fox ANBU mask.
"Tenzo?" Kakashi's surprise was evident, as he anticipated the unfolding revelation.
The masked figure approached, revealing himself to be Tenzo, who expressed his readiness to partner with Kakashi once more.
"I introduce the Uzumakis' new Jounin sensei, along with another yet to be decided," Sarutobi announced, declaring them the first Genin squad from the Leaf.
"Keeping the siblings together seems wise," Kurenai remarked.
"Indeed. Their bond and Naruto's trust issues necessitate it," Sarutobi agreed. Addressing Tenzo's request, he granted anonymity, christening him Yamato Zaimoku.
With the meeting adjourned, Kakashi lingered.
"I'll ensure Naruto joins you on your first C-rank mission when you're ready. After all, you're his godbrother," Sarutobi informed him.
Kakashi's crinkled eye narrowed slightly, his internal conflict evident. "Respectfully, Hokage-sama, I believe I am the most suitable candidate to carry on my sensei's legacy," Kakashi interjected, his tone firm yet laced with a subtle hint of frustration.
The room fell into a puzzled silence, everyone exchanging glances, except for Sarutobi, who remained stoic.
"I understand your sentiment, Kakashi. However, my decision stands," Sarutobi replied, his tone unwavering.
Kakashi's jaw tightened imperceptibly, but he held his emotions in check, offering a resigned nod.
As Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke, Sarutobi couldn't help but feel a pang of remorse for denying his request. Yet, he remained resolute in his decision, knowing it was for the greater good.
Amidst his musings, Yugao's sudden appearance drew his attention.
"Pardon my interruption, Hokage-sama, but we've discovered the body of Chunin Academy instructor Mizuki. Further examination revealed a genetic-altering curse mark on his forearm."
? (Warning: Its about to get a little dark)
A sudden shift in movement suggested that Mizuki was awake; shuddering in not what could be presumed as fear, but icy one hand onto the floor, the silver haired Chunin pushed his weight against it as to prop himself up. His surroundings were not to his recollection anything he had ever seen ; his vision was still somewhat blurred, but the Acedemy Instructor knew that his own apartment would have been recognizable through even the tiniest of holes in the wall, for Mizuki's taste, though considered distasteful by some, had not tinted his vision. The walls of his apartment had been painted a sickly bright green. The walls in which he was enclosed around were most definitely not green, but more of the chilling stone variety.
'How did I get here? I was just on my way to find some villagers to finish the Kyuubi brat off tonight. and now...'
Rubbing his eyes eventually cleared the mist, and Mizuki saw with his un-tainted eyes the first of many disturbances to come; he had been trapped within the six walls surrounding, enclosed in... Fortunately, there was a light source, hanging above his head, beingsomewhat out of place, hang a bulb illuminating the tomb. Pushing once more placed the Chunin on his feet, staring aimlessly into the bulb, wonderful not how he had got there, but how he could in fact escape! Slamming his fists against the walls obviously did nothing, screaming every drop of energy he had left out of his lungs had the same effect.
After an hour or two of depleting his energy by frantic movements and hysterical shouting, Mizuki finally admitted defeat, and slowly fell crying against one of the walls, slowly curling into a ball... Presumably the bulb had been deliberately made faulty, for it began to flicker like madness, driving Mizuki further into a state of lunacy.
Flick! Flick!
With every flick of the bulb, he grew more and more agitated, until all at once, his anger exploded! Grabbing the scorching hot bulb in his hand, the Academy instructor flung it against the wall, shattering the glass in a thousand different directions, and one piece had flown directly into his eye. Mizuki hadn't time to regret destroying his only light source or time to weep for his eye; leaving shards of glass on the floor and him being without footwear made it all the worse for him. For as soon as he had done this, a continuing shutter had replaced the flickering of the bulb, and suddenly, through a small hole in the wall he hadn't earlier notices, came a projected light.
Through the hole and onto the wall came this light, projecting a sequence of numbers counting in no particular order
3, 1, 2, 0, (one assumes that this was merely a series of count down numbers to the presentation, but it bears little relevance to the story).
As the last of the numbers had faded, suddenly from the darkness appeared a blurred black and red figure. Whilst the camera adjusted itself, it was clear that the figure Mizuki was glaring at was in fact some sort of archaic fox dummy, the sort a ventriloquist would use to entertain his audience. There were two pair fire black whisker like markings on the cheeks on its face, and its eyes were not dissimilar from large blood red marbles with black slits for pupils. It was clothed in a fine tuxedo with a bright red bow tie. One wouldn't have imagined suits to be made to fit such a small stature of a man, or in this case Dummy.
With fear in his heart, Mizuki gathered his remaining strength, and peered fearfully into the projection from a distance... Suddenly the dummy turned and looked Mizuki in the eye (the Chunin could have moved without the Dummy following, this was clearly a recording).
And for the first time in quite a while, he heard a voice other than his own:
"Mizuki, Mizuki... my my, haven't we been a naughty boy." Mizuki stared in utter confusion as the voice continued: "I've been watching you for some time now Mizuki, and you haven't been living up to your promises as a dedicated leaf ninja? Having so called conspired against the 'demon' and carved the 'Heaven' Kanji in his back, hurting many people inthe process. You thought of it as a sick joke to belittle him, saying to all your accomplices that he it would make him suffer more in hell with that marking many demons despise as I recalled you took absolute glee carving into the back of a 7 year old boy..."
Mizuki backed off with surprise, how did It know that about him? Sure he had been in the group that killed the demon, but how was It to know of that? It continued to speak:
"... Now Mizuki, I am not a person who would just pass judgment and sentence without giving you a chance to appeal for innocence first." Mizuki's attention had peaked."As you should now be aware, there are no doors or windows in this room, the only way out you will find will be directly under this projection. This patch of wall is not made of hard stone, but in fact a soft clay substitute, all you have to do is claw your way through to the other side where day light and freedom await you." The dummy stopped talking, and faced the other direction, but the quickly jolted back to the camera to conclude the message with: "Oh, and one thing Mizuki, that bulb you smashed, the glass has been laced with a deadly miasthma which quickly feeds on a substance which is now coursing through your veins and flesh, so if I were you, I'd tread carefully in the darkness, you wouldn't want to become infected now would you." The message had ended, and the light from the projector had faded. Mizuki recalled the shard of glass that had flung into his eye. The Chunin placed his hand on his face, and felt his flesh fall from his cheeks to the ground.
"DAMN YOU DEMON!"
Ten Minutes Before Hokage Meeting
Not a single dent had been made in the wall when the ANBU arrived at the scene. All that could be found was a reddish brown toffee like substance coated on a thin frame of a skeletal structure covered in clothing with a Konoha forehead protector and a Academy name badge reading: "Mizuki".
Surprisingly the only part of his body that wasn't affacted was his right forearm which contained a marking of some sort.
Also surprising that no one noticed the figure observing in the shadows before flickering out of existence.
Warning Over
Location: Hokage Monument Time: 7:30
Perched atop Hokage Mountain, Naruto and Yugito found themselves seated on the head of the Yondaime Hokage-Naruto comfortably, while Yugito reclined with crossed legs, her gaze fixed on the setting sun.
Kushina and Yoruichi had departed with Kyuubi for reasons known only to them.
"So... What's your take on things now?" Yugito inquired, her tone tinged with boredom.
"It was to be expected. When I vanished, they presumed me dead, and my return from the beyond won't likely alter their perception of me... If anything, it'll reinforce their belief that I'm a demon," Naruto replied with a resigned sigh.
"It doesn't matter, though. You have family now, and I'd sooner perish than let those arrogant fools lay a finger on you again," Yugito declared firmly.
"The feeling's mutual, Neechan. We-" Naruto halted as he sensed a familiar chakra signature, a genuine smile lighting up his face. Glancing at his sister, who grinned mischievously, he rose from his seat.
"Well, it's time for this kitten to stretch her legs. I'll catch you at the apartment. And do try to keep the noise down this time," she added with a teasing grin before leaping off the mountain and darting across rooftops.
Naruto chuckled softly. "She's been spending too much time with Yoruichi. Well its to be expected."
With the familiar chakra signature, Hinata looked around using her Byakugan and spotted him seated on the stone head of the Yondaime Hokage. It was a spot she had frequented over the past ten years to reflect on her feelings for him. Approaching slowly, her heart nearly frozen with emotion, she gazed at Naruto in the same place he had occupied all those years ago, cherishing every moment of their proximity. Tears welled in her eyes as she drew nearer.
"Oh, Naruto-kun... after all this time... I can finally... be close to you again," she thought to herself, overwhelmed with emotion. Initially, the shock of seeing him again stirred up old feelings and insecurities, rendering her speechless and shy in his presence. But now, she no longer cared about others' perceptions.
Her reverie was abruptly interrupted when Naruto vanished from his spot, sending her into a panic as she frantically searched for him, fearing her heart was deceiving her once more. Just as she was about to spiral into despair, a strong voice broke through her turmoil from behind.
"Words cannot describe how truly radiant you look, Hinata Hyuga," the voice proclaimed. Whipping around, she met Naruto's gaze with widened eyes, sensing an unmistakable emotion even without activating her Byakugan.
Longing.
They locked eyes in a timeless gaze, their unspoken emotions swirling between them until Naruto opened his arms. Overwhelmed, Hinata burst into tears, rushing into his embrace and burying her face against his chest. The moment their bodies connected, she felt a part of her heart that she thought had moved on returning, and she clung to him with renewed fervor. His chakra enveloped them, its power palpable, yet instead of fear, it filled her with warmth and joy.
Their gazes locked, and they leaned in for a passionate kiss, igniting Naruto's chakra to surge, sending shockwaves through the ground and forming a small crater beneath them. A tempest of red chakra swirled around them as they delved into each other's mouths, a battle of passion and desire unfolding for the first time. Naruto's chakra intensified with each passing moment as their kiss deepened, both of them grasping onto each other desperately-Hinata tangling her fingers in his hair while Naruto pulled her closer by the small of her back, doubling the intensity of their embrace.
As Naruto infused the kiss with Kyuubi's chakra, Hinata couldn't help but moan in pleasure, the sensation coursing through her body. Suddenly, the bubble of chakra exploded, washing over them like a wave of love and euphoria. Slowly, they pulled away from each other, their eyes locked in a mesmerizing exchange-Hinata lost in the deep blue of Naruto's eyes, while Naruto found himself captivated by the pools of lavender and beauty that defined Hinata's gaze. In that moment, all the trials and tribulations they had faced melted away, replaced by the undeniable certainty that their love was worth every hardship they had endured.
"You have no idea how much I've longed for you, my sunshine," he breathed, his voice heavy with emotion as he drew her close.
"I've missed you too, Naruto-kun," she confessed, her voice trembling with a mixture of joy and longing. Tears welled up in her eyes, cascading down her cheeks like a gentle waterfall. "I love you so deeply... I never stopped believing that one day you would return to me," she whispered, her heart laid bare in her words, her vulnerability adding to her beauty.
Naruto, overcome by the flood of emotions swirling within him, felt his heart flutter in his chest. Her confession stirred something deep within him, igniting a flame of longing he had tried to suppress for so long. As he gazed into her tear-filled eyes, he realized that his feelings for her ran deeper than he had ever dared to admit. The way her presence filled his heart with warmth, the way her smile could brighten even the darkest of days - he knew now that it was more than just fondness.
With a tender smile, Naruto gently wiped away her tears, his touch conveying all the affection he had kept hidden for so long. And as he held her in his arms, he whispered softly, "I've missed you more than words can express..."
But just as Naruto prepared to confess his own love, a chilling image flashed in his mind - the face of someone from his past, a face twisted into a cold, dead smile. It was a visage he had tried to bury deep within his memories, but now it resurfaced with haunting clarity, bringing with it a surge of pain and doubt.
The memory of that smile, devoid of warmth or kindness, filled Naruto with an overwhelming sense of dread. It whispered cruel words of doubt and fear, reminding him of his past failures and the people he had let down.
For a moment, Naruto faltered, his heart gripped by the icy fingers of uncertainty. Could he truly open himself up to love again, knowing the specter of his past mistakes loomed over him? Would he only end up causing more pain and suffering?
But then, as he looked into the eyes of the woman before him, he saw not judgment or condemnation, but love and understanding. In her gaze, he found solace and acceptance, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of his doubts.
Summoning his courage, Naruto pushed aside the echoes of his past and embraced the warmth of the present moment. With a gentle smile, he reached out and wiped away her tears, his touch a silent promise of his love and devotion.
From her hidden vantage point nestled within the tree's branches, Kushina silently observed the unfolding scene below. With each passing moment, it became evident to her that the years had bestowed upon her the confidence necessary to finally confront him. Amidst her contemplation, she couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between Hinata and her mother. It wasn't merely their physical likeness that caught her attention; it was something deeper, an echo of Hitomi's essence mirrored in her daughter.
As she watched Hinata interact with her son, Kushina couldn't shake the feeling that the young girl had a promising future ahead of her, potentially intertwined with her son's. However, she also recognized the daunting challenges and competition that awaited Hinata on her journey. Yet, there was an unspoken assurance within Kushina's thoughts that if Hinata possessed even a fraction of Hitomi's strength and resilience, she would undoubtedly navigate the trials ahead with grace and determination.
In the quiet solitude of her thoughts, Kushina found herself silently rooting for Hinata. She harbored a sense of hope that, much like Hitomi, Hinata would find her own path and emerge victorious despite the obstacles that lay ahead. As she continued to observe from her hidden perch, a sense of admiration and solidarity welled within her, fostering a silent bond between herself and the young girl who carried the legacy of her mother.
"Hina-chan, just give me some time, and I'll learn to," Naruto's voice trailed off abruptly, his expression hardening. Instinctively, he shoved her behind him, one hand forming a protective barrier while the other crackled with a burgeoning, ominous blue glow.
"Naruto..." Hinata's voice quivered with concern, her eyes widening as she took in the gravity of the situation. Suddenly, four ANBU operatives materialized from the forest's shadows, their presence heightening the tension in the air. They approached cautiously, their weapons drawn, their movements calculated.
Hinata's heart raced as she realized the fear etched on their faces-their fear of Naruto. They knew of his formidable power, of the devastation he could unleash. They were prepared to take him down, to eliminate the threat he posed. The realization fueled Hinata's own apprehension, a sense of dread settling over her like a suffocating cloak.
She stepped forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him. The Anbu bristled, sensing a threat looming.
"Hinata Hyuga, release him and come here immediately. We've been tasked with ensuring your safety and... escorting Naruto Uzumaki to the Hokage," demanded the Anbu with a frog emblem on his mask, likely the leader of the squad.
Hinata shot a glare at the assembled Anbu. Their cautious choice of words hinted at their true intentions, which seemed more like a covert apprehension of Naruto.
"And what's the reason for this intrusion? If it's not a legitimate one, he's staying right here. It's been years since I've seen him, and I demand some time alone with him," she retorted, her tone laced with defiance.
The Anbu leader's expression darkened at her resistance, and one of them boldly maneuvered to flank Naruto, the tension in the air palpable. Naruto's demeanor shifted, his protective instincts flaring, ready to react with lethal force at a moment's notice.
"Don't lay a hand on her... or face the consequences," Naruto warned, his gaze turning icy, a silent threat hanging in the air. His eyes briefly flashed red, a dangerous signal of his resolve. The Anbu, recognizing the imminent danger, quickly retreated, unwilling to provoke further hostility.
Naruto spared a quick glance over his shoulder, his confidence unshaken even in the presence of the old man. He doubted any immediate danger, suspecting instead that the surge of energy had been brought to the old man's attention. Alternatively, it could be the council's concern about the demon within him. Had they truly believed it had been unleashed, they would have sent more than just four Anbu.
"Hinata, it's alright. Trust me and go with them," Naruto assured her, his voice calm yet firm. "I can handle this. The old man just wants to talk. But be careful not to ruffle any feathers with your family; they won't appreciate your association with me."
Reluctance painted Hinata's expression as she hesitated to let go of Naruto's hand. Her concern for him was evident, warring with her need to comply. With a heavy heart, she finally relented, stepping back as Naruto moved towards the Anbu, their tension palpable.
As Naruto approached the Anbu, Hinata's reluctance seemed to intensify. She watched him closely, her uncertainty mirroring his own. His reassuring words did little to ease her apprehension, and she grappled with the decision to leave his side.
Sensing her lingering doubt, Naruto paused in his advance towards the Anbu. With a wry smile, he quipped, "Do I need to go in chains too?" The Anbu exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to respond. Hinata's tense expression softened slightly at the jest, a brief moment of levity amidst the tension.
With a final glance, Hinata reluctantly turned away, her footsteps heavy as she made her way home. Naruto watched her depart, his resolve unyielding. As he joined the Anbu, he prepared himself for whatever lay ahead, ready to face it head-on.
He felt his tenant's presence, a subtle confirmation that the deed had indeed been done. The air hung heavy with the aftermath of their actions.
"How was it?" he inquired, his voice calm yet edged with anticipation.
"Lets just say that Ningen is going to need a new assistant," Kurama replied with a low chuckle, his tone carrying a hint of mischief.
"Sochi, I'm not too far away. Be careful," Kushina interjected, her voice laced with concern. "There are at least 40 more Anbu within a quarter-mile radius, and I've already let your sister know so she's not too far away either. From what I can see, they're all ROOT."
The warning set Naruto on edge, the gravity of the situation becoming more apparent. It seemed Danzo's reach extended further than they had initially anticipated.
"Tch. Let him come," Naruto muttered defiantly, his resolve strengthening in the face of adversity. He was prepared for whatever consequences may arise from their actions.
As Hinata walked away, a whirlwind of emotions churned within her. Stunned and heartbroken, she replayed the moment they had just shared in her mind. Their declarations of love had been tender and sincere, yet now they were torn apart, their connection abruptly severed. The prospect of returning to her family filled her with dread; she knew all too well the disapproval that awaited her, especially from her father who harbored knowledge of his secret.
Amidst the turmoil, memories flooded her thoughts, like shards of fragmented glass piecing together a bittersweet mosaic. She couldn't help but recall the day before he had left all those years ago. The pain of his departure had carved a permanent scar upon her heart, and now, history seemed poised to repeat itself. The ache of longing for him resurfaced, mingling with the raw anguish of their current predicament.
Her steps felt heavy as she navigated the path ahead. The realization that she might be forbidden from seeing him again weighed heavily on her soul. The thought of her father's anger intensified her anxiety, for she knew his disapproval could be both formidable and unyielding. What twists of fate lay ahead for them now, she could only wonder. With each passing moment, the distance between them grew, both physically and emotionally. As they went their separate ways, her heart ached with uncertainty. Would their paths ever converge again, allowing them the chance to reconcile their love amidst the obstacles that now stood between them? Hinata couldn't help but fear the unknown future that lay ahead, fraught with the daunting prospect of being torn apart from the one she held most dear.