Another Word For Monster

by Kuma Akuma

Konoha's Boogeyman. Jinchuriki. Hero. Traitor. Murderer. These were the names of Naruto Uzumaki. He left Konoha 3 years ago a broken man, looking for a peaceful life. But the shinobi life doesn't let peace come so easily. It calls you back. Through violence. Through war. Through blood. Monsters didn't get peace. And shinobi? That was just another word for monster. Light AU.

34. Chapter 34

The group of shinobi stared up at the entrance of the fort, waiting as the gates began too slowly open. The large metal structures churned against the mud below, creating a wet mess.

"Disgusting," Midare muttered underneath his breath.

"We're not here for the views," Naruto stated, leading the squad of four forwards. Midare grunted as they walked, using his chakra to ensure he walked above the mud. The group had left a day ago to head to the fort that was overseeing the border with Konoha territory. It was towards the northeastern side of Ame's border, near former Kusa. It had been an easy trip, mostly filled with bad weather thanks to the rain. Even when they had reached the border of Nagato's technique it persisted. Naruto was beginning to understand why umbrellas were so common in the country. Nagato keeping the rain dispersed had spoiled him.

The trip had been quiet. His students only seemed to talk to each other when forced to, and he was too conflicted by Sakura's words to open up to them either. It made for an awkward trip that he was glad to have ended. He would have reached the fort sooner, but they wouldn't have been able to keep up with him and there was no need to press them this hard when they were likely going to engage in battle sometime soon.

"Welcome to Kanpeki Fort."

The quartet were greeted by tall man with spiky brown hair. White cloth, similar to the kind that covered Kagari's eyes, only his wrapped around his face that left just a small opening for his eyes to peer through. Kagari stiffened.

"I am Oboro Oomizu, Jonin and leader of this fort. It is nice to see the reinforcements from Amekage-sama."

"Naruto Uzumaki."

"I am well aware of who you are, Uzumaki-sama. And your group? Who might they be?"

"Midare Fujiwara."

"Suiren Trott."

Oboro nodded, turning to look at Kagari. The Chunin turned his attention to the ground below. A raspy chuckle emanated from Oboro, distorted by the rebreather that covered his mouth and nose.

"I see. You all are unfortunate to be burdened with Kagari. I would have hoped Amekage-sama would have taken the threat more seriously than to send him."

"Hello...Oboro..."

"Looks like Amekage-sama has finally decided to give you a chance. And with Naruto Uzumaki no less. Hopefully, you don't disappoint them like you do everyone else."

Naruto glanced at Kagari, watching as he squirmed underneath the pressure. That was something to touch base on later. The man knew him, and he clearly didn't have a positive opinion. But he was not here to fight battles with Ame shinobi.

"Enough. What's the situation here?"

Oboro turned, beginning to lead the quartet through the fort. They could hear the churning of metal behind them as the gate began to close once more.

"We've been getting Konoha raiding parties striking out at local towns and farms all over. They're terrorizing civilians, but more than that they're targeting pockets of shinobi. Patrols are being picked off, usually at range. We find them later, littered with arrows. We've taken to traveling in groups of ten or more."

Striking at range? That meant the Konoha fort in Kusa directing the attack didn't have a lot of manpower behind it. Range fighting was not Konoha's preferred method. Konoha was a ninjutsu-skewed country as opposed to Kumo which was skewed to nin-taijutsu. Mid-to-close range fighters were Konoha's specialities with rare exceptions. Shikaku wasn't working with much, but he certainly knew how to be effective. At least 100 shinobi, that was what the Konoha prisoner had said.

"What of your own reconnaissance? I've been informed Shikaku Nara is leading them, headquartered from a fort in Kusa."

Oboro's eyes widened, his head snapping to face Naruto so quickly one could almost hear his neck crack.

"Shikaku Nara! How did you learn that?"

"Ame captured a spy. I presumed you were aware."

"This is news to me. The rumors of your skill truly don't do you justice. Still, if it truly is Shikaku Nara heading this Konohagakure force...the situation is more dire than I imagined."

"Any guesses of what their goal might be?"

"I'm afraid not. Like I said, they've focused their assaults on our patrols or smaller villages. My best guess is they're trying to bleed us. We're not a particularly stable economic country as you're well aware."

"Bleed us dry, force us to acquiesce to their economic demands in a peace treaty. An obvious play by Shikaku. Likely part of his strategy, but there must be something more. He's more devious than that."

"You would know him better than I."

Naruto paused, feeling the shame of Sakura's words wrap around him tightly like a mother's hug. Oboro glanced at the man, confused, but the blonde was quick to steel himself. The group approached a nearby door. Before they opened it Oboro glanced back at the Chunin following them.

"You brats, bug off. We're planning here and you just need to do as you're told."

"That's not fair," Midare stated, frustration on his face. "We're part of this mission too!"

"And good shinobi do as they're told. Isn't that right, Kagari-chan?"

Kagari refused to look at the man. His attention was solely focused on his feet. Midare looked like he was going to protest further only for Suiren to place a hand on his shoulder.

"It's fine. He's right, we have a part to play here and it's to follow orders. Trust Naruto-sensei."

Midare glared at the kunoichi, but her eyes were warm. Soft. He turned away, instead looking at Naruto with frustration burning in his eyes.

"I deserve to be there!"

Naruto stared at the boy. He could see the determination burning deep within him. He was desperate to prove himself. And yet, despite feeling a camaraderie with such a desire, he felt the words he had heard before resonate within him once more.

Traitor.

"Stay here. I'll talk with you when we get back."

Midare opened his mouth to protest but was stunned into silence by the hardness in Naruto's eyes. The Chunin turned on his heel, a frustrated huff bursting from his mouth that Naruto took as firm acknowledgement. The blonde turned back to Oboro.

"Let's go."

---

"I can't believe this!" Midare stated. The man threw his arms up in the air, spit flying from his mouth like a dragon unleashing a torrent of flame onto the world. He stomped back and forth, eyes swinging in every direction.

"I should be in that meeting, helping decide what direction to take! I've earned it!"

"This is simply our place," Suiren stated. The kunoichi sat on a nearby bench, eyes tracing her teammate. "The shinobi system has hierarchy for a reason. Everyone must fit somewhere, and we do not fit in that meeting."

"Oh, stop your prattling about fit Suiren," Midare exclaimed. "I'm an Ame shinobi. I have stake in this battlefield just as much as they do. I'm the strongest Chunin Ame has!"

"It is not prattling," Suiren stated, her voice raising an octave at the insinuation. "It is the reality. Everyone fits somewhere in this world. This is ours."

"No this is yours," Midare stated. "Because you're willing to accept it. I'm not. That's the difference between you and me."

"There is no shame in accepting your lot in life."

"You would believe that."

"What does that mean?"

"Can we just stop talking about it," Kagari whispered. His soft voice was barely heard above the other two Chunin on his squad continuing their squabble.

But it was heard.

"As you wish."

"Hold on."

Midare raised a hand, his eyes piercing into Kagari's despondent face.

"What's up with you and that Oboro guy? Why does he treat you so badly?"

Silence greeted the question, which only provoked further curiosity. Midare stepped in front of Kagari, an annoyed glint in his eye.

"You know, where I'm from you should speak when spoken to, or did they not teach you that in the backwoods where you're from?"

"Midare! You're being a hypocrite."

"I'm not treating him badly Suiren, I'm treating him how he deserves to be treated. Like a weakling. And weaklings respond to their betters."

Suiren rose from her seated position to level a glare at the umbrella-wielding shinobi.

"You have no right to call him that!"

"Why not? You like to say everyone has their place in the world, right? Well, his is beneath me, like it always will be."

"You don't get to determine that."

"You're right. Strength does. And he lacks it!"

"Strength isn't-"

"Enough," Kagari stated, his voice louder this time. The two in front of him snapped their heads in his direction. The pressure of their attention weighed on him, but not as much as his own thoughts.

"Oboro's just known me for a long time, okay? That's all."

"Ah, so he saw the deficiencies you have as a shinobi too huh? Well, can't say I'm surprised you failed someone else."

"Well, what did I walk in on?"

The trio looked up, surprised to see Naruto standing before them, Oboro nowhere to be seen.

"Sensei," Suiren called out, bowing. "I'm sorry you had to hear that."

Naruto raised a hand, his eyes resting on Kagari and Midare. The dislike between the two was apparent. It reminded him of his relationship with Sasuke when they were younger. If he was like Midare perhaps he was crueler than he had intended to be.

"Be kinder to your teammates," the blonde stated.

Midare snorted, turning his head to the side. Naruto said nothing in response.

"What's our mission," Midare stated, still refusing to look at the blonde. Naruto narrowed his eyes. So focused on the goal.

"We're headed to a small farming village to the north of here at the border of former Kusa. Oaxaco. They've had reports of dead farm animals and bandits wielding extraordinary abilities. Sounds right up the ally of our Konoha friends."

Kagari's head snapped up, drawing a look from Naruto.

"Yes?"

Kagari opened his mouth as if to speak, but then bit back his tongue.

"It's nothing sensei."

Naruto's eyes revealed nothing. He did not let the silence linger.

"Alright then. Let's move out."

"Sir!"

---

The group approached the town, eyes hard when they saw it. To say it was ragged was an understatement. Houses looked ravaged, with missing chunks of wood and broken fence scattered in all directions. The fields where crops should be growing were completely bare, but noticeably not torched. They had been harvested. But there was no report of the harvest being sold to Ame or any other town in the area. The roads, if one could call them that, were deathtraps, sleets of mud that threatened to suck them in to their knees if they dared walk on it without using chakra to keep themselves afloat.

"What a disaster," Suiren whispered. "Konoha did this?"

"No," Kagari whispered, sprinting into the village. Tears burned in his eyes. "No, no, no, no!"

"Kagari hold on," Naruto yelled, but it was useless. He ran ahead, forcing his group to follow. The squad came to a stop in the center of the dilapidated town, shocked expressions forming on their faces. Children and their parents, all skinny from malnutrition, were sitting before a funeral pyre. A mass of bodies lay on it. Tears filled the eyes of the civilians as they held up their torch to burn them, only for the rain to snuff it out like it would anything else. Their sendoff denied.

"What happened here," Midare whispered.

"Kagari you can't just run off like that," Naruto hissed, but it was clear the young man did not hear his words. Instead, water dampened the sash that covered his eyes. Naruto's eyes narrowed as the Chunin stumbled forwards before he dropped to his knees in the sludge.

"No," the boy whispered. The frustration in his voice built like the crescendo of an orchestra. Naruto stared, confused at his reaction. Slowly, the crowd from before turned, looking at the crying boy covered in mud and dirt. A frail looking man ran up to Kagari, a frown on his face. He was skinny, but despite that his face displayed a level of mental fortitude that defied the situation he was in.

"Kagari...I'm sorry you had to see this."

Naruto glanced at the man, confused. Kagari looked upwards, ripping the sash from his eyes to reveal beautiful cerulean eyes. "Hitou...they're...they're..."

The man, Hitou, placed a gentle hand on Kagari's shoulder.

"They died protecting us..."

Naruto frowned, but watched the interaction play out. Slowly, he was putting the pieces together. Hitou seemed to notice the confusion on his face.

"Apologies. My name is Hitou. I have known Kagari since he was a young child. His parents, Hizomi and Inoji were..."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. He understood. A curt nod was all he could give. Midare and Suiren looked at the man, sorrow reflected on their faces. Hitou turned to look back at Kagari.

"...Would you like to see them?"

Kagari shuddered, stepping away from Hitou. The man nodded, understanding the answer. Instead, he turned, approaching the rest of the citizens as they began to take the bodies away. They couldn't burn them, as was customary. The rain would not allow for it. However, they could not leave them exposed to the elements. Groups of men began to take the corpses, bringing them into several different homes.

"It is customary for families to take care of their dead when they cannot burn the bodies," Midare stated, his voice solemn. Naruto was surprised he was showing so much tact. Someone with his career goals typically didn't reflect such maturity around the stench of death. But here...he did.

"We should go with them," the Chunin stated, gesturing to Hitou. The assassin-hopeful approached, gently assisting Hitou as he lifted two corpses. Naruto nodded, glancing back at Suiren.

"Please...watch him."

Suiren nodded as the blonde went off to help the two men, particularly Hitou. His frail body didn't look like it could bear the weight of a dead man. The trio began to walk, followed by Suiren and Kagari at a distance.

They travelled in silence, slowly reaching a rundown house that looked much more like a shack. Hitou led them inside, a frown on his face.

"It's not much. I'm sorry shinobi-san."

"Don't mention it," Midare responded, gently placing the corpses on the ground. He folded the woman's hands together in front of her face, hiding it from view. Naruto placed the man next to her, doing the same. Hitou sighed, looking down at them.

"They were good people you know? Kagari's parents. They...they tried to protect us from the bandits when they attacked but..."

"These bandits," Naruto mentioned. "Did they wield any strange abilities?"

"They could use the elements as if they were trained shinobi sir," the man stated, a frown on his face.

Midare glanced up at Naruto, and the blonde nodded. That matched the description given by Oboro. Bandits that had the ability to wield chakra were rare, usually nothing greater than C-rank shinobi that had run away from their village of origin. Usually, they came from minor villages that didn't have the resources to send kill squads after them. Larger villages would send Genin squads after them to achieve their first real taste of shinobi combat under the watchful gaze of higher ranked shinobi.

But this did not sound like regular C-rank shinobi.

"These bandits," Naruto stated. "How did they strike? Do you know where they came from?"

Midare snapped his head towards his teacher, his eyes hard. Naruto blinked, confused but Hitou raised a hand.

"The woman merely touched them, and they died. They came earlier today demanding supplies. We refused to give them any. That was the result."

Earlier today? They could have put a stop to this if they had been there sooner. The realization seemed to dawn on Midare as well. The Ame Chunin immediately walked up, eyes burning.

"Which direction did they go?"

"They left to the north."

Midare stared up at Naruto, a burning look on his face. The blonde recognized it.

"You're not going to let this go until we go looking for them, are you?"

"No sir."

Naruto sighed, rubbing the back of his head. He turned to look at Suiren, who was looking at him expectantly. She was ready to go. But it was Kagari who he was most interested in. His cerulean orbs were still elsewhere, devoid of time and place. Naruto could expect no less. He had just found out his parents had died. He had refused to look at them the entire walk to Hitou's home. He still refused.

The pain he must be going through was immense.

In some manner he could relate.

"Kagari, you don't have to come with us if you don't want to. It might do you some good to...wait."

Grieve. The word was obvious. The Chunin refused to comment, causing a frown to form on Naruto's face. Naruto glanced at Suiren.

"Wait with him. Midare and I will go."

"Sir!"

"We leave them in your care Hitou-san. Suiren, help around the village. Try and help rebuild."

"Yes, Naruto-sensei!"

Midare and Naruto left in a burst of speed.

---

A hand was the only signal Midare got to hold. He stopped on a dime, senses flaring. Naruto and he had crossed over into Konoha territory only a few hours ago. They had been moving slowly, stopping periodically whenever Naruto requested. Midare was sure to take note of it. The blonde wasn't stopping because he was tired, no Midare wasn't foolish enough to believe that.

He was waiting. Listening.

He was making sure they were not detected.

Midare was careful to look at the way his body moved. The areas his eyes scanned in the light forest around them. This was a firsthand lesson in infiltration. And he was not only learning from one of the strongest shinobi in the world, but someone who knew the inner workings of Konoha patrols better than most. With his chosen career path this was the most important thing he could learn.

The Chunin was pulled from his thoughts when Naruto's head snapped upwards.

"Three in front of us. A patrol. If we keep moving, we'll be on them in two minutes."

Midare nodded, following the blonde as he took off. They came to a stop in the trees a minute later and paused until they saw three shinobi touch down. The headbands on their wrists were telling. Former Kusa shinobi, likely enlisted into the Konoha army after the minor village had been conquered. The trio glanced around.

"I could have sworn I sensed chakra in this direction," the smallest one stated. A child, no older than fourteen. Midare glanced at Naruto, his eyes wide. Naruto didn't make eye contact, but he knew. The blonde had been intentionally letting a small amount of his chakra seep through to pull in inexperienced sensor shinobi. They hadn't stumbled across them.

Naruto had lured them.

Naruto's eyes burned into Midare. He quickly made a signal, one that Midare didn't quite understand. The furrow of his brow told Naruto everything he needed to know. Rolling his eyes, the blonde mouthed to him.

'Follow my lead.'

A curt nod was all he had time to respond with before Naruto was gone. Midare's eyes widened as the blonde simply vanished before the world erupted into violence. Screams pierced his ears as he shot from his hiding spot on the tree, umbrella in hand. His eyes widened. Two of the shinobi were already lying on the ground before he had managed to land, completely unconscious. The third, the small one who had spoken earlier, was pinned to the ground, a kunai at his throat.

"Who the hell are you guys?"

"I'll be asking the questions here," Naruto stated plainly. His voice was strangely high. "Where is the location of the Konoha fort?"

"What are you, Ame shinobi," the youngest one cried out. They tried to turn their head to get a good look at Naruto, but the blonde forced the head into the ground. His eyes were steely hard. Slowly he let the youngest look up at his unconscious comrades.

"Midare, kill them."

"Yes sir!"

Midare slowly approached the unconscious shinobi, raising his umbrella and allowed a single senbon to extend from the tip. The Konoha shinobi's eyes widened, black orbs filling with fear.

"Wait don't!"

"Do it."

Midare didn't hesitate. He thrust downwards, and his senbon pierced through their carotid artery. Blood poured forth like a flower blossom as the Konoha shinobi cried out in anguish.

"You Ame bastards! I'll kill you; you hear me! I'll kill you."

"I'll have him kill the other one if you don't give me the information I want. Where is the fort?"

"To the north of here damnit! An hour out. Just let us go!"

"That's not enough. How many people are there? Notable shinobi? Defenses? I need details."

Naruto glanced at Midare who took his signal. He walked over to the other unconscious shinobi, raising his blood-drenched umbrella.

"You're running out of time."

The Konoha shinobi beneath Naruto panicked, terror crossing their face before their mouth opened.

---

Midare grunted as he flicked the blood from his umbrella, looking up at Naruto.

"Your voice was higher there? Why?"

"Basic use of chakra manipulation. The less people that recognize me the better. Konoha knows I'm with Ame, but they don't know how active I'll be. It won't be long before they suspect me, but it's best to keep the element of surprise on our side for as long as possible."

"I see," Midare stated. "But is this really necessary? You promised that you'd let them go if they told you what you wanted."

Midare glanced at the three corpses left on the ground.

"You'll find no argument from me about killing enemy shinobi but...this isn't exactly letting them go."

"It's not pleasant," Naruto admitted. "But if we let them go, they tell Shikaku we know where his fort is. They do that, the Konoha force relocates, and we are back at square one. Killing them isn't preferable, but it's the best choice."

"So why don't we burn the bodies?"

"Konoha doesn't react well to direct threats," Naruto responded. "They respond with overwhelming force. Shikaku is different. He's coy. He won't overplay his hand unless we force him to. To do that we need to force him to react. This won't be enough, but it's a start. It'll force a counterattack from Shikaku. We want a counterattack, we don't want them to not know we were here at all."

Naruto was silent for a moment, as if words were caught in his throat that he refused to mention. A disgusted look marred his face as he looked at the three corpses, and Midare could not help but feel like the blonde wanted to retch.

"Let's go back," Naruto muttered.

"But what about the bandit's sir?"

"We can't press forwards. We'll run into the fort."

"So, we conquer it and end this farce once and for all. Isn't that even better than your strategy?"

Naruto stared at his student, a look that mixed shock with disappointment.

"We can't attack a fort head on. It is a death sentence. We know where it is, and they won't be relocating the bulk of their force. They'll launch a counterattack once they find the bodies. We need to be ready for it."

"But you're Naruto Uzumaki," Midare countered. "You could attack a fort head on. I won't hold you back, I promise. Together we can do this."

Naruto frowned, glancing at his missing arm. Perhaps if he had his other arm he could attack the fort, even with Midare by his side. But he was not entirely confident in his new abilities to do that with one less limb at his disposal. Besides, if he attacked Konoha now he would have to slaughter every shinobi he saw there to ensure Konoha would not send a larger attack force in return.

The face of Shikaku flashed through his mind. Naruto bit his lip.

"We're not here to slaughter Midare. There is more than one way to win a war," Naruto insisted. "Violence is not the only answer."

Midare snorted. Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"Speak your mind Midare."

"Violence is all these people know," Midare began. "The Great Powers have beaten down on the smaller villages for generations. Turned their countries into warzones. That's how they've solidified their power, through violence. Bloodshed is all they know. Strength is all they know. The only thing they respond to. That's what Hanzo did. That's what Amekage-sama did. They feared their strength. They fear yours. We should use that. If power is all they listen to then I say we teach them a lesson."

Naruto looked at Kagari, a frown forming on his face.

"That's a naïve view," Naruto stated plainly. "We can't go slaughtering Konoha shinobi to 'teach them a lesson'. That's how we got into this mess."

Midare opened his mouth, but it was clear Naruto wished to discuss it no longer. Instead, the blonde spoke up.

"Besides, we should check on Kagari."

Midare frowned, clicking his teeth.

"That weakling."

Naruto's eyes narrowed, looking at Midare closely.

"You don't like him. Why?"

"He's weak," Midare stated, as though the thoughts were obvious. "And worse so he's complacent about it. That's unacceptable, especially for an Ame shinobi. I just told you the Great Powers seek to victimize the lesser powers. They seek to victimize us more because we have risen to the status to challenge them. We can't afford to be weak because the other village will capitalize on it. Defending Ame...protecting it from the evils of the other villages...that's something I take seriously."

Midare stared back at the Konoha shinobi that lay dead on the ground. A storm of red-hot hatred burned within him, threatening to explode like a volcano in Water. He could feel it like fire in his veins, waiting to be released. The familiar pangs of starvation sung in his memory like ghosts that refused to leave.

"These...bastards killed Ame civilians. They killed his own parents. People just going about their lives. They took advantage of them just like every Great Power has before. I cannot allow that. I will not allow that. So, to see someone like him who just doesn't make an effort to try. I can't respect it. I won't. We've been broken down by the Great Powers for decades. Nagato-sama, Konan-sama, and Yahiko-sama changed that. They gave us strength."

Midare grunted, a frown forming on his face.

"Dislike him as many do I respect that Hanzo also gave us strength. They knew what made this world go round. He refuses to understand that. Power is the only thing that matters in this world. And you don't gain power through cowardice."

Naruto stared at Midare, a storm of emotions resting in his eyes that the Chunin could not place. Wordlessly, the blonde turned, his hair covering his eyes.

"Let's go."

---

Suiren sat down, a bead of sweat slipping down her forehead from her exertion. The bodies of Hizomi and Inoji were wrapped in specific water-resistant cloth that most Ame civilians had. It was as traditional as burial rites went in Rain. Burn the bodies so they could avoid the dreary rain they typically dealt with in life. If unable to, wrap them in cloth to protect them from the water until a time came where you could burn the body. Typically, the children of the deceased were responsible for the wrapping, but...

"Kagari-san, do you want some food? I have some rations left over."

No response.

Suiren sighed, looking down on her teammate. She glanced hopelessly at him. Was there truly nothing that she could do here? Kagari had refused to respond to her attempts at conversation the entire time she was here. Hitou had left to go gather anything he could use as food after the Konoha force left not too long ago. For all intents and purposes, she was alone to the silence of her thoughts.

That was, until she heard a knock at the door.

The girl opened the door, although there wasn't much left. Outside two children stood, rain pouring down on them. Suiren instantly hurried them in, closing the door behind them to try and protect them from the wind chill.

"Quickly now, over here," she muttered, rushing them over to one of the few dry areas of the house. The assault from the Konoha shinobi had destroyed much of it, leaving several exposed areas where the roof used to be, but there was enough space for all four of them to sit without being drenched in the rain that descended from on high.

"What are you two doing? It's dangerous outside and wet!"

"We know," the little boy whispered. "But we saw Kagari-nii! We haven't seen him since we were really young and..."

"We wanted to see him..." the girl whispered.

Suiren frowned, biting her tongue. She glanced at Kagari, but his cerulean eyes didn't budge in their direction. He was still lost in his own little world.

"Kagari-san is...going through a lot. I'm sure he'll talk to you in a bit, okay?"

The two children frowned, seemingly unsatisfied but accepted the answer as soon as Suiren revealed some of her rations to them. They greedily accepted her offering, devouring the food in less than thirty seconds. Suiren smiled softly, sitting down on the ground.

"What are your names?"

"Akichi," the boy stated, his mouth still full. "And this is my sister, Lurua."

"It's nice to meet you Akichi, Lurua. I'm Suiren, an Ame kunoichi."

The kids nodded, clearly comfortable with that already. They wouldn't have come if they didn't think that she was an Ame kunoichi. Suiren frowned.

"Were you parents..."

"No, our parents have been dead for a long time now," Lurua stated calmly. "They died when we were kids. The village has raised us since! Kagari-nii used to help before he became a shinobi! He comes by and visits sometimes."

Suiren frowned.

"I see. How sweet. I'm sure he's happy to see you guys again."

The girl glanced up at Kagari, but his eyes were still lost. Glazed over like he wasn't present. A frown marred her face as Lurua and Akichi approached before she could react. Lurua opened her hand, revealing a dirty flower that was crumpled up. She lifted it up to Kagari, her face hopeful.

"It's the moon flower Kagari-nii. I thought you might like it."

For a moment it looked like Kagari would not react. Suiren's mouth marred and for the first time in a long time she felt annoyance flare up in her at her teammate. However, before she could mention her frustration a spark of life broke Kagari's trance. A small smile graced his lips as the glaze that covered his eyes cracked and revealed a twinkle of emotion in them.

"Lurua...Akichi...thank you. Can you...place it on me?"

The children nodded, delicately placing the crushed flower behind his ear. The small smile on Kagari's face was reflected hundred-fold on the children.

"You look so pretty!"

A faint smile decorated the young man's face.

"Thank you..."

Before the quartet could continue the door to the house opened, revealing Naruto and Midare. The blonde raised an eyebrow at the sight of the children but made no comment.

"Who are the runts," Midare ground out.

"They're-"

"Little ones from the village. Lurua, Akichi, say hi. This is Naruto-sensei and Midare, my teammate."

Suiren glanced at Kagari, shocked at how talkative he was being ever since the children had approached him. His eyes were cracked, but still glassy. He wasn't truly there. But the front he was putting up...it was admirable.

Midare glanced at the children, a small smile forming on his face.

"Nice to meet you little ones."

Akichi approached the Chunin, a small smile on his face.

"You have a cool umbrella."

Midare grinned.

"Yep! It's a super cool shinobi weapon!"

As Midare entertained the young child Naruto approached Suiren and Kagari, idly noticing that Lurua remained close to his more timid student.

"We discovered the location of the Konoha base. We killed three Konoha shinobi on the way. They'll likely send a small retaliatory force to scout out who killed their troops tomorrow. We'll lay in wait and counterattack that strike. Once we do that, Suiren I want you to head back full speed to Oboro to get a force sent out here."

"Sir!"

Naruto nodded.

"Let's get some rest. I'll maintain watch for tonight."

It was then that Hitou returned, a frown on his face. In his hands was a small number of rations, although calling it rations at all would have been a stretch. There was barely any food to gather. The disappointed look on his face soured the mood. Lurua and Akichi looked at the ground as their stomachs rattled in a noisy complaint.

"I'm sorry. This was all I could find."

"It's okay, Hitou-san," Kagari stated. "We'll find a way. I'm sure I can use my rations to help out as best I can."

"I will too," Midare stated, glancing at Kagari. "The village needs help."

"Same here," Suiren stated.

"In fact, gather the village," Naruto stated. "We're here to help all of you. Everyone should eat tonight."

Hitou smiled, a gentle look on his face.

"Thank you. Thank you all."

It wasn't long before Hitou had gathered the rest of the village. There wasn't much food to go around as the group ate but eat they did. Not enough to take their mind off the hunger pains, but enough to keep them going for another few hours of rest. It was all they could manage. But for some it was not enough.

"I'm hungry," Lurua and Akichi both muttered at the same time, their stomachs growling. The two pouted, a frown on their face as they looked at their empty plates. Kagari smiled, placing his plate down next to theirs.

"Have mine."

The two children glanced up at the Chunin, shock on their faces.

"Really? Are you sure? You haven't eaten!"

Kagari smirked, waving his hands to reveal a small piece of chicken in his hands. "Oh contraire, my little friends. I have food right here. So go ahead and eat up!"

"Woah," Akichi whispered.

"Kagari-nii is the best," Lurua cried out.

The two dug into their plate, eager to get something that would leave them with a full stomach for a while. Kagari watched, a small smile forming on his face as the two continued to eat. Slowly, they finished their food and not long after, drifted off into sleep with smiles on their faces. The smile on Kagari's face turned somber, the chicken vanishing from his hands in wisps of smoke as he picked the two up, carrying them back to Hitou's house and laying them down on the cleanest patch of rubble he could find. It wasn't much, there were hardly beds left in the wake of the destruction of the Konoha shinobi, but it was better than nothing.

The Ame Chunin sat next to them, grunting in discomfort briefly before he closed his eyes.

Tomorrow was a big day.

He had to be ready.

---

It was early in the morning when Naruto woke up his squad. The sun had not yet risen, leaving the darkness of the cloudy Ame sky to greet the Chunin. The blonde quickly assigned them defensive positions, careful to ensure that the village itself would not be damaged in the coming battle of shinobi. They were all set near the borders, clustered together while his clones guarded their rear. They stared towards the north, eyes glossing over the tree line that separated the loose forests of Kusa and the charred grounds of Ame. A clear border, burnt into the environment through decades of war.

It was hours later when they saw movement. Twenty-three bodies split through the tree line, wearing black cloaks. Dust covered their forms as they stomped forwards, moving at a blistering pace. Whatever they were, they certainly were no regular bandits.

"They're fast," Suiren whispered. "Organized too. The largest one is taking point. Definitely shinobi. No bandits have this level of organization."

"What are we going to do," Kagari whispered, his eyes wide as he stared at the group. "There's too many of them. There's no way we can beat that many people."

"Speak for yourself," Midare stated, clutching his umbrella. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the group.

'They dare spread their filth on Rain's lands. I won't let them get away with it! I won't let them oppress us any longer!'

Midare glanced at Naruto, the blonde staring at the opposing force. His eyes were hard. He was hiding on a nearby building. Midare blinked and the Jinchuriki's hair color changed to a dirty brown and the whiskers on his face disappeared before he moved. One second, he was watching the approach, the 'bandits' not twelve seconds out of the village at their current pace, and the next he stood in front of them, halting their approach. Midare's eyes widened.

'He's so fast!'

"Pick off any stragglers if they try to run," Suiren whispered, her body tense. "Those were Naruto-sensei's orders. We don't move until then."

It seemed they wouldn't have to wait long. They couldn't hear the details of their conversation at such a distance, but it was clear when violence between shinobi would break out. The subtle shifts of the back feet to hold one's weight to leap away and launch an attack to gather distance. The twitch of a finger to go closer to their kunai pouch. They were painfully obvious to anyone who dared to look. The largest of the 'bandits' leapt forwards, his body a blur of motion as his fist careened towards Naruto's head. Midare didn't need a dojutsu to tell there was immense chakra packed into that attack. If it landed it would be explosive.

Naruto dodged the attack, his mouth still flapping, his words unable to be heard in the distance. His words didn't seem to have much effect. The Konoha shinobi launched a series of attacks at the blonde, and it was all he could do to stay away from them. The blonde was simply too fast and agile. His body was missing a limb, but shinobi of this caliber were no threat to him when attacking. They could not touch him.

Eventually, the blonde stopped talking. Words would be of no use. Instead, he went on the offensive. Punches flashed out, snapping at their targets. They landed, but the blows could merely stun the opposing forces. The combinations were choppy, each missing a beat that only trained shinobi could truly pick up on and effectively outmaneuver. A frowned marred the blonde's face, and his students realized it from afar.

"Naruto-sensei lost his arm recently right," Suiren said. "There's no way he's comfortable with taijutsu yet to take on this many opponents."

"He's relying on his raw physical skills to compete with them," Midare muttered.

As if to solidify their hypothesis a punch from the large shinobi cracked against Naruto's jaw. The shinobi flipped the air, the blow clearly possessing significant power. The blonde's feet skid against the ground as he came to a stop, his chakra slowing him as he used it to grab a foothold. Naruto wiped his chin, irritation clear on his face.

His mouth moved, words that his students could not read nor hear. The large shinobi seemed to take offense, launching a doton jutsu only for the blonde to dodge it. He was faster this time. A kunai was flung at him, only for it to be redirected to the ground without even touching the blonde. However, it accomplished its goal. A shadow wrapped around his own, binding him just long enough for the large man to punch him once more, although his fist was bleeding afterwards. Naruto landed on his feet once more, irritation on his face.

Midare had seen enough.

"Let's go help!"

However, before any of the trio could move a faint breeze swirled around the blonde. The large man that had led the bandits crumpled to the ground half a second later, blood gushing from his throat that was split in two. A kunai rested in Naruto's hand before the Jinchuriki snapped out of existence. Or at least, that's what Midare thought. One second, he was standing there and the next the 'bandits' were fighting for their lives as a reaper of death flashed between them. Bodies dropped to the ground with contemptuous ease, rivulets of blood spilling into the air. The Ame Chunin could only marvel at the sight. This was true power.

Two more bodies dropped before something cracked through the air. Midare only saw a blur before an explosion rocked the ground. Sparks of electricity filled the sky and the scent of ozone radiated through the air. When the smoke from the battle cleared the blonde Uzumaki could be seen, a storm of wind rotating violently around him. His eyes briefly locked on the location where the arrows came from before he looked back at the so-called bandits that were now charging the village. With a grunt he turned on his heel, shooting towards the bandits, pinning one to the ground with his feet before a cerulean orb of chakra filled his hand. He drove the orb into the skull of the bandit, a splatter of blood filling the air.

However, his eyes were not focused there. Instead, he turned to catch some projectile that burned through the air towards him. He snatched it in his hand before another titanic explosion shook the ground. This one drew the attention of the bandits, each pausing to look to see if the attack had done its job. They were disappointed when the Jinchuriki stood, eyes staring hotly in the direction the projectile had come from. Now that it was still Kagari could see it.

An arrow.

Such destructive power was packed into a singular arrow?

The realization of what this meant was lost on him, but not to Suiren.

"There's at least one other shinobi out there in the forest, attacking Naruto-sensei."

Midare was quick to leap to his feet.

"We'll take them out. Let Naruto handle the group!"

Suiren was quick to nod and the two Chunin leapt forwards, dashing in the direction of the arrow fire. Kagari stumbled, his brain slowly processing the danger they were in before he too shot after them, several steps behind. None of the group had time to see Naruto's frown form on his face as he saw them run off, but he was unable to stop them as the bandits swarmed him.

Suiren brought her hands together, hands weaving through handseals as they charged. The archer could clearly see across large distances if they were targeting Naruto from beyond the tree line. They were using some form of ocular jutsu, but considering their opponents were Konoha shinobi it was well within reason they were facing an Uchiha or Hyuga. She wasn't sure if this jutsu would work on such ocular prowess, but Suiren was determined to give her squad some form form of cover. She slammed her hands together, finishing the jutsu.

"Suiton: Kirisamegakure no Jutsu (Water Relase: Hiding in Drizzle Technique)!"

The water in the air swirled, forming a stunning drizzle that shrouded the Ame Chunin. The water slid off their bodies, none of them hesitating at the sudden shift in direction of the rain. Their bodies melded into it; a hiding spot that should have made them invisible to any regular shinobi. This was where they were home. This was their element. Their confidence surged as they charged, only to quickly learn that the archer had redirected their focus to them. The slightest shift of the leaves was the only warning they got for the impending danger. Each of them leapt for cover from the destructive bolt. They covered the distance in one second.

Unfortunately, they were half a second to slow.

The arrow speared through Suiren's hand, ripping clean through. The force alone blasted her backwards. The girl screamed in pain, her mind barely processing that her jutsu had no effect on the Konoha archer but had no time to react. Another arrow shot through the tree line, and it was only thanks to Kagari swiftly pulling her out of the way that it didn't pierce through her skull. Unfortunately, it did not make the arrow a non-issue. The bolt pierced through his thigh, effectively crippling his movement. He dropped to the ground; eyes wide as he looked up at the direction the arrows were flying in. Realization flashed through him in an instant.

They were going to die here.

They couldn't close the distance to get into close combat with the archer. They were too far away, and their long-range options were limited. They could launch their next attack in mere seconds. That should have been enough to let them reach cover, but the scorched lands of Ame made it impossible. The very history of their country worked against them. Oppression torched the very grounds they walked on. That injustice meant the might of a Konoha shinobi was too much. They would die here. Another shift in the leaves was the last thing Kagari saw as the bolt zeroed in on his head.

"Get down you fucking idiot!"

Midare slammed his head into the ground, protecting him from another arrow. The bolt ripped through the hat on Midare's head but luckily didn't pierce his skull. The Ame Chunin quickly rose to his feet, slamming his hands together. Three water clones formed in front of them out of the rain, in each of their likeness that quickly continued their sprint forwards. Midare took the opportunity to force his two companions to their feet and sprint forwards, desperate to reach the tree line.

"If we can reach the tree line we can make it. Move you bastards!"

Suiren and Kagari charged, desperate to reach the tree line. Midare's lungs were alight as he ran. Desperation coursed through him. They had to make it. He had to hope the Mizu Bunshin (Water Clones) were enough of a distraction to let them reach salvation.

Unfortunately for him, a shower of arrows arrow speared through the air in multiple directions. His clones were eviscerated by the barrage. Midare brought his umbrella to bear, desperate to blow it off course. He wasn't fast enough to raise the weapon to block it neatly, but he could tell from the force behind the attack that it wouldn't have mattered. The arrow speared through the umbrella, destroying it and ripping the handle from his hands, before it shot through his side. Blood dripped down his mouth, but his eyes narrowed.

'Clones won't work.'

Another arrow shot forwards as they ran, this one skewering Suiren in the right shoulder. She rolled with the blow as best as she could, but the pain was almost overwhelming. Midare's eyes narrowed.

'The closer we get the harder it's going to be to react to their arrows. We need to make it to the tree line.'

Midare glanced at the wound on his side at he ran, thinking back to the explosive arrows the user had used against Naruto.

'Can they not use that attack anymore? They would have killed us by now if they could.'

The Chunin had no time to continue thinking about the issue as another bolt fired. This one was aimed at Kagari. The Chunin had begun to lag behind the group, his panting more pronounced than the rest of his groups. The bolt speared into his arm, dropping him dead to the ground in a howl of pain. Midare sprinted back for him, cursing all the while. Quickly he pulled Kagari to his feet and got him moving once more. He broke into a sprint, but Kagari was still slow to follow. It wasn't just the wound in his leg. His entire body was heaving slowly. By some grace of God, the duo managed to reach the tree line with Suiren without another arrow piercing their body. They each were quick to hide behind a tree for cover, sitting on the ground to rest briefly. Heavy panting breaths escaped their mouths.

"What do we do," Kagari cried out, hissing through the pain. "We can't get close to them!"

"Rely on the trees. Use them as cover to hide your movements. We sneak up on them and strike once we're close," Midare stated. "They can't use that explosive jutsu anymore. They must have wasted all their chakra on Naruto. We have the advantage. They're desperate to stop us from getting close."

"Wait," Kagari stated. The heavy pants did not do justice the desperation he felt surging through his body. "What if they're luring us in? That explosive technique didn't work on Naruto-sensei, so maybe they think it won't on us? They could have more chakra left than we think."

Midare wanted to ridicule the Chunin, but he had to admit the idea made sense. They had only seen the jutsu twice, and Naruto had stopped both attacks. It wasn't unreasonable to think that it was useless against him. But it didn't make sense why they didn't try it on them. A jutsu of that destructive capacity was something not many shinobi would naturally be able to stop. No, the more he thought about it the clearer it became.

"No, they can't use it. But you're right we don't know how much chakra they have left or if they have other tricks up their sleeve. Be careful. Stay in the trees."

The trio nodded before they shot forwards, desperate to reach another tree. Suiren and Midare made it without much trouble. Kagari was another issue entirely. The Chunin lagged, his movements labored. Their assailant was no so forgiving as to let Kagari stumble through the trees freely. Shots flew out, ruffling the leaves of the trees as they soared. Kagari desperately tried to move, the panic in his eyes shining brighter than the sun. It was a failed effort. The bolts ripped into his center, causing him to drop to the ground in pain. He hissed, grabbing at the wound in his midsection.

His body tilted and his vision swam. The Ame Chunin tried to look up but couldn't find the strength. His body was drained. It was only thanks to Midare storming back to throw him into the shelter of a tree that he managed to avoid the last arrow that would have pierced his head. Midare knelt behind a tree, frustration on his face. They reached the safety of the next tree, their heartbeats calming.

"What the hell are you doing," Midare hissed. "You're slowing us down!"

"It's nothing," Kagari whispered, grasping at his midsection. His body sagged. Midare's eyes narrowed. Whatever was afflicting the Chunin wasn't merely blood loss. Were the arrows poisoned? Suiren or he would have experienced the effects of the poison by now, and there was no reason to only coat some arrows. No, something else was slowing down Kagari. Whatever it was, he didn't have much time to argue with his ally to learn what it was lest the archer reposition and aim at them once more. He had to focus on the task at hand. His mind raced with thoughts of the archer.

'They can't reach us behind the trees,' Midare thought, a smile on his face. His confidence in the situation was slowly being renewed.

'With the exception of the weakling we can do this! We can reach them!'

His world of confidence was shattered when an arrow pierced through the tree he was hiding behind and stabbed through his left shoulder. Blood shot from his mouth as his hand reached up to clutch the wound. His eyes widened and he dove to the ground, just barely avoiding the arrow that cracked through the tree where his head was.

"They can pierce through the trees," Midare roared. "Run for it! Get as close as you can!"

Suiren wasted no time, turning on her heel and sprinting towards the archer. Her hands slipped into a string of handseals before the rain around her swirled together in the form of clones that also rushed forwards. Kagari took longer to react, but he moved as well. He stumbled across the ground before he broke out into a sprint, hissing as the pain of his pierced thigh shot through his body like lightning. His movements were sloppy, with one hand grasping at his stomach and the wounds in his legs making movement awkward. Midare was last to move, sprinting in the direction of the archer.

They were beset by a hail of arrows.

The first two speared through the clones that Suiren made with ease, popping them in a violent surge of water. Suiren's eyes widened at the sight. Before she could react, another arrow shot forwards, stabbing into her foot and halting her in her tracks. Pain flashed through her body, and she stilled, a lethal mistake in a fight against the archer. The leaves carved open, the arrow a flying for her head, but Suiren managed to pull out a kunai to weather the attack. The weapon was not perfect. The arrow split the kunai in two, the force of the weapon only diverting the attack from her head to her other shoulder. The kunoichi howled, her body freezing in pain.

The next shot would kill.

The arrow flew through the air, but this time it was Midare who stopped it, tackling Suiren to the ground. The arrow in her foot ripped out with a squelch as she was moved, the two rolling to the ground. The two looked up, ready for death. They saw Kagari rushing towards them, eyes wide. Midare's eyes flared.

"Wrong direction idiot!"

The warning, if one could call it that, was too late. The arrow pierced through his other leg, dropping him to the ground in a heap. Midare snarled at the sight, eyes flaring up in the direction the arrow had flown in. This archer, whoever they were, they were good. The strikes against Suiren's Mizu Bunshin were evidence enough that they could have killed them whenever they wanted. They could have pierced that tree and struck through his head immediately. No these were targeted strikes to cripple them, limit their movement. But with what goal?

The answer to his question was revealed when the archer in question appeared before them in a burst of speed, the slight lift of grass in the air a clear sign that they had utilized an expert Shunshin (Body Flicker). A kunoichi stood before them, veins around her eyes bulging. A longbow was strapped to her back, and the Konoha headband was wrapped around her forehead with black hair framing it. As Midare stared at her he quickly realized the reason why all their attempts to gain ground on the archer failed.

Hyuga.

She stared down at them. Frigid, heartless eyes looked down at them, and for the first time in a long time Midare felt small.

And he hated how it felt.

His hand snapped to his other umbrella before he lunged forwards, chakra surging towards the senbon that slipped from his umbrella. He thrust the weapon forwards towards those accursed eyes. And then...

His world shattered.

The umbrella fell from his grip as his arm fell limp. His body crumpled to the ground as if he were a puppet with his strings cut. Blood surged from his throat onto the ground. The world spun and he felt a violent sickness fill his stomach. He could barely muster the air for the words that left his lips.

"What?"

He hadn't even seen her strike.

"You're weak."

The Hyuga's voice was just as frigid as her eyes. Her eyes didn't focus on him. They didn't focus on any of them. As if their existence was insignificant to her.

"You all are."

"Shut up, Konoha bastard."

The Hyuga brushed off the insult.

"What would he see in you three? A kunoichi with no noteworthy capabilities."

Suiren winced.

"Water clones? Didn't you see that those didn't work the first time? It's like you don't learn. Pathetic."

"I was-"

"I don't care about your intentions. You're going to die here. As for you. A shinobi that's always a step slow is a liability on the battlefield. I can't believe he would even accept someone like you."

Kagari winced under her words but refused to argue. Instead, he sat there with his eyes on the ground.

"And you? Headstrong, unable to recognize danger. You walked headfirst into a trap. You didn't even stop to think about why I was luring you away from him. If you're the leader, everyone on your squad would be better off dead."

Midare bit his lip, wishing he could find the words to strike back at her. Something to damage her as her strikes had damaged him, but he couldn't focus between his body's desperation for air and the violent sickness that made the world spin.

The Hyuga shook her head.

"I expected better from you all. Now I see you for what all of you are...disappointments. And yet..."

She placed a foot on the Chunin, and for the first time he could see something other than ice flash across her eyes. Jealousy. Disdain. Anger. Whatever she had to say she didn't voice, content to wallow in her anger. But Midare saw it. The vulnerability. Something other than a world of ice. He latched onto it, desperate to wound her in some way.

"Disappointments," he whispered, speaking quietly to not disturb his stomach to the point where he would hurl. But she could hear him. He knew she could. "Please. You tried to kill us, and you failed. We avoided all your kill shots!"

"Such ego. You had a warning shot every single time. You didn't avoid my kill shots. I told you once before. I didn't kill you."

Midare grinned, a flash of savagery sparking in his eyes.

"Maybe...but now...we'll kill you!"

Suiren leapt towards the kunoichi, ignoring the burning pain that lanced through her appendages. A kunai in hand, she lanced out, the weapon threatening to spear through the Hyuga's chest. In a second the blow would land, and the battle would end.

In half the time the Hyuga spun, swatting away the kunai and lashing out with a palm strike that smashed against the kunoichi's chest. The mask that covered Suiren's mouth was dyed red with her blood as she crumpled to the ground. A cruel stare looked down on the two Ame Chunin that were crumpled on the ground before her.

"I don't know what's more pathetic. The fact that you thought that would work, or that you move so slowly."

Words alone clearly weren't enough to dissuade the Ame Chunin, and the Hyuga knew that. She raised a hand to strike only for Kagari to dash forwards, stumbling across the ground. His heavy, ragged breaths gave away his position, but he had no need to hide. He lurched forwards, tackling Suiren. The two rolled away in a heap of limbs, away from the Hyuga's strike. The Ame Chunin felt the kunoichi's cold eyes follow them.

Kagari quickly detangled himself from the Suiren, rising to his feet. The front of his body sagged forwards. He sucked in as much air as he could with every second, terrified eyes looking down the Hyuga. Midare looked at him, a frown forming on his face.

'He's going to die here.'

The Hyuga stalked towards the Chunin.

"Your chakra levels aren't low, and those injuries shouldn't cause this behavior. I don't use poison."

Kagari raised his fists. The Hyuga grit her teeth, her chakra flaring.

"You little..."

The Hyuga lashed out with a punch. The movement looked awkward in her hands, as if she was wielding a weapon she didn't often use. Still, the effect was real. The blow smashed into Kagari's side, forcing him to keel over. He glanced upwards, desperately reaching up to fight off the woman. She kicked him away, a frown on her face.

"You're pathetic."

Kagari groaned, slowly standing up despite it all. His eyes blazed with a rabid defiance and fear that puzzled the kunoichi.

"I could do this all day."

The words set the Hyuga off. She shot forwards; hands free of their natural elegance. She wailed on the Chunin, beating him to a bloody pulp that lay on the ground. She did not stop even when he lay on the ground, stomping on his head as if to vent her frustration. The meager defense that he had put up had been shattered instantly. Slowly, she stopped, glaring down at the younger man before her.

"Weak," she spat.

The teen groaned but could not find the strength to deny her words. Instead, another noise pierced the noise of the clattering rain.

A grumble.

The Hyuga's eyes widened, as did Midare's.

"You...you little..."

The Hyuga stared down at him, indignant.

"You dare come into a battle hungry? You are that arrogant with these...these...paltry skills?"

The Hyuga screamed, picking up Kagari before throwing him against a tree where his legs just barely managed to keep him afloat. Her eyes radiated malice.

"This is who he replaced me for? I won't accept it. I can't."

She shot forwards, a blur of motion that Kagari would have no time to react to. His hands sloppily went to form handseals, but he was far too slow. The Hyuga slapped his hands away with one hand, the other striking out at his chest. The blow landed, and Kagari coughed blood that the Hyuga was careful to dodge. Slowly, his body crumpled to the ground into a shaking and shriveled heap.

Frigid eyes stared down Kagari. The Ame Chunin was still, eyes wide. It was easy to see what lay in them.

Fear.

Fear of death.

Fear of her.

The Hyuga snorted at the sight of him.

"What could he possibly see in you? You're slow, pathetic, and foolish. You came to a battle hungry!"

The Hyuga turned to look back at the crumpled shinobi before her.

"If this is the type of shinobi Ame have, I have no idea why he would join. Heh, I don't know why you all are considered a Great Power. Amekage. Give me a break."

Midare snarled at the woman, staring up at her.

"You take that back."

"Make me."

Midare screamed, pushing himself forwards despite the pain that flooded his body. His hand sloppily snatched up his umbrella and he thrust it forwards. Rage poured through his body and his will was strong.

His body was weak.

The tip of the umbrella impacted dully on the Hyuga's chest, the kunoichi not bothering to avoid or block the attack. Instead, she simply stared at him.

"This is what I mean. Your attacks do nothing. Your efforts do nothing. Your entire existence is futile. You're a waste of space, just a number meant to pad out an army. Nothing more. Maybe less."

Cold eyes locked onto Midare's.

"You will die here, afraid and forgotten. A meaningless death. A weakling's death."

The Hyuga slapped the umbrella away, sending it clattering to the ground. With a light push Midare was shoved onto his back, his body refusing to listen to his commands. The Hyuga stood over him, drawing a kunai. Her eyes dug into him like knives. Midare stared defiantly back at her. If looks could kill the battle would have been decided in his victory.

A nasty smirk split the stone wall that was the Hyuga's face. A vicious look burned in her eyes, as if she were enjoying this. She raised the kunai.

"You, who failed to even leave a scratch on me. In an hour I won't even remember you."

"Go to hell," Midare spat.

The Hyuga's smirk split into a savage grin.

"You first."

The kunai descended only for a scream to break out, stopping her. The Hyuga turned her head to see Kagari reaching out, tears flooding down his face.

"Please! Don't do it!"

The kunai paused just a centimeter above Midare's neck.

"We give up!" Kagari exclaimed. "Please, you can take us back and torture us for information. I'll give you anything you want just please...don't kill anyone else."

Kagari's hands fell to the ground, his head hitting the ground. He was begging.

"I give up."

Midare's eyes widened, rage burning deep within them. The Hyuga stared at Kagari. Something unrecognizable burned in her eyes. Not judgement. Nor was she weighing the decision. Something unclear burned deep within them. Finally, she raised the weapon.

"No."

She brought it down, but her head snapped to the side a second before the kunai spilled Midare's blood, courtesy of the knee that impacted with her cheek. She was sent flying off Midare, skipping across the ground violently before she managed to catch herself on her feet. Her head snapped upwards, rage burning in her eyes clear as day. Her hands slipped to her longbow as a man stood before her, blonde hair decorating his head and whiskers adorning his face. Blood covered his clothes.

"Naruto-sensei!"

Naruto glanced to Suiren, the girl looking at him with hope in her eyes. She could see him clearly. He was covered in blood. Most was not his, but she could see the thin film of cuts and bruises that covered his body. He hadn't been able to neatly take care of his opponents. Still, the main sign of exertion was the film of sweat that covered his form. Naruto turned his attention back to the Hyuga.

"Let them go, Hanabi."

Hanabi knocked her longbow in response, a surge of Raiton (Lightning Release) chakra exploding around the arrow in response.

"No."

She fired the bolt, only for Naruto to catch it with ease. The blast exploded, kicking up a storm of dust that covered the battlefield. Hanabi shot forwards, eyes narrow. This dust would not stop her due to her ocular prowess. She shot towards Suiren, hands prepared to shut down her chakra network and nervous system. Unfortunately for her, the dust cloud did little to stop Naruto as he blew it away with ease. He caught her by her wrist, throwing her away. She flipped through the air before landing on her feet, eyes smoldering.

"Stop this Hanabi! There's no reason for us to fight! I won't kill you."

"What?"

The call broke the tension on the battlefield, drawing all eyes to Midare. The Chunin had a betrayed look on his face. Here he had seen this kunoichi effortlessly defeat his team, toy with them, and attempt to kill them. She was part of the bandits that had attacked Oaxaco only yesterday. And then, Naruto arrived and instantly shut down her offensive as if she weren't even a threat to him. It had solidified the truth of the situation to him. The gap in strength between Naruto and himself was a gulf that could not be filled.

So, for the blonde to do nothing to her...

"What do you mean you won't kill her? She's harmed Rain civilians. Tried to kill us! She's the enemy."

Naruto could see the fury on Midare's face. It was clear what Midare thought of him. In his eyes, what Naruto was doing was blasphemous.

"He's right you know," Hanabi stated. "I would have killed him if you weren't here. I'm no ally to you or them. You would do well to remember that, traitor."

Naruto recoiled as if he had been struck. That word again. Hanabi took that moment to launch her counterattack. Two arrows were knocked and let loose towards the blonde, each aiming for an eye. The blonde was still conscious enough to attempt to catch the projectiles, but the lack of chakra in the projectiles had led him to not coat his body with wind. He struggled to catch them, his vision swimming from his bad eye. He caught one, but the other split his cheek, drawing blood.

Hanabi smirked, appearing at the blonde's side with hands at the ready.

"You've lost your edge, sensei."

Her hands lashed out, desperate to strike at his tenketsu. One blow would cripple the Uzumaki. Anymore and she could seal off his chakra network, and with it his monstrous strength.

Unfortunately, Naruto refused to allow her to get the chance. His injuries were limiting, but they had not left him a cripple. He weaved between her attacks, throwing his body in the direction to dodge, and using his remaining arm as a 'feeler', swatting down any attack that got too close. His legs were his stabilizing point, dancing around to ensure he remained just barely out of her reach and forced her to step towards him. A defensive masterclass only one with familiarity with her fighting style could pull off. Still, it was challenging. The blonde lacked a limb, and more blows than he would have liked came close to reaching him. He was walking a thin line. If he took one step off, he would be struck, crippled, and defeated.

And misstep he did. Hanabi attacked slightly faster, capitalizing on his missing arm to land a blow that forced Naruto to hiss. Blood shot from his mouth as he felt his chakra network fluctuate. Hanabi grinned, pressing the assault. One blow would not disrupt his chakra network. She needed more. But the blonde was cautious, more so now that he realized Hanabi could hit him. He moved faster, relying not on chakra to supplement his abilities but rather sheer physical capability. Pain lanced through his system, but he was able to move, nonetheless. It was not the first time he had been hit with the Jūken (Gentle Fist), and it would not be the last. Still, the danger was real.

Hanabi increased the pressure, anger in her eyes.

"You lost your arm sensei? What happened? I thought that wind armor of yours was impenetrable!"

Naruto barely caught her hand as it reached at his core.

"Or was that a lie, just like everything else you've said?"

Naruto shoved her away, but Hanabi shot forwards, unrelenting. She had gained the advantage and refused to relinquish it. Luckily for Naruto, Hanabi misstepped next. Her eagerness spurring her on, Hanabi attacked faster, with even more ferocity than before.

Sloppier.

Naruto dodged her strikes before his leg snapped out, smashing into her own and dropping her to the ground. He moved to pin her to the ground only for her hand to lash upwards. It was only thanks to Naruto's familiarity with wind-based ninjutsu and Hyuga Clan techniques that he knew what to expect. He flipped away as the Hakke Kūshō (Eight Trigams Vacuum Palm) tore away at him. However, the jutsu did not stop there. It carved forwards against the ground, headed directly towards Suiren. The girl squirmed, desperate to avoid the blow only for it to be dispersed easily by a jutsu of Naruto's own creation.

"You weren't able to do that the last time I saw you."

"I'm no longer the person you knew me to be," Hanabi spat, as if the words were venom on her tongue. "The girl you know is dead! I'm a completely different person now!"

The Hyuga shot towards Kagari, hands poised to strike him down. Naruto met her before she could, appearing in front of her in a flash. A wicked grin split her face as she whirled, longbow furling into her hands, an arrow knocked back and ready to strike. Raiton chakra surged into the arrow in less than a second before she let fly. Naruto's eyes widened at the sight. The arrow was fast. He was just barely faster. The bolt sliced opened his cheek before detonating next to his head, sending him and Kagari flying in separate directions.

Hanabi's eyes narrowed as the dust storm cleared, revealing the Uzumaki still standing.

"A person ready to kill you," Hanabi hissed.

Naruto tensed at the declaration. He could tell she wasn't lying. She had used Kagari as a lure to bring him in and unleash her attack. Normally her Raiton arrows were completely ineffective against him. His armor nullified their ill effects. But she knew he wouldn't keep it up around her because he didn't want to hurt her, and she had gambled on that. He hadn't had enough time to react and deploy the defense, and as a result he was bleeding, and his ears were ringing. Minor injuries, all things considered, with his healing factor, but it was real damage. If he had been just a millisecond slower the arrow would have pierced his eye. Slower still...

The blonde preferred not to think about it.

His eyes snapped upwards, meeting Hanabi's own.

"Hanabi...this isn't you. The girl I knew would never use defeated enemies as bait. Never as hostages. She wouldn't torture her opponents either. She was decisive. She was harsh. But she was never cruel."

Hanabi's eyes frosted over.

"I already told you...the girl you knew is dead."

She knocked an arrow in her longbow.

"I don't believe you! Hanabi I know you're still in there. The girl I knew-"

"The girl you abandoned!"

Naruto stepped back, almost as if struck by the words.

"You abandoned me. You left me without so much as a goodbye after Nee-chan died. One day you were there and gone the next. No one knew where you went. And for a time, I was content with that. I understood that you were hurting...but then you never came back. A month. Two. A year. Another. You never came back."

Hanabi's eyes were the northern frozen wastelands of Snow as she stared at Naruto. The pale eyes of the Hyuga were not ones that were easy to tell the emotions kept buried within, but he could. She wasn't hiding it. A freezing rage burned within those eyes of hers.

"And where do we find you after all these years? Fraternizing with another Great Power? Not back at Konoha. Not back home. You joined another Great Power. You betrayed us. You betrayed the legacy Nee-chan died for! The legacy your child died for! And for what? This backwater country that'll be nothing but ruins by the end of this war!"

Hanabi shook her head, frustration building inside of her.

"I said I changed...but I wasn't the only one. You changed. The Naruto I knew died the same day Nee-chan did. The person in his place is nothing but a stranger to me."

Naruto's eyes widened. A burning sensation filled his eyes, and it took him a moment to realize that he was crying. Truly crying. Tears flowed down his face at Hanabi's words, words that he had never expected the kunoichi he painstakingly trained to say. Sakura's words had been right.

Hanabi truly would kill him if she got the chance.

"Are you really crying," Hanabi spat in disgust. "You don't deserve the right to cry. Not after the tears we've shed."

Raiton chakra surged into the arrowhead until it emanated a dull blue glow. Hanabi aimed the projectile directly at Midare. The Ame Chunin grunted, desperate to move only for his body to refuse his commands. Her taijutsu was effective. She had struck him in the core of his chakra network, the only way to effectively shut down a shinobi quickly without striking at multiple tenketsu using the Hyuga Clan's taijutsu. Now, he was defenseless.

The arrow flew. A streak of light that Midare knew would be his last. Slaughtered by a Konoha kunoichi, with a supposed sensei too mentally weak to stop it even if he had the power.

The thought infuriated him.

The next thing Midare knew he was next to Suiren on the ground, not a hair out of place.

"What?"

Naruto stood over him, a frown on his face. His blonde hair sagged from the rain, covering his eyes.

"Stay here," was his only command. The Uzumaki turned, looking at Hanabi. Rain poured down, drenching the duo, but neither cared. They could only see each other.

The Hyuga snarled at the blonde.

"Care that much for my replacements, do you?"

The word struck a chord in Suiren.

"Replacements? What is she talking about Naruto-sensei?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed, glancing back at the group. Before they could make eye contact, he returned his attention to Hanabi. The kunoichi knocked an arrow once more. However, instead of Raiton chakra bursting forth, Katon (Fire Release) chakra swirled around the arrow. A bolt of flame, ready to fire into the darkness. Naruto's eyes widened. The bolt flew, but just like the ones from before it was completely snuffed out by Naruto's armor. He deactivated it once more, drawing a look of disgust from Hanabi's face.

"If you refuse to look at me as an enemy..."

The kunoichi disappeared, appearing to Naruto's side with her hand pulled back.

"I'll kill you. Hakke Hazangeki (Eight Trigrams Mountain Crusher)!"

The wave of chakra emitted from her palm set the world alite. The Ame Chunin flew backwards, completely separated from their Jonin sensei. Meanwhile, Naruto was sent flying backwards. He had activated his armor quickly, but an attack of that level simply blew through the uncomplete versions of it. He smashed into a tree, cuts and bruises littering his skin. His ears were ringing, and the world swam. He felt blind and deaf from the combination of her blows and the wounds left by Shukaku. Luckily, Hanabi gave him the time to gather himself, delighting in her work. As he came to, he looked at the trench that had been carved in the ground from the force of the attack. A wave of pure destruction. Hanabi had certainly not been capable of this the last time he saw her. She had grown significantly since then. She was a master of the Jūken.

A lot had changed in a few years.

Hanabi stared at him, frustration growing on her face when she realized that despite her efforts the blonde was still standing and capable of fighting back.

'My chakra levels...'

The kunoichi quickly calculated the risk of the battle in her head, a skill that the man before her had taught her to do in every encounter. She was fighting a losing battle and she knew it. Her forces were dead. She only had the mental edge, and if that disappeared the battle would be over. That was unacceptable. Shikaku needed to know that Naruto was here. It was the first step in their plan! But try as she might she couldn't just leave here. She needed to do something. She needed to prove something to herself.

She needed to prove that she could harm the man before her. Not injure him, but truly harm him. She needed concrete evidence that her goal wasn't unattainable.

That she could kill him.

She needed to land a blow. She wanted something solid.

Hanabi knocked an arrow, a frown forming on her face. This jutsu wasn't perfect, but it should work. It would pierce that armor.

Raiton chakra flooded the arrow, an easy application. It was her natural chakra nature. More than that, the Raiton chakra surged outwards, flooding into her longbow. Both hummed a beautiful blue, giving her an ethereal glow. Hanabi's mouth grew into a thin line as she concentrated, twisting her chakra network to allow her to draw upon two natures at the same time. It was a difficult technique, typically reserved for those who were at least close to masters in either element. But she was no master of Katon.

But she had to.

Sparkes flickered around the arrow before it burst into a conflagration. Beads of sweat poured down her face and she felt her chakra slip through her hands like water. This was draining. She wouldn't get another shot at this. Naruto's eyes were wide as he saw the technique form. Whatever this was, he had never seen it before. Hanabi grimaced.

"Take a look at my technique, sensei," she hissed. The roar of the flame and crackle of the lightning drowned out her words, but Naruto could feel it. The disdain. The hatred.

The hurt.

"Purazuma Hassha (Plasma Catapult)!"

The arrow shot forwards and Naruto flew. The bolt was faster than he had ever seen her fire one before, amplified by the thud of electricity released from her bow as she released the arrow. The force sent a shockwave out from the source that made even the Hyuga drop to her knees as it fired. But the result was clear. The ground was torn asunder from the force of the projectile. The rain evaporated, refusing to come near the arrow-made-elemental storm. The grass on the ground burst into flames from the sheer heat the projectile radiated.

And Naruto stood, stunned at the technique his former student had developed. The sign of her mastery. So absorbed in the shock that she would use such a jutsu on him and at the marvel of the technique that he was a half a second too slow in activating his armor.

The arrow pierced through his chest, sending him flying backwards from the force. And then, the world exploded. The chakra surged from the arrow, detonating in a massive explosion that sent the blonde tumbling across the ground. The heat and force shredded at his clothing, leaving his top in tatters. Blood flew from his mouth as he flew through the air, only stopping when he made contact with a rather large boulder in the sparsely wooded territory of Kusa. The ground where the arrow had exploded was charred an ugly black, the smell of burnt forest filling the air. Flames and sparks could still be seen showering the area, radiating a heat that forced the rain to evaporate.

Naruto clutched at the wound, gasping for air. He was lucky he had activated his armor even half a second after impact. It had altered the trajectory of the arrow just enough to avoid it piercing his lungs or heart. But the jutsu had hurt. He had a hole in his chest, and burns covered his body. The burns would have been undoubtedly worse if he hadn't activated his armor. A chill came over him the more he thought about it. Hanabi had created a jutsu that would require the full brunt of his armor to withstand with no damage.

And it came with the frigid realization that Hanabi had just tried to kill him.

From the sight of her, it seemed like it wasn't easy. She was panting heavily, sweat pouring down her brow. Her arm had a nasty discoloring too it, and even her Byakugan was deactivated. That jutsu was taxing. She hadn't fully mastered it. At this point in time, it was a double edged sword. A gamble to use in a fight. A gamble that in a real fight she would have lost.

A gamble she could still lose. The blonde stood, grunting through the pain. His eyes locked on Hanabi, and the Hyuga glared back at him defiantly. They both knew the situation. Her jutsu had failed to bring him down. He had her dead to rights. If he wanted her dead, she would die here. It wasn't just them. The Ame Chunin the blonde was responsible for knew it too. They were staring at him, hopeful that he would put down this threat to their country.

But Naruto bit his lip. That word was seared into his mind. Traitor. But more than that, the words of Hanabi rang throughout his head. He had betrayed her. He knew that. He had betrayed everyone. He hadn't expected sympathy when they met...but he hadn't expected hatred either. They were enemies now. Truly enemies. But try as he might all he could see when he looked at her was the little girl eager to learn a new ninjutsu or train her archery.

The blonde approached the Hyuga, tears falling down his face as he stared at her. Regardless of her actions, and regardless of the situation they found themselves in he knew who Hanabi would always be to him.

'My precious student. And Hinata's sister.'

"Well, get on with it," Hanabi hissed. "Kill me."

Naruto bit his lip, turning on his heel. Hanabi's eyes widened as she saw him walk away, instead forming clones that picked up the Ame Chunin.

"What are you doing," the Konoha shinobi hissed.

"Yeah," Midare agreed. He was surprised he could achieve common ground with a Konoha shinobi, but he felt it. "She needs to die!"

"No!" Naruto stated. "Enough death has happened! No one else needs to die today!"

"Damn it, we're not family anymore! We're enemies! Fight me to the death damn you!" Hanabi cried out. "Who do you think you are?"

Naruto turned, his eyes staring at Hanabi. Searing rage met broken tears. Two words rang out before Naruto disappeared with his quarry, faster than Hanabi could react.

"Your sensei."