A/N: С новым годом, wish you all a very happy new year. And I am happy to have been able to update a chapter on the first day of 2023. I apologize for missing my monthly schedule in December. I was intending on releasing this chapter on December 27th, on Hinata's birthday, but that didn't work out as me and GBAboy313 found out that doing two simultaneous chapter releases is a lot of work. So, we went with 'Basking under the Sun' for 27th and decided for a new year release of Guardian.
So, in the previous chapter, we saw how Gai brought came with some distressing news. Many of you might have guessed what it was, but oh well, we will see what it was all about. Once more, we will be entering a transition from the Tsunade retrieval arc into the next one, so this chapter is rather a bit of infodump than anything else. And with that, lets get on with the chapter. Happy reading.
CHAPTER 27: OF DISTRESSING NEWS, CONFRONTATIONS AND ANOTHER ADVENTURE BEGINS…..
"Tsunade-sama, this is…" Gai stated in a serious note as Tsunade held the currency notes she got out from the envelope belonging to Raiga.
"Currency from the Land of Snow." Tsunade completed for the taijutsu master. "But what would they want with me?" The Senju princess mumbled to herself. Gai had an idea but he kept himself from saying it out loud, thinking that it would embarrass the member of the legendary Sannin. But it was quite obvious if her recent reputation was to be considered.
It didn't get long for Tsunade to understand it herself.
"It seems…I borrowed money from them or perhaps someone attached to them and…well, I ran away." The Slug Sannin said looking down…somewhat…ashamed.
For all the wrong reasons. More like she was embarrassed that she was admitting to having lost out so badly that she needed to borrow money to keep playing than having gambled in the first place.
That or she was ashamed of running away rather than fighting, which Gai couldn't tell if that was better or worse.
Couldn't decide which made him more comfortable.
Gai sweatdropped but chose not to add anything to that comment and the suspected context.
Gai was many things.
A man whose genius warped around into sheer idiocy.
The greatest taijutsu master the Elemental Nations had ever seen.
But even he knew not to challenge one of the most dangerous women in the Elemental Nations, one who was infamous for her short temper on some things.
He knew when to speak and when not to after all.
"Fine…secure our prisoner. We might get something useful out of him regarding the ones that ordered the attack. I'll go check on the others, Kakashi needs treatment after all. He has received quite a few burns."
"Hai Tsunade-sama." The spandex clad jonin acknowledged and went off to check on the bindings of the currently unconscious Utakata. As Tsunade went to check on Kakashi and the others.
It took Tsunade about half an hour to treat Kakashi's burns as well as other wounds. Now that the bleeding had mostly stopped, the exhaustion and the pain were going to stay for a few days though. Thankfully he hadn't broken any of his joints, so he would be ready to get back to work within 4-5 days.
Meanwhile, Gai secured Utakata's bindings, while Shizune injected the wandering jinchuuriki with a drug that would keep him unconscious for the next 15 hours. The group of Konoha shinobi didn't want to start interrogating him off the bat after all. The shinobi got themselves into a rented house, whose owner was willing to let them keep their prisoner and not open his mouth. In exchange for a larger than usual rent of course, but Gai had enough money on him take care of that. So, the team was settled in without much of an issue. And they all assembled in Kakashi's room to go over the recent events.
"So, Gai. Something serious must have happened for the Hokage to dispatch you after us. What is it?" The copy ninja asked as he sat up with some effort.
Gai's looks became downcast.
"The news is indeed distressing Kakashi, my friend." Gai said as he walked up to him friend/rival and put his hand on his shoulder. "It will be especially hard for you." The spandex clad ninja somberly stated.
"Sasuke Uchiha has left the village." Gai stated.
A pin could fall and be heard in the stunned silence that followed that statement.
"Wait WHAT!?" Naruto and Kakashi yelled at the same time. Minato and Kushina did as well from Naruto's mindscape.
Kurama cursed in a low voice:
"Damn that red eyed brat! We went through all this trouble and he does it again! Damn him! I'll tear him into pieces if he dares lay a finger on the kit this time!"
Kushina and Minato were distressed as the flashbacks of their son's death from Kurama's memories flashed before them. And now, Minato felt the guilt all leaders did when they missed the obvious and others paid the price. Now it was Itachi and Sasuke himself who paid.
"H-How did it happen? He shouldn't have gotten up from Tsukuyomi without Tsunade's treatment." The yellow flash mumbled to himself, uncharacteristically nervous and tense. Well, what father(any who actually earned the title rather than just having procreated) wouldn't be? Sasuke's defection and then his twisted ideals of revolution were the cause of his son's death in the previous timeline after all.
*Back to the real world*
"How did it happen Gai-sensei!?" Naruto exclaimed, he would have burst out in anger and frustration had it not been for Hinata tightly grabbing his hand, which kept him under control.
"It happened a week ago at midnight. Nobody knows exactly how, but Sasuke somehow recovered from his unconsciousness and snuck out of the hospital. Your former student Sakura spotted him as he was sneaking out, she tried to talk him out of it but he knocked her out and left the village.
We found out only 4 hours afterwards, when the unconscious Sakura was found on a bench by the road towards the gate. Hokage-sama immediately dispatched a team after Sasuke. The team included my student Neji, Team-10, Inuzuka Hana and your former ANBU lieutenant who led them."
'Tenzo' Kakashi thought to himself.
"However, it was only then that we found out, that Sasuke had assistance from Otogakure. Some powerful shinobi of jonin level showed up, empowered with curse marks. One of the opponents was from the Kaguya clan. Tenzo managed to defeat him but couldn't stop him from escaping. He sustained severe injuries. Another opponent was a crystal release user whom the younger ones faced. Neji and Shikamaru's quick thinking helped them to survive but they were all found unconscious with heavy injuries.
Kurama growled the name Guren in response to hearing of the crystal release user.
"Nee-chan" Kiba murmured in worry as well as anger at the Uchiha.
"Neji nii-san" Hinata murmured in concern, but her worry increased when she saw her beloved's expression. Naruto gripped her hand tightly and clenched his fist on his free hand.
"Teme…you shouldn't have done that." He whispered in rage. "Why?"
"I…see." Kakashi responded without betraying any emotions. Then he realized something.
"But…Orochimaru was killed in the battle, Kabuto was captured. It was Orochimaru that was obsessed with the Sharingan. But who wants Sasuke now with Orochimaru dead?" Kakashi asked, not knowing that the news was going only worse.
"About that my eternal rival. After you had left, Hokage-sama and Sandaime-sama started studying Orochimaru's curse mark, assisted by Anko. The results were extremely distressing, to say the least. The curse mark holds a part of Orochimaru's consciousness and soul. If an appropriate jutsu, such as the reverse of the curse sealing jutsu you used to keep Sasuke's curse mark suppressed, was used then Orochimaru can be revived using that curse mark as a sacrifive." Gai said as everyone's eyes widened in shock and fear.
"S-sasuke-teme has a curse mark…they'll revive that snake bastard from him…" Naruto whispered to himself, looking downwards. Hinata could only hold his hand, hoping to soothe him. She knew despite their rivalry, Naruto and Sasuke were quite close.
"But who would be able to do that? And were they able to get something out of Kabuto? He must know something regarding Orochimaru's plans with Sasuke." Kakashi asked again. Gai shook his head.
"Unfortunately, Kakashi, we couldn't get anything out of him. The truth is that he escaped from captivity and left behind a shadow clone. Nobody knows how he was able to do it…it seems he is quite good at sneaking in and out of secured facilities." Gai explained making those present in the room even more concerned.
"That teme…his obsession with power…I can't believe how naïve Sasuke can be…" Naruto cursed…"Chasing for power and landing our friends in the hospital because of that…his own comrades…Sasuke you bastard!" The blonde jinchuuriki said in a low tone full of rage. Except for Hinata, everyone, present in the room felt a chilling sensation due to the jinchuuriki's anger.
*In the mindscape*
"Naru-chan…calm down." Kushina said from the mindscape.
Naruto immediately found himself before his parents and Kurama. He didn't lash out though.
"Dad…you said Sasuke wouldn't get up right? How can you be wrong? How!?" He demanded desperately. Minato put his hands on his son's shoulders.
"I am sorry son…I am extremely sorry…I didn't see it coming. I don't understand fully how Sasuke could get up too." The Fourth Hokage responded with shame on his face.
"Dad! I am not mad at you for not realizing this. I mean, I didn't see it coming too, nobody did. And you were absolutely right in suggesting that we keep up with the mission. Sasuke-teme isn't the only one that needed attention, bushy brows, Kurenai-sensei and Asuma-sensei need it too. And now, everyone else that teme put in the hospital also need Baa-chan. This mission needs to carried out. I understand that." Naruto responded.
"Thank you." Responded Minato. "It was a hard choice and suggestion. The only reason I can think of Sasuke being able to get up is the seal suppressing the curse mark somehow getting undone." Minato stated and closed his eyes in contemplation.
"If Itachi's Tsukoyomi forced Sasuke into memories too painful, then it is possible that his despair and anger eroded the suppression on the curse mark, resonating with Orochimaru's malice. That's the only explanation I can think of." Minato explained in a sad tone.
"I see. Itachi messed up really bad, didn't he? But still, we promised him…we'll take care of Sasuke."
The parents and the child all looked down in shame. "We have to let Itachi know somehow…that we messed up as well." Naruto concluded with a deep breath before exiting the mindscape.
*Back in the real world*
"I understand the situation, Gai. So, what are Hokage-sama's orders now?" Kakashi asked in a neutral tone, trying his best to suppress his rage at Sasuke as well as himself for not being able to see this coming.
"The orders were to return to the village in a week. However, the situation here is quite serious. I don't think we can make haste to the village within a week, that too with a prisoner. I will send a turtle to Hokage-sama detailing our circumstances." Gai stated, earning a nod from everyone.
"I believe that we have had enough discussion." Tsunade stated. "All of us have something to think about, let's get this meeting dismissed. Gai, you keep watch on Utakata. And you kids, I know you are tired, but all of us have to take turns in keeping watch of the surroundings. There can be more enemies in hiding, looking for an opportunity to strike us." Tsunade declared. "Aburame and Inuzuka will take the first shift at night. Naruto and Hinata will take the next one. Now all of you rest up and get ready for your night shifts." The Senju princess ordered.
"Hai." Everyone in the room acknowledged.
'Jiraiya…it seems you have got a lot on your shoulders with the hat, didn't you?' The legendary medic thought to herself.
*That night*
"I am sorry about what happened Naruto-kun. I know it is very difficult for you, but I am here for you." Hinata softly said, rubbing Naruto's hand as they were keeping watch during the second shift of the night after Kiba and Shino.
"I can't really describe how reassuring you being with me is, Hime. It's just that, I can't believe Sasuke would go so far, so far enough to even get his own comrades hurt and from what Gai sensei said, they could all have died." The blonde said in a low voice.
"He's not himself, Naruto-kun. He is being affected by the curse mark." Hinata said trying to reassure her boyfriend.
"I know…That teme…I have to do something about him. I will find him and bring him back, I have to." Naruto said clenching his fists again.
"We will, Naruto-kun. I am not letting you go about it alone." Hinata responded in a tone making it clear that her decision was not up for debate.
Naruto couldn't help chuckle, seeing this stubborn and assertive side of his lover.
"Well, I am counting on you then Hinata-chan." He replied. Hinata gave him a peck on his cheek in response.
"However, it's a given that we are toast if we go after Sasuke and Orochimaru now. We are just not strong enough. And I am sure, knowing Sasuke and his lust for power, he won't sit idle either. We will have to train harder than before. That teme needs a really good beatdown to come to his senses."
"Hai."
*In the mindscape*
"Minato-kun…we have to make sure this doesn't end the same way it did last time." Kushina stated in a low but serious tone.
"Of course, Kushi-chan. I promise, it won't end like that, no matter what." Minato responded determined.
*Back in the real world*
The night passed, thankfully without further incident. In the morning, Kakashi began feeling a bit better, the pain due to the burns had reduced a little, so he found himself able to walk. So, the team decided to interrogate Utakata, without further ado. Once everyone was freshened up, they all gathered in the room, where Utakata was kept, with chakra suppressing seals placed all over his body.
Tsunade took a deep breath (which gave her bountiful bosoms a good jiggle and her shirt was opened just a bit wider from the fighting, all of which combined made Kakashi almost pass out of blood loss from his nose, though thankfully his honour was saved because of the mask.)
They knew that the effect of the anesthetics to keep him unconscious must have worn off by now.
"I don't want to make it any harder for you or us than it has to be, so I'll be blunt, it can't just be money that made you agree to come after me. What is it, Utakata?" Tsunade asked in a serious and neutral tone.
'Gotta admit, this granny can be serious when she wants to be.' Naruto thought to himself.
"As if you always act serious." Kurama teased.
'Oh, come on Kurama…who can be serious all the time…that's so dull and boring!' Naruto mentally retorted.
"Can't say I disagree."
Utakata meanwhile, didn't honour Tsunade's question with a response, making her sigh.
"I know, you are not a hitman. There has to be something or say someone very important involved in all this to make you accept a mission as dangerous as attacking one of the Sannin." Tsunade asked. Utakata stiffened but still kept his mouth shut.
"Considering your current situation, your best option is to answer us honestly, since we can perhaps do something about this precious person of yours." Tsunade stated again, this time a bit softer. This drove the Rokubi jinchuuriki off the edge.
"YOU HAVE NO IDEA!" He yelled. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LOVE!? WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE FEAR OF LOSING YOUR LOVED ONES!? ABOUT HOW IT FEELS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU LOST THEM BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" Utakata yelled. And Tsunade couldn't help remember the deaths of Dan and Nawaki. She knew exactly how it felt.
Naruto and Hinata took a glance at each other, silently praying for such a situation to never occur in their lives.
Tsunade sighed.
"You're right, I don't know the fear of losing your loved ones, rather I know the pain of seeing your loved one die right before you, just because you weren't good enough to save them. My fiancée died right before my eyes during the Second Great Shinobi war. My little brother, he died even before that and he was barely 14! I hope that answers your question. Now do you feel like talking?" The legendary medic-nin asked again.
This time, it was Utakata's turn to be surprised and speechless for a few moments.
"I…see." He finally responded.
"So, are you willing to talk now?" Tsunade asked again, only to be met with silence.
After a few silent and reflective minutes (most of which involved Utakata beating his head against Saiken's door inside his mind) Utakata talked again;
"Fine, I'll tell you."
"Good." Tsunade said allowing herself to relax just a bit.
"After I had left Kiri, I wandered around for a couple of years, in the lands near the Land of Fire. I wanted to be left alone and not have to do anything with anyone. However, fate has its own twisted way of working." Utakata stated.
"About six months ago, in some country not so far from here, I was just walking by when I saw a young girl surrounded by shinobi. I saved her from them and then found out that she was the granddaughter of the head of the Tsuchigumo village. She was a target of their rival villages, since the village's forbidden jutsu formula was sealed onto her."
'Like a jinchuuriki.' Naruto, Hinata, Minato and Kushina all thought at the same time.
"I escorted her to her village and was ready to leave that place, but then the girl's grandfather requested me to take her with me and keep her safe, since he was already on the last legs of his own life and feared for her safety after his passing. As much as I wanted to deny, I couldn't. So, for the next six months, I was stuck with her." Utakata described, before pausing for a bit. His captors didn't say anything and waited for the story to finish.
"So, Hotaru, that's her name by the way, wanted to learn shinobi arts from me. But I didn't want to teach, for I despised the teacher-student relationship. So, I refused. But she was persistent." Utakata stated with a small chuckle. "Day by day that started affecting me. And then one day, perhaps a week ago, I told her about the water walking exercise, without actually giving her any tips on how to do that. But that persistent girl practiced for the whole night, without taking a single break and managed to do the exercise the next morning. I was surprised by her dedication. Here I was, who just told her about an exercise to perhaps make her stop nagging me for training, but she took that as an instruction and put all her dedication into it. I had to admit, it moved me…so, I went fishing to contemplate as to whether I should trust the teacher-student relationship once more, even after my own sensei had attempted to kill me for my…well…" Utakata didn't have to say it out loud, everybody understood that he was talking about his Biju.
"In the end I decided to start training her from the next day, but when I got back to the hut, she was nowhere to be found…I know all of this has nothing to with you, Tsunade-sama or any of your comrades from Konoha. It all happened because I held back from trusting her, my distrust in others and my own carelessness led to her being captured. I then found a letter asking me to capture you, in return for her freedom, non-compliance meant Hotaru being sold, since her captors have already found out about the forbidden jutsu sealed onto her. So, I had no other alternatives than agree to it." Utakata stated, completing his tale.
For the next couple of minutes, nobody said anything, then Tsunade spoke up.
"You're in love with her as well, aren't you, Utakata?" She asked. Utakata didn't respond to that. Then Tsunade continued. "It was quite clear from how you talked about this Hotaru girl and the extremes you are willing to go for her safety. I admire that." Tsunade stated.
"But that doesn't mean anything to me now…I've failed the mission; they must have sold her somewhere already. And I know I am not a prisoner anyone would be foolish enough to keep for long, so you better kill me quickly." Utakata asked in a serious tone.
Tsunade sighed.
"Firstly, the ones that sent you after me are the Daimyo of the Land of Snow and his loonies. If those power-hungry fools have any idea about the forbidden jutsu sealed on your girl's body, they would never give her away and would attempt to manifest that power for themselves at any cost. So be assured, that she won't be sold to anyone and she would most probably be found in the Land of Snow." The Senju explained.
"What!?...Are you sure?" Utakata demanded.
"Of course, unlike you the others in your party received advance payments, in Land of Snow's currency. Outside that country, it can only be found on people associated with them. And they are involved in the money lending business as well." Tsunade explained again. (conveniently enough…well that unique currency really bit them in the ass here)
"I…see." Utakata responded.
"But we can't just let you rush there right now. You might have to wait some more; we are yet to decide what to do with you. However, I am grateful to you for talking." Tsunade stated. The bound up jinchuurki nodded.
The Konoha shinobi left the room to decide on their next course of action.
"It's quite obvious that if we let Utakata out, he would rush to the Land of Snow. But after that, there's no way to tell where he would go off to." Kakashi contemplated.
"You are right my eternal rival." Gai added. "And with the Akatsuki at large, we can't let him by himself. That group should never be allowed to have a Biju. It would be most unyouthful."
"I agree. However, I don't think we can convince Utakata into coming with us to Konoha. The best we can do is to convince him to stay in the lands close to Konoha." Kakashi stated.
"You're right Kakashi. However, the Land of the Snow and that foolish Daimyo of theirs just went too far with me this time. They kidnapped an innocent girl, who had nothing to do with me, my debts or my gambling and made her a hostage. I can't even say for sure if she is in good health as we speak. They would keep her alive for the forbidden jutsu, but that doesn't mean, they wouldn't torture her. And if it is the Tsuchigumo Forbidden Jutsu I think it is, then Snow is officially sitting on a powder keg that could start another war. I can't let that happen. I can't let an innocent one, suffer because of me. So, I have decided to personally see to it that she is freed." Tsunade declared with total seriousness.
'Now that's something worthy of being one of the Sannin and the strongest kunoichi.' Naruto thought to himself.
"But, Tsunade-sama. There are still several shinobi that need your assistance in Konoha. So, it would be better if you just let us carry this mission out in your place." Kakashi suggested. Tsunade sighed, but she knew that the copy ninja was right. There were injured shinobi in the village that urgently required her assistance on an urgent basis after all. That was more important.
"But you aren't fully rested from your last fight, Kakashi, and what about the kids?" Tsunade asked glancing at the teens in the room.
"For some reason, I think going to the Land of Snow will be good for our training." Naruto stated.
"I-I would like to go too." Hinata stated, she sure as hell wasn't going to let her beloved go on some dangerous mission without her after all.
"We need to continue our training and keep building up experience, so I would like to join as well." Shino stated.
"And I refuse to be outdone by any of you! I need to get stronger to beat that Uchiha up for hurting my sister." Kiba declared.
"Arfff" Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Get in the line Kiba, you are already behind me and Hinata-chan there and Kakashi-sensei as well." Naruto responded with a smirk.
"But I will make him feel the pain for hurting my sister, no matter what!" Kiba declared….
"I guess, the kids are all willing to go." Kakashi stated with an eye-smile.
"All right. Gai, you'll lead the kids and accompany Utakata, rescue his companion and also make sure to convince him to stay close by Konoha." Tsunade ordered.
"Hai, Tsunade-sama. I won't disappoint. However, I beseech you to look after my students Lee and Neji." The green spandex clad shinobi said with a bow.
"I will do everything in my power to heal them, Gai. You have my word."
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
And with that, the next step for the Konoha shinobi was decided.
However, unbeknownst to them, the ROOT's spy Sogeki was keeping watch on them throughout their conduct. The sneaky ROOT woman had managed to keep herself hidden and not trigger the sensory abilities of any of those she was following so far.
The team fighting with Utakata and capturing him was a very interesting development. And every ROOT agent was instructed to follow and capture jinchuuriki if they spot any. Her conflicting thoughts on Naruto had made it next to impossible for her to make a move on him, however Utakata on the other hand was all game. She was now waiting for just the right moment to strike. However, Utakata was kept under constant guard and it was extremely risky for her to make a move on Utakata when Tsunade and her companions were not on the move and were fully alert for any possible, so Sogeki had to wait till the teams started moving again, perhaps then it will be a bit easier to attempt capture. She had already failed Danzo by not attempting to capture either Gaara or Yugito during the Suna-Oto invasion, she didn't want to fail the village by proxy any more than she already had.
On the other hand, the ROOT woman's mind was getting more and more conflicted, the more she watched her blonde target, he was one thing, but his Hyuuga girlfriend and the way they interacted with each other, with so much affection and love. It actually had begun slowly penetrating into the hardened heart of the ROOT agent. Her mask was breaking. Watching the young pair of lovers interact, made her have flashbacks of a boy, just as bright and energetic as Naruto. Just thinking about him, made her heart ache, but with the bits and pieces she was able to recall, she couldn't place anything concrete. She couldn't recall that boy's name, but those flashbacks brought tears, drops of which fell down from her mask.
Then her ROOT training to suppress emotions kicked in. She clenched her fists. Emotions couldn't be allowed get in the way of her mission. The Shinobi of the ROOT division weren't allowed to feel emotions, they were but tools at their master's disposal, his word was absolute and final. But day by day, Sogeki was slipping away from what a perfect Shinobi of ROOT was supposed to be. And capturing Utakata would allow her to regain Danzo-sama's confidence again.
Day by day, she was breaking.
Soon she would be broken completely and then she would be disposed of like all tools are when they break.
Sogeki needed to be of use while she still had time.
Utakata was going to Danzo and Hidan would give up his information to ROOT so Danzo could use it as he saw fit.
She was prepared to strike.
As soon as the team gets on the move, she would strike.
Through the lenses of her mask, one eye glimmered white like it was a mirrored surface.
Soon, things would be set right.
A/N: And done. Before you ask why I didn't change anything much about Sasuke's defection. Well, that's because nothing significant has been done by our protagonists to prevent that. Rather, Sasuke was angry about having had to forfeit his match to Gaara, while having to see Naruto dominate the redhead both during the match and then afterwards during the invasion. And then he just had to come across Itachi and everything that encounter entailed. So, he was in a bit more stress and frustration than he was earlier. And we have already seen in the previous chapters that this time around the curse mark suppressing seal was not holding that well. As for not letting Orochimaru stay dead, well I can't just kill off one of the best villains of the series so early and without putting any of his knowledge into some use. And in the first chapter itself, I stated that Sasuke would be having his descent into darkness, though his outing would be shorter, so please put up with it for the time being. And another reason for letting him defect is to set up one of the fights, I look forward to writing, the most, wouldn't have been possible without letting him defect, so that's that.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. And yep, we are headed to Snow to rescue Hotaru with a very different team setup from the canon/movie one. I hope this side arc will be enjoyable to you all as well. Thank you all for your continued love and support. See ya all in the next chapter. Cheers and peace.