Episode Four
Land of Sky
Naruto leading to the family through the streets of Helio, the port they landed in after their near two week journey, heading towards the inn and send along a message to his contact. The others had been quiet and avoided talking with the household leader, who's clearly troubled by the events that had transpired.
Shirin was the only one who knew how to break him from his funk, either his mother or auntie. Sighing to himself, now knowing he had to act as mediator "So, papa… where are we going now?" Naruto abruptly stopped, turning back to the group and the older members and Shirin noticed him zoning back in "Ah, Shirin…? Didn't I already tell you?" upon receiving a negative shake, Naruto smiled sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck "Ah, right. My bad. Well, we are going to meet my contact. First we are going to find an Inn, then the two ladies will keep watch whilst I go confront them."
"Can't we go with you?" asked Ayao, somewhat meekly "No, this is adult stuff that cant be done by children." Naruto explained sheepishly, "…though, I might take Shirin with me. Nah… in a few years maybe. Your too young… yeah…" speaking to himself at the end. His eyes loose focus for a moment before, nodding to himself, and regaining focus "So, we'll go market and enjoy the rest of the day before I check on my own mission nearby."
That night in the back of the shadiest bar, in the darkest part of the town, Naruto sat with a cold beer, of the local speciality, unknowingly to the general population he was speaking with his new occupant "So, Naruto, how long have you been working solo?"
"Does it matter, Ino? You may be sitting shotgun for now, but this doesn't change the fact that you are still on thin ice." Naruto's response was equally cold as it was clipped, "No need to be so hostile, Otto, I'll keep watch over our guest. Just focus on getting my grand kit home."
"Right. Not like I can do anything in here. Can't even look through your memories." Naruto could easily picture the blonde's pout, and ignored it with practice ease "Eighth blade." A new voice catching Naruto's attention, glancing up to see a woman who could be mistaken as the bar maiden or, in Ino's words, a hooker "Ghella…" Naruto soft smile could be seen through the darkness.
The hazel haired woman, with an hourglass figure that his new passenger was certainly not jealous of, sat down with her equally brown eyes locked onto his blue and a level of professionalism settled in "Sir, my report is as follows; The Ebony Knights have retreated from the area to the north, having suffered casualties from a skirmish with suspected remnants of Sky Shinobi."
"That can't be good." Naruto murmurs, "We have been trying to infiltrate and find out what it but until then…"
"Go about it slowly and steadily. Don't rush it." Naruto instructed, "I'll be able to strike in a few months probably."
"A few months?"
"Yeah…" he nodded, "…I have to, escort my group back home."
"You're going home?"
"Yes." taking a deep swing from the beer before him, "Well, I shall inform mi'lady of your imminent arrival." Ghella states with a bow, her sizeable chest jiggled enticingly "Thanks. Keep in touch." Naruto says as he stands, placing a healthy amount of ryo upon the desk "We'll take the direct route. Watch our backs, ya?"
"It'll be a pleasure to be working with you." The woman smiled so sweetly, were it not for the gagging from the blonde within, he might have fallen for her charms that he had forgotten she had.
Hidden Leaf
Jiraiya appears within the Hokage's office, and before she could speak up he does so "I need a team, retrieval focused, I know where he's going and if we leave in the next hour, I can get us there before he does."
"ANBU!"
Ten minutes later…
"Thank you for the prompt arrival." Tsunade spoke up to the shinobi teams before her. Team Nine, Team Ten, save for Ino who's body is running on life support as her mind has yet to return, along with the remaining two members of the defunked Team Seven "Jiraiya has located Naruto's destination and plans to ambush him before he gets there."
"Shouldn't we bring more shinobi?" Shikamaru glancing at theose gathered "Based on what we saw in Wave…?"
"We don't have the time nor means for anymore than this." Tsunade pauses before clicking her fingers "Actually, I will send our premier swordsmen with you and will join you for this mission." Kakashi offered a casual glance to the corner, noticing the stiffening in the shadow of said corner "Between them and Tenten, his swordsmen ship should be a null factor. Kakashi should be able to nutetrilse his ninjutsu and counter with Genjutsu."
"The rest of us?" Neji questioned with a raised brow "After he is subdued, secure his party and escort them back here. No harm is to come to them." Tsunade orders earning nods "Oh, a word of warning though, the Uzumaki Solid chakra manipulation…" causing many to stiffen "The woman if the clan are far more adapt at using it. It is incredibly rear for men of the clan to awaken it. As it chakra based, do not expect anything less than an A-rank Stonewall to block them…" raising her hand to forestall the Hyūga "…your revolving heaven will not block them. Many Hyūga have made the mistake of assuming to the contrary."
"Understood, Lady Hokage."
"Meet Jiraiya at the east gate in ten minutes. He will be squadron leader of this mission. Dismissed." As soon as they all left she called out "Cat. You are dismissed. Meet your former captain as a Jonin." and the shadow vanishes to partake in this retrieval mission. A deep sigh escaped the aged leaders lips as she pulls out the sake bottle from her bottom draw "Even when you aren't here… damn gaki."
Land of Forest
Five days later...
Just within the border of Forest, from the Land of Birds, Naruto had created another safe house for the family. Perhaps safe house is a bit of a stretch, as it was starting to look more like a holiday home by the day. Naruto and Shirin's mood have both improved the closer to home they've gotten which has inadvertently improved the mood of the others.
Not wanting to burden the others with the continuous pressure of travelling, it was decided to make another base. At least that is what Naruto told everyone but in actuality, he had received word from his own contacts that one of his associates may have let slip where he was heading. Said associate has been punished and demoted, but that also means that his network had gone into full lock down after confirming that yes; Jiraiya of the Toads has caught wind of their suspected destination. In a note he received a day ago, it was confirmed that he was spotted the Land of Vegetable with a group of leaf shinobi with him.
He thought perhaps he could cut through marsh, but their ninja would no doubt be troublesome and cause a big stink about his intrusion. So what if he had basically destroyed half their village? They shouldn't have launched those raids against his home in Demon.
He shelved the idea for now.
After the initial construction of the home, he and Honoka put up the permanent cloaking seals and he input the nature chakra to shield the whole place from prying eyes. The only problem was that another sage was searching for him and would no doubt notice the slight increase in nature around the house. This limited his options.
He will have to fight.
Turning from the window overlooking the forest out ahead of the hideout, Naruto confronts his family with a stern visage but a tired sigh "Look, we have more enemies looking for us."
"Can't we just hide like last time?" Ayoa asks, looking so innocent it was barely resisted by the veteran shinobi swordsmen at the front, "No unfortunately." Naruto sighing again running his hand down his face, "Our enemy this time is a sage like me. He'll be able to pinpoint me, and this place, the closer he gets. So I will be confronting them away from here."
"…but dad?!"
"Nii-san!"
"Naruto…!"
"Silence!" the calls all fall flat as he sighs tiredly, hands eventually landing on his hips "Firstly, before you all cry out trying to 'help' let me remind you all of a few things." Naruto looks to his son "Shirin. You and your friends are getting better, I will not deny, but none of you can handle Jonin level opponents. Chunin perhaps but not combat tested Jonin." That shit down all the kids, Naruto smiled softly at them "Besides, I need you to ensure that everyone gets home to your aunt's house. In worse case."
"Right."
"Kiyota; similar reason. You and your daughter are vulnerable. She needs you more than me. You and Honoka are the kids final line of defence. I can trust you with that, yes?" Kiyota sighs and nods, her daughter sleeping blissfully in arm "I will, nii-san."
"Honoka…" Naruto looking to said woman who was semi-glaring at her "…if the Leaf get a hold of you…" he trailed off and she recoiled as if hit, before meekly nodding. Naruto sighs again, he's been doing that a lot without his wife around to calm his fraying nerves. She always kept him in task, straight and narrow, but without her guiding influence and care. He felt lost. Unsure if he was doing the right thing. He only hoped this went to plan. Praise the log this all goes well.
Random Forest Clearing
It took four days of scouting with toads and Sage chakra to locate the elusive blond. The leaf team soon found that Naruto had been avoiding the towns and villages as no one had seen him or his group. Jiraiya had to call on his toads and had stumbled across, what he assumed was a forward scouting clone that dispelled as soon as it noticed that he had been caught.
With a direction now, the team moved swiftly and with over a dozen of encounters with more scouts, leading them on a wild goose chase around the Land of Forest near the border of Marsh, where they located the real one.
They landed at the edge of the clearing and immediately recognised that he had led them there and was indeed expecting them. He was alone which was a bad omen, there was nothing they could use against him as it was clear that this Naruto would strike to kill if forced. Unwarranted return to his former village was clearly a reason to fight full out, the lack of his party suggests that he will not be hampered with their defence and allow his usage of his 'heavier' attacks.
Standing from his meditative position, sword across his lap held in his left, Naruto kept his eyes closed having monitored the Leaf teams progress to get to him. His shadow clones had a field day running rings around them, occasionally leading them into traps, doubling back on themselves, and generally being a nuisance.
As much as he's grown, he's still a prankster at heart and seeing their frustration upon realising it was another clone was priceless. He's also managed to figure out the teams dynamics, habits, capabilities, and temperament. All vital in this coming clash. He knows of their abilities yet his own remains largely unknown. He's going to have to thank his darling wife for beating the info game into his head.
Better get this started.
On the exhale of his deep breath, he calls out "Standing there isn't going to change the outcome. Your swordsmen are getting jumpy." They all stiffen, his sensory ability was never that good "Troublesome."
"It was the clones, right?"
"Yes, Yugao Uzuki, Jonin serving in Anbu." Naruto responds flatly, eyes still closed and pointedly ignoring her tightening stance "Two swordsmen acting as vanguard, no doubt Shikamaru is sitting back to analyse with Neji, Kakashi starting as rear support and will await word to strike, the others are cannon fodder with the toad sage slicking in the shadows ready to subdue me when I get invested into the fight. Am I wrong?"
"Unusually insightful of you." The Nara commented dryly, "Troublesome blonds, am I right?" Naruto chuckles and hearing the tut breaks into a grin "Now then, shall we begin?"
"Why are you fighting us, Naruto? We just wanted you back hom…?!"
"Finish that sentence, Haruno, and I'll gut you like a fish." Naruto growls despite the angry rant in his head from another troublesome blond "You all know squat about that hellhole you call a village…?" getting into a stance that only the Anbu recognised, growing somewhat pale at the sight of it "I now know your intentions and the lengths you intend to go to accomplish it."
"Mah ma… Naruto. You…"
"Come at me with the intent to kill and prey to the log for mercy, as I won't be showing any." Naruto speaking over his former teacher, just as Jiraiya comes blasting into he clearing, having been kicked by a shadow clone, and sliced through, only being replaced with a diced log just before impact.
The kindling landing was the signal to start with Yugao and Tenten immediately charging forward and clashing with the two Naruto's, blade against blade in a stunning display of sparks and steel. The duel was quick to escilate as the speed and acrobatics inreased yet only the elite among the shinobi present knew was that Naruto was not only holding his own, but also pushing them back.
Jiraiya lands beside Kakashi, a cut on his shoulder showed that he was saved by his mesh undershirt "Damn gaki almost got me."
"How did he find you?" Kakashi questioned not taking his eyes off his former student who seemed to be slowly speeding up, already reaching highJonin level speed "Sage Mode. Just got hit by a foot that felt like Gamabunta's tongue slapping me silly."
Naruto side steps another thrust from Yugao, who spins and continues with a horizontal slash that was parried, and had to a step back to absorb the kick that still knocked her off balance as the overhead slam forced her aside. The Chakra slash continued past and we're it not for the lightning reflexes honed by Might Gai, Tenten wouldn't have gotten off with a cut across her forearm.
Before she could refocus though, the Naruto clone had already pounced on her unbalanced stance. Her sword was being knocked around, defence had been broken, and just as he was going for the final strike, the clone was popped by Neji. Before she could thank him, he rotates "Revolving heaven!" he calls out and several shuriken are parried.
Just as he comes to a stop, another clone appears with his sword mid swing only for another clone to intercept it "Sorry I'm late guys." A familiarish voice, but before the clone could react a kunai punched through it's back. Glancing back the rescuer turns back and although it was clearly Naruto's clone, it's eyes were a lighter shade of teal blue "Ino?" Tenten hesitantly questioned to which she grinned "Yep! But…" poof.
A scream and the sound of a thousand birds was heard, drawing their attention to the other sword match where Yugao had lept back clutching her left arm with Kakashi holding his lightning blade clashing Naruto's wind coated blade, "This isn't you Naruto!" Kakashi pleads "Just come back to the village, you've proven…"
"Proven? This isn't something so flimsy as to 'prove' myself, Hatake! This is me protecting my precious people." Naruto growls, his wind chakra gaining a razor edge quality forcing Kakashi back "Till I draw my last breath… I will stand against the world if I have too."
"Aren't we your precious people?! What about us?!" Sakura yelled panting as she tends to Yugao's injuries, yet a calm set upon her declaration as Naruto's hair covers his face "You persecuted me, hunt my children, vow to drag me back to hell…" an abrupt blast of chakra knocked everyone back, many only now noticing his additional markings reminiscent of the beast he contained. Black lines surround his eyelids, reaching back towards his ears but not reaching. Whisker marks thicken, deepen, and darken along with his lips whilst his canines lengthen as if his eyes finally open revealing pale orange slitted eyes, sharpen gaze upon his foes.
Breathing softly, steadily, managing his reaction to the surge of natural chakra within his coils, "…is that…?"
"No, I don't feel any malice…"
"Impossible…!"
"I warned you to leave me and mine alone." Naruto's voice was painfully clear, sorrowful, "I'm sorry, but you won't be returning home." taking up his black sword's handle with both hands as he takes up a new stance, "I have to send you away, with a message to not approach those I hold dear." Slowly the sword moved up to his eye level, on his right side, held horizontally "Kitsune art…" was heard as he crouched slightly before vanishing from view "…Four claw strike!"
Clang.
Four armoured toads are forced back, sliding in their stances behind their cracked shields, "Made it!" Jiraiya landing behind them, with a sigh, his shoulders occupied by the two great toad elders, "A sage? Since when did the Kitsune have sages?" the purple haired toad bellowed, "Since now, it seems…" the grey haired, green skinned toad "He has half a dozen nearby." A new voice, Ino, landing beside the group "Ino?!"
"Kinda. I've seized control of this shadow clone." Ino explained but winced "…I'm fighting against his dispel command. Not sure how long I can hold this though."
"We have to find those clones and eliminate them." Jiraiya spoke, going through hand signs "I'll hold him…"
"Summoning jutsu!" was heard and a pack of eight Kitsune, all four tails, dull white and muted orange markings around their faces, down their spines toward their tail tips "Take them!" Naruto orders in growls, the others unaware of the order, the response was in yips. These Kitsune were all stood at his chest height, all grinning like their boss was known for.
"Toad song!" the two toad sage's bellow out a genjutsu that halted the group in their tracks, a pulse freeing them and the foxes all pounce. The shield toads leap into action, batting away the first wave of attackers, unfortunately not the flanking set that tore into the toads before they could dispel. The only things to return were the shreds of torn meat.
"Damn it!" the half transform toad sage witnessed the savagery, "Above you!" was called out and the sage snapped up and only narrowly caught the downward swing of the sword. The force, and lack of leverage due to his airborne state, forced the man down into the path of the drop kick enhanced by the very chakra he himself was using.
Bang.
"Rikari!" a lightning blade from the sharigan wielding Jonin, met his black blade but failed to pierce or break it. "Impossible." was gasped before a kick cracked his ribs, fully blasted back just as he was flanked as soon as he touched down "Eight trigram; Sixty-four palms!"
"Kitsune art; Twin claw!" a single swipe turned into two forcing Neji to leap back, just as Tenten and Yūgao appeared next "Kitsune art; Full moon." He swipes, slicing through their swords and their vests before they leap back their chest bled from that attack. "I'm sorry, cat." was whispered as blond plunges his sword through Yugao's stomach from behind, the two cheek to cheek his arm supporting her as she stayed atop his blade "You were one of the few people in Konoha I never wanted to harm." He whispered "Then… why…?" coughing blood "I have to protect what I have left. You shouldn't have come." The sorrow was evident in his voice "Konoha is a threat to my family. Thank you for protecting me, all those years ago. Please rest with your fiancé now." As he slowly pulls his sword from her gut, and slowly lowers her down whilst ignoring the blue fire from his fox companions keeping the others at bay. His final words to her "Rest now Uzuki Yūgao . You've served well."
Kakashi kicked off the Kitsune back again, looking around his entire force was crippled. Neji was down. Yugao too. Tenten was pinned, beneath two foxes with their flames glowing within their maw Sakura was trying to keep another from the wounded Choji, clutching his blooded left arm that was hanging on by a few tendons from a bite marks on his bicep. His armour shredded from numerous deep scratches.
Shikamaru was completely frazzled, Jonin vest scorched and smouldering "We are losing…" the last Hatake announces sliding down beside the Nara "No shit. We've lost two, Jiraiya is the only thing keep Naruto at bay and only barely."
"We have to retreat." the former Anbu captain orders, "We can't … look…" nodding up to the treeline. The man looking up he paled, numerous Shadow clones lined the entire clearing with swords out and staring blankly at those within "Well shit."
"Sage art; Big ball Resengan!" Jiraiya roared until it was cleanly sliced through "Huh?" he questioned, before a powerful foot cracked through his shell of defence, blood spluttered out from his mouth from the hit as he was sent flying.
Getting up, Jiraiya takes a breather as he gets back to his feet the natural energy feeling him with power as he roars out, going through hand signs along with the toads atop his shoulders "Sage art: Toad Fire blast!" the three call out, a stream of flammable toad oil merging with the flames of the summoner, enhanced by the second toad elder, turning even the air to ash.
Seeing this collaboration, Naruto clocks his tongue trice and his four remaining Kitsune return to his side as he goes through his own hand signs "Sage art; Kitsune Flaming Wind!" Naruto letting out a concentrated stream of wind, the two inner kitsune releasing blue flames that turn a dark crimson as the two outer canine's winds swell the narrow beam into a blast that glasses the air itself.
The two techniques clash, the air surrounding the clearing vacates and creates a temporary vacuum. No sound just heat, as if the sun itself was present in the clearing. It didn't last long as the Kitsune sage attack began to push the toads back, sheer numbers allows for much more power at less of a individual cost. A full thirty seconds of loosing ground gradually, and the larger lung capacity of Naruto won out but before Jiraiya could fully loose, he pulses his chakra. Boom.
Naruto sighs as he falls back on his ass, panting and sweating, head hanging as tears run down his face. His partner's all gather around him, fighting for your family against your old friends is never easy and yet again they came for him. Forcing his hand. Why? Why can't they just leave him alone? He said no damn it. Fist smashing down against the gravel. With eyes of lead, he looks over the empty ashen clearing, "Please… for my sake… don't come back… please…" before loosing consciousness from the emotional strain.
He was unaware that his control slipped and Ino was able to watch his break down as she slipped away, finally released from her captivity, though it would take several days for her to return to her body. Her last view of her former friend, a broken husk of a boy curled up with his fox allies that encircle him trying to comfort his breaking soul. A lost soul desperately trying to keep himself together for the benefit of others, as always.
In another clearing Yūgao opens her eyes, unbelieving that she was still in the land of the living, looking around she sees her team beaten and battered but alive. Jiraiya was unconscious, chakra exhaustion no doubt. Neji had lost an arm, Choji might follow him in armlessness. Kakashi was breathing heavy, a few broken ribs most likely from those powerful kicks. Tenten was sleeping off the damage she took. Shikamaru took the least damage and was on watch. Sakura must be exhausted.
Sitting up, her abdomen pain rippled across her body forcing a wince from her lips gaining the Nara's attention, "You should keep resting. We don't know if he'll chase us."
"He won't ." Yugao responded immediately, so full of steel it wasn't up for debate "What makes you…?"
"He hesitated. Constantly at that. He didn't want to fight. This whole thing was a ruse." The Anbu finally reaching a tree to lean back against, arm across her stomach "If he wanted to, we'd all be dead – I know that much as he purposely missed my vitals."
"I see…" the Nara after some thought, "Do you think they'll let him be now?"
"Doubt it." She snorted as she takes a deep breath, "Quite the opposite in fact. If we keep pushing, we'll back him in a corner again."
"…and he'll be forced to simply go for the kill." Shikamaru nodding at that, hoping that this will be the end of it.
Naruto's Mindscape
The moon hang just above the horizon over the still ocean, Naruto laying out cold on the white beach as his tenant stands above him and sighs hard "You don't need to burden yourself so much, little brother." Lifting the still form of his container turned brother in arm, back into the house and placed to bed "It's okay to ask for help. I know your mate isn't around but you aren't alone." Kuruma ruffles the blond locks with a soft smile before his gentle smile vanishes, turning back to the exit "Allow me to relive you of this burden."
Back in the forest, Naruto awakes but his eyes a blood red and the foxes protecting him notice the shift immediately. A puff of smoke and a fox the size of a great Dane appeared in Naruto's place, none tails waving lazily in the darkness of the forest. A very low growl from the depths of his throat was soon harmonised with his fellow Kitsune.
As Kuruma steps clear of the small skulk, he glances back at them briefly before the five Kitsune charge into the underbrush, not even the wind hearing them pass. The hunt was on.
Forest Clearing
Kakashi snapped awake, pulling a Kunai and takes up a defensive stance, startling the others into action though it was only Sakura, Tenten and Shikamaru capable of fighting in any capacity. Jiraiya was awake but was still rather low on chakra, not having fully recovered yet "What is it?"
"Something is coming." Kakashi whispered, eyes darting left than right whilst resisting the uglrge to lift his headband. He was down to a quarter chakra but it seems his hands were tied here. Swallowing a soldier pill, he promptly goes through hand signs "Summoning." A puff of smoke signals reinforcements, "Paku…" the summoner froze upon noticing the growling of his entire pack, all of them tracking something they couldn't see with even the normally relaxed pug visibly tense.
A tense minute passes "Kakashi…" Pakun murmurs gaining the man's attention "…you are aware your being hunted right?"
"Figured something like that, yes. This forest is both our best defence and greatest weakness. Though, I sensed the shift in the wind… called you guys."
"We need to move."
"We can't. Too many wounded. Sakura's been working overtime to…" a loud high-pitched screech was heard causing hairs to stand on ends. Silence for a long time "This isn't good." Pakun growls lowly, so lowly that if Kakashi hadn't had his enhanced hearing he would have missed it. The pack of dogs spread out in a perimeter around the injured camp of leaf shinobi, growling whilst tracking something in the enclosing darkness. "Mind tell what we're dealing with?" Shikamaru voiced for the uninformed, staring out at the tall green barked trees that made up the forest, his nerves were fraying "Three… no… I smell five…"
"I smell seven."
"I only have one."
"I got six."
"They've found us." The dogs chatting among themselves, something flickered on the edge of their perception with all heads snap there but nothing. More feral growling from the darks, barking followed shortly, the tension continued to grow as the Ninja's felt the pressure.
Then everything just went silent.
A cold sweat ran down Tenten neck, a quick glance back shows Shikamaru too unnerved to an insane degree, and it only heightened as it seemed even the trees would want to hear and fell silent. She gulped. She heard Shikamaru slow his breathing. The tension seemed to have awoken the others but none dared move or make a sound.
Gulped.
A deep growl from… above…
Eyes snapped up and eyes of Kitsune all over the forest's trees maw down "…shit." was heard echoing through the camp, "Yo!" spoke the red one, suddenly Kakashi realised that this one beside him fanned out nine-tails "Kyubi." he uttered and his grin was the very definition of feral, "Hatake." his cool response. The stand off was heavy as more and more foxes began to show up, encircling the group of shinobi, until such a time when Tsunade herself, lady fifth, appeared via the fourths protection platoon's Hirishin.
A quick glance at the situation put the last senju on edge, her people were beaten and heavily wounded in the middle of the clearing that was currently surrounded by several dozen foxes; correction, Kitsune who were clearly just waiting for some sort of command from, her breath hitched upon seein those vibrant red eyes, bright orange fur paired with nine innocently swaying tails "K-K-kyubi..." her gaze harderns, the only way for the nine tails to be here without her gaki is if "No." the fox chuckled "My kit still lives, not for the lack of trying on your hunters part."
"Then, how are you...?"
"That doesn't matter right now." the fox boss dismissed as his gaze flows over the clearing, observing everything with his keen eyesight "Oh? And do tell me what does? As I see it, you are holding my shinobi here against their will and..." a very deep growl from the three-meter tall kitsune, whilst sitting on his hunches, enlisted similar such growls and borne teeth from the kitsune surrounding the group "My kit has served your pathetic village his entire life. I was sealed within him not even half an hour after his birth, keeping me at bay ever since." this admission actually caught the leaf forces by surprise, not that the fox cared to acknowledge "Yet for the bulk of this service, you all thought he was I, the greatest of the Biju; punishing the weak little kit who was too kind to retaliate."
"We would never...!" spoke Sakura without thinking of whom she was talking to, jumping to her feet "...Konoha is a place to protect the children. Not..." falling on her butt from the sheer level of killing intent leveled upon her by the fox, Sakura was having trouble trying not to have a heart attack "Neive little girl. Were you not one of the many who did my kit harm for little or NO REASON?!" the Kyubi roared.
Seeing the pest sufficiently silenced, the biju turned back to the equally concerned sannin "Now then, on to why we haven't mauled you all to death already." speaking so causally about mass slaughter put the bulk of the shinobi firmly within the primal fear category "You will call off your hunters. My kit is at his limit and does not wish to be forced to kill any of you."
"He doesn't have to." Tsunade spoke up firmly, arms crossed "As long as he comes quietly, we can offer him his old position back and protection from those that seek to harm him or his family. That I..." the Kyubi bawled out in laughter, the other kitsune and foxes too seem to laugh along with their leader.
A good two minutes later and the nine tails finally composes himself again "Protection, huh?" the biju was suddenly engulfed in smoke, and replaced by goddess made flesh, flawlessly creamy white skin atop long slender but muscled legs that lead up to nice wide hips, and firm rear, moderate chest and perfect face that was decorated by eight whisker like markings "What if I said you were the ones he needed protection from?"
"Who...? What...?" Tsunade muttered only for the woman to shrug, "Figured this would take a little explaining, best to do it human to human no?"
"You're the kyubi?" muttered Kakashi, clearly speechless at the sight of the most powerful biju standing among them as if mocking them "Yes. I'm a kitsune, transformations is in our nature." smirking a very familiar foxy smirk, hand on hip "You look like a mix of my grandmother and cousin." Tsunade whispered to herself but naturally the whole clearing heard "Well, Mito was my first host and so I hold her in rather high esteem. She did subdue me alone after all. As for Kushina..." she trailed off as if trying to find a diplomatic way to describe something but giving up halfway through with a shrug "Anyway, I want you to leave my family alone."
"Naruto belongs in the leaf with us his precious people. I may not have known what..."
"You aren't his precious people anymore." the Kyubi interrupted, hand raised causing everyone to lock in with hardened gazes "You... what did you just..." Tsunade growled lowly only for a very serious Kyubi to match her glare's intensity with a blank face "The kit; Naruto, when he needed his precious people the most, none of you were there. I was." she takes a very threatening step forward, none realised how much malace could be put into a single step until that moment "The innumerable nightmares he suffered due to the abandonment of you all. I was there to rock him to sleep." another step forward, the weight of the world seemingly anchoring everyone in place "All the tears I wiped from his cheeks, all the self-deprecating thoughts and actions..." she growls to cover up her watering eyes "...the attempts to die in battle."
"...he didn..."
"It was close." the Kyubi returning to pin the now horrified Hokage, leaf shinobi and heckled raised foxes who were now ready to slaughter those who harmed their first, and favourite summoner "Damn close. Were it not for his mate's intervention, even with my infinite chakra, it would have only been a matter of time." a heavy breath before the Kyubi's eyes seem to glow with pure hatred as she got back on subject "...and now, after a decade of him rebuilding his life from scratch, securing a family and precious people to protect; you have the gall to come and drag him to his own personal interpretation of hell? Why? To have your loyal weapon back? To have the knuckle headed idiot back to solve all your issues again and again with little in the way of a good job, or thank you?"
"He..."
"IS A FREE MAN!" Kyubi shouted, nine tails erupting from her back and swaying angrily side to side "He owes you nothing."
"He is a Konoha shinobi." Jariya proclaims stepping forward, the two elder toads already gathering sage chakra on his shoulders "Not since he was banished over a decade ago now." Kyubi retorts hotly, snorting at the lame attempt to intimidate her, the top vixen around here "It's been rescinded. He is now a registered..."
"Not without his signature." Kyubi responded to the toad sage who grinned, pulling out a scroll and throwing it at the humanoid biju, who caught and read it. Surely enough, signatures of the entire Konoha council, both civilian and shinobi alike, along with the Fire daimyo were present but one thing was off, and she had spotted it immediately.
"Nice try, hermit. This signature is not his nor does he recognise the name Namikaze as his own, so recalling him as Naruto Namikaze will not sit well with him." she stated sealing the scroll into the tattoo on her wrist, much to the shock of the Konoha group "...but... but..."
"Wait! Does he...?" Tsunade cutting off her teammate "Know of his parentage? Yes, fully aware of it. Spoke to their chakra remnants within the seal his father used to seal me away." the vixen confirms before looking to the toad summoner "You can confirm this by trying to summon that toad with the key. The blond runt gave his copy of the key to the kit, it's how all five of us came to terms."
"Wa...wai...wait a second." Tsunade trying to wrap her mind around the recent revelations, "You mean to tell me that Naruto purposefully released you..." earning a nod from the tailed beast, she continued "...and by doing so, somehow Minato and Kushina appeared and together..."
"Oh, his mate was there too." Kyubi commented, "His mate... as in wife?" Tsunade questioned before one of the kitsune on Kyubi's left spoke up, gaining her attention. A small exchange before a nod from the boss summon "Yes. That is the term you humans use."
"What's her name?" asked Jairya casually, or at least seemingly trying to come off as such "Irrelevant." Kyubi waving her off "After a lengthy discussion, we came up with an agreement that benefited everyone."
"What kind of agreement?" Tsunade was almost afraid to ask yet her fear was unjust, this time, as a fond smile appeared upon the vixen's face recalling the deal.
Flashback – Six Years prior
Standing in temple ritual room, dimly lit with white marble pillars in a circular pattern around the alter currently occupied by Naruto and Shizuka who were sitting back-to-back, the latter wearing a strapless for modesties sake with Shion watches on from beyond the prepared barrier around the alter space "Are you sure about this, Naru?" Shion questioned earning another sigh from the blond "Yeah, I'm sure. Everything will be fine. We're stronger than you think we are."
"It's why I am going with him." Shizuka offering a smirk, as Naruto began held a ram hand sign slowly increasing his chakra flow, his partner soon matching it before eventually all their tenkesu points on their back pulse and synchronise before the duo find themselves in a forest beach front clearing, the ocean behind them along with a pier that led across the bay and to other parts of his mind.
"You know..." Shizuka speaking up gaining his attention "...I thought your head would be dirtier." Naruto snorted at that "Says the pervert."
"I am no pervert!" Shizuka growled as he offered a challenging smirk "Oh? Then that thing last..." she placed her finger on his lips before whispering into his ears earning a blush from him "Save me from your flirting, kit. I do not wish to see this anymore than I already have."
"Very well." Naruto coughing to clear the blush faster, Shizuka suddenly finding the ocean very interesting "...are you sure this will work? Tearing off the seal?"
"If it doesn't, we'll just have to attack the toads or the summoner to find the key for it." The beast shrugs clearly not bothered in causing a genocide or two, "Rigghht... here goes nothing..." Naruto than leaps up and takes hold of the sealing paper and attempts to rip off the tag only to have his arm caught "What do you think you're playing at, Naruto?" the forth hokage asked with a raised brow, blank face as his son looks back with a foxy grin "Well, we needed to discuss something with you. Triggering the failsafe was the only way. Hahaha..."
The two dropped down before the cage and Minato was surprised at the complete lack of hostility on display from the fox, who he had assumed would be calling for his head and bloody murder the entire time "So, what is it that you want to talk to me about?"
"Well, first of..." Naruto commented before landing a solid jab into the mans stomach "That! That's for choosing the village over family. Nothing is more important than family." the younger blond declared as the hokage gathers his breath again "Fair enough... I deserved that... especially after seeing how your life's turned out. I hope you can..."
"Forget it. As you now know..." Naruto smiling as he steps aside to show Shizuka "...my wife-to-be, Shizuka of Nadishiko, and children are my life now. The leaf may one day come for me but I will not allow them to claim my family."
"I see." Minato smiled at that "I am proud of you, Naruto."
"Ahem! We are on the clock, remember?"
"Argh right! Dad, can you unlock the cage please? I need to speak to mom as well." Naruto requested of his father causing said man to eye the Kyubi warily "Normally I would have said no, without a damn good explanation but seeing as you gave me your memories when you punched me..." Minato pulled up his sleeve, revealing the key upon his arm, all with a deadpan expression "Come here, Naruto. I believe you should have this."
The two would clasp arms, the kage performing one handed seal to initiate the transfer which didn't take too long anyway, but Minato was also unaware that by doing so, Naruto now knew his chakra signature perfectly. Once done, Minato talked him through the locking and unlocking process, and surely enough the seal was unlocked and out came both Kuruma and Kushina who rushed forward and embraced her lovable blondes in one go "AH! I MISSED YOU BOTH! MY SOCHI! ALL GROWN UP!"
"Thank you, mom, but surely you are aware of the deal I made with fuzzy butt over there." Naruto pointing with his head at the nine tails who growled at the lack of respect but was too busy enjoying the cool water of the ocean "Yeah! I am totally down for this! Plus, My grandbabies!" Kuishina had stars in her eyes, that locked on her soon to be daughter in law "...and you, Shizuka Uzumaki!" the redhead stomped towards the nervous wreak that was Shizuka. The glare the red head faded into a warm smile, brought into a hug and soft whispered words were shared between them that they would never share again.
Two days later...
Naruto stood at the altar with his father at his side, Kurama just beyond that along with Killer Bee, Utakata, Gaara, Kankuro and Suigestsu. Opposite, as the maids of honour were Mei Tarumi, Yugito, Temari, Tokiwa and Rhen with Koyuki Kazehana officiating the whole thing. The doors parted and in stepped the brides that stole Naruto's breath, for standing side by side in their respective dresses were Shizuka who were a traditional white Uzumaki kimono, the Uzu Spiral covered by the Nadishiko star as a perfect blend of the two peoples and Shion, donning an exquisite piece of shrine maiden attire purposely made for this day that the previous maiden had foretold of.
Kirobi whistled loudly at the sight of the two 'babes' and even the normally stoic Utikata had a nice shade of pink upon his cheek. Minato's smile was so bright that you'd think he was the one getting married. On the other side, Kushina was bawling her eyes out while trying to maintain her makeup, Yugito not Mei were not jealous at all, and Tokiwa and Rhen both being proud to see their friend/charge finally finding happiness.
This was became one of the nine-tails fondest memories, as for the whole week the world at large did not matter. Biju and Human alike came together, and throughout the week each and every biju made an appearance at the wedding, Isobu was the only absentee which itself would lead to the destruction of a certain organisation from a combined assault to rescue the pacifist turtle.
The highlight of that particular mission was the fact that the Yellow flash had a rematch with a certain mask wearing Uchiha, whilst leading a Unified Nation platoon made up of Iwa, Kiri, Kumo, Suna and Demon shinobi, the latter never officially existed, wink wink. A portion of Ame was levelled but the Atakasuki was officially disbanded. Naruto, Shizuoka, and Kushina made a deviating trio but when Obito had been dealt with, they were joined by Minato and the foursome left nothing but death and destruction on par with a rampaging biju, just far more focused.
The discovery of Nagato hit Kushina surprisingly hard, Suzuki, his mother, was among a group that was supposed to come to the leaf to help establish an Uzumaki clan branch in the village. They were in the same friend group before their duties parted them. As both an apology and thanks, Nagato sacrificed himself to the shimigami to free the other half of the Kyubi and release Minato's soul.
This inadvertently forced the chakra imprints of Kushina and Minato , that Naruto had been maintaining by converting his own to feed them, to finally disperse and return to the pure lands. It was a teary goodbye.
Flashback End
"…so the deal was to reclaim your other half, you would give him time with his parents to which they attended his wedding and meet their grandkids." Tsunade confirms to which the fox simply nodded "I am back at full power, the kit got to make memories with his folks… a win-win."
"You also united the whole shinobi world against the terrorist group hunting your kin." Jairyia added bewildered "…how did I miss that?"
"More importantly…" Tsunade growled threateningly"…where was my invite? Based off your story, Suna, Mist, Kumo, and even Iwa were at that event. The Leaf, nor the fire nation had any representation. Same with the assault on Ame, to which we also share a border with." This alerted her shinobi too who had overlooked that fact as the story seemed far grandeur then anticipated.
Kyubi shrugs her question off "So now you know whom you are dealing with. The kit has reached his limit, I will not allow him to break… especially not for any of you." Growling at the end, stepping forward whilst flexing her finger claws, a motion that was missed by no one "…if he doesn't come back; he'll be marked as a missing ninja!" Jairyia spoke lowly only for the vixen to scoff, "Hardly… or did you forget, you banished him. You can't mark him as a missing ninja, as he isn't your ninja anymore. As a Ronin, with credible proof that he was acting on self defence, any charges you levy against him can and will be challenged." Kyubi's retort actually caught everyone flat footed, not thinking a mass of sentient chakra and hatred knew of international shinobi law.
Seeing their bewildered faces she snorted, "As expected of you ignorant bigots who allowed a child to be beaten… no one can sleep none stop for seventy years and not get bored. Then consider that I've been around since the beginning of chakra users and only in the last seventy years was I caught and sealed." Speaking as if to children, to which they were to her "Troublesome." Spoke the resident Nara who plucks a cigarette from his pack but his lighter refused to light. The nearby Kitsune offered his tail, igniting a soft flame and after a brief stare down, the Jonin lit his smoke before nodding his thanks "So, are all you biju…"
A snort from the humanoid biju, who was tired of this talking "Just like all families, we all have our quirks; Shukaku is insane for instance, but his seals are second to none. Even the Uzumaki would travel to converse with him. It was the only thing that could keep him calm."
"Shukaku…?" the Nara mutters before it hit him "…the one tails! Shukaku is it's name." Kyubi growled glaring at him "My brother may have a few screws loose, but he is still my brother. Give his name respect or I'll shove a fist through your gut." killing intent flooding the area "Anyway, we'll be off." Clicking her fingers and the group noticed the Kitsune have all vanished, and with a last look back over her shoulder "Remember, neither I nor the Kit will hold back against you from here on out. The 'for old times sake' chances have ran out." And she continued walking towards the shadows of the treeline "Wait! Just tell me one thing!" Tsunade stepping towards the biju who didn't turn around "I understand that you didn't give us names to protect them, but is his family happy? Healthy?"
This caused an internal debate to rage within the Kitsune for a solid minute before sighing hard "In general, yes. The family is happy, healthy and growing well. At the moment, a situation has developed causing Naruto to lose sleep over and with your constant pursuit of him only adding to his already stressful situation. Do him a favour and keep those blank masks off our case for a few weeks. If you do, I will convince him to attend the exams in Suna. You can make your case to him directly there."
"Is that a promise?" Tsunade almost whispered, "One thing you should be aware of us Biju. We do not lie. A trait Naruto picked up from me."
"Just because you aren't lying, doesn't mean you are telling the truth either." Shikamaru points out earning a feral smirk, unknown to him as her back was still to them "How perceptive." before disappearing into the forests shadows.
Land of Demons
Shirin was worried. His father had never come back that shattered, broken, and exhausted from a fight before as he had been pulled in by his summons. The sight was unnerving, especially when his auntie Honoka saw him and went into a frenzy. It took him almost a week to heal up, even with Uzumaki blood within him, and yet even then when he got up he hadn't told them anything.
Now, as they passed the border town, they came across a number of guards saluting them. A few townsmen wave at them and Naruto waved them passed, the officials Shirin noted as it seems somehow they fore sore their arrival. Was that his aunties doing or his father's?
The whole thing was kind of surreal, how had he not noticed this before? His dad was famous here, same with his mother, yet they lived casually as regular folk within the northern shrine. Shirin blinked at that. Why did they live in the Northern Shrine again? Looking around he noticed that he only saw samurai around which confused him. Didn't home have shinobi. It clicked. Snapping his gaze to his father's amused expression, he felt stupid now, his parents are the trainers of Oni no kuni's shinobi force that clearly doesn't exist. No sir. He definitely isn't aware of anything remotely like that.
Naruto watched the realisation of the situation play out on his son's face with barely vailed amusement, even more so when their eyes met, and he nods with a finger over his lips "Now then... I guess we should go see her highness, no?" speaking to the Guardian Samurai Captain, Sato Yoichi of the Severing Winds named as his white bladed Odachi had apparently cut through a tornado during one of Naruto's 'Hunting Trips' and if one known as the demon kitsune says you did, you did.
"Yes, sir. She is awaiting your arrival at her shrine. I believe the young ladies are with her." Sato informs with a stiff bow, the only thing Naruto disliked about the guy was his rigid adherence to etiquette "Hmhmm. I see. Will you be going with us?"
"Yes, my squad was sent to ensure that you... and I quote 'Not get lost on the road of life.'" the blue armoured soldier responded with an extra helping of dry wit on the quote as Naruto had recalled the one time, he borrowed from his former sensei's play book. Safe to say, he got acquainted with the sofa for a full two weeks before he was forgiven based on principle alone.
Sighing deeply Naruto looks at his good friend and nodded "Fine. Lead on. No doubt a feast is being prepared."
"No doubt." the man nodded with a chuckle, leading them off "Oh and mi'lord, Lord Eight-oh was here last week. Apparently news of a Hidden Leaf squadron was on its way here, and he was sent to dissuade them."
Naruto snorted at that "I doubt that." Seeing the confused look on the samurai captains face "Not the information, as it was true, but Ay wouldn't have sent Killer Bee. Dude just wanted a vacation again no doubt." Causing the group who knew the eccentric swordsmen to chuckle along with the blond.
Northern Shrine
Reaching the shrine didn't take too long and to Naruto and Shirin, it was a welcome sight for travel weary bones. At the gate was a sight that almost brought the older blond to tears, his other third and sister wife of Shizuoka, Shion standing as elegance redefined in her shrine maiden dress, crown and all, with their two daughters in matching outfits at her sides.
Naruto's pace quickened the closer they got to the gate, dropping his bag of supply scrolls, his sword, and even his combat gloves, and just as he reached his wife, picked her up in the tightest, tenders, and loving hug he could manage. They would stay embraced for a good two minutes, sharing whispered words, and if the tightening of Shion-ka-chan had meant anything, Shirin would say things would be okay now. His dad is strong, but with everything going on "Welcome home oni-sama." drew the young swordsman's attention to his two sisters, identical twins almost.
Saki Uzumaki, oldest by a full hour and will never let anyone forget it, is just like her sister, a carbon copy of their mother though she has blue jewel like eyes instead of the violet hue Shion has. Besides that she is a near replica of the woman.
Miroku Uzumaki, named after her grandmother and priestess before Shion, has the golden blonde hair of her father in the style of her mother while sporting her lavender eyes. She is also half an inch taller than her twin sister and will never allow anyone to forget that. Shirin actually also noticed that Miroku has a few strands of red hair at the base of her neck and suspects when older, a notable portion of her hair will be the classic Uzumaki red.
A/N: Causalities this time and some back story as to what happened to the criminal group hunting the Biju. We have also finally reached the Land of Demons, home sweet home, but things aren't over. With Neji crippled, Tenten and Lee want revenge. Sakura wants her teammate back. You can guess the rest.
Due to the bingo book entry from the Leaf being updated by the Leaf Council, other nations begin to move to cut off the leafs access to potentially one of the strongest shinobi of the era.
Shion also finds out why Naruto and Shirin are travelling alone, as well as the good news about the newest addition to the family. (No, I did not forget that Shizuka was pregnant before Kiyota by a whole chapter, and I am certainly not retconning it to an off screen encounter.)