Chapter 32: Koyuki's Intention
Otsutsuki Dimension…
In a certain room…
"I guess it is time…"
A mysterious man spoke as he pulled a lever from a seemingly advanced machine, and then pressed certain buttons to trigger various activations in sequence.
In that instance, two laboratory storage capsules slowly opened in the same room. As the storage capsule opened with steams created from the exhausts of the machine that supplied power for the operation of the said storage capsules, two individuals came out of the storage capsules.
"…"
"…"
The said two individuals, Boro and Delta, looked around after waking up from a seemingly long slumber. As Boro closed and opened both his fists and Delta cracked her neck left to right, as if trying to determine their current condition, the two of them then looked towards the individual who was responsible for restoring them to their most pristine condition.
"So you're finally here, Code." Delta said with a neutral albeit hostile glare towards the new individual. "What do you think you're doing, taking your sweet time doing something else when Jigen-sama needs you here?"
"No even a 'thank you' huh." The person now known as Code spoke in response. "Well, you know that Isshiki-sama had me sent on a mission to monitor this certain group of individuals even before your skirmish against that Shin Uchiha-turned Kaguya, those other Otsutsukis and the Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, right?"
"Yeah. But you can easily move around and do your thing with your ability while being there, fighting with us, right?" Boro said with narrowed eyes.
"Well, since Isshiki-sama himself is fighting, I believed that things would proceed smoothly even by himself. Moreso if he had the two of you by his side during that fight." Code replied. "However, this is a failure to foresee that things will not proceed as planned…"
"Yes. You call yourself the most loyal person to Jigen-sama. Yet you're the one who's not available during that important fight." Delta roared in anger towards Code. "You're indeed a failure of a follower to him, Code."
"When I said that it is a failure, I am not talking about myself not properly assessing the situation," Code said with a confident, taunting glare. "The failures here are the two of you, who failed to help Isshiki-sama on achieving his goals during that battle."
"What did you say?!" Delta glared dangerously towards Code.
"It will be acceptable if you have fought against Momoshiki and Kinshiki Otsutsuki and lost. But you lost to those inferior Leaf Shinobi, not even capable of doing anything against them during that entire battle. So don't think of me as a failure in doing my mission. Think of yourselves as failures for being defeated by those inferiors."
"Damn you… Acting all high and mighty… just because you possess Jigen-sama's white Karma!"
Delta's eyes glowed as if preparing to aim against Code with her one-hit kill ocular laser beam. However, Boro grabbed Delta's right shoulder with her left hand at the last second.
"Stop this, Delta!" Boro warned the female Kara member. "If you proceed with this attack, you'll be the one who'll ended up being defeated in a single instance. You know how powerful Code is, right?"
Delta gritted her teeth, then immediately deactivated the charging beams on her eyes. After all, she knew how powerful Code was, as someone chosen by Jigen himself as his right-hand person.
"And besides, while his recovery rate was almost completed on schedule, Isshiki-sama is still recuperating," Code said as he looked towards the more sophisticated storage capsule. If you end up waking him due to your reckless behavior, fighting me will be the least of your worries if you manage to anger him."
"…" Delta retreated to one side of the room, then sat on one of the makeshift seats near a machine, suddenly acting disinterested.
"Code…" Boro, on the other hand, started talking to Code.
"…" Code simply closed his eyes.
"How is it… that individual that Jigen-sama has told you to monitor?" Boro asked seriously.
"Well, he is amassing quite a strength," Code said neutrally. "While I can do something and defeat him on my own, Isshiki-sama simply gave me the mission to monitor him, so I can't do anything against him and betray Isshiki-sama's trust."
"Of course. Just as on how you were tasked to monitor the Akatsuki's past activities and make sure that those rogue Shinobi groups will not interfere with Kara's plan, you need to monitor this other group led by this certain individual for that very same reason." Boro replied. "But when you mentioned this 'strength' that this certain individual has been amassing, what kind of 'strength' are you talking about?"
"Well, this new group was now starting to stir trouble in these so-called peaceful times, the blank period, of this post-war Shinobi World. Leave it to humanity to make conflict of their own despite continuously trying to find peace." Code said with a smirk of disinterest. "However, this individual will use the upcoming conflicts to amass power that will, in my assumption, allow him to become a threat comparable to that Akatsuki, Uchiha Madara, or even Otsutsuki Kaguya…"
"…"
"And with Otsutsuki Kaguya now being alive somewhere in this world as well, and with the Shinobi World brewing conflict on their own, once the seedling, the Ten-Tails has been planted on the Shinobi World, I believe that it will create a Chakra Fruit with power incomparable to the ones that the past Otsutsukis have consumed from those other stars. And with Momoshiki and Kinshiki also aiming for the Shinobi World, the events from here on out will be quite arduous to determine…"
Code said with a serious, cryptic assessment of the current situation as he looked towards the storage capsule of the still regenerating Otsutsuki Isshiki, thru his host named Jigen the Monk…
-Scene Change-
"So it has begun…" Kido Tsumiki muttered as he spoke from the shadows.
"…and there is no turning back from here…" Magire said, with a few other ANBUs who allied with them watching as the Jinchuurikis began attacking the Leaf Village.
"And sooner or later, Uchiha Sasuke will arrive to protect the Village. If we can weaken him through the Jinchuurikis, we might be able to find a way to disable and capture him, and use his Rinnegan to further improve our synthetic Sharingan into Rinnegan and artificial Bijuu Chakra production…"
"And using those manufactured abilities of those two, we can once again ignite this world in conflict… a world who only honors the strong, and throws us weak people on the sidelines like trash…"
Then… another person spoke… from behind them…
"You two are being too hasty in executing your plans. This will leave you with mistakes especially when dealing with Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke." The hooded person spoke in a hoarse voice.
"That itself is the reason why we must do this as soon as possible. We don't have much of a chance if both Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke are together in the Village. That's why we need to act now and execute this plan so we can have at least a minimal chance against any of them while they are not together!" Kido Tsumiki replied to the hooded person.
"Well, this is fine. Things are about to change from now on. All that I care for will be beyond all these…" The hooded man muttered to himself…
He then muttered silently enough for himself to hear…
"For that weapon, the Yachihoko, to be used against this world…"
-Scene Change-
On the Hidden Village of the Leaf…
"SIXTH GATE: ASA KUJAKU (Morning Peacock)!"
Rock Lee unleashed a certain-kill Taijutsu attack that he inherited from Might Guy towards the attacking Version 2 cloaked Jinchuuriki. The attack sent the said Jinchuuriki skidding backwards, damaging several residential houses in the process.
"FUINJUTSU: KOSHI TANDAN (Sealing Technique: Tiger Vision Staring Bullet)!"
Sai immediately landed near the ground where the Jinchuuriki was sent flying, then attempted to seal it using his Ink-based Fuinjutsu.
However, the Jinchuuriki released a massive roar, dispelling the Fuinjutsu in the process while making Sai being slammed into the nearest tree in the process.
As the Jinchuuriki dashed towards Sai, another Shinobi arrived on the scene.
"HAKKESHO KAITEN (Eight Trigram Palms Revolving Heaven)!"
Hiashi and Hanabi Hyuuga simultaneously performed their clan's signature jutsu, making the Jinchuuriki fling mid-air, saving Sai in the process.
"Kakashi-sensei needs to summon back Naruto-kun!" Lee landed near the three Shinobi.
"No. Naruto right now has his own battles on that distant land." Hiashi Hyuga responded to Lee. "And besides, we Leaf Shinobi are not that weak to rely on one single individual to protect us all the time."
"Well said, Otou-sama!" Hanabi replied with a nod.
"In that case, the four of us will engage that one Jinchuuriki on our own, and let our fellow Konoha Shinobi comrades handle the other ones who are wrecking the Village!" Sai said seriously after taking a pain-relieving pill.
"Good. But worry not, because the Hyuga is the strongest on the Leaf!" Hiashi said. The moment that the Jinchuuriki landed on the ground, the four of them began engaging it again in battle.
On the other part of the Village…
"KAGEMANE NO JUTSU (Shadow Binding Technique)!" Multiple Shinobi from Nara Clan bound another Jinchuuriki. Then…
"GATSUGA (Fang Rotating Fang)!" Kiba, his sister Hana Inuzuka, and their mother, Tsume Inuzuka launched their respective attacks in all directions, drilling the Jinchuuriki omnidirectionally, while the Naras kept it immoveable to receive multiple successive attacks from the Inuzukas.
"GGGRRROOOAAAHHH…!" The Jinchuuriki released massive potent chakra, dispelling the Shadow Binding, then attempted to speed-blitz the Nara Clan.
"NIKUDAN SENSHA (Human Bullet Tank)!" Choza Akamichi landed from above, drilling the attacking Jinchuuriki beneath the ground…
On Kakashi's side…
Kakashi began engaging the Jinchuuriki with Raikiris active on both hands. While this feat should be impossible without the Sharingan, Kakashi's long experience possessing Obito's eyes allowed him to subconsciously master using his signature jutsu even without using the said eye from the Uchiha Clan, as if his muscle memory always took over every time he used his favorite lightning based jutsu.
Evading the most dangerous blows and blocking some with one of his Raikiri while attacking the Jinchuuriki with his other Raikiri, Kakashi was able to perform a Taijutsu dance against the Jinchuuriki he's been engaging combat with, earning some awe from other Shinobi in distance. After all, the corrosive properties of the Jinchuuriki Version 2's skin were very dangerous for anyone will touches it barehandedly, but Kakashi, due to his experience fighting more powerful beings, was able to perform such a feat worthy of being a Hokage in front of Konoha citizens and Shinobi alike.
"RAIKIRI NAGASHI (Current Lightning Cutter)!" Borrowing a template from his Uchiha student, Kakashi performed a jutsu after finding an opening as he slammed both his hands both still clad in Raikiris, to the Jinchuuriki's chest… then…
"Now, Shikamaru, Ino!"
"KAGE NUI NO JUTSU (Shadow Stitching no Jutsu)!"
"SHINTENSHIN NO JUTSU (Mind Body Switch Technique)!"
While the Raikiri Nagashi was inflicting damage and immobilizing the Jinchuuriki, Shikamaru's Kage Nui further damaged and immobilized the same target while Ino once again attempted to knock out the Jinchuuriki's consciousness using her mind-based jutsu.
However…
"Ahh…!" Ino's attempt was repelled by the raging consciousness of the Jinchuuriki. At the same time, the Jinchuuriki was able to forcefully remove its binding from Shikamaru's Kage Nui, then aimed to slash Kakashi's body with its chakra-clad tail that will definitely inflict some mortal damage against the Hokage…
All of a sudden Kakashi felt that he was swapped away a few meters away from his current location.
Then…
"SHISHI RENDAN (Lion Combo)!" The remaining Uchiha Clan survivor finally arrived on the battlefield known as Konoha. And the first thing he did was perform his signature Taijutsu combo after swapping places with Kakashi with his Rinnegan-based jutsu, the Amenotejikara.
"Sasuke-kun!" Ino yelled in delight.
"Heh…" Shikamaru, on the other hand, smirked in relief.
Karin then tapped Kakashi's shoulder then began applying medical ninjutsu to the Hokage.
"Great. Most of the medical-nins are at the medical bay, healing those who suffered major injuries during the attack. Good thing Sasuke brought you along." Sasuke said with an eye-smile.
"Yes. I'll support you guys so don't worry about keeping your stamina and chakra in check. Just go all out and beat the crap out of them!" Karin said with enthusiasm.
As the Jinchuuriki ended up being pinned on the ground due to Sasuke's combos, Sasuke landed right beside him, then his Rinnegan eye glowed…
"There is no need for you to overexert yourself Kakashi." Sasuke said in his usual monotone. "I have said before, didn't I?"
"…" Kakashi simply looked towards Sasuke, feeling a déjà vu from the current situation…
"If he's away, the only one who can protect the Village…"
Sasuke then used the Rinnegan's Human Path ability to rip the soul off the Jinchuuriki, then right after, performed the Preta Path's ability to absorb Chakra from the Jinchuuriki, dispelling the Jinchuuriki transformation, leaving the host lifeless.
"…is me."
"…" Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Sasuke's methods of using the Rinnegan are quite brutal for his taste… however, he already knew that due to that one Jinchuuriki that they were able to capture during the skirmish with Naruto a few weeks ago, these Jinchuurikis were already considered dead pawns the moment they were used as Jinchuuriki thru still unknown means. So Sasuke ripping the soul of his opponent in this case to gather necessary intel against their opposition was somewhat completely justified.
"With this, we can learn further intel about these things," Sasuke said towards Kakashi after browsing the few fragments of memories of the victim host before they were forcefully transformed into artificial Jinchuurikis through that still unknown means. "These things might be mindless beings due to the Bijuu Chakra that was forcefully used on them. But a living human will still have its soul despite being consumed by madness. So we can use the souls that I will collect from these things to acquire proper intel from them."
"Understood. Good thing that you're on our side this time, Sasuke." Shikamaru said seriously.
"Give that Usuratonkachi the props, not to me. For I am not here if not because of him." Sasuke responded. "Now then, all active Shinobi must focus on evacuating the citizens to the shelters as soon as possible while also focusing on simply fighting to stall against the Jinchuurikis. I will handle them one by one, the quickest possible."
"Ye… Yeah!" Ino immediately activated her mind-link communication jutsu and informed the Shinobi fighting the Jinchuurikis within the Village of the current development.
"I am glad that you're here with us, Sasuke." Kakashi smiled weakly.
Sasuke nodded to Kakashi, then once again started moving to his next target's direction…
-Scene Change-
Konoha General Hospital…
Due to the Jinchuuriki attacks, the Hospital was as busy as ever due to the injured citizens and Shinobi being rushed to the Hospital every minute or two as the battles continued to unfold. After all, the Hospital and the evacuation shelter near the Hokage monument were the currently safest and most secure locations in the Village as it was guarded by several platoons of elite Jounins and ANBUs.
With Haruno Sakura being the head medic and Tsunade giving instructions to the other medic-nins and medical doctors, each injured individual was being treated in the quickest yet most efficient way to ensure that everyone could survive the current crisis…
However…
On one of the VIP rooms of the said Hospital, the doctor who was taking a break due to some other medical condition, Amaru, was tightly grasping her chest in pain…
"Oh no…" Amaru thought to herself. "I can feel too many negative feelings and energy around…"
Amaru gritted her teeth… as if she was doing her best to manage the painful feelings within her body… as tears of desperation now fell from her eyes…
"…if this goes on… even I won't be able to control myself…"
"…and the fragment of the Reibi within me might awaken once again and go on rampage… due to absorbing all these negative thoughts and energies within this Village…"
Amaru then forcefully stood, enduring the pain she was feeling with all of her willpower…
"As Naruto didn't give up trying to protect me from the past, I will also never give up on trying to suppress the fragment of the Reibi within me…"
Amaru then walked towards the Fire Exit of the Hospital, still gritting her teeth in pain.
"However… I hope someone can do something against me… once I end up reaching my limit…"
"…especially now that… Naruto is the only one capable of reaching my heart once the Reibi succumbed me to darkness…"
The Fire Exit opened, and Amaru saw parts of the Village now being destroyed by the ongoing multiple battles around her.
"…but for now, I need to keep my distance away… from the Hospital… or even get out of this Village before I end up losing myself!"
-Scene Change-
Land of Spring, Daimyo's Banquet…
"…Uzumaki Naruto of Konohagakure… Hero of the Shinobi World…"
Koyuki then lowered herself elegantly, first her knees, then her hands, now her face, touching the floor in a dogeza.
"Wha… Hey Koyuki-hime!" Naruto immediately attempted to pick her up from her current position…
But…
"Would you please… allow me, Koyuki Kazahana, to become your wife?"
Naruto and everyone in the reception froze due to the sudden development…
"WTF-ttebayo?!" Naruto yelled with all his might within his head, making even the Bijuus sealed within him forcefully cover their ears...
Everyone in attendance, nobles and royals alike became quiet as Koyuki said such things in front of Naruto…
"…!"
"…!"
"…!"
Hinata, Sara, and Shion were also got stunned by the sudden, totally unexpected development…
'Koyuki-hime… the current Daimyo of the Land of Spring herself…' Sara muttered with a dumbfounded expression.
'Publicly announced her intent to marry Naruto, with her definitely knowing that Naruto already has a fiancé that is currently even with him right now attending this event…?!' Shion thought with the same expression as Sara.
'Naruto-kun…' Hinata muttered with a difficult expression on her face.
"Koyuki-hime…" Naruto immediately kneeled in front of the female Daimyo, trying to pick her up from her formal dogeza directed towards him. "Please don't joke around on something like this! This is not funny!"
"Don't take light of my feelings Naruto." Koyuki didn't budge from her current dogeza position. "This event has been catered just for this very purpose. I know I am being unfair to you for not saying anything about this. But this is the only way I know how I can express my true and sincere feelings for you…"
"But… But…" Naruto was at a loss for what he had to say or do. "I already have a fiancé, right? I believe you already know that, Koyuki-hime."
"Yes. I know. But I can't just throw away my feelings for you… a young man who changed me to become who I am today…" Koyuki replied, still not moving from her dogeza. "This entire time since that time we met, you're always on my mind, on my heart, believing that you will grow into a reliable man and a respectable Shinobi. I have made up my mind since that time from the past, that regardless of your achievements, whether as a Shinobi or as an ordinary individual, as long as you'll never stray away from the right path, you're the right person for me to spend my life with. And I won't accept anyone else to be by my side."
"…"
'Is that really how you really feel about me, Koyuki-hime?' Naruto thought. 'I don't know what to say, and I don't even know how I can respond even as Konoha's representative in this case… I can't just forcefully pick her up from her current posture since that would mean that I am rejecting her and ignoring her feelings… but that itself is what I should be doing… rejecting her from doing this since she's creating a bad image not just for herself, but for the entire Land of Spring being the country's current Daimyo!'
'But at the same time, if I also ignore her declaration of her intent to become my fiancé, since being in front of this crown of royals and other Daimyos from all over the world, that might imply other complicated things that could be detrimental to Konoha's development and connection to other countries and continents, especially now that Sara is slowly establishing diplomatic and economic connections between them.'
"Now that was totally unexpected…" Mei Terumi said with a neutral expression with a voice enough for the delegates of the Sunagakure and Kirigakure to hear. "I know that Koyuki-sama is a bright and intellectual person. Yet she can also use that part of her character in creating such shrewd declaration in front of these audiences."
"Yeah," Gaara replied with a neutral expression while looking towards Naruto's troubled expression in the distance. "Royals and Daimyos negotiate most of their transactions and deals behind the scenes before going public. In the early stages, if an arrangement sours, no one needs to lose face. It might get a little emotional, but that won't mostly affect the relations between two parties."
"However, this proposal from Koyuki-hime was done right out in the open. Konoha, specifically Naruto, can't just sweep it under the rug." Temari added to Gaara's comment.
"But, can't Konoha just refuse the request or something?" Kankuro asked his sister.
"A refusal could then be interpreted as the death of an intercontinental relationships and trade deals not just between Konoha and the Land of Spring, but also for other potential ones from those who are from another land that were in attendance in this event," Kurotsuchi answered with a sigh. "A female Daimyo who's the only remaining living royal of their bloodline wishes to be married to Konoha's arguably current strongest Shinobi. Despite knowing that Naruto already has a fiancé, Koyuki-hime accepts and still wishes to become his wife. It is a very advantageous situation, with Konoha without anything to lose. A situation that was, in a political sense, very impossible to refuse."
"If Konoha didn't have Lady Shion, the current Priestess, and leader of the Land of Demons on their entourage, Konoha might have the option to reject such a proposal since they can just inform the Land of Spring that Konoha will not apply the Daimyo's Law from female royals outside of the Land of Fire's domain." Choujuro also added. "But with Lady Shion in their entourage that can also be interpreted basically as announcing that she was also Naruto's fiancé aside from the Hyuga Princess, that they can't just use that argument as their own way out."
The crowd began to murmur, talking about their current opinions about the sudden development that unfolded right before their eyes. Koyuki Kazahana was indeed a very beautiful woman. She is a world renowned actress and also the last of her royal bloodline. She had a lot of suitors both in and outside the Land of Spring, most of them being bachelors of royal lineage recommended by the country's elders. But she turned them down even before they could even attempt to meet any of them even once…
All of a sudden, that same beautiful Daimyo was kneeling in front of the Hero of the Shinobi World from Konoha. Everyone suddenly realized that this event was all for that purpose… and nothing else. Koyuki Kazahana gambled everything on this event… her life and her country, betting for a favorable response from this young knucklehead of a Shinobi in front of him…
Shizuka Nadeshiko, on the other hand, had a conflicted expression on her face as she was watching how the situation unfolded a few meters behind Koyuki. And given how Naruto also had a backs-against-the-wall expression due to the sudden development, she can't help but remember her most recent conversation with Koyuki before entering the event…
-Flashback-
"Koyuki-hime… before you proceed thru all this, let me ask you not as your right-hand person… but as your friend…" Shizuka muttered with worry painted on her face.
"…" Koyuki didn't respond, but she gave a small smile towards the former leader of the Nadeshiko Village.
"…I know you're a smart person, and I know that you have thought about this seriously not just because the elders were pushing you to get married as soon as possible. But… Are you sure that this is the only choice you have regarding choosing your lifelong companion as the current leader and also for the future of this country?"
"…" Koyuki then closed her eyes, then opened the nearest window, looking towards the horizon, in the exact direction where the sun was beginning to hide and rest. "…I know I am skipping a lot of steps by doing this, but yes. This is the best option that I can see that will greatly benefit the country and at the same time, allow me to be myself…"
"…"
"As you know, the Land of Spring is a country not being run by the same Shinobi-structured political and economic system. Our economy and military strength weren't governed the same way as that of the Shinobi Nations. And this is due to the geographical distance between the two lands since we are being separated from them by several tens of kilometer-wide ocean and glaciers…"
"However, due to the recently concluded Shinobi World War, the former war-filled Shinobi Nations is now entering a peaceful era, where their manpower and natural resources were now being shifted away from battles, and now directed towards improvement of their economy and building relations with other countries and continents outside of the Shinobi Nations."
"Thus, it would be best if we were able to establish a concrete relationship even with one one of their Shinobi Hidden Villages. And I am particularly fond of Konoha in that regard due to my experiences with them in the past. Our continents might have been separated by the sea, which might look unfortunate at first. But seeing how the world is developing right now, I believe that soon, the sea itself will be more important to us countries from the north than ever before. Especially our country, which used to be called the Land of Snow, now known as the Land of Spring due to that powerplant created by my father empowered by the Stone of Gellel given by the past elders from your former home, the Nadeshiko Village."
"I understand," Shizuka replied. "As a country with an entirely different culture than the Shinobi Nations, instead of focusing on Chakra, the people of the North such as the Land of Spring focused on continuously improving various technologies to create advanced machinery and military weaponry, the same concept why Doto Kazahana ended up creating the Chakra Armor as means to combat Shinobi armies just in case a war between the Shinobi Nations and the Northern Continent erupts."
"That's right." Koyuki then continued. "Thus, aside from technology, we also must have control over the sea, thus requiring us to create large, powerful transportation vehicles such as airships, trade ships, and even warships for our naval defense. After all, we don't have anything further north due to the land being filled with ice and glaciers even if we attempt to expand the power of the power plant powered by the Gellel Stone. That is why we've developed our shipbuilding technology for naval defense and overseas trade."
"As such, as we need more ships and resources to further our technology, we will need to have a proper relationship with the nearest continent from us, the Shinobi Nations, especially now that our lumber and metal ore supplies are dwindling. And now that the Shinobi Nations are now open for trading with such resources in exchange for us sharing our native technology with them, then this is the best route for me to take."
"And since the current Administrative Advisor of Konoha, Ms. Sara already has established an initial link between our country and the Hidden Leaf Village, marrying Naruto is the best way that I believe I can take advantage of, as the current leader of the Land of Spring, to further strengthen our relationship with Konoha."
"…" Shizuka finally understood the political part of Koyuki's agenda and why she chose Naruto as her betrothed. Marriage between Konoha's most influential Shinobi will also strengthen the ties between the Land of Spring and the Land of Fire, or even the entire Shinobi Nations as a whole. Koyuki's tenure as an actress allowed her to see different parts of the world, allowing her to have a proper overview and appropriate approach to circumstances that she was able to apply being the ruler of the country. However…
"You love being an actress, to the point that you still did your best to star in various movie roles despite being the current leader of your country," Shizuka muttered. "If you decided to marry someone, your life as an actress might come to an end, and you'll end up focusing on ruling the country and also with your relationship with someone…"
"I've always known that one day, I would have to marry someone as part of my duty and responsibility to the Land of Spring. I already knew that sooner or later, I would have to discard my life of being an actress." Koyuki said with a sad smile. "But that's also one of the reasons itself why I ended up choosing Naruto as my betrothed, even if he already has a fiancé."
"Wait… What?" Shizuka ended up with a puzzled expression…
-Flashback End-
"Koyuki-hime!" One of the elders suddenly immediately approached Koyuki who was still in her dogeza position. "What do you think you're doing?! Please don't tarnish the name of our country further and stand up right now!"
"No. I am not tarnishing anything. I am just expressing my feelings to the person who made me as who I am today. The person dearest to me, who gave me the right direction that I need to take." Koyuki said with an emotional voice. "And besides, I don't want to choose those bachelors from other royalties that you have been trying to introduce to me for a political marriage. If I end up getting married, then I'll choose this wonderful person in front of me rather than them!"
"Koyuki-hime…" Naruto then finally realized the current circumstances that the female Daimyo in front of her was currently in. He knew of her as someone who didn't want to be caged by her responsibilities. She did her best managing her country while still doing the thing she loves, being an actress and inspiring those who are watching her all over the world on the big screen. And she can't just let someone she didn't know suddenly become part of her life, with that someone might end up affecting herself being both the current Daimyo and an actress…
"Uzumaki Naruto-sama might be the Hero of the Shinobi World, but he is from an entirely different lineage!" The elder yelled at Koyuki. "We must preserve the lineage of the Daimyos with you being married to the right person based on his royalty within the countries of the Northern Continent! Everyone that I have recommended for you will be perfect in assisting you in ruling the country!"
"And what? Using that arranged marriage to start manipulating the political structure of our country using that someone from royal lineage?" Koyuki then looked towards the elder with narrowed eyes. "I am not stupid enough to realize that our country is still not free from my Uncle, Doto Kazahana's influence. I trust you all elders, that's all that I can say. However, in one way or another, if someone from my Uncle managed to enter our current political structure, then…"
"Then that's for you and our country to handle, and we should not allow other people to get involved just because of your distrust from the past events!"
"That's enough, old man," Naruto muttered with a light glare at the elder.
"Pardon my rudeness, Uzumaki Naruto-sama. But this is our country's problem. You don't need to be involved." The elder said neutrally towards Naruto. "Now Koyuki-hime, you better stand up and apologize to our guests for that unbecoming behavior to save the face of the Land of Spring!"
The elder then grabbed Koyuki's shoulder, trying to pull Koyuki out of her dogeza position. However, Naruto was able to sense the feeling of desperation from Koyuki through his empathic tracking, as she tried to struggle away from the elder's hold of her.
Koyuki then looked towards Naruto, with a lone tear coming out of her eye…
"I am sorry… Naruto…"
"I said that's enough, old man!" Naruto once again spoke, this time with quite a stern voice. Naruto then removed the elder's hand from Koyuki's shoulder, surprising the elder and everyone watching the scene. After all, Naruto reminded him of the Konoha Elders due to the way that the elder in front of him was reacting against Koyuki.
"Acting against an elder despite being from another country. Doesn't this reflect the barbaric attitude of battle-hungry Shinobi from the Shinobi Nations?" The elder said angrily towards Naruto.
"Koyuki-hime and I were having a conversation, and then you suddenly joined us, acting all high and mighty against the very Daimyo of your own country?" Naruto replied with a serious expression. "If an educated person will act the same manner as you, then I'd rather be a Shinobi who will stand by her side to protect her against the likes of you!"
"Wha?!"
"I'll be the one to talk to Koyuki-hime! She is the one who invited us to this country! So this should be a diplomatic conversation between Konoha and the Daimyo of the Land of Spring! If you still can't comprehend it, then the act you're doing right now is a betrayal against your very own Daimyo!"
"You… you're…"
"Yes. I am taking responsibility for her and everything that happened here, so get lost, old man!"
"Naruto…" Koyuki muttered upon hearing the adamant tone from the Shinobi beside her.
Naruto then gently prompted Koyuki to stand up from her dogeza position, with Koyuki now ending up leaning into Naruto's chest.
"Taking responsibility? Of what?" Shion muttered silently in an annoyed tone.
"And why did Naruto seem to be hugging Koyuki-sama? Hinata, don't tell me that Naruto and Koyuki-sama also had some sort of connection from the past?" Sara immediately asked Hinata beside her.
"Ye… yeah, I guess… I still also can't comprehend what's happening right now…" Hinata replied with a difficult expression but also felt some pain in her chest due to the sudden turn of events.
Well, the three of them were feeling the same kind of uneasiness and pain, especially after seeing how Naruto was holding another girl on his chest other than them, with the girl leaning on him affectionately.
"…"
The crowd of royals was stunned after seeing the sudden development. The Shinobi entourage among them, on the other hand, focused on something else…
"While I still don't know how can I comment about Naruto's involvement in this, I can't just let that comment from that elder about us Shinobi just fly by." Kurotsuchi cracked her knuckles.
"That's just a natural perception about us Shinobi from citizens from another continent." Gaara simply replied. "Don't let it get into you. Remember, the very reason why we are here is for us to build relationships with other rulers and leaders from those countries and continents. Adding fuel from Naruto's flame will not do us any good."
"And besides, royals who think of Shinobi like that are very far and few in between." Mei Terumi also said. "It just happened that most of them are old heads like that elder. So just ignore it. It's on them, not us."
Then…
"…"
"…"
"…"
The Kazekage, the Mizukage, and the Tsuchikage candidate suddenly felt something was off. This reaction was followed by their respective escorts stationed nearest to them…
"I already expected that an event as big as this would not go as smooth as intended… but for these guys to start moving like this…" Kankuro said with narrowed eyes…
Gaara then looked towards Naruto's direction, with the latter still holding Koyuki in his chest. As expected, Naruto was also looking towards him, as if also already sensing that a group of Shinobi was moving within the perimeter of the event area…
Naruto then looked towards Hinata. While Hinata was still surprised by the sudden turn of events together with Sara and Shion, the serious expression from her fiancé was enough for Hinata to understand what Naruto was implying.
Naruto and Hinata then exchanged a light nod, with the female Hyuga understanding that if things escalated, she will be in-charge in protecting both the former Queen and the Priestess.
The event's place suddenly became dark… making the crowd of nobles, who mostly weren't used to such development, feel fear and anxiety around them…
"Well, well, well… that was quite something…" A voice spoke from the shadows loud enough for everyone to hear. "To think that the mysterious betrothed of Koyuki Kazahana is Uzumaki Naruto himself… really… that's quite surprising and interesting at the same time…"
"This voice… as far as I can remember… this is from someone I have encountered before…" Naruto muttered to himself.
"Yes. You have already fought against him before… during that mission from the past when you protected me against them…" Koyuki replied to Naruto. "This voice belongs to the most loyal man of my Uncle, Doto Kazahana…"
"He is Nadare Roga…"
"The man who fought and was defeated by Kakashi-sensei… during that mission…" Naruto finally remembered.
"Very well, since the two of you were actually our targets… then that would make it rather simple for us…" Nadare Roga muttered with malicious intent. "Uzumaki Naruto and Koyuki Kazahana, surrender yourselves and that other woman, Shizuka Nadeshiko… unless you have the means to protect all these guests against us…"
Multiple rogue Shinobi equipped with Chakra Armor began glowing from the darkness, surrounding the events place. However, the most notable thing that Naruto and Shizuka Nadeshiko saw from the Chakra Armors was…
"The glowing green ores installed on those Armors…" Shizuka muttered in surprise and wary…
"Don't tell me… those Chakra Armors are now further empowered… by the Stones of Gellel?!" Naruto also said with a face painted in bewilderment…
-Scene Change-
Unknown location… Reibi's Cavern…
"So those artificial Bijuu Chakras were now attacking Uzumaki Naruto's Village…" Kaguya muttered as she was levitating while still in the presence of the True Reibi somewhere outside of the Five Great Shinobi Nations. She was merely trying to sense the events in distance so she still doesn't have a full overview of the current situation on the Village.
However, a certain powerful presence arrived in the Village and began handling each Jinchuurikis one at a time.
"Of course, Uchiha Sasuke can defeat all of them in a matter of minutes…" Kaguya muttered. While she doesn't have any full overview of the events, due to Uchuha Sasuke's powerful Chakra, she was able to use Sasuke's presence to determine how the situation unfolded.
Then…
"Within that Village… there is another presence… similar to my Reibi…" Kaguya then began tracing the presence. "Due to the negative emotions and energies currently ongoing around it, that fragment of the Reibi was slowly awakening…"
The very moment that Kaguya was able to pinpoint the location of the presence she sensed, Kaguya created a small Yomotsu Hirasaka portal with size enough just for eyes to peek and see the appearance of the one bearing the fragment of Reibi's presence…
"I see… I see… AHAHAHAHAHAHA…!" Kaguya then began giggling, then slowly turned into a hysterical evil laugh akin to an edgelord maniac. After all, she had just seen a girl who was trying her best to control the fragment of the Reibi that was slowly awakening within her crash on the nearest wall while crying in pain…
"This young girl… named Amaru… so this person is the new host where the fragment of the Reibi was sealed by the Sky Country... based on the memories that I have acquired from the True Reibi behind me…"
Kaguya then smirked maliciously…
"Maybe you can ease my boredom… by destroying that Hidden Village of the Leaf for me…"
Author's Note:
Imagine the Chakra Armors from the antagonists of the very first Naruto Movie have Stone of Gelel on the center of the Chakra Armor's chest area ala Iron Man's Arc Reactor.
Thanks! Please review to keep my motivation rolling!