{A/N}
Good news, everyone. I'm back in action!
For the most part, at least. My right arm was operated on, and the bones don't restrict the tendons in my hand, something I've been complaining about for what feels like an eternity.
Anyway, as a result of me being on and off of this chapter, I was a bit disorganized in its creation and got frustrated with it. After all, I'd start writing, stop for three days, then come back to it confused as to what I was doing or where I was going with... Whatever I was writing at the time.
Its all good now since I can write back-to-back now, which means chapters should be more frequent now.
Anyway, this is just one half of a REALLY big chapter. The other half is almost done. I split it from 20k words. This is the smaller half. The larger half is coming later.
Oh, and it seems I hit 1,000 followers while away, so that's a milestone I honestly didn't think I'd achieve when posting this story. I'm grateful to you all.
I do have a question, however, one that has plagued me. My hand is fixed, so posting won't be a problem now. My question is, how much of the timeline should I write? I hinted at a land of snow, but aside from that, what do you guys feel is appropriate? Should I handle the movies and then move on, or should I jump into Shippuden when given the chance?
Just curious to see where everyone's mind is at in terms of the story's development. I've planned ahead already, but I don't want to drag the early days for too long if it isn't absolutely necessary to his development. Let me know in the comments.
{Land of Fire: Yugetsu village: The Azure Spring Inn}
August 26th.
Line break.
Naruto groaned as sunlight streamed through the windows of the luxurious hotel room, his face buried deep in the plush pillows. He twisted under the silken covers, sighing contentedly for just a moment longer. But as consciousness fully crept in, his face scrunched up, and his nose twitched at a faint, lingering smell... smoke.
Naruto shot up in bed, eyes wide as he took in the state of the room.
"Oh, crap..." he muttered.
The floor was littered with scorched sheets and pillowcases, blackened edges curling from the heat. Several of the blankets were completely ruined, reduced to ashy remnants. It was chaos, and there was no mistaking the culprit...*him, of course*.
Naruto sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He screwed up last night, and pretty bad. One of his clones managed to breathe something close to cinders... And that was the result. Being tired, he forgot that, Oh right! I have water justu! Duh!
Pulling his legs out of bed and letting his feet hit the cool wooden floor. "Last time I do this kind of training indoors... And not under my own roof at that. Man, this could cost me..."
After spending hours pouring over the scroll on fire release techniques, Naruto couldn't help but test what he'd learned. He was supposed to practice *outside, but he didn't feel like trying to find a good spot to test his theory when there were no training areas in sight.
Naruto sighed and looked around at the disaster zone his room had become.
He grabbed a larger, mostly intact sheet and started gathering up the burnt linens into a pile. "Lesson learned, " he muttered under his breath.
He shook his head as he bundled the charred remains together, careful not to spread ash everywhere. Once everything was collected, he hefted the bundle awkwardly under one arm. "At least I'm just paying for sheets and nothing else," he murmured, wincing at the thought of explaining it to the front desk.
He whipped out a piece of paper and wrote on it, letting Jiraiya know where he would be and what happened.
Naruto gave one last look around the room before heading for the door, lugging the bundle of ruined sheets with him like a guilty party dragging evidence.
He attached the note under the door and shuffled out into the hallway, his head down, shoulders slumped, and the sheets awkwardly cradled in his arms.
Stepping into the elevator, Naruto avoided eye contact with the lone passenger, a curious old man who gave him a side-eye glance. The ding of the elevator couldn't come soon enough, and Naruto bolted as soon as the doors opened, the bundle crinkling audibly in his grip.
His pace slowed into a sheepish walk of shame as he approached the front desk, the receptionist's puzzled expression already locked on him.
Naruto avoided looking directly at her as he stopped in front of the desk, clearing his throat. "Uh... yeah, I'm really sorry about the sheets and stuff," he mumbled, his voice quieter than usual.
The woman behind the desk stared at him for a long moment, her brow arching as her gaze shifted from the boy to the charred bundle of sheets in his arms. "What happened?" she asked slowly, suspicion coloring her tone.
Naruto scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "Well, uh... you see, there was this thing I was trying, and, uh-"
Before he could dig himself into a deeper hole, the woman held up a hand, shaking her head, and before she could go off on him, her eyes widened slightly as recognition dawned. "Wait, aren't you... Naruto Uzumaki?"
Naruto froze. "Uh... yeah?"
The receptionist sighed, clearly exasperated but oddly resigned. "Of course you are," she muttered. "I should've guessed. Listen, just don't go using ninjutsu so recklessly next time, alright? This is a hotel, not a training ground."
Naruto blinked in surprise, then grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah! Got it! It won't happen again, I promise."
She shook her head one last time, muttering something about shinobi and their antics as she waved him off. Naruto quickly shuffled away, still carrying the burnt sheets, his face flushed in embarrassment.
With that small fire (metaphorical, thankfully) put out, Naruto exited the hotel after throwing out the sheets and stepped into the bustling city streets. The morning crowd was already in full swing, with merchants opening stalls, families rushing about, and shinobi patrolling lazily through the area.
Naruto sighed as he glanced down at the scroll in his hand. "Fire release, huh? Let's see how quickly I can get this down," he muttered.
little did he realize that he left the spare key in the room and not in the note.
Line break.
He walked aimlessly for a bit, trying to ignore the distractions around him. The city was far denser than Konoha, with narrow alleyways packed with food stands and streets lined with eager merchants hawking their wares. Naruto had to weave through the crowds carefully, his patience starting to fray.
Naruto groaned as he wandered the crowded streets, his patience thinning with every person he had to maneuver around or every adult that shoved or nearly knocked him over.
"Watch where you're going, dammit!" He grunted as he pushed his way out of the food market.
"I can't train here," he muttered, scowling as he sidestepped a cart full of vegetables on its way in. "There's way too much going on!"
He glanced around, eyes darting to every alley, every side street, looking for even a hint of peace and quiet. But all he saw were tightly packed roads, buildings crammed together, and merchants shouting at the top of their lungs.
"Where the hell do people around here even go to train?" he grumbled, growing increasingly annoyed as he weaved through another group of people. "Tch, this city's nothing but noise and crowds."
Line break.
After nearly an hour of wandering, Naruto finally spotted something promising off in the distance. A patch of green on the outskirts of the city, nestled between rolling hills. As he moved closer, he saw trees rising tall and proud and, tucked away within the grove, the curved rooftops of an old temple with a pathway that led out of the city and towards its border.
"A Fire Temple?" Naruto muttered as he approached.
The intricate carvings on the gate marked it as a place of worship and discipline, though much of it seemed weathered by age. Monks dressed in deep crimson robes wandered the grounds, tending to gardens and sweeping paths. The scent of incense drifted through the air, calm and grounding... And a bit suffocating, as he doesn't like incense, but it is what it is.
Naruto stepped through the gate and spotted a pair of monks near the entrance, conversing quietly. He approached, clearing his throat.
"Uh, excuse me?" Naruto said, and the two monks turned to face him, their expressions serene but curious.
"Yes, young man?" one of them asked.
"I was wondering if I could use this place to train," Naruto said in a casual tone as he held up the fire-release scroll for emphasis.
The monk's eyes lit up briefly, his interest piqued. "Ah, train? You mean you wish to study our teachings and practices?"
Naruto blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Uh... not exactly. I mean, I need a place to practice ninjutsu... Chakra stuff. Specifically fire release."
At this, the monks' serene expressions vanished, replaced with alarm. Nearby, several other monks tending to the grounds turned sharply toward the conversation, overhearing the words ninjutsu and fire release.
"Absolutely not!" the first monk said, his voice much firmer now. "This temple is a place of peace, worship, and balance, not destruction. There will be no flames here."
The second monk stepped forward, his tone just as adamant. "You must take your dangerous techniques elsewhere. Fire techniques are disruptive and have no place in these sacred grounds."
Naruto raised his hands in defense, trying to explain. "Woah, calm down! I don't intend to burn anything! I-"
"No," the first monk said sharply, cutting him off and crossing his arms. "It is out of the question."
Naruto groaned, clearly frustrated, but he tried again. "Look, I just need some open space where I won't bother anyone. I swear I'll keep everything under control."
The monks shook their heads in unison, their expressions unwavering. A couple of the younger monks nearby murmured disapprovingly, and one muttered something about "reckless shinobi and their destructive tendencies."
Naruto's shoulders slumped as his argument hit a brick wall. "Tch... you guys really aren't gonna budge on this, huh?"
The first monk remained firm. "No."
Naruto groaned inwardly, feeling defeated. He was about to turn and leave when a voice, soft but commanding, called out from behind them.
"Let him stay."
The monks turned, and Naruto peered around them to see an elderly monk stepping forward, his white beard flowing gently in the breeze. His eyes, though aged, gleamed with wisdom and kindness.
"Master Kinzo, this boy wishes to practice fire release on our grounds," one monk said with concern.
Kinzo stroked his beard thoughtfully, his calm gaze sweeping over Naruto and the gathered monks. After a moment, he spoke, his voice steady and firm. "We do not turn away the young when they are in need."
The monks exchanged stunned glances, disbelief flickering across their faces. Kinzo continued before they could argue. "So long as this boy respects our boundaries and takes in at least some of our teachings, he may train here, but only in the damp gardens, where the risk of fire is minimized."
Naruto blinked in surprise, glancing between Kinzo and the other monks.
Several of the younger monks still looked wary, murmuring quietly, but Kinzo raised a hand to silence them.
"Now," Kinzo added, turning back to Naruto with a faint smile, "if you are to use this space, you will follow our rules, train with care, respect our grounds, and sit in on a few of our sessions."
Naruto groaned inwardly, slumping his shoulders. Sit through monk sessions? Seriously? He wasn't interested in anything remotely spiritual, but the thought of having nowhere to train and disappointing Jiraiya pushed him to agree.
"Fine, fine," Naruto muttered, scratching the back of his head. "I'll follow your rules. I just need somewhere to practice until my sensei's done running his errands."
Kinzo nodded, pleased, and gestured for Naruto to follow. "Then come along. I will show you the way."
Naruto dragged his feet slightly as he was led into the temple grounds, the disbelieving stares of the monks following him the entire way.
The old man, Kinzo, studied Naruto for a long moment before speaking. "Tell me, boy. Why do you wish to train here?"
Naruto straightened up. "Because this is the only quiet place I've seen all day. Anywhere else would require me to leave the city itself, and the last time I trained in a park... I got into a ton of trouble, so... I have nothing else. I need somewhere I can focus without burning down a building or two."
Kinzo raised an eyebrow, and Naruto scratched his head nervously. "I'll be careful, I swear. I just... I need to get this right."
The old monk hummed thoughtfully. After a moment, he nodded. "Very well. You may train here, but only under supervision. Follow me."
The younger monks looked shocked but said nothing as Kinzo led Naruto deeper into the temple grounds. They stopped near a large, open garden filled with ponds and lily pads, the air cool and damp. The sound of trickling water echoed softly.
"Here," Kinzo said, gesturing to an open patch of grass. "This place is damp enough to minimize accidents. Train carefully, and do not disturb the balance of this place. We have a session in a few hours, so someone will come and get you when we start."
Naruto bowed gratefully. "Thank you, old man. I promise I won't make a mess of this place."
With Kinzo gone, Naruto set up his scroll and got to work. He read over the instructions again, muttering to himself as he channeled chakra to his lungs.
Line break.
[Jiraiya POV]
The late morning sun bathed the bustling village in hues of gold and orange as Jiraiya strode through the crowded streets. Vendors called out to passersby, hawking everything from roasted chestnuts to fine silks.
Children darted between carts, laughing and shouting, while the occasional shinobi loomed over the throng, keeping a casual watch.
Jiraiya's eyes scanned the crowd with practiced ease, his expression betraying his growing impatience. Though he was full of energy, having spent the night at the club after a long night of pleasure, he remembered he told Naruto to get a hotel where they'd meet up. Yet, with the boy being a sensor and all, he doubts the kid was worried even a bit, as he could probably sense him from the place he was staying at anyway.
"Yakami Village, my ass," he muttered, adjusting the collar of his cloak. "How does one woman manage to vanish like a damn ghost? One moment, she's in my sights; the next, she vanishes. What is her deal?"
He approached the hotel where his toads sent word he was staying and stretched his arms out while yawning. "Oh well... I can afford a nap. Should've been careful not to overexert myself last night... Hehehehe!" The man giggled at the memory. "Or, I could write up some drafts for my next release. Last night was so very educational!"
He broke out into another fit of perverted giggles, startling two passersby on their way out. "Man, I love this city."
Jiraiya adjusted the pack slung over his shoulder and ran a hand through his hair as he went up the elevator, looking down at the note that had the room number.
Stepping out, he found the room empty except for a hastily written note left by Naruto: "Gone out training. Be back later."
He sighed and began looking around for an extra note or an attachment before rubbing the back of his head.
"No key," he muttered, knocking lightly on the door. When there was no answer, he knocked again, harder this time. Still nothing. "That brat better not have..."
He groaned, slapping his forehead. "Of course. He forgot to leave me a key." His fists clenched as he grumbled under his breath, "How does a prodigy ninja forget something so basic?!"
Huffing, he turned on his heel and made his way back down to the lobby. The desk lady, a middle-aged woman with a stern but polite demeanor, greeted him with a raised eyebrow.
"Excuse me," Jiraiya began, forcing a smile. "I seem to be locked out of my room. Could you get me a spare key?"
The woman's expression shifted slightly as she folded her hands on the desk. "Which room?" She asked.
"Oh. Uh," Jiraiya looked at his note before looking back up with his forced smile once more. "308."
"Are you the guardian of the boy staying in room 308?" She asked, looking back up at him.
Jiraiya hesitated, sensing trouble. "Uh, yeah. Why?"
She sighed, giving him a tired look. "Your student managed to burn the sheets in his room last night. Something about trying out a fire technique indoors."
Jiraiya's eyes widened, and his irritation grew. "He what?!" he exclaimed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "How bad is it? Do I need to pay for damages?"
The woman shook her head. "No need. My co-worker was nice about it. But I would strongly recommend keeping a closer eye on him."
Jiraiya blinked. "Huh... Ok, thanks."
She gave him a pointed look. "You might want to have a talk with him about using ninjutsu indoors."
Jiraiya let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, yeah. I'll handle it. So, about that spare key?"
The woman shook her head. "I'm afraid he took the spare as well. Seems like he didn't think you'd be back so soon."
Jiraiya groaned, slapping his forehead. 'Unbelievable! Not even a note at the desk or leaving it with you? He probably thought I'd be back by nightfall. Kid's got a lot to learn.'
With no other options, Jiraiya stepped outside and summoned a small orange toad with a puff of smoke. The amphibian blinked up at him, curious.
"Jiraiya-sama," the toad croaked. "What's up? What's the mission?"
Jiraiya crouched down, his tone stern but calm. "I need you to find Naruto. He's off training somewhere. Once you find him, keep an eye on him and report back to me if anything goes sideways... And deliver me that spare room key."
The toad tilted its head. "Sure. Anything else?"
Jiraiya sighed heavily. "No, just keep him out of any major trouble. I've got leads to chase, and with no time to even clear my head, I can't waste time babysitting right now."
The toad gave a solemn nod. "Understood, Jiraiya-sama. I'll track him down." With a swift leap, the toad disappeared into the busy streets.
Jiraiya straightened up, adjusting his cloak. "Let's get to work. I've got nothing better to do," he muttered, before heading into the heart of the bustling market to continue his search for Tsunade.
Line break.
"Focus the fire chakra... make it hot... and." Naruto inhaled deeply, gathering his chakra, and exhaled forcefully—
BOOM.*
Naruto's face turned red as a choking cloud of smoke erupted from his mouth. He coughed violently, his throat burning as he stumbled back.
"Gah! What the hell?!" Naruto wheezed, waving his hands to clear the smoke.
"Are you okay?!"
Naruto blinked through watery eyes to see a girl hurrying toward him, a ceramic jug of water in her hands. She wore a simple crimson robe like the monks but looked younger—around his age. Her black hair was tied back in a neat braid, and her face was painted with concern.
"Here, drink," she said, thrusting the jug into his hands.
Naruto gratefully took a long drink, the cool water soothing his burning throat. "Thanks," he croaked, wiping his mouth.
The girl sighed in relief. "What were you doing?! You looked like you were trying to kill yourself with all that smoke!"
Naruto scowled. "I wasn't trying to choke on it. I'm working on fire release. It's harder than I thought, okay? I'll get it down in no time. Trial and error."
The girl crossed her arms and scowled. "I happen to be in charge of taking care of these plants, so no more fire jutsu! you nearly took your own head off!"
Naruto took a breath before responding. "I was given permission, for one. Two, are you the one they sent to watch me?"
The girl's scowl deepened. "Absolutely not. They sent me to fetch you. Two hours have passed. You need to take part in a few sessions, and you are due to be present for this one."
Naruto sighed in resignation, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, alright. Lead the way. And sorry, uh..." He paused, realizing he hadn't introduced himself. "Name's Naruto Namikaze... Er, Uzumaki. Either is fine. And thanks again for the water."
The girl's expression softened slightly. "Your welcome. And I'm Mizumi. Now, hurry up so I can clean this mess up."
Naruto looked around and saw the grass had been singed in patches, the air still heavy with smoke. "... Yeah... Ok."
With that, the boy awkwardly made his way toward the exit where a few monks were waiting to guide him to his next activity.
Line break.
The inner temple was quiet and serene, filled with the gentle scent of sandalwood and the soft rustling of monks' robes. The soft echo of their footsteps reverberated in the high-ceilinged halls as they made their way toward a large central room.
He felt a little awkward but also intrigued. Meditation isn't lost on him, so this couldn't possibly be difficult. All he had to do was sit in silence for and hour and be on his way. Even if he wasn't particularly spiritual, he was willing to see what they had to teach, for the time being, at least.
He looked around and found some seat quickly, and before he knew it, a small bell sounded.
The group of monks and other guests settled into comfortable seated positions, their backs straight, eyes focused on the central figure sitting on what seems to be a... Pillow throne?
Naruto huffed and closed his eyes, deciding to tune everything out and get this over with.
The man's voice and instructions were easy enough to follow, but after some time, about 30 minutes to be exact, he grew frustrated. He tried to focus harder, falling into his own mind, but when he did... Disturbing things came to him, and he pulled himself out, unable to find peace.
He opened his eyes when a shadow fell over him and found master Kinzo standing over him.
He felt a bit awkward before the man knelt to his level. "You're not finding peace. You are struggling."
Naruto scowled and shook his head, not wanting to talk about his feelings. "I am not struggling. I'm fine. Just bored."
The man sighed. "The meditation session has another 20 minutes to go, but I want to speak to you in private. Come on." With that, the man rose and began walking away.
Naruto stood and looked around, seeing a few others watching them.
He huffed and stuffed his hands in his pocket, following behind the old man with haste. In his mind, coming here was a bad idea.
This man can see right through him. He can feel it.
Line break.
The two entered the inner courtyard, where a large stone Buddha sat surrounded by carefully tended gardens.
Kinzo walked slowly, taking in the beauty around him, before speaking. "You're very troubled," he said, turning to look at the boy. "You're grappling with something terrible. Something that you can't seem to escape. I've seen it in the eyes of men and women much older and wiser than yourelf."
"And are you gonna tell me what it is? Or are you gonna pretend to understand?" Naruto asked, skeptical.
Kinzo chuckled and leaned against the railing overlooking the gardens. "I don't know the specifics. But I recognize the agony of loss."
"I've healed myself of that.' Naruto said with the shake of his head.
"That is so far from the truth. You've decided to ignore it, as it changes nothing. You came to the right understanding but are using a solution that muddles the mind with doubt." Kinzo said.
"What's that supposed to mean? It's done, over, gone, finished! I mourned those who have passed and am honoring them by movin on!" Naruto yelled, frustrated. "How is that wrong?!"
Kinzo's expression softened as he leaned on the railing. "Honoring them by moving on isn't wrong, Naruto. But tell me… Is that what moving on truly means to you? Forgetting them as though they were never a part of you?"
"W-What? No! I-I wasn't-... I never-"
"I understand you haven't taken this set of actions, but it seems to me you were going to take this action in order to rid yourself of the pain." Kinzo said sagely.
Naruto's jaw tightened, his voice lower now. "I'm trying, okay? I don't know how else to deal with it. Thinking about it doesn't change anything, and it only sets me back."
Kinzo nodded slowly, his eyes thoughtful. "Perhaps. But ignoring it doesn't make it go away, either. Pain, loss—they are stubborn things. You can't bury them without burying pieces of yourself, too."
Naruto's shoulders slumped slightly. "What do you want me to do, then? Just sit here and think about them? Let it hurt all over again?"
Kinzo stepped closer, his voice steady. "Not to wallow in the hurt, no. But to sit with it. To let it speak to you. The people you've lost—they aren't gone, not really. They live in your memories, in the lessons they left behind. Ignoring the pain silences them, Naruto. Listening to it allows them to remain with you, guiding you."
Kinzo sighed, a soft sound that carried no judgment. "The more you resist, the tighter the knot becomes. You can't untangle it by yanking at it harder, Naruto. But if you sit with it, breathe with it, and feel the pain without fighting it, the knot will start to loosen on its own."
Naruto's head lowered, and his voice came out as a whisper. "I don't know if I can handle that…"
Kinzo placed a hand lightly on his shoulder. "You're stronger than you think. Strength isn't the absence of pain; it's the courage to face it. Sit with your grief, Naruto—not to drown in it, but to find the love and wisdom hidden within it."
The old man began walking away with those words, and Naruto crossed his arms and sighed. "I'd cry you a river if I did that!"
"Crying is perfectly normal, child. We all do it. No shame in it." He chuckled as he turned the corner.
Naruto huffed and threw himself against the rail. The old man was right. A little too on the nose, if you asked him.
"Ah, well, seems like the old man was speaking some wise words to ya, pal!" A voice rang out above him.
"Shit!" naruto jumped, looking up at the Buddha statue and thinking it was talking to him.
The sound of laughter rang out, and when Naruto looked closer, he saw a toad on its shoulder and his own shoulders slumped. 'I didn't sense him because he felt like another animal chakra. Great.'
Naruto grumbled and went back to brooding. "Don't do that."
The toad landed on his shoulder and cuckled. "What? I didn't mean to startle ya. But you gotta admit, that reaction was priceless!"
"What do you want? Did Jiraiya sent you?" The blonde asked.
The toad nodded. "Yup. And he needs the key."
Naruto huffed and held out the key, not bothering to move much. "Whatever. You know where I am, and I'll be staying here for the time being."
The toad chuckled and took the key, hopping off his shoulder and onto the rail. "Well? What are you doing at a fire temple?"
Naruto's head hung a that. He didn't feel like telling the story, but he had 10 minutes.
Line break.
[Jiraiya POV]
Jiraiya ducked into a shadowy tea house at the edge of the market. The air inside was thick with the scent of tobacco and over-brewed tea.
He spotted his target immediately: a man lounging in the corner, his wide-brimmed hat casting a shadow over his sharp features. The informant, known as Tetsuo, was a reliable but slippery sort. And one of his best agents.
Jiraiya approached, tossing a small pouch of coins onto the table. "Tetsuo."
The man tipped his hat back, revealing a sly grin. "Well, if it isn't Jiraiya-sama. What brings the great Toad Sage to my humble table?"
"You know why I'm here," Jiraiya said, lowering himself into the seat across from Tetsuo. "Tsunade. Where is she?"
Tetsuo picked up the pouch, weighing it in his hand. "Word is she lost big at the gambling tables in a place called Kuroyama Heights and lost it. She went to Tanzaku after and turned the place upside down when they cheated her. Thats all I have right now. But that isn't the only thing you want to hear, surely?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "What else do you have for me?"
Tetsuo's smile faded, and he leaned forward. "Iwa. They launched a campaign against a small country north of Suna. The land of Mountains is being invades as we speak, and they have reportedly lost a shit ton of ground. My guys up in Iwa are on the run thanks to their anti-covert laws, but they managed to send back some good stuff. If you have a few minutes, i have a lot to tell."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, and he pulled out another sack of money. "Speak plainly."
Line break.
[Land of Lightning Kumogakure Council chambers]
The Raikage's council chamber sat atop the towering peaks of Kumogakure, its broad windows offering a commanding view of the thunderous skies and jagged mountains below. The room was austere but imposing, its dark stone walls adorned with banners bearing the lightning insignia of Kumo.
At the head of the table sat the Fourth Raikage, his massive frame radiating authority. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his eyes scanned the faces of his advisors as they waited for the meeting to begin.
Beside him stood Killer Bee, his casual stance a stark contrast to the oppressive mood of the room. Darui, the Raikage's right-hand man, stood to the side with his characteristic calm demeanor, his sharp eyes missing nothing. Mabui, the Raikage's efficient and composed assistant, was seated nearby, her notepad at the ready.
"You've all heard the news," the Raikage began, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber. "The Land of Mountains is being invaded as we speak, and Iwagakure's forces are on the move. They're making a play for dominance."
One of the senior advisors, a wiry man named Retsu, leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly. "This boldness from Iwa is troubling. They're sending a message to the entire shinobi world. If they're willing to strike so decisively, what's stopping them from trying to undermine us next?"
"Let them try," the Raikage growled. "We have the means to stop them. That's not what I'm worried about. They are consolidating. We need to do the same. Now, suggestions!" He barked.
Another voice, this one belonging to Kaede, the head of Kumo's intelligence division, cut in. "Iwa's move was calculated. They struck the Land of Mountains to gain a foothold and destabilize their rivals. They intend to consolidate their hold there and gain access to critical trade routes and resources that hold sway over our own, and that's a problem for us. It means we'll need to concern our efforts north of Iwa and the Mountains."
"So, what do you suggest?" Bee asked, his tone uncharacteristically serious.
"The Land of Snow," Kaede said with confidence.
"No," Ai responded. "I have no intention of getting mixed up in a civil war."
"If you can even call it that," Darui said softly while picking at his nails. "Doto Kazahana has all but won at this point. The only thing stopping him from proclaiming himself the ruler is that little council of theirs."
Ai looked to Darui at this. "And how do you know? We've only been keeping an ear out."
Darui glanced at Mabui, who answered on his behalf. "This is a recent development. Those fighting under Koyuki have mostly fallen."
The Raikage's eyes narrowed at this. His mind raced at the implication, and he could imagine it. His troops running around with armor that couldn't be destroyed through the use of chakra. It would become his ultimate weapon, save for Bee and Yugio.
He nodded. "I like it. Tighten our hold on the border countries, particularly the Land of Steam and the Land of Snow. I want patrols increased and to ensure no one crosses into our territory without notice. Additionally, send an envoy to Doto Kazahana in the Land of Snow. His chakra armor technology is a potential asset. Offer him our support in solidifying his rule if he agrees to share his research and resources with us."
Kaede and Denji nodded in unison, their expressions resolute.
Bee spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "What about alliances? If Iwa's making moves, it's only a matter of time before the other villages start taking sides."
"We can't rely on alliances," the Raikage said bluntly. The other villages will act in their own interests, just as we do. They are all afraid. The giants are about to wage war, and in order to survive, protection from one of us must be guaranteed. An alliance isn't hard to find in these times. Trust me. It's no different from the third war."
"And Konoha?" Kaede asked cautiously. "They've been quietly watching the shifting tides. And what of the Land of Steam?"
The Raikage's eyes narrowed. "Konoha's still reeling from the invasion and the loss of their Hokage. They're not our concern yet, unless they make themselves one. As for the Land of Steam, they're a strategic priority. If they're leaning toward Konoha, we need to sway them back into neutrality or into our camp."
He glanced at Mabui, and she nodded. "I'll get on assessing their leadership's leanings and vulnerabilities and report back."
"That's what I wanted to hear," Ai said with a smirk.
After a moment, the Raikage turned around and stared out into the city below. "Kumo doesn't bow to anyone. Not Iwa, not Konoha, not anyone. This is about securing an advantageous position before the inevitable war engulfs us all. We only get one chance to claim that advantage. One mistake, and we're finished. So we'll watch, we'll prepare, and when the time comes, we'll strike with the force of a thunderstorm. This is our way."
The council members nodded, their resolve hardening as they rose from their seats. As they filed out of the chamber, the Raikage turned to Bee, his expression softening slightly.
"Keep an eye on things while I deal with the Daimyo," he said. "We'll need his support if this escalates."
Bee nodded, a rare seriousness in his gaze. "You got it, bro. Kumo's gonna be ready."
The Raikage gave a curt nod, his gaze returning to the stormy horizon, just outside of the city.
Line break.
{Land of Wind: Sunagakure Council chambers}
The council chamber of Sunagakure was shrouded in an oppressive silence after recieving the extre bad news. It was broken only by the faint hum of the desert wind seeping through the high-set windows.
The dim, amber glow from the lanterns overhead cast long, flickering shadows on the sandstone walls, where carvings of past Kazekage seemed to watch over the room with judgmental eyes.
Chiyo and Ebizo sat at their elevated positions as usual, their weathered faces grim as they surveyed the gathered council and the messenger. Military leaders, clan heads, and economic advisors occupied their respective places around the polished stone table. The empty chair of the Jonin Commander stood as a stark reminder of their losses.
Ebizo's fingers drummed against the table's edge as he leaned forward, his expression uncharacteristically tense.
The messenger, a young, nameless Chunin, was frozen in his kneeling position, the young man tense as he felt the news destroying any chance of the village's potential victory over the tree huggers.
"Get out," Chiyo snapped, and the man was on his feet and out the door in a heartbeat.
Ebizo's hands remained clasped, yet they squeezed tighter with anger. Their previous discussion on the moving of goods and resources has been thrown out the window.
Councilman Keiji, the economics advisor and chief, leaned forward, trying to ease tensions. "The loss of the Land of mountains is... A heavy loss for us. We had many resource-rich villages under our control, but s-sanctions can surely be placed on-"
"On who?! We've been denounced by the entire network of alliances connected to Konoha!" Ebizo yelled before quickly calming himself. "We have villages begging to join the war against us, begging! Takigakure being at the forefront of wanting our heads on spikes! Who is going to get in Iwa's way when out actions are still at the forefront!"
Keiji leaned back, gulping as sweat ran down his face. He then straightened out and spoke. "Iwa's actions will cause a great stir amongst the nations regardless. I believe they can't get away with this."
"They can." Chiyo said. The only thing they have to worry about is how Kumo and her allies respond, as those two are more concerned about the other than anything else. We are surrounded by enemies on all fronts. We know this for sure now. Our response will determine whether we survive this storm or are buried beneath it. Let's hear it, then. What's the current state of our economy? We need a timeline."
Keiji shuffled through a stack of papers, his face pale. "Uh... As I was going to point out before the... Interruption. It's dire. We are losing more than we are making, trade routes have been abandoned, and merchants are avoiding our borders entirely. With Iwagakure making bold moves, our remaining tributaries are questioning whether aligning with us is worth the risk."
"Worth the risk?" barked Hideo Maeda, his scarred face twisted in anger. "We are Sunagakure! They owe us loyalty, not cowardice."
"Loyalty doesn't pay our debts, Maeda," Keiji snapped, his voice rising. "The villages under our protection are seeing an opportunity to distance themselves. We can't fund this war, let alone rebuild our failing infrastructure once Konoha marches further into our territory! If our tributaries refuse to comply, there would be nothing we could do to realistically project-"
"Enough, Keiji," Chiyo snapped, her gaze piercing. "We all know the consequences of our actions. What we need now are solutions, not lamentations."
"Solutions?" Keiji interjected once more. "What solutions can we possibly offer? Our economy is in free fall. Merchants are abandoning their trade routes through our borders, and our exports are being undercut by neighboring nations. At this rate, we won't have the funds to sustain our war effort for more than a few months. I have nothing to work with!"
Chiyo's grip on her cane tightened. "Then we find ways to stabilize the economy. We renegotiate trade deals, seek new allies, and tighten our spending."
"And who would ally with us now?" Satsuki, their military advisor countered. "Our failed alliance with Oto has tarnished our reputation. The Daimyo of the Land of Fire and our own Daimyo are dead because of us. No one will trust us."
Ebizo raised a hand, quieting the room once more. "Trust can be rebuilt, but it will take time. In the meantime, we must all come to a singular agreement on something we have been holding off."
"And what is that?" Maeda questioned.
"We need a Kazekage." Ebizo said.
Silence hung over the council like a shroud, the weight of the statement settling on their shoulders. Finally, Chiyo nodded slowly, her aged face filled with a mixture of determination and sadness. "You are right. Our village has been rudderless since the betrayal, and it is past time we named a new Kazekage."
"So, you'll take the position, Lady Chiyo?" Asked Satsuki, to which the elder gave her a nasty glare.
"Absolutely not. I will be a leader until a new one is elected, but I will be dead and cold in the grave before you force me into such a stressful position. No, i nominate Lady Temari, who will be the next Kazekage, should she accept."
"What?!" The entire council room yelled in unison, all but Ebizo and Satsuki.
Temari, the now 15-year-old chunin of Suna, was not what they were expecting.
"I don't think she's the right choice, Lady Chiyo," said one of the clan heads, a woman with long black hair tied tightly in a bun. "I'm not saying she's incompetent or anything. Her abilities as a shinobi are impressive for her age, and she is the daughter of our previous Kazekage... But-"
"Is it because she is a girl?" Chiyo asked. "Because if so, be mindful that Kankuro is likely either dead or captured, and Gaara... The less said about him the better."
The council shifted uncomfortably at the mention of Gaara, but the topic was moved quickly.
"Temari is unproven and in need of extensive training. We don't have that kind of time in under this kind of pressure. We need someone seasoned, someone-"
"Pakura." Ebizo said.
Everyone looked at Ebizo, who then continued. "If Lady Chiyo believes in the girl's ability, we can train her. But, for the time being, Pakura can be the interim Kage, with Temari being the heir to the position. There. Problem solved."
"That is only if she bothers to take the position. She... She was-"
"We won't speak of such things at this table. The 4th is dead; his actions against her remain in the past where they belong, and we will move forward. She is a hero and a leader. We have a need, and she has the means. We shall speak with her after this meeting. For now, let's talk about our war efforts. I believe it's time for our military advisors to speak up.
Satsuki slumped in her chair at this.
This would be a terribly long meeting.
Line break.
[Pakura POV]
[3 hours later.]
Pakura walked down a dimly lit corridor in the heart of Suna, her sandals echoing softly off the smooth sandstone walls as she tried to make her way home for the day. It would be the last time she'd get to sleep in her bed before departing in the early morning with her squad, so she was going to bed early to... Savor it.
She turned the corner and paused at the sight of Ebizo at her doorstep. Her eyes narrowed, and she straightened immediately and saluted briefly. "Ebizo, " she said, making sure her voice was stern and controlled.
"Pakura. I'm sorry to intrude. I just need a few minutes of your time." The old man said.
Pakura nodded. "How can I help?"
The old man slowly made his way toward a bench, taking a seat and sighing before motioning for her to sit beside him. "The Kazekage is dead. Our village is on the brink of destruction, and we have few allies left." The man began, and she could see the exhaustion in his eyes, and she could hear the weight of his responsibilities in his voice.
She was reluctant, but she sat next to him stiffly. "I'm aware of our situation."
"Then you also understand the urgency of our predicament." Ebizo replied. "We need a strong leader. Someone to inspire our people and lead them through the coming trials."
She frowned at him, not understanding. "And? You don't have to tell me something I already knew."
The man gave a subtle smile at that. "Ah, but I don't think you truly understand, Pakura."
The two remained silent for a moment before she caught on and gritted her teeth. "I don't inspire people, let alone loyalty."
"Pakura-"
"According to the previous Kazekage and council, I enspired fear. Isn't that why I was sacraficed?" She said with a bitter edge.
"A grievous error on our part, I assure you. We should have stood by your side instead of abandoning you to the mercy of Kiri. I was the one who pushed for it the most because I was afraid of another war breaking out so soon after-"
"I don't need to hear your excuses!" She roared, standing up.
The old man nodded. "You're right... I apologize. Just... Understand that it wasn't the village that betrayed you... It was the actions of the 4th and a few others that did. It was an executive decision that had nothing to do with the populace or the military."
The old man stood to his feet slowly, and in an act that took her by surprise, he bowed lowly, and in the process, his hat fell from his head and onto the ground.
"Pakura... Please... I know this is a lot to ask of you, and I can only imagine the weight it carries. But we need a Kazekage... If not for good, then at least until Temari is strong enough to take the position." The old man said.
Pakura stared wide-eyed, unsure how to react to this display of humility. "Temari is to be Kazekage?"
Ebizo looked up at her. "If she so accepts. But, in the meantime, she is still too young and untrained. And, perhaps, she could be made heir as you reign. We just don't have any more time... We are out of time."
Pakura nodded and straightened the man back on his feet, the elder groaning. She then walked up to her door and pulled her keys out. "I'll have your answer in the morning. Don't think this changes much either."
"I don't. I know we can never earn back your forgiveness, but we can still earn your respect." With those parting words, he turned and left, leaving Pakura standing alone on the threshold of her home, contemplating her decision.
'Why the hell is it that I always seem to be put in such shitty positions?' She thought before entering her home.
Line break.
{Land of Fire: Yugetsu village: The Local Fire Temple}
Naruto laid on his back in the middle of the gardens and stared at the stars above as they became visible in spite the sky still being partially illuminated. The stars twinkled brightly, and he felt a deep sense of comfort wash over him, his thoughts turning inward.
He trained for a bit as expected, but he had a ton to think about. Kinzo was a much better therapist than any of the other crap they shoved at him back at Konoha. He had to deal with multiple, and the sessions were awkward and unproductive. They had a lot to say but nothing that was of any help.
And, yeah. He did a bit of crying. But it couldn't be helped!
He laughed as well, and took in what he could, but its only been a couple of weeks since Konoha was hit, so, as Kinzo said. He needs to take his time and allow the wounds to heal, as he can't rush it.
His thoughts were broken when he saw Jiraiya suddenly standing over him with his arms crossed.
"You locked me out of he hotel today." He said.
Naruto scratched the back of his head with his eyes closed, not looking the man in the eye. "Did I?"
Jiraiya sighed. "Why are you out here?"
"Thinking." Naruto said simply, turning his gaze back to the stars. "I can't train in this village. Its too cramped. The temple gave me progress, but the old monk here gave me a therapy session I wasn't ready for... But I needed it... Kinda. I dunno."
Jiraiya sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You also tried training inside the hotel room."
Naruto smirked at that. "My bad."
The old man just sighed and hoisted the boy to his feet and brushed off his clothes. "Ok, champ. We're gonna get some rest and head out. I think we've both been ovestimulated here."
"Already?" Naruto asked with slight disappointment.
"I beg your pardon?" Jiraiya asked with surprise.
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly, but Jiraiya recognized a rare and unusual desire in his eyes. It was the same as his own when he first discovered the toads.
"The monks... I think they can help me... If only a little."
Jiraiya smiled and rubbed the back of his head with his eyes closed. "That's good and all, kid, but I found the woman. She is in Tanzaku. Besides, there are other..." He stopped when he saw the disappointment in the boy's eyes, and he groaned. "Fine! Two days, and we're outta here. Got it?!"
Naruto smiled brightly at this. "Yes! I promise this is worth it!" He cheered, and Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle.
The old sage turned around and walked back to the entrance. "Now come on! I want some food."
The boy followed, and as they made their way out of the temple, Jiraiya got a look at Kinzo from a distance, the their gaze meeting briefly, and in that moment, he decided that the old man is indeed someone who could potentially assist Naruto in his recovery...In ways he can't.
'Well... A few days in this place couldn't hurt. Surely this isn't something I'll regret.' He thought to himself.
Line break.
{Land of Fire: Tanzaku Village}
Kabuto walked steadily through the dense forest trail, his posture relaxed as he enjoyed the walk. Guren trailed a few steps behind him, her arms crossed, her eyes flickering with annoyance as she observed their surroundings.
The tension between them was obvious, yet Kabuto seemed indifferent to it as he finally broke the silence.
"Things will go a lot more smoothly if you'd just trust me," Kabuto said, his voice calm but measured. "Tsunade is in a complex state of mind. She can be... Recruited peacefully if we play our cards right. This is the perfect opportunity to get what Orochimaru wants."
Guren scoffed softly, glancing at the faint trail of broken branches and disturbed foliage. "Perfect opportunity? You've said that three times now, and we still haven't done anything. If you have a plan, Kabuto, get to the point."
Kabuto's lips curled into a thin smile, though his tone remained composed. Tsunade isn't just some wandering medic—she's a Sannin. If you think brute force alone will work, you're sadly mistaken."
"Then enlighten me," Guren replied, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "How do you intend to convince her? Flatter her with your silver tongue? Beg on your knees?"
Kabuto ignored her jab, pushing a low-hanging branch aside as they continued down the path. "Orochimaru-sama made it clear: Tsunade's greatest weakness isn't her strength or skill, it's her heart. She's burdened by regrets, failures, and an overwhelming sense of guilt. Those emotions make her vulnerable. If we can exploit that, we won't need brute force at all."
Guren's steps faltered for a moment before she quickened her pace to walk beside him. "Guilt?" she echoed, her tone skeptical. "You think you can manipulate a Sannin with sob stories? You might be smarter than most, Kabuto, but that sounds ridiculous."
The two came over to a clearing that overlooked the village that was their current destination, and they stopped. Kabuto leaned on a nearby tree and looked over at her. "Guren, you underestimate the power of regret. Tsunade's failures weigh heavily on her. Orochimaru-sama told me about her hesitance to connect with others after losing her loved ones. It's why she's been wandering aimlessly all these years. She's broken, Guren, and broken people are predictable when you push the right buttons."
Guren narrowed her eyes, her voice growing colder. "And what buttons are you planning to push, Kabuto? I'm not here to play your guessing games."
"Simple," Kabuto replied, glancing at her briefly. "We dangle a low-hanging fruit she couldn't possibly refuse. Her younger brother, Nawaki, and her lover, Dan, died young and in war. She blames herself for their deaths, which has fueled her reluctance to take up any real responsibility ever since. But, if we offered her a way to bring them back to life..."
Kabuto slipped a scroll from his sleeve, a Kanji etched into its worn surface. "Then there's no telling the lengths she would go for a chance at redemption."
"Bring them back from the dead?" Guren asked skeptically. "And what if she refuses?"
"Tsunade's greatest fear is loss," Kabuto replied, tucking the scroll away. "She has an assistant named Shizune. I don't want to take on Tsunade in a fair fight. In truth, even with all of us fighting, the chances could be slim. I only know so much about her. Her assistant, on the other hand..."
"We capture her assistant and use her as a hostage," Guren whispered.
"Bingo." Kabuto chuckled. "It'll give her more incentive. She cares for her little assistant. We'd lead her to Orochimaru, and he'd force her to... Heal him of his injuries." Kabuto said, his tone faltering.
Guren's brow furrowed at that. "How bad are his injuries? You never told me how this whole thing started."
Kabuto paused. "He's in no condition to move around too much. But that isn't for us to worry about."
Guren shook her head. "Fine. I'll cooperate, but I don't trust your methods."
"I never expected you to, Guren. Your cooperation is enough for now," Kabuto replied. He then turned to the path leading into the town below, the sunlight casting dappled shadows over his face. "All we need to do is find the right moment to strike. And once we do,"
Its checkmate.
Line break.
End chapter.
{A/N}
Alright. So, all the really interesting things are set to happen in the next two chapters, so stay tuned for that. I wasn't a fan of this chapter alone and wanted to pair it with another or keep it large, but I haven't posted in some time and figured you'd want an update of some kind, so here you go!
Samuel Santillan chapter 33 . Jan 3
I loved it, good chapter.
thanks for the new chapter and I hope you are well and that you had a good end and start of the year.
prosperous 2025.
about naruto and sasuke their relationship is fine at the moment, sasuke seems to see naruto as a rival or as a measuring stick to see where he is currently in terms of his level of strength, but it is possible that that will change.
the uchiha are a very volatile clan and if something makes sasuke fall more into hatred who knows what decision sasuke could make.
by the way with respect to tayuya, in some fics they use her as uzumaki you could also make her part of the uzumaki clan and have naruto capture her and find out that she is from his clan.
You could also have Naruto modify the Rasengan to be thrown, despite how powerful the Rasengan is, it is a direct hit attack, it requires great speed or attacking by surprise or in blind spots for it to be deadly.
I always thought that the Rasengan was a technique that is used in conjunction with Hiriashin to be much more dangerous.
I thought about the Tayuya bit already and it was the premise of my old ship, but that ship sailed, unfortunately, since as pointed out, it would be a bit wierd. But I like the Idea of Tayuya being connected to the clan.
As for throwing the Rasengan, I never considered doing such a thing since we've seen it done with the Rasen Shuriken and Boruto's little vanishing thing. From what I've seen, the Rasengan is DENSE and drops like a bowling ball when thrown, so I imagine that Naruto may have originally thought of throwing it in the beginning, only for this to blow up in his face. The Rasen-Shuriken being wind-enhanced makes it lighter and easier to throw while maintaining its density, so I'll stick with that until then.
Sorry for not responding to any others aside from this, as this comment seems to be the only one with direct questions. I also felt a little rusty when writing this chapter since I rebuilt it from the ground up to make more sense, so sorry for any mistakes. I'll go over it with my proof reader.
Thank you for the comments. The next chapter is coming very soon, probably in a few days, but we'll see. Again, in my opinion, not too much happened here, so consider this a transitional chapter.