Ningoden Episode 001 – Tsunaku Senju
Disclaimer: Okay, everybody this is Jonas Xerxes here giving you another XYZ Entertainment production. This here will be a remake of Naruto-Naruto Shippuden but with more shinobi, more villages and more continents to explore along with the supernatural and Tailed Beasts. Keep in mind that I do not own Naruto as it is the intellectual property of Masashi Kishimoto. I only own this fanfiction series. Also this takes place after Naruto left with Jiraiya to train for three years, but it is during that time I will expand Konoha/the Hidden Leaf with the high lands and a title as old as Kage, the Teru (Japanese: 照, Teru / English for Shine.) For it will not take one or two ninja, but a third to end the cycle of hatred and unite all ninja. Now then let's begin before I keep blabbing before you start to read, lol!
[Prologue]
(The room is bathed in a soft breeze, the air shimmering with the faintest whispers of distant winds. Around the edges of the room, delicate wind chimes sing their soft song as the faint rustle of parchment fills the space. A scroll, ancient and untarnished by time, rests upon a stone pedestal. It waits, beckoning to the one who dares open it.)
Narrator (with a calm, contemplative voice): In the age where the winds of change sweep through the land, the shadows of the past still linger, casting their presence upon the world of the shinobi. The days of youth and conflict have passed, and yet, the story of these warriors has only just begun. The balance of peace, fragile as it may be, is held in the hands of those who walk the path of the ninja. As the breeze stirs the leaves and the air shifts, so too does the fate of those who carry the weight of their world. (The narrator began.)
(The scroll slowly unfurls as if summoned by the wind itself, revealing the first words of a tale that has long awaited its telling.)
Narrator: The winds carry whispers of new challenges, new bonds, and new hopes. A new chapter begins, and with it, the dawn of a generation that will redefine what it means to be a shinobi. As the scroll opens, the story of those yet to come continues. (The narrator stated in a sagacious calm tone.)
(The scroll unfurls completely, and the story begins. The scene flashbacks to the Hidden Leaf Village, nighttime at exactly thirteen years away. Casting a giant shadow was a gigantic foxlike creature with the most infuriating expression as it roars fiercely. The fox was orange furred, with two long ears, red eyes, a black nose, lips, a human-like body and white claws and fangs. Leaf ninjas were firing jutsu or kunai at the Tailed Beast but to no avail. And yet they don't give up the fight.)
Narrator: Thirteen years ago, there was a terrifying beast known as the Nine-Tailed Fox. It wreaked havoc on the peaceful Hidden Leaf Village. Many lives were lost in the chaos that ensued. The Fourth Hokage, in a desperate attempt to protect the village, sealed the beast inside a newborn child, giving his own life in the process. (The narrator continued.)
(Appearing out of smoke on top of a red gigantic toad, was a man with spiky blonde hair with twin bangs, fair skin, light blue shirt and pants, a green flak jacket, a white haori with red flames on the bottom, blue shinobi shoes, a blue headband with a symbol in the shape of a leaf. And written on the back of the haori was the words for 四代目火影, Fourth Hokage. A shining light blinded the screen. And afterwards. Baby cries were repeated. A swirling mark appeared on the stomach of a crying newborn baby with blonde tuft of hair, fair skin, blue eyes, on an altar. This last until the skipped to twelve years later as the infant grew into a 12-year-old kid with a black t-shirt, an orange jumpsuit, blue shoes and a pair of goggles evading two Leaf ninjas after painting over the four Hokage Monument faces.)
Narrator: This boy is named Naruto Uzumaki, born in the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Upon his birth, he was made the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox that attacked the village, a fate that caused him to be ostracized and shun by the villagers who suffered at the destruction of the beast. However, Naruto never let perturb him. His dream is to become Hokage, the villager leader of the Hidden Leaf Village, one of the five villages belonging to one of the Five Great Nations, powerful enough to have a ninja leader to be called a Kage. (The narrator continues.)
(Scene switches to Naruto being dragged into class at the Ninja Academy. Naruto casts a jutsu and instead of taking on the form of his homeroom teacher Iruka Umino, Naruto transforms into a naked adult woman, causing Iruka to nosebleed comedically. Naruto laughs. A hysterical enraged Iruka warns him to stop his shenanigans. The next day, on the graduation exam, Naruto tried to cast the Clone Jutsu, but instead of two illusionary clones, there was one clone which wasn't an exact copy of him, resulting in Naruto being the only one in his class not to graduate until a chat with Mizuki, a chunin-level academy instructor told him to how he could graduate. Later at night, Naruto was training diligently and upon the arrival of Iruka, who the latter was surprised and amazed at Naruto working hard to master a jutsu from the Scroll of Seals. Noticing shuriken coming their way, Iruka protected Naruto from the smaller shuriken as Mizuki, carrying a Fuma Shuriken on his back. After Mizuki was having a verbal tug of war in convincing Naruto to give him the Scroll while Iruka was only protecting Naruto and prevent the Scroll from falling into Mizuki's hands, that's when Mizuki decided to play his trump; Mizuki revealed the truth to Naruto about the decree that everyone except him were forbidden to let him know that the Nine-Tailed Fox was sealed inside him. This caused Naruto to reacted shocked and loss of words that he finally understood why the villagers reacted to him as they did. Mizuki threw his Fuma Shuriken at Naruto, hoping it would kill him… GUSH! Naruto was saved by Iruka who used his own back as a shield. A tearfully Iruka apologized to Naruto and revealed like him, he too was alone and parentless, play pranks to grab others' attention and understood Naruto's pain. Later, during a chase, "Naruto" tackled "Iruka" down to the ground as "Iruka…." POOF turned out to be Mizuki, who demanded to know how he knew he was Mizuki. That's when "Naruto" revealed himself to be Iruka instead. Iruka stated that Naruto is a clumsy, absentminded and slacker but a hard worker who pushes himself beyond his limits and never gives up and that he's not the Nine-Tailed Fox, he's Naruto Uzumaki of the Hidden Leaf Village. This moved Naruto into tears.)
Narrator: Despite the loneliness and pain he endured, Naruto never give up especially after receiving acknowledgement from Iruka, his teacher. With newfound strength, Naruto confronted Mizuki, and a surprising twist… mastered an advanced ninjutsu as the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and defeated Mizuki single-handedly. And the following morning… Naruto graduated and become a ninja. (The narrator adds.)
(Naruto side-kicked Mizuki and then threatens him for harming Iruka. Naruto casted a hand sign, the Shadow Clone sign, and successful cast the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, creating hundreds and hundreds of solid clones. A surprised Iruka was amazed at Naruto mastering an advanced jutsu. All a startled Mizuki could do was scream hysterically as Naruto and his Shadow Clones pummel him into submission. The next morning, a smiling Iruka congratulates Naruto, who was seen wearing a blue Leaf headband given to him by the former. Next scene shows Naruto being assigned to Team 7 with Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha.)
Narrator: Naruto, placed in the same team as his crush Sakura Haruno and rival Sasuke Uchiha, was in Team 7, under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake. And after learning the important lesson for a ninja is teamwork, they passed their exam as genin and began their life as ninja and as a team. (The Narrator continues.)
(Naruto to shown to be in the same team as Sakura, much to the girl's dismay, but then was disappointed that Sasuke was assigned to the same team as well, much to Sakura's delight. The new Team 7 meeting their late jonin sensei, the silver haired Kakashi Hatake with his headband also acting as an eyepatch over his left eye, wearing the Leaf jonin uniform, as he opened the door only to fall victim to a chalkboard eraser falling on top his head, much to Sakura's secret joy, Sasuke's disbelief and Naruto's excitement. Next at the training grounds, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were being tested by Kakashi using two bells. One by one, Kakashi outmaneuver them with ease, even tying up Naruto to a log. After allowing only Sasuke and Sakura to eat and seemingly left, Sasuke offers some of his food for Naruto in order to regain his strength. Sakura reluctant but willingly gave Naruto some of her food. Kakashi caught them in the act and when all three genin stood up to their sensei, that's when a smiling Kakashi passed them and began to lead them as Team 7.)
Narrator: Naruto's first high ranking mission took him and Team 7 to the Land of Waves and face off against their first enemy, the rogue Demon Ninja of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi, who was hired by Gato to kill Tazuna from building a bridge to the mainland. It was from this battle, Naruto found his own ninja way and sworn to follow it at the graves of Zabuza and Haku, Zabuza's own protégé and a kekkei genkai user from the Yuki Clan of the Land of Water. (The narrator added.)
(Scene shows Naruto and Team 7 heading off to the Land of Waves with their client Tazuna. Next was Kakashi taking down the Demon Brother Gozu and Meizu. Naruto used a kunai to pierce in his injured hand, extracting the poison out and swearing to never run away from a fight. Next scene shows Team 7 and Tazuna arriving on a shore in the Land of Waves, still accepting the mission after being given the truth from Tazuna being a target of Gato and his men to prevent the completion of the bridge. Encountering the Demon of the Hidden Mist Village, Zabuza Momochi. Naruto and Sasuke succeeding in freeing Kakashi from Zabuza's Water Prison Jutsu and after defeating the rogue ninja, only to be seemingly finished off by a mask wielding tracker ninja from the Hidden Mist. A few weeks passed and during the time spent training to master the Tree Climbing Jutsu, Naruto encountered a young man wearing a pink kimono, mistaking him for a girl and had a conversation. Later after completing his training, Naruto declared to the jaded view Inari that there is such a thing as heroes in the world. Next day, Naruto saved Inari and his mother Tsunami from Gato's two bodyguards and apologized for the late arrival with a remark that heroes always show fashionably late at the last second. Next, Naruto and Sasuke were facing Haku in his Crystal Ice Mirrors and when Naruto saw Sasuke seemingly killed in his arms, the rage and grief caused a portion of the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra to come out and initialized him into an Initial Jinchuriki Mode with Naruto's blue eyes changing to red with his pupils being oval-shaped, canine fangs, wilder spiky hair, sharp claws and a layer of red chakra surrounding him. With one punch, Naruto destroyed the Crystal Ice Mirrors with Haku being in one of the mirrors, learning about Haku's tragic past and the civil wars in the Land of Water that made Haku as a kindred spirit, Haku taking the full hit of Kakashi's Lightning Blade, protecting Zabuza, Zabuza's final rampage killing some of Gato's men and taking fatal blows before the Demon Ninja would inflict and kill his former employer Gato and ending him. The villagers standing up to Gato's thugs, forcing them to flee, and witnessing the death of Zabuza. Team 7 was standing before the graves of Zabuza and Haku with Zabuza's sword Kubikiribocho, the Decapitating Carving Knife and Executioner's Blade rested close to Zabuza's tomb. Despite learning the reality of shinobi being considered as tools or weapons, this didn't faze Naruto as he swears on Zabuza and Haku's graves to follow his own ninja way. Next scene takes place within the first stage of the Chunin Exams, where Naruto refused loudly to answer the tenth question and would never abandon a comrade, on the second stage, Team 7's unfortunate encounter with a paper white skin and frightful man Orochimaru, one of the Sannin of the Hidden Leaf Village and its deadliest rogue ninja.)
Narrator: Naruto and his teammates entered the Chunin Exams, a selection to find candidates worthy of being promote to chunin. New rivals in the form of Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Gaara from the Hidden Sand Village. Along with the resurface of Orochimaru, a former Leaf ninja and the founder of the Hidden Sound Village. (The narrator added.)
(Orochimaru used killing intent to paralyze Sakura and Sasuke in their trace, fought Naruto briefly before using the Five-Pronged Seal on him, rendering Naruto unconscious and then after evading some of Sasuke's powerful Fire Style ninjutsu, extended his neck and bites the young Uchiha by the neck, branding them with a three tomoe Curse Mark.)
Narrator: For you see… like Naruto, Sasuke was also orphaned by a tragedy. He is the sole survivor of the download of his clan, the Uchiha Clan which were wiped out by his older brother Itachi. And as such, Sasuke spends every moment in life, gaining power in order to get revenge on his older brother and rebuild his clan. And as a wielder of the Uchiha clan's kekkei genkai the Sharingan, Orochimaru seeks Sasuke in order to claim that power for himself by taking over his body with a forbidden jutsu for immortality. Orochimaru was once a ninja of the Hidden Leaf, one of the three legendary Sannin trained and taught by the Third Hokage himself but his desire to learn every jutsu in existence beyond his human life drawn him into developing Forbidden Jutsu. As the Chunin Exams progress, Naruto passed the preliminaries, vowing to avenge Hinata's defeat and encountering the very same man who taught the Fourth Hokage himself, Jiraiya, the Toad Sage and another of the Legendary Sannin. (The narrator adds.)
(Scene shows Naruto fighting Kiba Inuzuka and his ninja hound Akamaru before ending this not only with a fart to Kiba's nose but ambushed and struck him down with a modified Lions' Barrage which he named the Naruto Uzumaki Barrage. Naruto grabbed some of the unconscious Hinata Hyuga's blood on the floor and swears an oath to defeat Neji Hyuga. Naruto encounters Jiraiya of the Sannin at the hot spring bathhouse after catching him peeping on women for his research for his book Make Out Violence. Jiraiya unsealed the Five-Pronged Seal Orochimaru placed on Naruto, allowing Naruto to perfect the Water Walking Jutsu. And after days turned to weeks Naruto, after being placed in a life-or-death situation, Naruto with the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra, used the Summoning Jutsu and after fruitless attempts, summons a larger toad which was Gamabunta, the Chief Toad and Jiraiya's personal summon. After hours of staying on top of Gamabunta's back, exhausted Naruto out and instead of falling, Gamabunta used his tongue and saved him from falling to his death., impressed by Naruto's willpower and undying determination. Next scene shows Naruto in a hospital bed with Shikamaru visiting his friend and then both of them noticing the killing intent of a certain red haired no brow Sand ninja. In the nick of time, Shikamaru, using Shadow Possession Jutsu, restrained Gaara from killing Rock Lee who he severely incapacitated in the preliminaries. Gaara states his reasons coldly and reveal to Naruto and Shikamaru his own tragic and horrifying past to them.)
Narrator: On the day before the finals of the Chunin Exams, Naruto encounters Gaara of the Desert, one of the three genin from the Hidden Sand Village to pass to the finals. After stopping Gaara from silently murdering Rock Lee, Gaara explained his past; that he was born as a vessel of a monster by the name of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Tanuki at cost of his mother's life. Because he was jinchuriki of Shukaku, Gaara was ostracized by the villagers of the Hidden Sand, pampered at home only until he was deeming a failure by his father the Fourth Kazekage, leader of the Hidden Sand Village. After constant assassination attempts, Gaara grew up to resent the world and loathe it and anyone who would dare threaten his existence. Naruto learnt that Gaara was like him but with the difference was that he was alone. In fact, battling Neji in the first round, Naruto realized the tragedy in the old ways of the Hyuga clan with its system of a main branch and side branch, determined to defeat Neji, showing him that no such thing as a pre-destined fate. And during the operation of the Destruction of the Leaf Village by the Sound and Sand, orchestrated by none other than Orochimaru, Naruto fought off Gaara all to protect not only Sakura but the entire Leaf Village as a whole. Though they were enemies, Naruto and Gaara were both jinchuriki who understood each other's pain. (The narrator continues.)
(Next scenes show Naruto defeating Neji Hyuga at the Chunin Exam stadium, Naruto fighting a partial transformed Gaara, gaining the upper hand, summoning Gamabunta, delivering a powerful headbutt at Gaara. The aftermath of the failed invasion and the cost being the Third Hokage and in the Land of Wind, the Sand jonin discovered the corpses of the Fourth Kazekage and his bodyguards. Next scenes show Jiraiya and Naruto travelling in search for Tsunade, the third and only female of the Sannin, Jiraiya training Naruto in mastering the Rasengan, Orochimaru finding Tsunade and her aide Shizune and pet ninja pig Tonton, Orochimaru offering to bring back Tsunade's little brother and beloved Dan Kato to life, Jiraiya finally finding Tsunade, Naruto challenging Tsunade after badmouthing the Hokage including the Third Hokage, even trying out an incomplete Rasengan and lost.)
Narrator: Due to the death of the Third Hokage, Jiraiya brought Naruto with him in search for Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage and one of the Sannin. Upon finding her, Jiraiya informed Tsunade of the village's choice to name her Fifth Hokage, but instead of accepting the position, Tsunade mocks the title and those who held it only to die young. Enraged by this, Naruto fought her despite the difference in power they had. During the week of their bet, Naruto learnt from Shizune of the tragic loss of two lives precious to her: the death of her little brother Nawaki and her love Dan Kato, Shizune's late uncle. War casualties of the Second Great Ninja War and after failing to save Dan's life and her hands covered in his blood, caused Tsunade to develop hemophobia. Upon learning this, motivated Naruto into continuing with his training for his dream, just like Nawaki's and Dan's, is to become Hokage. (The narrator continues.)
(Scene shows a week later and Tsunade meeting the arriving Orochimaru at the same spot they met last time. Tsunade was an inch away to "heal" Orochimaru until a kunai was thrown, causing both Sannin to back away from each other. Having a change of heart, Tsunade commences to fight Orochimaru and Kabuto. A blooded Tsunade was assaulted by Kabuto when her hemophobia kicked in, only for a punch to be blocked by an enraged Naruto. Naruto grabbing Kabuto's kunai and then using a Shadow Clone to complete and launched his Rasengan at him. Next scene shows after another throwdown, Tsunade knock out Naruto's headband and kissed his forehead.)
Narrator: On the day of their meeting, Tsunade "promised" to heal Orochimaru's arms in exchange for him to leave the Hidden leaf Village. However, knowing that such a promise was beyond Orochimaru's capacity to keep, Tsunade chose to face him in combat. Just as she was close to defeating Kabuto Yakushi, he used the one weakness to paralyze her in fear: blood. And just as Kabuto would force Tsunade into submission, Naruto came to her rescue, determine to protect her and to achieve his dream to become Hokage. Finding a way, Naruto finally mastered the Rasengan. Once the battle ended, Tsunade, having accepted her position as Fifth Hokage, gave her support to Naruto and his dream to become Hokage, with the determination to ensure he'll make it come true. (The narrator continues.)
(Next scenes show Naruto helping Idate Morino at the Land of Tea win the Todoroki Shrine Race after defeating the Leaf traitor turned Hidden Rain jonin Aoi Rokusho and the rift being on the verge to be made by Sasuke. Returning to the Leaf Village, Sasuke challenges Naruto to a fight, which result in a near collision between his Chidori and Naruto's Rasengan if wasn't for the intervention of Kakashi. Though Sasuke was pleased he pierce through a water tower, upon leaving, he was shocked to see the more powerful result of Naruto's Rasengan as it cracks open the other water tower's wide open, smashing his fist in frustration. Later at night, Sasuke thinking carefully of what he truly wanted, was ambushed and attacked by the Sound Ninja Four and afterwards, offer to escort him to Orochimaru in search for power. While Sasuke was alone, not wanting to leave the family he found in Team 7 but being remained of how he saw the fallen bodies of his clansmen, his mother and father's at the feet of his older brother Itachi and then of his recent encounter with him, Sasuke crushed the leaf in his hand determined for more power.)
Narrator: Seeing Naruto's growth surpassing his own, Sasuke, yearning for revenge on his older brother, chose to leave the Hidden Leaf Village and head to Orochimaru for more power. Learning this from Sakura, Naruto and a retrieval team led by Shikamaru, head off to save Sasuke. Upon finally reaching to Sasuke at the Final Valley, both friends, rivals fought a difficult and heartbreaking battle. And despite with all of his resolve, Naruto failed to bring Sasuke back as the Uchiha left into the darkness with the goal to kill his brother and avenge his clan. (The narrator continues.)
(Next scene shows Sasuke leaving in the middle of the night, knocking Sakura out conscious, much to his own dismay. And after each member of the Retrieval Team fought and defeated the Sound Ninja Four with the aid of the Sand Siblings, Naruto engages Sasuke in battle. Naruto, fighting to save his friend Sasuke from falling into the clutches of Orochimaru; and Sasuke fighting for his quest for vengeance, willing to sever any bond he has. During the climax of the battle, a first version One-Tailed Mode Naruto prepares a Demon Fox Rasengan while a Second State Curse Mark Sasuke prepares the Flapping Chidori. After a moment of silence, both Naruto and Sasuke charged toward each other and in the clash of their jutsu were engulf in a black orb before it exploded. In an ethereal space a young Naruto and Sasuke were close to perform the sign of reconciliation before everything was white out. Soon the scene shows a raining Final Valley, a weaken and emotionless Sasuke stared down on an unconscious Naruto before leaving. Kakashi picked up Naruto but arrive too late to stop Sasuke. Meanwhile, Sasuke enters into a forest, with shrouds of darkness covering the forest. With one last flash of his brother Itachi, Sasuke was determined to achieve power his own way, beginning his path of darkness. Soon after six months, Naruto finished his bowl of Ramen in Ichiraku Ramen with Iruka as Jiraiya come, Naruto left the ramen shop and begin their way to the village gates.)
Narrator: Six months later, after completing a lot of missions beyond his ninja rank, Naruto journeyed out of the village with Jiraiya to train for three years' time. Many of you believe that the Hokage is the sole leader of the Hidden Leaf Village, but that is only half of the truth. For where there are shadows, so too shines light. (The narrator continues.)
(The scene changes to a final battle during the First Great Ninja War against a horde of black masked evil spirits in a land, slaughtering ninja from the Great Nations.)
Narrator: 39 years ago, during the final days of the First Great Ninja War, in the Battle of Koshi, in the Land of Swamps… a horde of Rancors, masked beings of spirits born from the hatred in the hearts of the deceased humans. Seeking vengeance on the shinobi that cause their deaths as humans. The Leaf…. Sand, Cloud, Rock, Mist and the ninjas of the continent of Asuka couldn't slay off the dead, getting decimated at the hands of the Rancors. As if they were facing retribution for the bloodshed and suffering from this war, the ninjas, even when putting their differences aside, were no match for the Rancors, they resigned to their impending demise. (The narrator added in a grim tone.)
(Next, the scene shows a man with tan skin, long red hair and green eyes in a green shinobi armor, a white cape with red fire motifs and a word decorated in the back as "初代火照/FIRST HOTERU", black shirt and pants, green arm guards and ankle guards and green shinobi boots. The man not only created large tree branches from the ground but empowered them with spiritual energy and was radiating a cloak of green, illuminating chakra in the shape of a badger with ten tails.)
Narrator: At the moment of truth… a hero came to their aid. This man was Mokunaga Senju, son of the late First Hokage and the jinchuriki of a Ten-Tailed Badger made of vast, green chakra. (The narrator adds with a brave tone.)
(And by his side fighting and successful slaying the Rancors were six of his comrades from the Leaf and allies from the Great Nations side by side saving the ninjas struggling against the Rancors and eventually sealing off the rift that enables them to travel into the World of the Living. Then, the ninjas returned to their home villages in good terms. Mokunaga and the Leaf shinobi returned home in triumph and a new scene shows Mokunaga with a helmet similar to the Hokage hat while he is seen manipulating fire, wind, lightning, earth, water and with an element counterpart of air as his affinity.)
Narrator: Together with his allies from his village and the Great Nations, they stopped the Rancors' invasions, sealed off their doorway into the World of the Living and ended the Great Ninja War in peace. Mokunaga became the First Hoteru of the Hidden Leaf Village, the second leader equal in power and authority to the Hokage. As a master of all five chakra natures and one of the few jinchuriki with a Ten-Tailed Beast within him, Mokunaga challenged changes for the better of the whole villages, ventures into the world to aid those in need, and set rights to any discrimination amongst people. The Ten-Tailed jinchuriki are the only ones to never face ostracizations and discrimination from the villagers of their homelands due to the benevolence, guidance, protection and heroic deeds the Ten-Tailed Beasts and their previous jinchuriki have done over the generations. Mokunaga inspired the younger generation never lose hope of a better future and champions the ideals of his father and his own of co-existence and friendships with the other villages. He took to prepare for the upcoming age of peace many before him aim to achieve. But then… one night….
(The scene shows Mokunaga being carried off lifeless in a coffin with many Leaf villagers and shinobi shedding tears at the loss of their Hoteru, including a teenage Tsunade with her little brother Nawaki staring in confusion.)
Narrator: He just perished in battle and passed away. (Narrator exclaimed.)
(CLINK! CLANK! Multiple scenes show the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars come and go. And with no sight of the new jinchuriki of the Ten-Tailed Badger. Then, after stepping into office as Fifth Hokage, Tsunade found a secret compartment to revealing four bloodstained, orb-shaped gemstones glowing in green chakra containing four Tailed Beasts.)
Narrator: As two Great Ninja Wars came and ended, upon entering office as the Fifth Hokage, Mokunaga's daughter, Tsuande Senju found four stones glowing in green chakra and covered in the blood of her late love, lamenting on the future they could have, Tsunade silently wished that she could have a dream it would've been to have a family with Dan. And like the cycle of the tree leaves, the rise of a new jinchuriki of the Ten-Tailed Badger begins anew. (The narrator added.)
(The Tailed Stones, hearing Tsunade's hidden desire, glow brighter and with the genetic material, used it to enter into Tsunade's womb and began a process of a pregnancy before flash forward to a set of four newborn babies with red hair, blonde hair, silver hair and black hair. The red hair one with blue eyes grow into a 10-year-old boy now clothed with a gray kimono shirt, a blue obi, blue pants, blue wristbands, a black undershirt, and blue shoes. Along with carrying two katanas, a kind and happy smile creep its way into the eldest quadruplet's face as stare at the direction of the great Hoteru Monument Statues in the highlands of the village.)
Narrator: The newborn infant, along with his brothers, grew into a boy of 10 years, but possesses a kind heart with a sense of justice and selflessness and courage to make a difference. His name is Tsunaku Senju, the eldest son of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju and the late Dan Kato. And his dream to become the Hoteru for when the day comes that he, his brother and the other jinchuriki of the Leaf were to reveal themselves, they would make the Ninja World a better place of peace and that day begins now. (The narrator finished.)
[Ningoden Opening 1 – Air]
[Senju Clan Training Grounds, Hidden Leaf Village – Land of Fire] [October 21st, 1999]
(A day has passed since Naruto left the village with Jiraiya to train for three years. Life in the Leaf Village was the same as usual even in the afternoon except for a certain Hokage who wasn't in her office. That is because… in the highlands of the village, the Fifth Hokage Tsunade Senju, a beautiful woman seemingly in her 20s, with long blonde hair tied in long twin tails, light skin, brown eyes and with a blue diamond shaped mark on her forehead wearing a grass green haori with the kanji for gamble on the back inside a red circle, kimono-like gray sleeveless blouse, a dark bluish grey obi, matching pants, and open toed, strapped black sandals with high heels and red nail and toe polish. In the trees covered training grounds, a few candles were lift with one in her hand as she began her lesson.)
Tsunade Senju: Remember, to be a ninja, you must become one with the shadows. Stealth and invisibility are essential skills you need. Where there is darkness, so too is a light which reveals a ninja's presence. Now, can you extinguish this flame without revealing yourselves? My sons. (A calm and condiment Tsunade said.)
[Tsunade Senju / Fifth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village]
(Tsunade holds up the candle. STOMP. STOMP. STOMP. Tsunade looked at the direction at a would be attack as a boy wielding a bo staff, dashed and aim to grab the candle. Tsunade pulls the candle away with easy as the boy, revealed to have silver unruly hair, reddish brown eyes, light skin wearing kimono-like grey shirt, black long sleeve undershirt, purple wristbands, purple obi, purple pants, and matching shoes and a symbol of a fork shaped black tree branches on the back of his shirt, the Senju clan crest, grunts as he slams into a tree stump.)
Tsunade Senju: Too noisy, Tsunazuchi. (Tsunade stated.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (rubbing head) I didn't account for the echo in the area I'll work on that. (Tsunazuchi replied.)
[Tsunazuchi Senju / Third Son of the Fifth Hokage]
(Finding what he thought was an opening, another son, wielding a pair of nunchakus, rapidly jumped and charged to attack and Tsunade jumped and dodges him. This boy has black hair and baby blue eyes, light skin wearing a kimono-like gray shirt with the Senju Clan crest on the back, a black undershirt, orange wristbands, orange obi, orange pants, and matching shoes. He grunts hysterically as he slams into his brother Tsunazuchi.)
Tsunade Senju: Too clumsy, Tsunamizu. (Tsunade add, though with a little amusing tone.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (chuckles lightly) I thought the best element of surprise would work once I saw that opening you keep saying. Guess it didn't. (A chill Tsunamizu said.)
[Tsunamizu Senju / Fourth Son of the Fifth Hokage]
(Tsunade ducks as the second oldest of her sons, wielding a pair of sai, leaps over her. Bounding to a stop, this son of hers, with blonde hair like hers and green eyes like his late father's, light skin, wearing a gray kimono style shirt with the Senju Clan crest on the back, a black sleeveless t-shirt, red wristbands, red obi, red pants and matching shoes. Tsunaga, turns and sees his mother Tsunade risen to take several steps back. Tsunaga rushes his mother who drops to her knees, but trips Tsunaga using her monstrous strength, strike a Taijutsu hand palm that forced Tsunaga to slide into his two brothers.)
Tsunaga Senju [Grunts painfully]
(Tsunade stands up with the candle still in her hand and facing her three sons.)
Tsunade Senju: Poor choice, Tsunaga. (Tsunade stated.)
Tsunaga Senju: (inhaling and exhaling normally) One of these days, mother of mine, I will surpass that might of yours. (Tsunaga declared.)
[Tsunaga Senju / Second Son of the Fifth Hokage]
(Tsunade shakes her head in amusement before she got serious for her remaining son, Tsunaku. Above Tsunade's head, Tsunaku, with a pair of katanas, clings to the tree branches and jumps down, swinging his swords. Tsunaku slices the candle in half and catches the top part on his katana and evades Tsunade's barrage. Tsunaku blows out the candle. Tsunaku with his red hair, blue eyes and fair skin, wearing his kimono style gray shirt with the Senju Clan crest on the back, black undershirt, blue wristbands, a blue obi, blue pants, and blue shoes.)
Tsunaku Senju: Mission accomplished. (Tsunaku said confidently before he made a big smile.)
[Tsunaku Senju / First Son of the Fifth Hokage]
(Tsunade turns on the bon lights in the training grounds. Tsunade has a proud smile.)
Tsunade Senju: Well done, Tsunaku. (Tsunade expressed.)
Tsunaga Senju: Teacher's pet. (Tsunaga exclaimed bitterly.)
(Tsunaku rolled his eyes at Tsunaga's act.)
Tsunaku Senju: Ninja beast. (Tsunaku replied back.)
Tsunazuchi & Tsunamizu: Oooooooo! (they expressed simultaneously.)
(This cause Tsunaga to growl and get up to get ready for a fight Tsunaku. Thankfully stop a fight from happening.)
Tsunade Senju: My sons. (Tsunade said.)
(One by one, Tsunaku, Tsunaga, Tsunazuchi and Tsunamizu all kneel in front of their mother and coming in search of her was Shizune, a jonin-level medical ninja and her aide/student with Tonton, Tsunade's ninja pig. Shizune and Tonton paused as she saw another teaching lecture Tsunade is giving her sons.)
Tsunade Senju: Tsunade Senju: Tsunaku, Tsunaga, Tsunazuchi, Tsunamizu. If you are going to become ninja, you must work hard. Your path in life will not be an easy one. Being born jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast of green chakra. The villagers and anyone in the world would never understand so easily. That's why you should never let their words pierce into your hearts. To survive in this world of ninja, you must master the skills I am teaching you. Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu, Our clan are masters in the three main types of Jutsu. You must also learn Reijutsu, the Spirit Arts. In the events that a powerful enemy may come to destroy the Leaf Village. (Tsunade said all of that.)
(The Senju brothers nodded.)
Tsunaga Senju: I understand too, mother. Though, if we were sparring, I have without a doubt… that I'd win. (A cocky Tsunaga brags.)
(Tsunade pinches Tsunaga's eye, much to his screaming dismay.)
Tsunaga Senju: But more importantly to never give up, trust our comrades, and be humbled and disciplined in battle. Ah! (Tsunaga said.)
(Tsunade let go of her son's ear. Tsunade smirked with a bit of chuckles.)
[Senju Manor, Hidden Leaf Village – Land of Fire]
(Back home in their manor on the highlands, the family seated in the dining room. Despite the years of being the greatest medical ninja in the world, Tsunade's cooking skills were still mediocre at best. Much to the deadpan expression of Tsunaga, Tsunazuchi and Tsunaku. Thankfully with Tsunamizu's cooking skills outclassing his mother's, The Senju family was enjoying their meal together great. Despite Tsunade's busy schedule as Hokage, she finds the time and make it so she could spend it with her sons. Tsunaku was quietly enjoying his karaage)
Tsunazuchi Senju: I gotta admit, Tsunamizu might be a little slow on the brain department, but he does make a good dish like this. Such as this rice with sashimi. (Tsunazuchi said as he took another bite of sashimi.)
Shizune: I agree with you Tsunazuchi. This brown rice is the best. Especially how warm and slightly crispy it is. With my supervision of course…
(A hysterical looking Tsunaga slams his hands on the table comedically.)
Tsunaga Senju: Hey! No nerd talking while I'm taking my sweet time with this oyakodon! (A dramatic Tsunaga barked.)
(Another fun fact that appearance as well, Tsunaga inherited Tsunade's ill temper the most. Tsunaga is a male splitting image of Tsunade when she was his age.)
Tsunade Senju: Manners, Tsunaga. Use your inside voice. (Tsunade scolded calmly while enjoying the home cooked meal.)
(Still, Tsunade opened one of her eyes and smiled at the sight of her family of her sons, Shizune and Tonton there. Ever since Tsunade became a mother, she stops sneaking out to gambling halls and doesn't drink sake, especially in front of her. If anything, this helped motivated Tsunade to be better in taking responsibilities as Hokage since she finally has children of her own. DING. Tsunamizu noticed this.)
Tsunamizu Senju: That must be the cake. (Tsunamizu exclaim as he heads off to the kitchen.)
(The rest of the family wait patiently as Tsunamizu was bringing out frostings and utensils. Tsunade turns to Shizune.)
Tsunade Senju: I'm still amazed and impressed that Tsunamizu can bake and all but there's no way I'm letting him get the utensils by himself. Shizune, mind helping Tsunamizu? (Tsunade said.)
(Shizune sighed calmly but smiled as she gets up.)
Shizune: I know, my lady. Hold on Tsunamizu. (Shizune said.)
[Shizune / Medical Ninja & Aide to the Fifth Hokage]
(After finishing, Tsunamizu, with Shizune carrying the one-layer chocolate cake with white frosting with green frosting accent and with a title saying Happy Half Birthday.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Happy Half a Birthday, everyone! (Tsunamizu cheers.)
(Each member of the family carves a piece of cake, each taking a bite of the delicious cake Tsunamizu baked, even Tsunade. While Tsunamizu is a delicate, fun-loving child, but his kind, friendly and compassionate heart can touch the hearts of others and give warmth, hope and joy in their hearts too.)
Tsunaku Senju: I gotta admit, this is good, brother. (Tsunaku said.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Especially the green frostings. (Tsunazuchi added.)
Tsunaga Senju: Yeah. What's it made out of it. (Tsunaga asked while trying another bite as it the frosting also taste a bit healthy too.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Just some berries and green veggies is all. Still, Happy Half a Birthday! (Tsunamizu said, repeating his cheer.)
Tsunaku, Tsunaga and Tsunazuchi: HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY! (All three brothers cheered, joining the fourth brother.)
(Tsunade, Shizune and Tonton smiles at this.)
Tsunade Senju: Ah, yes. It's been six months today, since the day I brought you into the world and we become the unlikely, but loving family. (Tsunade stated, reminiscing the event of her sons' birth.)
(An excited Tsunamizu pops up before his mother.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Tell us the story of our origin, mom! (Tsunamizu asked with sparkles in his eyes in excitement.)
Tsunade Senju: (chuckles lightly) Tsunamizu, I've already told you and your brothers the story many times by now…
(Not giving up, Tsunamizu brought out the "big guns" making big pupils big and held his hands together, much to Tsunade's struggling resistance.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Please! PLEEASSEE! (Tsunamizu pleaded.)
(The puppy dog eyes were so effective, Tsunaku, Tsunaga and Tsunazuchi were doing their best to resist it by blocking their view of Tsunamizu. Unfortunately, Shizune and Tonton felt for the effect of Tsunamizu's puppy dog eyes. Having enough, Tsunaga mustered the strength to cover Tsunamizu's mouth.)
Tsunaga Senju: Please! Just tell us the story of our birth. It's the only way to shut Tsunamizu up (An annoyed Tsunaga asked.)
Tsunade Senju: (sighed calmly) Very well.
[Flashback starts]
(It was the day after her Hokage Inauguration Day. Tsunade was inside the Hokage Office looking after the paperwork for a while until she looked at her window view to see a couple of families passing by the day.)
Tsunade Senju (Off-Screen): I was going by the boring downsides of being Hokage. Paperwork. And during that time, I saw different kinds of families going about their days. As the days passed by, and seeing the smiles from mothers and fathers to their sons and daughters. Some large, some small but they were happy with each other. As the time of the day passed by, I felt sadden by how I didn't have a one of my own as well. (Tsunade said.)
(A sadden Tsunade shook her head to stop thinking negatively. She didn't see the drawer she opened by accident and slammed it, causing a green glow to appear. Surprised, Tsunade inspects it and saw the wooden cover and removed it, finding four green glowing gemstones. Tsunade holds the gemstones in her hands, examining them.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): What are these? (Tsunade wondered.)
(The gems had dried blood on them. And the fact that Tsunade trembles a bit, made her realize the blood belongs to Dan, her late love.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Dan… How I wish I've saved you. You would've been a greater Hokage than me. How I wish…. I wish I could've had a family with you. (A solemn Tsunade expressed as a single tear drop on a gem.)
(The gemstones began to blow brighter. The dried blood was engulfed in by green chakra much to Tsunade's confusion.)
Tsunade Senju (Off-Screen): The Tailed Beasts within the four Sacred Seals must've heard my wish and using the genetic material from your father's dry blood, the seals were released and implant your father's "seeds" into my womb….
(The four Tailed Beasts, in the form of a Ten-Tailed Badger, a Nine-Tailed Wolf, an Eight-Tailed Mole and a Seven-Tailed Otter entered into Tsunade's body, more specifically into her womb as four fertilizing eggs were made and inside them were embryos developing inside Tsunade's pregnant womb into babies with seals on them. The scene shows a safehouse with a few Anbu guarding outside and a few Medical Ninja including Shizune having finished delivered the crying quadruplet baby boys.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): It was a confusing blessing to see a woman my age pregnant with child, let alone four babies growing inside of me and in ten weeks no less. It was the most hard and painful experience in my life because over two hours, you four were born. (Tsunade said with joy in her voice.)
(Tsunade, exhausted and panting, tearfully smiles at the sight of her four newborn sons. Each baby, opening their eyes were staring at the mother who gave them life and smiles innocently at her.)
Tsunamizu Senju (off-screen): That was us! (Tsunamizu added.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): Yes, now don't interrupt! (Tsunade replied.)
(The day after tomorrow, Tsunade and Shizune brought the babies to her old home, the Senju Manor in the highlands above the main village settlement where other powerful clans reside and plentiful trees and open spaces. One case was when the Senju infants were hungry, Tsunade felt a sudden surge and breastfed them one by one, lactating breast milk. Balancing using Shadow Clones to handle the paperwork and taking care and spending time with them, sometimes allowing Shizune and a few ninjas they trusted to look over them. Even Tonton was thrilled and happy around the suddenly brighter babies.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): The first three weeks were a challenge, but I would do it again for you boys. But with the fourth week came, that's when you began to grow….
(Four weeks later, returning home late, an excited Tsunade and Shizune were in for the shock of. Their lives when they gasped at the sight of the boys, no longer as newborn infants, now as 3-year-olds staring at their confused mother.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): Literally. It seems the Jinchuriki Fertility process had a different effect on you. With your father long departed from this world, the Jinchuriki Fertility was aging you four into the physical age of ten for nearly three months. (Tsunade said.)
Tsunazuchi Senju (off-screen): 70 days to be exact. (Tsunazuchi stated.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): (chuckles deviously) Hey, who's telling the story here. (Tsunade retorted amusingly.)
(Tsunade felt the warmth hugs from her now three-year-old sons. The next night, Tsunade was walking through the woods in the highlands with her fast learning and now walking sons following her.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): You were capable of following me everywhere. Except to the heartlands of the village. I knew the villagers wouldn't understand your situation, let alone would take kindly by the fact you were born Jinchuriki. Unlike most children, you four are unique and were growing at a rapid pace but catch on pretty quick. (Tsunade said impressed.)
(Tsunade, noticed upon climbing over a large tree root, Tsunaku jumped over it with ease while a smiling Tsunamizu unknowingly used the Tree Climbing Jutsu with perfect chakra control. A tree branch was torn off by an acorn thrown at by Tsunaga. And Tsunazuchi stopped Tsunamizu from touching a poisonous plant at its roots.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): You four were developing Ninjutsu and intellect at a rapidity, I was not prepared what came next? (Tsunade said.)
(Tsunaku paused and his brothers followed suit. Tsunade stopped. Tsunaku looked at his mother with a big smile.)
Tsunaku Senju (flashback): Ma-ma? (A 3-year-old Tsunaku said for the very first time.)
(Tsunade paused in surprise. She turns and cries tears of joy at the development of her son and seeing the smiling faces of Tsunaga, Tsunazuchi and Tsunamizu, she got her answer. At the highland town settlement, the Senju brothers were shy and curious of a certain establishment, a pizza shop by the name of Chiara Pizza. Once the boys were five years old, Tsunade ordered a takeout and they were enthusiastic at getting to eat their favorite food from Chiara Pizza.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): Soon all of you began to talk and develop your own individuality. (Tsunade said.)
(Pepperoni pizza was warm and looked delicious.)
Tsunaku Senju (flashback): Awesome! (Tsunaku exclaims.)
Tsunaga Senju (flashback): Mine! (Tsunaga dared while pushing Tsunaku away from getting the first slash.)
(Tsunazuchi leaps on top of Tsunaga.)
Tsunaga Senju (flashback): Hey! (Tsunaga grunts.)
Tsunazuchi Senju (flashback): (laughing joyfully): Pizza dude. (Tsunazuchi added.)
(Tsunamizu extends his arms in the air.)
Tsunamizu Senju (flashback): Ride the Wave! (Tsunamizu declared.)
(The Senju brothers grabbed their slices and began to eat and enjoy the delicious pizza slices wholeheartedly. Scene zooms to a smiling Tsunade enjoying the time she is spending with her sons before it changes to one of her being smiling while on her knees observing and training them in the ninja arts. It flashforwards of the Senju brothers developing their skills and abilities.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): Realizing that the outside world is sometimes a dangerous place to live, I began teaching you Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu and the fighting styles of our clan, the Senju. And all I knew of this world. (Tsunade said.)
(Tsunade gave them each their signature weapons, for Tsunaku a pair of katanas, for Tsunaga a pair of sais, for Tsunazuchi a bo staff and for Tsunamizu a pair of nunchakus. Showcasing of Tsunaku's prodigious talents in the ninja arts and bravery, Tsunaga's raw strength, technique and tactical mind in battle, Tsunazuchi's intelligence by his love of books and brilliant mind and inventions and Tsunamizu's adaptability and evasiveness. Soon with the brothers sparring with each other and occasionally with their mother.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): From the old book given me by your father titled Four Elements from the continent of Yayoi, I give you your names. (Tsunade added with pride.)
(A sigil of the kanji "气" for air appears next to Tsunaku Senju after he performed a Jutsu with his katanas with streams of air flowing from his chakra.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): Tsunaku.
(A sigil of the kanji "火" for fire appears next to Tsunaga Senju after he performed a Jutsu with his sais with his fists bursting with fire from his chakra.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): Tsunaga.
(A sigil of the kanji "土" for earth appears next to Tsunazuchi after he performed a Jutsu with his bo staff and after thrusting the bo to the ground, a quake of earth was released,)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): Tsunazuchi.
(And a sigil of the kanji "水" for water appears next to Tsunamizu Senju after he performed a Jutsu with his nunchakus and splashes out torrents of running water at opposite direction, before hitting his own head with a nunchaku and smiling proudly.)
Tsunade Senju (off-screen): Tsunamizu.
(Soon time passes and once the 70th day came, the boys finally reach the age of 10 and were practicing in stances while admitting at a location with four statues of previous Hoteru.)
[Flashback ends]
(Tsunade shows her son the Sacred Seals, colorless and devoid of Tailed Beasts that were used for their conception.)
Tsunade Senju: It was thanks to these Sacred Seals that you were born to me and the beginning of our lives together. You're helping me become a better Hokage than I doubt I would be. (Tsunade finished.)
(Tsunamizu hugs his mother affectionally.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Aww, thanks mom. (Tsunamizu said lovingly.)
(Tsunade smiles touch by this show of affection. Afterwards, Tsunamizu rejoins his brothers' side as Tsunaku took over.)
Tsunaku Senju: So, mother, now that we have the basic and intermediate skills as shinobi our ages, I think we're finally ready to go out of the house and explore the village in both the highland and mainland, don't you think? (Tsunaku asked.)
Tsunade Senju: Yes…
(The Senju brothers all cheer in excitement until…)
Tsunade Senju: And no. (Tsunade answered.)
(Much to their dismay, all Senju brothers were disappointed by this.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Oh, come on. (Tsunamizu whined.)
Tsunaga Senju: I hate when she does that. (Tsunaga complained.)
Tsunade Senju: You have grown powerful but you are still young. You lack the maturity to use your skills wisely. (Tsunade replied.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: So, mother isn't that just no. (Tsunazuchi answered.)
Tsunade Senju: Yes… and no. Wisdom comes from experience and experience comes from making mistakes. It must be earned. (Tsunade added.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Aha! So in order to gain wisdom, we have to make the mistakes, so we can go. (A thrilled Tsunazuchi answered.)
Tsunade Senju: (frowns) No. (Tsunade stated.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: And yes? (A confused Tsunazuchi asked.)
Tsunade Senju: No! (Tsunade repeats her answer firmly.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Oh… (Tsunazuchi mustered.)
Tsunaku Senju: Mother, we know you're only trying to protect us, but…. We can't spend our whole lives hiding from the world. Not when it needs saving and good people to bring that change. (Tsunaku pleads.)
(Tsunade looked at her sons' frown, hoping they would be given permission to leave the house and explore the village.)
Tsunade Senju: (sighed) Okay. You can go tonight. (Tsunade said.)
(The Senju brothers cheer victorious and high fived each other. Tsunaku, Tsunaga, Tsunazuchi and Tsunamizu finished their preparation as they saw Tsunade and Shizune with Tonton.)
Shizune: (smiles) Getting excited for your first time into town? (Shizune asked.)
Tsunaku Senju: Of course. (Tsunaku said pleasantly.)
Tsunaga Senju: Are you kidding, this is gonna be the best. (Tsunaga added.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: This is quite the development we're about to venture into. (Tsunazuchi analyzed.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Rest assure, Zune, Tonton, we are gonna show the village our absolute best behavior and all the awesomeness we have in us. (A smiling Tsunamizu said.)
(Somehow, this made a sheepish Shizune have a sweat drop.)
Shizune: (laughs nervously) (Tsunaku, Tsunaga and Tsunazuchi aside, why do I feel like panicking when Tsunamizu say that. He's a good boy but he is a bit eccentric and absent minded.) (Shizune thought.)
Tsunade Senju: You are going to a strange and complicated world within the village compared to the hostile world outside the gates. You must maintain awareness at all times. (A serious Tsunade said.)
Senju Brothers: Yes mother! (They answered respectfully.)
Tsunade Senju: Stay in the shadows unless necessary. (Tsunade added.)
Senju Brothers: Yes mother! (They repeatedly their answered.)
Tsunade Senju: Don't talk to strangers (She said quickly.)
Senju Brothers: Yes mother! (They said, but slowly starting to lose their patience.)
Tsunade Senju: Make sure you go to the bathroom before you leave. The public restrooms are sometimes filthy over there. (Tsunade added stubbornly.)
Senju Brothers: MOM! (They shouted hysterically.)
Shizune: I'm pretty sure, they're responsible enough to follow those rules, my lady. (Shizune assures.)
Tonton: (oinks positively)
Tsunade Senju: (sighs calmly) Good luck, my sons. (Tsunade exclaimed.)
(Smiling at this, the Senju brothers left the house for the first time on their own. Tsunade shook her head playfully. While the Hokage in her knew they would handle themselves, the overprotective mother in her can't help herself from worrying over her sons, her babies.)
Tsunade Senju: Alright, Shizune. Let's head to the Hokage Office. (Tsunade said.)
Shizune: My lady? (Shizune said confusedly.)
Tsunade Senju: It's the discussion on choosing the next Hoteru since the Fourth Hoteru fell during the Uchiha Clan Downfall. (Tsunade answered.)
(Shizune gasped briefly before nodding in agreement.)
[Highland, Hidden Leaf Village – Land of Fire]
(The Senju brothers were jumping and dashing through the trees, enjoying their first taste of freedom. They all laugh in excitement.)
Tsunaga Senju: This is great! (Tsunaga said.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: I know! We're finally outside the house. Travelling on our own around the village. (Tsunazuchi added.)
Tsunaku Senju: Assuming we are getting near the sight of civilization. (Tsunaku wondered.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Wait! We're not in the Leaf Village. I thought for sure we were born and raised in the Leaf Village. (Tsunamizu exclaimed obliviously, much to his brothers' groans.)
Tsunaku Senju: Tsunamizu, we are born and raised from here in the Crest District. Our clan property is located in the highland of the village, which is above the heartland of the Hidden Leaf Village. (Tsunaku explains.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: He's right. In fact, by my estimations, we should be reaching Hoteru District in proximity 2.5 minutes. (Tsunazuchi added.)
[Center Plaza, Hidden Leaf Village – Land of Fire]
(True to Tsunazuchi's word, they arrive at the Hoteru District, at center plaza. The central hub of the highlands where a statue with clan symbols were engraved in, including the Senju Clan, Uchiha Clan and various more, diplomatic residences, meeting hall, a red roof colored castle with the kanji for fire engraved in a circle in the front and a monument of four shinobi that were previous Hoteru, including the First Hoteru on the far left, followed two men and a woman. Tsunaku quietly stared at the statue of the First Hoteru. Tsunamizu noticed this followed by Tsunaga and Tsunazuchi.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Something wrong with Tsunaku? (Tsunamizu asked.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: No surprise, considering that man was mom's dad, our grandfather. (Tsunazuchi answered.)
Tsunaga Senju: (eyes widen)
Tsunamizu Senju: (gasps) Whoa, that's grandpa Mokunaga? As in the man who started the title of Hoteru? Which is confusing because I though the Hokage was the only leader of the village. (Tsunamizu said confusedly.)
(Tsunazuchi was gonna explain what the Hoteru until…)
Tsunaku Senju: The Hokage is the leader that protects the village from inside it. The Hoteru is the leader that protects the village by venturing into the outside. Next to the Hokage, the Hoteru is the mightiest ninja in the whole village, the bridge between the Leaf Village and the world outside. It was created after the end of the First Great Ninja War by grandfather Mokunaga, the shinobi who ended the war peacefully. Each Hoteru is a symbol of courage and inspiration for all Leaf shinobi to follow. The only one who is equal to the Hokage in power and authority. And with such great power, one must use it for the greater good. (Tsunaku said all of that in admiration.)
Tsunaga Senju: (chuckles) "All for the greater good." Jeez, you know how corny that line sounds like? (Tsunaga said while laughing.)
Tsunaku Senju: (not bothered) Maybe, but nevertheless, that has been my dream since the stories we heard from mother. To be Hoteru, that is my dream. (Tsunaku admits.)
(Tsunaku gasped and looked both ways, much to his brothers' confusion.)
Tsunaku Senju: (sighed) Thank goodness, mom isn't here. (Tsunaku said.)
Tsunamizu Senju: What, you're scared of mom? But mom doesn't get mad at you. (Tsunamizu wondered.)
Tsunaga Senju: (snickers) Oh this I gotta hear? (Tsunaga said interested.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: You know we haven't decided on what we want to achieve in the future. But you have one and yet you're afraid of mom finding out about it because…. (realizes) Oh now I know. (Tsunazuchi realized.)
Tsunaga Senju: (narrow glance) That's right, our dad and uncle Nawaki were aiming to become Hokage and they died the day after they receive that old necklace our ancestor the First Hokage made. (Tsunaga said, bitter at the part of his father.)
Tsunaku Senju: Mom lost a lot of precious people because of unfortunate circumstances. Not just uncle Nawaki and father, but grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great uncle and the Third Hokage, of course. If mom ever learnt of my dream of becoming Hoteru, she would make me stay hidden in the house out of fear that something will kill me… And that would also cause you three to stay hidden in confinement as well. (Tsunaku said solemnly, but with care.)
(Tsunazuchi, Tsunamizu and even Tsunaga were touched and somber. Despite how serious and obedient he was in their lessons, Tsunaku still cares and loves his family wholeheartedly. Never wants to cause any trouble for them. They saw Tsunaku in a whole new light that reminds them of their mother; being a protector of dreams, not it's destroyer. Noticing the presence of incoming bystanders, the Senju brothers conceal themselves. The bystanders were a couple enjoying the time of their lives.)
[Harmony District, Hidden Leaf Village – Land of Fire]
(The Senju brothers were hiding on top of a building. They were enjoying the night sky.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Guys, look. (Tsunazuchi shouted.)
(The rest of the brothers turn their attention to where Tsunazuchi was standing and staring at; a black hair man with brown eyes with a flower-like crest on the back of his haori and a kimono holding an ice cream cone and using his remaining hand holding hands with his daughter, a 9-year-old girl with long black hair, black eyes and light skin, wearing a black sleeveless kimono, a blue obi, long black leggings and gray shoes. This girl was a natural beauty by kids her age. A lovestruck Tsunazuchi seem to agree with it.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: She's the most beautiful girl I've ever lay eyes on. (A dopey smiling Tsunazuchi stated.)
Tsunaga Senju: She's the only girl you've ever lay eyes on. (A deadpan Tsunaga remarked.)
(This didn't faze Tsunazuchi as he admires the girl close to his age, physically, seeing her laugh at her father's jokes and enjoying ice cream. However, that even when they were ambushed by a dozen black clad ninja unaffiliated with any village.)
Tsunaku Senju: What's happening? (A concern Tsunaku said.)
(The father was defending his scared daughter as the only ninja that didn't look like the rest, was a man in his 40s with long gray hair, a goatee, gray eyes and tan skin wearing a black kimono with beige robes and pants, black boots, white fingerless gloves, a purple strapped bag with two white fluffy balls on each side of the strap. This is the infamous thief, Gosunkugi from the Land of Stone.)
Tsunaga Senju: (recognizing) Wait isn't that clown, the notorious thief Gosunkugi? (Tsunaga guessed.)
Tsunaku Senju: From the Land of Stone. Alias, The Nail, infamous for killing anyone that stood in his way of what he wants to steal. (nods) Yep. On one occasion, he murdered a family of three and left the blame on an innocent blacksmith until five months ago, that blacksmith turned bounty hunter was cleared of all charged once Gosunkugi was captured and confessed his crimes. Admittedly it intertwines with a mission to recover an item that the daimyo of the Land of Tea gave the village which resulted in failure. (Tsunaku explained all of that.)
Tsunaga Senju: Now how could you possibly know all of that unless… (realizing) No way, have you been secretly reading past mission reports at the Hokage Office behind mom's back? (a smirking Tsunaga asked.)
(Tsunaku struggled to fine the right words but to no avail.)
Tsunaku Senju: Well…. Technically yes, I did. But as the rest of these ninja, I haven't the faintest clue of who they are or their uncommon energy presence? (Tsunaku admits.)
(Enraged at the sight of Gosunkugi knocking out the man into unconsciousness, and the girl being held by an enemy ninja, Tsunazuchi grips his fist as he brought out his bo staff.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: I don't know how this petty thief broke loose and I don't care. He and cohorts are harming that girl and her father. I can't stand here and let this go on. (Tsunazuchi exclaims.)
Tsunaku Senju: No, Tsunazuchi! We're supposed to stick to the shadows. We don't know what we're dealing with. (Tsunaku stated.)
Tsunaga Senju: Since when do heroes need permission to do the right thing. (brought out sais) I say we go down there in and teach them a lesson. (Tsunaga suggested.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Ah, guys? (Tsunamizu said.)
Tsunaku Senju: We can't risk testing our skills on a real battle. (Tsunaku argued.)
Tsunaga Senju: Why not!? (Tsunaga argued back.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Guys. (Tsunamizu said.)
Tsunaku Senju: We don't know if it might trigger our Tailed Beast Chakra to act up. For all we know, we could lose control and go berserk. (Tsunaku counters.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Guys! (An annoyed Tsunamizu said.)
Tsunaga Senju: So what? We're just gonna let innocent people get kidnapped by a band of bandits and Rogue Ninjas! (Tsunaga barked.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (having enough) GUYS! Tsunamizu has gone down after them. (Tsunamizu speak out.)
(Tsunaku and Tsunaga bulged their eyes out as they turn seeing the event occurring. Gosunkugi was carrying the unconscious man in his arm.)
Gosunkugi: I'll take him back to the rendezvous point. (Gosunkugi stated.)
(The girl grunts as she struggles to broke free from one of the black clad ninja's holds.)
Black-Clad Ninja: What shall we do with this child? (One of them said in a distorted voice.)
Gosunkugi: If she continues to resist, don't hesitate to dispose of her. (Gosunkugi said as he left.)
(The girl looked a bit shocked as the enemy ninja were surrounding her until…. CRACK! A hand pop out from the ground and grabbed the ankle of the enemy ninja who was restraining the girl. The enemy ninja was dragged down inside the earth, leaving only his head above the surface and freeing the girl.)
Black-Clad Ninja #2: What is going on? (Another ninja said.)
(five more enemy ninja were dragged into the earth with only their heads on the surface. Somehow, one of the black clad ninjas charged up an energy sphere from the tip of his finger and fires it at a tunneling Tsunazuchi. Luckily the Tsunazuchi who got hit was a Mud Clone. The real Tsunazuchi grabs the ankles at the black clad ninja with both hands.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!
(Tsunazuchi drags this ninja into the earth, leaving only his head on the surface. Tsunazuchi resurfaces out and carries the screaming girl on his back.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Hang on. (Tsunazuchi said to reassure her.)
(The girl stops screaming and saw she was holding on a boy close her age as he holds on tightly. The black clad ninjas trapped beneath the ground, were starting to break out.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (hand signs: Dragon → Snake → Fist at the Ground) Earth Style: Earth Wave Jutsu! (Tsunazuchi said.)
(Tsunazuchi's Earth Wave Jutsu unleashed a seismic wave that caused the enemy ninja to be inflicted with damage and force the other half were force down into the ground, hit by the impact of the Earth Wave. The girl was speechless that Tsunazuchi had used two Earth Style jutsu with ease and a considerable amount of Chakra. Soon, the enemy ninjas got freed and ready to engage in battle. The rest of the Senju brothers brought out their weapons.)
Tsunaku Senju: Looks like it's our fight now. (Tsunaku stated.)
Tsunaga Senju: Now you're talking. (Tsunaga expressed excitedly.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Yes, the Super Senju Bros. to the rescue! (Tsunamizu added, much to the hilarious looking, mad Tsunaku and Tsunaga's dismay.)
Tsunaku & Tsunaga: We're not calling ourselves that! (They yelled in agreement.)
(Tsunaku clashes with a sword wielding enemy, Tsunaga punched the lights out of his opponent and Tsunamizu delivers several blows to his opponent. After getting the girl to safety, Tsunazuchi turns to see her frighten look.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Sorry you had to go through this, but I'm one of the good guys and so are my brothers over there. (Tsunazuchi said with small smile.)
(The girl stops shaking and realize he was right. The girl saw the other brothers fighting against her dad's kidnappers.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: I'm Tsunazuchi, Tsunazuchi Senju. (Tsunazuchi greets.)
(Strangely enough, this girl felt relax and assure that she could try these four strangers than the black clad ninjas.)
Naomi Uchiha: I'm Naomi, Naomi Uchiha. (Naomi replied with a smile.)
[Naomi Uchiha / Uchiha Clan Survivor]
(Soon, Tsunazuchi rejoins his brothers in the battle. Tsunazuchi hits two enemy ninjas repeatedly but are barely getting weak from it.)
Tsunaga Senju: Tsunazuchi! Move! (Tsunaga yelled.)
(Tsunazuchi turn his head and saw his brother Tsunaga cast hand signs.)
Tsunaga Senju: (hand signs: Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger) Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu! (Tsunaga chants as he blew a powerful ball of flames.)
(Tsunazuchi dodges the Fireball Jutsu while the three enemies didn't and were caught in the burning fireball. BOOM! Tsunazuchi reappears after the Jutsu was done.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: It seems you finally mastered the Fireball Jutsu, Tsunaga. That was so intense. (A shocked Tsunazuchi said, after seeing the crater made from said jutsu.)
Tsunaga Senju: (smiles proudly) Thanks, I practice. (Tsunaga said proudly, as if he got a compliment.)
(However, they saw three silhouettes coming out of the smoke. It was the same three enemies battered but not severely burnt or disfigured except their eyes were glowing red. A flabbergasted Tsunazuchi and Tsunaga were shocked.)
Tsunaga Senju: You gotta be kidding me!? (Tsunaga exclaims.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: It defies a lot of logics behind this. No ordinary human could survive that unscathed. Tsunaku looked serious upon staring them in the eyes. Tsunaku concentrates, channeling his Chakra and gathering more spiritual energy. Tsunaku's katanas are enhanced with his Wind Style nature as he evades several enemy attacks. Tsunaku's eyes reopen with a glint of light in them.)
Tsunaku Senju: Wind Style: Whirlwind Dash! (Tsunaku chants as he instantaneously charged and hack and slash three enemies.)
(The enemy ninja roars heinously as some type of rapid pressure appeared.)
Tsunaku Senju: (hand signs: Bird → Ram → Horse → Bird → Hare) Air Style: Air Cannon Jutsu! (Tsunaku chants as he inhales.)
(Tsunaku exhales a powerful stream of Air Style chakra empowered by spiritual energy at six enemies. The enemies scream painfully, finally getting inflicted.)
Tsunaku Senju: (Just as I suspected.) (Tsunaku thought.)
(Tsunamizu throws in a few kicks at one enemy and struck a couple of nunchaku hits at two more. And yet, the enemy ninjas got back up while the six were slightly injured by Tsunaku's jutsu. All Senju brothers pants slightly.)
Tsunaku Senju: (Such stamina.) (Tsunaku anticipated.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (This is insane. How are these ninjas still able to keep fighting despite how many Jutsu we throw at them. Most of them were C-Rank and B-Rank level and they are still standing!?) (Tsunazuchi wondered.)
Tsunaga Senju: (growls frustratedly) (Damn! Why is it so hard to take down a bunch of nameless ninjas!? Are they even human?) (Tsunaga added.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (curious) (I sure hope when this battle is gonna make it big when we win it. It'll be epic.) (Tsunamizu dreamt.)
(Tsunamizu noticed Naomi entered an alley while an enemy ninja chases after her. Tsunamizu runs off after them.)
Tsunaku Senju: Tsunamizu! (Tsunaku mustered.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Don't worry. I spot one of them going after Tsunazuchi's girlfriend. (Tsunamizu yelled.)
(The three Senju brothers nods understanding but paused upon hearing the last word.)
Tsunaku Senju: Wait! Girlfriend? (Tsunaku asked confused.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (blushing madly) T-technically we just met. I mean, I hope, maybe after getting to know each other, we might become a couple. (Tsunazuchi said shyly.)
Tsunaga Senju: (scoffs) In your dreams. (Tsunaga remarked.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (cartoonish rage) You're one to talk you hot-
(Tsunazuchi didn't finished as they parry against the attacking enemies.)
Tsunaku Senju: Guys, now's not the time to argue. This is the real deal. One wrong move and we could die. (Tsunaku stated.)
(While the three Senju brother resume fighting, Tsunamizu found the enemy ninja searching for a hiding Naomi. Just as a worried Naomi was gonna get spotted out, a roaring Tsunamizu jumps over the enemy ninja and stance into his stance with his nunchakus.)
Tsunamizu Senju: You think you're tough. You think you're badass! Well do you!? (Tsunamizu dared while flexing his nunchaku.)
(The enemy ninja didn't response but frowns. The enemy ninja began to march toward Tsunamizu.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (worried) Uh? Uh!? (Tsunamizu mustered worriedly.)
(Tsunamizu lands a few hits at the unyielding enemy ninja but to no avail. Tsunamizu began casting hand signs.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (hand signs: Bird → Hare → Dog → Dragon) Water Style: Spinning Stream Jutsu! (Tsunamizu chants as he spins his nunchaku.)
(Tsunamizu fires a swirling vortex of water directing at the enemy ninja, actually slowly him down. Instead of knocking him into submission, all the Jutsu did was force him a few feet away before the enemy ninja resume his march, much to Tsunamizu's worried shock. The enemy ninja unleashed a force of murderous intention which freaked Tsunamizu out despite his resisting urge to. Tsunamizu remembers what his mom and elder brother told him on concentrating on drawing more spiritual energy. Just as the enemy ninja was inches close to Tsunamizu, the latter converts his nunchaku into a kusarigama.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Spirit Art: Sweeping Phantom Edge! (Tsunamizu chants as he swings the kusarigama enhanced with spiritual energy in a blur.)
(SLASH! Tsunamizu swung his kusarigama across the enemy ninja's face, decapitating half of the enemy's face. Tsunamizu and Naomi stared in disbelief.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (panicking cartoonishly) Oh, man. Oh, man! I'm so sorry. I didn't to kill him. I was only trying to stop him. I can't believe I slashed off his face! (Tsunamizu cried hysterically.)
(Seeing Tsunamizu's dramatic and justified reaction, Naomi got out of her hiding spot and went to his side, trying to reassure him. Even though she's as freaked out as Tsunamizu.)
Naomi Uchiha: Ah, ah? It was self-defense. I'm sure you didn't mean to kill him, ah… Tsunamizu, was it? You had no other choice. (Naomi said, trying to reassure Tsunamizu.)
(Tsunamizu agrees with Naomi, unknown that she said his name.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Yeah, you're probably right. Dude was gonna snuck the lives out of you and me, if I didn't bring out the kusarigama and sliced his face in half (grabbing the left side of the face.) Just look at this hard piece-like fragment of his face and he's not even bleeding. (Tsunamizu added.)
(Once they heard that, a confused Naomi and Tsunamizu turns and saw the enemy ninja wasn't bleeding. Instead of exposed flesh, the enemy "ninja" was instead shrieking in a distorted pain as the left side of his face was revealed to be a black mask and his eye was a pupil-less and red with a hint of a vengeful urge to suck the soul of you. This shook Naomi and Tsunamizu. The enemy "ninja" pulls out the rest of his "body" revealing that he was not a Rogue Ninja, not even human. He was a black mask animal-like monster with a hole in the center of his chest with black covered claws and a sickle-shaped tail. The monster shrieks loudly as it emits a powerful pressure of spiritual energy.)
Spirit Monster: Look what you did you reckless child. You've seen my true form. Now I'll have to devour YOU!(He shouted.)
(BOOM! BOOM! Two bullet-like projectiles of flames were fired at the monster, causing effective damage to him. The other monsters in disguise sensed the chakra signature of a new arrival.)
Black-Clad Ninja #2: What's that!?
Black-Clad Ninja #3: It must a jonin with mastery over Reijutsu.
Black-Clad Ninja #4: Not just one, but several more coming their way.
Black-Clad Ninja #1: We better get out of here. We've already accomplished our task.
(Soon, they dash off away to escape.)
Tsunaga Senju: Wait, they're leaving!? Just like that!? (Tsunaga said in disbelief.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Not until we catch one of them and get some answers. (Tsunazuchi added.)
(Tsunazuchi rushes off on one of the retreating enemies. However one of them, wielding a kusarigama, swung his kusarigama, aiming for a killing blow on the surprised Tsunazuchi, however… Several spiritual energy infused shuriken were thrown at the shrieking enemy, thrown by a Sharingan awaken Naomi who launched a spirit tag kunai with a paper bomb attach to it. The kunai lands its mark and exploded on the enemy.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Guys! Guys! You never gotta believe it. That guy I fought, he wasn't human. He was some kind of monster wearing a mask!? (Tsunamizu exclaims.)
(Tsunaku, Tsunaga and Tsunazuchi were confused until one of them spoke.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Well, yeah. They were wearing masks over their mouths. We saw them. (Tsunazuchi said nonchalantly.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Underneath their human disguises!? (A freaked out Tsunamizu added.)
Tsunaku Senju: No, not underneath their disguises. (Tsunaku said nonchalantly.)
Tsunaga Senju: I think he's starting to lose it. (A serious Tsunaga added.)
(Tsunamizu hysterically shakes his arms while looking as cartoonishly mad at his brothers.)
Tsunamizu Senju: You're not listening to me! (Tsunamizu screams.)
(Tsunaku slaps him in the face to calm him. Tsunamizu stop panicking but looked narrow.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Did you just slapped me? (Tsunamizu said.)
Tsunaku Senju: Yes, but I was just trying to calm you down. You were screaming as if you kill someone? (Tsunaku explained himself.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (angry white eyes) What made you think that would calm me down! (Tsunamizu yelled.)
[Sharingan] Naomi Uchiha: Wait! He's telling the truth! Tsunamizu came into that alley and sliced off the enemy ninja's face, but he didn't bleed. (brought out the human mask shard to show) Here. (Naomi said.)
(Tsunazuchi grabbed the shard and began to analyze the materials behind it. Tsunaku realized something.)
Tsunaku Senju: Wait, how does she know Tsunamizu's name. (Tsunaku wondered.)
(Tsunaku, Tsunaga and Tsunazuchi gave Tsunamizu a glare for possibly messing up on their cover. Tsunamizu laughs nervously until Naomi came to his rescue.)
[Sharingan] Naomi Uchiha: Actually I figured Tsunamizu's name out after Tsunazuchi introduce himself to me. After looking on the crest on your backs and seeing your Jutsu first handed, I realized you were from the Senju clan. (Naomi explained.)
(Then the glaring looks were redirected at Tsunazuchi, much to his sheepishly nervousness.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (laughs nervously) You saw our Jutsu. I guess that pretty Sharingan of yours has quite the insight than we thought. (Tsunazuchi praises.)
(Naomi blushed silently from letting Tsunazuchi and his brothers to see her joy at being complimented. At the mention of the word Sharingan, the Senju brother looked closely and notice them.)
Tsunaku Senju: I'll be, it is the Sharingan. (Tsunaku said.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Whoa! So does that mean you're Uchiha? (Tsunamizu asked casually.)
(Naomi nods.)
Tsunaga Senju: How is that possible? I thought the Uchiha Clan were wiped out by Itachi Uchiha. And only Sasuke was the sole survivor of the clan? (Tsunaga asked.)
[Sharingan] Naomi Uchiha: (sighed) Not exactly, a handful of us survived when the Oda, Muto, Sanada and the rest of the highland clans came to our rescue. (sadden) when it was over only 14 of us, aside of Sasuke, were left. To prevent us from becoming targets, the late Third Hokage publicly announced both in the heartland of the village and outside that Sasuke was the only survivor of the Uchiha's downfall. We've been under the Oda Clan's protection in the highland ever since. (Naomi said all of that.)
(The Senju brothers were upset that they made Naomi to relive the tragedy that befall her and her surviving clansmen. Tsunaku placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.)
Tsunaku Senju: Don't worry. You're not the only one with secrets. When you're ready to talk, we'll be listening. (Tsunaku said.)
(Naomi smiled calming down. Tsunazuchi finished analyzing the broken piece.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: I can't believe I'm saying this but Tsunamizu must have a point. This mask piece is not some manufactured clothing wear. The texture is similar to clay but durable than most alloys. And the surface feels more organic than soil-based. Like the natural body defense mechanisms of specific mammals and reptiles. (Tsunazuchi finished.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Bros, if that isn't enough to get you believe me, then turns around and see more proof! (Tsunamizu said, before screaming the last part.)
(Soon the Senju brothers and Naomi turn to see another ninja removing his disguise and reveal himself to be a serpent-like black masked monster howling loudly. Tsunaku, Tsunaga and Tsunazuchi bulged their eyes and scream in shock.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Good Lord, Tsunamizu was telling us the truth. (Tsunazuchi exclaims.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Told ya so! (Tsunamizu said.)
(The monster howls more as it leans in to attack the four kids. Suddenly… a single blur came and strike down the monster from the back of its neck. The monster howls painfully as it faded away. A second black mask monster was slew off. As a third in the body shape of a serpent with tiny arms and wild hair owned it's mask mouth and reveal another mouth within it to devour its attacker, reveal to be a 36-year-old woman with long straight black hair with two long bangs, dark eyes and a slim but hidden strong fit, wearing a sleeveless black blouse, purple haori with gold shoulder guards and no sleeves, a symbol in the shape of a wooden melon in black inside a circle, a left arm purple guard with a black glove, a right purple wrist guard, a red obi, a black skirt, long dark brown leggings, high heel boots with long beige soles.)
[Nobusaki Oda / Head of the Oda Clan]
(Nobusaki turns to see the Senju Brothers and Naomi. Her stoic expression called into a small smile at having rescued Naomi and the Senju Brothers right at time with some of gold lightweight armor with black body suits, with high tech equipment and swords with spirit tags attach to the hilts.)
Nobusaki Oda: Naomi. It seems you've met the fame Senju Brothers. Where your father? (Nobusaki said.)
(Naomi looked down in sadness while the Senju brothers looked at each other before they began to answer Nobusaki.)
[Hokage Office, Hidden Leaf Village – Land of Fire]
(With great evading maneuvers, the Senju Brothers and Nobusaki Oda were inside the Hokage office discussing their findings to her. Naomi was standing outside of the office concern for her adoptive father and her new friends.)
Shizune: Here. (Shizune said politely.)
(Naomi saw Shizune offering her some warm tea with a smile. A small smiling Naomi took her offered tea, blows on it as she sips her tea.)
Naomi Uchiha: It's good. Thank you, Miss Shizune. (Naomi said.)
Shizune: Thank you very much, Naomi. I... I trust Lady Tsunade and Lady Nobusaki told you the truth about the boys… (Shizune paused.)
(Naomi nodded shyly. Having to find out her rescuers and new friends are from the Senju Clan and sons of the Fifth Hokage was easy enough to believe but to learn how they were conceived and born Jinchuriki six months ago and age to be 10 years was so crazy to believe.)
Naomi Uchiha: It's just a lot to take in given what I've been there. Four brothers each conceive through a Jinchuriki Fertility. (Naomi admits.)
Shizune: (chuckles) Well you have a point. Still, this is serious. (Shizune said seriously.)
Naomi Uchiha: Oh. You don't think Lady Hokage will punish them severely? They were only saving me. (A concern Naomi asked.)
Shizune: (shook head) Rest assured, aside of a few good scoldings, I don't think the boys will get into deep trouble. You have stumble into a secret Lady Tsunade and I have allowed only a few to know. If you had noticed a green aura surrounding them, it must be the Tailed Beast Chakra sealed within them. Tsunaku in particular, is the new Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tailed Badger since the death of the First Hoteru. (Shizune explains.)
Naomi Uchiha: You know, I don't really have anything against Jinchuriki. I could relate to them seeing how my clan was treated before the downfall. (Naomi said.)
(Shizune shook her head playfully at having learnt from Nobusaki that there were still Uchiha Clan survivors in the village and under Oda Clan protection.)
Shizune: I'm glad to hear that, Naomi. (sighed) Still, there no going back now that you know. I'm afraid… we're at your mercy. (Shizune said sadly.)
(Naomi gestured herself to calm reassure Shizune.)
Naomi Uchiha: No, it's okay. I won't tell anyone. Who would believe me anyway? (Naomi said.)
Tonton: (oinks) (oinks) (Tonton mustered as if she was trying to tell Shizune she believes her.)
Naomi Uchiha: Seriously, I promise I won't tell. (Naomi said.)
(Shizune stare at the confused Naomi serious. Thankfully it didn't last as Shizune smiled.)
Shizune: I believe that. (Shizune confirms.)
(The door to the office opened and Tsunamizu was marveled by this.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Cool. Ia this how you sense the truth. Some kind of Mind Reading Jutsu or something? (Tsunamizu asked.)
Shizune: Nope. This is call trusting your guts. (Shizune admits.)
(Tsunazuchi and a grumpy Tsunaga came out as well. Tsunaga leans to a wall frowning while Tsunazuchi was happy to see Naomi.)
Naomi Uchiha: How did it go. (Naomi asked.)
[Flashback starts]
(25 minutes earlier. Tsunade was being given the report of the events that occurred in the highland by Nobusaki and the Senju Brothers.)
Tsunazuchi Senju (off-screen): We were in the Hokage Office, expecting to be given a stern lecture by mom, but was more concern of the Rancors than getting ticked off that we were seen. (Tsunazuchi began.)
(Tsunade was surprised, given the evidence, sketches and report provided to her, at the enemy that infiltrated the village.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): I was afraid of this. But based on all the evidence, there's no denying that their presence has reemerge. (Tsunade said grimly.)
Nobusaki Oda (flashback): I wouldn't believe it myself I hadn't engage them in battle. (Nobusaki added.)
(The Senju Brothers were confused at the mention of them, referring to the monsters disguised as enemy ninja.)
Tsunazuchi Senju (flashback): They? (A confused Tsunazuchi asked.)
Tsunaku Senju (flashback): Mother, who or what are they if they're not humans? (Tsunaku asked, determined to help.)
(Not wanting to endanger her sons by involving them, Tsunade was gonna order them out until Nobusaki halted her attempt.)
Nobusaki Oda (flashback): Lady Hokage, your concern over their safety is justified. As a parent myself, I too worry for my children and the children of the village. But they need to know as well. They were the ones who found and fought them off long enough for me and the Meibu to intercept and force them out. Though this may seem like a bad idea, we are still shorthanded. (Nobusaki said all of that.)
(Tsunade stares serious but looking deep down and seeing the serious expression in her sons, she knew Nobusaki was right.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Truth be told, I never thought they would resurface after their defeat in the First Great Ninja War. (Tsunade said.)
Tsunaga Senju (flashback): The First Great Ninja War? (Tsunaga said in confusion.)
Tsunaku Senju: Moth- (paused) I mean Lady Hokage, what are they are?
(A brief illustration shows multiple monsters with black masks and red eyes.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Those enemies you encountered weren't humans. They're Rancors. They are masked spirits that hunt down the souls of the deceased and living, rich with spiritual energy. The holes they have on their bodies represent where their hearts used to reside as it forms the black mask they wear. They're created from the aspects of human hatred, obsessed with an insatiable hunger for more souls. The final battle at the Land of Swamps during the First Great Ninja War attracted the biggest horde of Rancors that nearly eliminated the shinobi of all Great Nations if it wasn't for my father, the First Hoteru and his coalition of allies who slain them and seal off the gateway to the World of the Living and their own dark world. (Tsunade explained all that.)
(The Senju Brothers were surprised to learn about the Rancors. Especially by the fact that they were, essentially, evil spirits with black masks created from hatred/)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): I only encounter Rancors a few times when I was a little girl. And that was long after the First Great Ninja War. But the fact that Nagatoku was taken hostage seems to be out of character for Rancors. (Tsunade wondered.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Really? Based on what you just said, I would assume Rancors possess the same baser instinct as wild animals. Though the ones we faced did seen sentient while disguised as humans. (Tsunazuchi stated.)
Nobusaki Oda: That is a good point. An average Rancor when they spot a human, they would've devoured Nagatoku in mere seconds without a second thought. Yet, that wasn't case. And furthermore, I'm afraid he's not the only one that has been kidnapped by Rancors. (Nobusaki said.)
(This surprised the Senju Brothers. Nobusaki brought out a map of the Land of Fire, with directions from various locations all directed to a certain point.)
Nobusaki Oda (flashback): And from what the Meibu discovered, the strongest presence of Rancors is coming from the nation's capital of Hikyo. (points at the capital on the map)
Tsunazuchi Senju (flashback): Which is why we must head off to the capital before it is too late. (Tsunazuchi said.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Tsunazuchi…
Tsunazuchi Senju (flashback): Forgive my lack of formalities, mother, but we can't just stand around doing nothing. Let us join Lady Nobusaki in recovering Naomi's adopted father. (Tsunazuchi said.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Tsunazuchi. When I told you and your brother you could go out to explore, I was referring to the village, not beyond our borders. And I meant it. You four aren't ready for the life of…
Tsunamizu Senju (flashback): Life of the shinobi. I may have an absent mind from time to time, but I'm with my bros here. (A rare serious Tsunamizu added.)
Tsunaga Senju (flashback): That's right. We know the village is shorthanded. The enemy won't expect us to go. We can do this. (Tsunaga add furthermore.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): ENOUGH! I will not hear anymore life-threatening suggestions you'll run into…
Tsunaku Senju (flashback): We're ready to use everything you taught us or why bother teaching us? I've learnt why you're afraid of letting us lend a hand, mother. (somber) I know how you loss Uncle Nawaki, dad, grandfather and the rest of the clan too. (A calm Tsunaku stated.)
(Tsunade's fury mellowed down and frowns upon the mention of Nawaki, Dan and Mokunaga.)
Tsunaku Senju (flashback): Rules of the Shinobi are important but there's not perfect or everything. Though we are children and not officially ninja, we are neither ordinary nor killable. Tsunazuchi may be petitioning you to allow us to rescue Mr. Tsuda for his own reasons, but however, the fact that she's a survivor of her clan's downfall, she looked sadden and close to breaking at the thought she will lose a parent again. No child should ever go through that. (Tsunaku said all of that.)
(Tsunade paused and looked sadly at the portrait of her father the First Hoteru above the First Hokage's official portrait. Tsunade had a short flashback of her as a smiling little girl playing and spending time with her serious, but joy and fun-loving father Mokunaga. Tsunade, through such soul searching and considerations, reopens her eyes.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Very well. I still have some doubts, but perhaps those doubts are from my parental side. My sons, you will go with Nobusaki and head to Hikyo and begin your investigation of a possible Rancor horde in the capital city. (Tsunade orders.)
(The Senju Brothers smile brightly at being permitted to go on a mission.)
Tsunaku Senju (flashback): (realized) Mother, based on what our performance in battle was like in the report, I assume your assessment is that we didn't do so good in cooperation with each other? (Tsunaku asked.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): (smirked) Impressive analysis, Tsunaku. Yes, that is the facts I gathered, but only because I've been training you four to fight as individuals, not yet as a team. Which is why, Nobusaki will monitor and help you develop teamwork on your mission. While she is in charge of this mission officially, you must learn to rely on orders from a leader amongst you, my sons. (Tsunade informs.)
Tsunazuchi Senju (flashback): So, who's going to be leader? (Tsunazuchi asked.)
(Tsunaku raised his hand until he paused and retracted it back in.)
Tsunamizu Senju: Ah, why'd you put your hand down, elder bro? (Tsunamizu asked.)
Tsunaku Senju (flashback): I guess you could say I don't feel like I've earnt the right to lead. I lack experience, courage and insight to be a proper leader. (Tsunaku explained.)
(Tsunade raised a brow in curiosity of Tsunaku's display of wisdom and modesty.)
Tsunaga Senju (flashback): So why bother raising your hand. (Tsunaga remarked.)
(Tsunade was in deep thought about this as she sat back in her chair.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): This is a serious decision. I will need to mediate for a moment for a solution. (Tsunade said as she turned to face the window.)
(This was briefly as she turns back to face them with a raised brow and a knowing smile.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): It's Tsunaku. (Tsunade declared.)
(The Senju Brothers were surprised to learn Tsunaku will be leader of their team, especially Tsunaku himself.)
Tsunaga Senju (flashback): (grunts annoyedly) Just don't get us killed. (Tsunaga said bitterly.)
(If there was anything Tsunaga felt, it was frustration that he will have to take orders and from his elder brother of all people.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Nobusaki, you will lead the mission of finding and locating the Rancors. This will be your greatest trial you've ever face. Just as I have been chosen to become the Fifth Hokage, the Leaf Village need a new Hoteru. In the village's wisdom and with the blessing of the daimyo of the Land of Fire, we have decided to name you as the late Sorachi Muto's successor as the Fifth Hoteru. (Tsunade said professionally.)
(The Senju Brothers were surprised by this. Nobusaki paused while looking shocked that she had been selected to become the Fifth Hoteru.)
Nobusaki Oda (flashback): My lady, with due respects, while I am well known and respected in the highlands, I doubt the heartlands would be thrilled to have an Oda to take office as Hoteru. And furthermore it has been six years since the Uchiha Clan Downfall, the event where our Fourth Hoteru saved a handful of Uchiha children from Itachi's clutches and the cost was her life. (Nobusaki said stoical, remembering the image of a kunoichi with long blue hair, light skin wearing a Leaf uniform but with a scarf-like Hoteru cape with the kanji for FOURTH HOTERU on the back.)
(Tsunade understood Nobusaki's pain. Tsunade looked quietly sadden at the mention of the Fourth Hoteru.)
Tsunamizu Senju (flashback): Uh? Not to be pushy but who's the Fourth Hoteru? (A confused Tsunamizu asked, his brothers also curious to know.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): The Fourth Hoteru was Sorachi Muto, the Azure Wind of the Leaf. She was one of the one of the fastest ninjas we had, next to the Fourth Hokage. Her contributions during the last Great Ninja War led her to become the first female Hoteru. A master of the Flying Fujin Jutsu capable to literally run like the wind and creator of several Lightning Style Medical Ninjutsu. She possessed beauty, strength, speed and intellect. And… (paused) She was… my student when I was once a jonin leader of my three-man genin squad. (Tsunade explained.)
Senju Brothers (flashback): (gasps)
(They were speechless to hear that their own mother, one of the Sannin and current Hokage was the teacher of the Fourth Hoteru.)
Tsunaga Senju (flashback): Damn. (Tsunaga spoked.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Language, young man. (Tsunade scolded.)
Tsunamizu Senju (flashback): Okay, so the Fourth Hoteru was mom's student, but that doesn't explain why Ms. Nobusaki is worthy to become the new Hoteru? (Tsunamizu asked.)
Tsunazuchi Senju (flashback): You need to pay attention when mom teaches us about the clan histories and cultures of the village. Let me explain. The Oda clan, thought originally a clan of samurai, were split and converted into a ninja clan during the Warring States Period, acting as protectors of the daimyo of the Land of Fire and protected their lands despite the larger armies of shinobi that attacked them successfully with the power of their kekkei genkai, the Senkagan. When the Hidden Leaf Village was founded, the Oda Clan was among the first of the Uchiha's allies to migrate and contribute to the village's growth, stationed to live in the highlands here with a handful of clans and immigrates from distant lands. (Tsunazuchi explained.)
Tsunamizu Senju (flashback): Oh. Got it. (A relaxed Tsunamizu replied.)
Tsunazuchi Senju (flashback): You barely understood a single word I said, did you? (A deadpan Tsunazuchi added.)
Tsunamizu Senju (flashback): Yes, yes, I did not. (A still smiling Tsunamizu answered.)
(Tsunazuchi face palms at the clueless nature of Tsunamizu.)
Tsunaga Senju (flashback): Basically, there's no one else more worthy to be the Hoteru but her. (Tsunaga said.)
Tsunaku Senju (flashback): Not only does she have the Uchiha survivors under her clan's protection but she contributes to the front lines and build diplomatic ties with foreign lands as well. She is also the daughter of Nobunaka Oda, a student of the Third Hoteru. (Tsunaku said.)
Tsunaga Senju: Given her battle experience, accomplishments, lineage and power, there is no one else who take on the role of Hoteru. Am I right on the money? (Tsunaga concludes.)
(Nobusaki nodded.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): It hasn't been announced to the village yet. I understand if you are unease by this. The pressures of leadership can weight you down yet all so that the people and children of the village continue to grow in peace and prosperity. Though we don't all share ties of blood, everyone in the village is family. As inheritors of the Will of Fire, to protect the family, is our greatest strength. Will you accept the responsibility as the Fifth Hoteru? (Tsunade asked.)
(Nobusaki was thinking about it. Should she accept the role as Fifth Hoteru? While she was there during the Uchiha Clan Downfall and managed to escort the Uchiha children that survived the massacre, she has been blaming herself for her own inability to save Sorachi. And when the Leaf Village was under attack by Orochimaru's joint invasion with the Hidden Sand, she led not only the Oda but the clans' Leaf shinobi to join in the battle and pushed the enemy out of the village, with the loss of Third Hokage and many heartland Leaf shinobi. Nobusaki was never fighting and accomplishing missions to advance in life but to support and care for her children and being a responsible leader for her clan. Thinking about her children, motivated Nobusaki to perform well on missions, build strong ties with other villages and nations and follow the Will of Fire and defend it firmly. While she will never replace Sorachi, her friend, she can follow her example and carry on the work she left behind.)
Nobusaki Oda (flashback): Very well. I shall become the Fifth Hoteru but allow me to ensure your sons return to you safe and sound. If I'm gonna become the Hoteru, I want to receive one last mission from the Hokage herself. I trust that is acceptable. (Nobusaki said.)
(Happy to see Nobusaki's Will of Fire still burning brightly, Tsunade smiles at this.)
Tsunade Senju (flashback): Of course. (Tsunade said.)
[Flashback ends.]
[Land of Fire]
(After a very hard time to convince Naomi to stay in the village, the Senju Brothers and Nobusaki headed outside of the village and began their investigations.)
Nobusaki Oda (off-screen): Alright, considering this is your first, unofficial, mission. I'll brief you as best as I can. We are on a search and rescue mission for Nagatoku Tsuda and collect any intel that the Rancors have resurface in the World of the Living. My best way to find them is to hunt down the escaped criminal Gosunkugi. (Nobusaki said.)
(At a town, Tsunaku entered a poker card table, Tsunaga at a gambling hall with dices, Tsunazuchi sat down as he plays on a slot machine and Tsunamizu at a lottery stand with a woman selling a lottery ticket.)
Nobusaki Oda (off-screen): When it comes to investigations, not only must you infiltrate potential enemy territory, but you must also gather information, clues to the whereabouts of our targets. And in times like these, information tends to require money and services. (Nobusaki added.)
Tsunaku Senju (off-screen): So, you want us to gather money by entering into gambling halls and win enough for the investigation? (Tsunaku asked.)
(Soon, the Senju Brothers not only won their first game, but to everyone's shock, they were winning every round.)
Nobusaki Oda (off-screen): Normally, I don't condone children to gamble, but in order to find and rescue Nagatoku, we need a considerable amount for any of my contacts for information. (Nobusaki said with some regret.)
(Nobusaki took down some mercenary ninja for information, but they knew nothing. Nobusaki encountered and apprehended a few ronin and when one refused to talk, Nobusaki's eyes turned crimson red with yellow symbols in the form of flames.)
Nobusaki Oda (off-screen): I'll try to find Gosunkugi's trail on my end. Once you have gathered enough in your pockets, rendezvous at the nearest town close to the capital. (Nobusaki finished.)
(After claiming the money from his 25 wins, Tsunaku overheard a pair of two travelers saying Gosunkugi's name.)
Tsunaku Senju (off-screen): Understood! (Tsunaku replied.)
(Tsunaga after cracking his knuckles, got the once arrogant gamblers that profited out of his mother, scared and apologized for trying to steal his winnings. Then serious, Tsunaga began to ask for sightings of Gosunkugi and a band of black clad ninjas, much to their surprise, but complied.)
Tsunaga Senju (off-screen): Got it! (Tsunaga added.)
(Tsunazuchi won his 25th jackpot and upon collecting his winnings, overheard a pair of cloaked men with glowing red eyes. A suspicious Tsunazuchi kept an eye out on them for more intel.)
Tsunazuchi Senju (off-screen): Affirmative! (Tsunazuchi stated.)
(Tsunamizu won a big lottery and received his prize money. Tsunamizu walks off as he suddenly felt the presence of a concealing Gosunkugi crossed paths briefly. Tsunamizu paused as he turns to see Gosunkugi heading to the direction of the rendezvous point: Honoka Town.)
Tsunamizu Senju (off-screen): Yes, ma'am. (Tsunamizu exclaims.)
[Honoka Town – Land of Fire]
Tsunamizu Senju: There he is. (Tsunamizu said pointing at Gosunkugi from where they were standing on the top floor of a building.)
(Nobusaki and the Senju Brothers spotted Gosunkugi meeting up with his "associates" the Rancors in their human disguise.)
Nobusaki Oda: The chakra presence I'm sensing from those men is foreign and rageful. With the intent to kill and the urge of hunger. It is them. Well done, gathering resources and intel, boys. (Nobusaki said.)
Tsunaku Senju: Yeah. Nice job, Tsunamizu. (A smiling Tsunaku added.)
Tsunaga Senju: Not bad…. For beginner's luck. (A serious Tsunaga admits.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (hums joyfully) Thanks guys (paused) (realizing Tsunaga's comment) hey. (Tsunamizu said.)
Nobusaki Oda: (shush) When you are scouting the enemy, you must lower your voice and not lose the element of surprise. (Nobusaki whispered.)
(The Senju Brothers nodded. When Tsunaku thought of a plan.)
Tsunaku Senju: I have an idea…
(On the ground level, Gosunkugi and his men dropped a couple of villagers from different villages before the Rancors.)
Gosunkugi: Got you some fresh test subjects for your little science experiments. Or snacks. Whatever you prefer. (Gosunkugi said.)
(A Rancor gestured one of his underlings to bring out a chest. Upon opening it, Gosunkugi smirked pleased upon seeing the gold and rare priceless jewels.)
Rancor #1: It seems it was the wisest decision we made freeing you and your men from your confinement. Not only have you brought us more of your pathetic kind for further testing, but you are making such progress in gathering the scientists we need from all over one nation at a time. No offend to your level of skills. (Rancor said.)
(Gosunkugi wasn't fazed by this, unlike his men.)
Gosunkugi Thug: Watch your mouth.
Gosunkugi Thug #2: No one talks smack about the boss like that and lives to tell about…
(The thug didn't finish as they felt the heavy pressure of spiritual energy befall on them. This shocked the thugs and slightly affected Gosunkugi being engulfed by the pressure force of the Rancors.)
Rancor. #2: Too bad we are not among the living. (A fear inducing Rancor remarked.)
Rancor #3: It's not wise to incur the wrath of soul hungering beings like us. (Rancor added.)
Rancor #4: Unless you're looking for suicide and offer your soul to be devoured. (Another dared.)
(The thugs grunts but didn't make a move against the Rancors knowing they can't beat them. The calmed Gosunkugi remained silent before he and the Rancor in charged resumed.)
Gosunkugi: Apologizes, Gooddrake. My men have been working tirelessly without food for days. I hope this doesn't damage our work relationship. (Gosunkugi said.)
(Gooddrake shook his head, agreeing with Gosunkugi.)
Gooddrake: Not at all, Gosunkugi. (Gooddrake complied.)
(Just as Gosunkugi grabbed his payment, a set of fire projectiles were fired at them. Gooddrake used his keen sight and spots Nobusaki who fires more fire projectiles aim at them.)
Gooddrake: It seems a Leaf shinobi has tracking us this whole time. (turning to his fellow Rancors) All of you, go after her. (Gooddrake order.)
(The Rancors nods and vanished off. Gosunkugi nodded at his men who follow suit. SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Three Rancors were slew off by Tsunaku and Tsunamizu, much to Gosunkugi and Gooddrake's surprise.)
Gosunkugi: Kids? Who the hell are you supposed to be? (Gosunkugi demanded mildly.)
(Tsunaku and Tsunamizu said nothing but stare serious and vigilant for any potential enemy. Gooddrake narrow his glance and saw how well their defenses are. Gooddrake's eyes briefly bulge upon sensing two enormous Chakra within them.)
Gooddrake: (What are these powers I sense within them. I get the feeling these two children aren't ordinary humans.) Gosunkugi, I am leaving you in charge of the defense of our facility. (Gooddrake said before he vanished off.)
(Gosunkugi smirks darkly at Tsunaku and Tsunamizu.)
Gosunkugi: You little brats are way over your heads, thinking you can face me in combat. Allow me to show you the harsh reality to the life of the shinobi. Ninja Art: Flying Nail Mist! (Gosunkugi said.)
(Gosunkugi exhales a flying stream composed of hundreds of very small nails from his mouth at the two Senju Brothers. Tsunaku and Tsunamizu evades the Jutsu. Gosunkugi fired another Flying Nail Mist at them, to which they dodge getting hit. Tsunamizu lands in front of a dead end, much to Gosunkugi's delight.)
Gosunkugi: Perfect. Ninja Art: Flying Nail Culling Mist! (Gosunkugi chants.)
(Gosunkugi inhales and exhales his usually stream of small nails, but this time they grew big enough to piercing holes into Tsunamizu… if Tsunamizu wasn't serious in this battle. Tsunamizu smirks as he converts his nunchaku into a kusarigama and began to spin it again and began to cast hand signs with one hand.)
Tsunamizu Senju: (hand signs: Bird → Rat → Ox → Hare) Hidden Leaf Style: Revolving Blade! (Tsunamizu chants.)
(Tsunamizu roars as he ferociously spins his kusarigama and that did not halt the Flying Nail Culling Mist but redirected the Jutsu in different directions. Thankfully Tsunaku dodge some nails coming his way. The rest of the Rancors and Gosunkugi men were catching up to Nobusaki, who smirked knowingly. Nobusaki charged up her Fire Style Chakra into her katana and upon the enemies gaining upon her…)
Nobusaki Oda: Oda Style Ninja Art: FLAME BANNER!
(Nobusaki drew her sword and unleashed a banner-like wave of fire across the shocked enemies.)
Enemies: (screaming)
(Engulfed in the flames, the wave extended and waves in the same manner as an actual banner and intensifying its effects on them. While Gosunkugi's men were rendered unconscious with second degree burns, the Rancors were without their disguises and furiously began charging toward Nobusaki. One managed to strike her only for her to poof and revealed to be a block of wood.)
Rancor #2: A Substitution Jutsu? (Rancor #2 wondered.)
(In a mere instant, in a fire-like slash came and bisected the Rancor's head off. Rancor #2 howls painfully as he faded into dust. Nobusaki, with her sword enhanced with spiritual energy, began her flashing sword strikes on the remaining Rancors with ease, thanks to her Senkagan.)
[Senkagan] Nobusaki Oda: Hidden Leaf Style Spirit Art: Reaping Flame Raid! (Nobusaki exclaims.)
(One by one, she slew the remaining Rancors, Nobusaki effortlessly slain the Rancor. Even with one Rancor tried a sneak attack and devour her. SLASH! Nobusaki is placed back into the scabbard, the Rancor was bisected in a horizontal silent cut and faded away. Back to the fight against Gosunkugi, not only fired more Flying Nail Culling Mist at Tsunamizu, but the latter used the same Jutsu, Revolving Blade and redirects the attack away from him and at Gosunkugi who dodges it.)
Gosunkugi: (What's up with this kid? I thought he was easy picking. He doesn't seem that bright and yet… (grunts) he's managed to counter my Jutsu!?) (look at Tsunaku) Let's see how your friend does against this. (hand signs: Dragon → Bird → Dog) Ninja Art: Flying Nail Smoke Palm! (Gosunkugi said.)
(From his palm, Gosunkugi fired a stream of sharp nails rapidly flying toward Tsunaku. As Tsunaku was thinking of a way to counter this, a new voice spoke.)
Unknown: [Don't be afraid, Tsunaku.] (A calm voice said mentally.)
Tsunaku Senju: Huh? Who's there. (Tsunaku asked.)
(Tsunaku looked around but there was no one else except Gosunkugi and Tsunamizu.)
Unknown: [There will be time for introduction, Tsunaku. Right now, focus on the task at hand. I know a Jutsu that can counterattack your opponent. Will you trust me enough to teach you?] (The voice asked peacefully.)
(Tsunaku wasn't shy around strangers, only a little afraid should they learn what he and his brothers are. And yet, Tsunaku felt at ease and feeling the urge to trust this entity calling to him, believing him to be an ally and potential friend. Tsunaku nods silently. The Flying Nail Smoke Palm were close to landing its blow on Tsunaku until, putting away his katanas, Tsunaku cast his hand signs.)
Tsunaku Senju: (hand signs: Bird → Tiger → Dog → Bird → Monkey) Air Style: Sky Bomb Jutsu! (Tsunaku exclaims as he inhales a lot of air while building up enough Chakra.)
(Tsunaku exhales an Air Style chakra sphere of rapidly gathered gusts of air that not only broke through the Flying Nail Smoke Palm but reached the shocked Gosunkugi.)
Gosunkugi: WHAT!? (screams)
(Gosunkugi was engulfed in the powerful explosive of air, inflicted with a moderate amount of damage from the Sky Bomb Jutsu. It was powerful and sound breaking, the windows of the warehouse shattered into pieces. Though battered, Gosunkugi survived the powerful Jutsu with a snarling expression.)
Gosunkugi: Damn brat. How is it these two punks are more powerful than they look? (gasp) (Gosunkugi mustered as he saw no sight of Tsunaku.)
(Tsunaku, however, was leaping high into the air above the shocked Gosunkugi as he pours enough Air Style Chakra into his right arm, aiming toward Gosunkugi, as Tsunaku charged forth.)
Tsunaku Senju: Air Fist… of COURAGE! (Tsunaku yells.)
(Tsunaku lands a powerful direct hit at Gosunkugi by hitting him straight in his face and forced him to crash down to the ground from the impact of the Air Fist of Courage, upon felling down, the ground formed a small crater in Gosunkugi's size.)
Gosunkugi: (grunts painfully)
(With a gentle gust of wind, Tsunaku landed on the ground, and smiles at his and Tsunamizu's victory at defeating Gosunkugi.)
Tsunaku Senju: (Good. The plan is working our way. Tsunaga, Tsunazuchi. The rest is up to you two.)
[Rancor Facility, Honoka Town – Land of Fire]
Tsunaga Senju: (roars) (Tsunaga mustered as he threw a fist of spiritual energy fire at the two Rancors in his front.)
Tsunaga Senju (punch) (punch) C'mon Tsunazuchi! (kick) (kick) How's it going with freeing the hostages? (Tsunaga yelled, rather focus than tired.)
(Tsunazuchi used basic Healing Jutsu to heal the hostages and direct them a safe route to escape. Tsunazuchi saw two more hostages unconscious on the ground and a Rancor charging for the kill until… SLASH! With his bo staff converted into a naginata sliced thee Rancor in half.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Okay, that was amazing. (Tsunazuchi mustered to himself.)
(Tsunazuchi got two Rancors on his opposite sides to face, until the genius Senju got an idea.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (hand signs: Snake → Hare → Dragon → Ram → Horse) (fist slammed at the ground) Earth Style: Earth Columns. (Tsunazuchi chants.)
(Tsunazuchi raised his arms and himself up, thus created two newly made columns of earth from the surface and stabs the Rancors by their chins. The Rancors howls painfully before fading away. Tsunazuchi looked and spotted an open door to an unknown room.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (serious glance) Tsunaga, I'm gonna look into that room for any hostages. Can you take care of the remaining Rancors while I check it out. I know I'm probably a lot from you–
(A serious Tsunaga checking the remaining seven Rancors focusing on the blonde hair Senju with the intention to kill and devour.)
Tsunaga Senju: (smiles) You kidding me? I get to fight these monsters all by myself. No problem. (hand signs: Snake → Dragon → Ox → Tiger → Hare) Just get all the evidence you need and get back with any more people these Rancor got here. (Tsunaga complied with spiritual energy glowing in his eyes.)
(Tsunazuchi nods as he heads for the room. Tsunaga faces off against the Rancors as reel his fist and charged up even Chakra to lunge a Jutsu.)
Tsunaga Senju: Fire Style Spirit Art: Twin Dragon Flame Fist! (Tsunaga exclaims.)
(Tsunaga unleashed two torrents of fire in the shape of dragon flying in a curving pattern toward the Rancors engulfing them in flames. Tsunazuchi enters the room which was revealed to be a genetic lab of some sort.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Okay, let's see what these Rancors have been doing here. (Tsunazuchi said.)
(Two Rancors were incinerated as they faded away. A third Rancor charged toward Tsunaga, but the latter rolled forward with his sai, using Chakra Flow, and using Fire Style, engulfs the sai into a Fire Style aura that morphed into a double edge sword and stabs the Rancors across its neck. The remaining Rancors howls angrily at this. The fourth Rancor got pierce instantaneously by a fire blade coated sai thrown into its forehead. Tsunaga grabs his sai as the slain Rancor body began to fade away.)
Tsunaga Senju: Don't look so upset, fellas. (sai pulled out) You'll get a taste of My Fire Style Spirit Art: Fire Piercing Blade. There's ENOUGH OF ME TO GO AROUND! (A fierce Tsunaga stated eagerly.)
(Tsunaga roars as he charged forth. Tsunazuchi studied the notes of what looks to be the test results of the kidnapped civilians they were using. Most of them resulting in the victims' deaths Tsunazuchi was sad that there were some innocent people they couldn't save. Still, focusing on the task at hand, Tsunazuchi used sealing scrolls to store away any evidence and notes of the scene of the crime. Tsunazuchi turns to see a lot of kimonos at a couple of stretchers. Just as Tsunazuchi was gonna touch a kimono, a voice pops up in his head.)
Unknown #2: [Be careful when touching with the lingering energy in the attire.] (A female voice warned.)
(Tsunazuchi gasped and looked around for the course of the voice but to no avail.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Okay. (putting on gloves.) Safety first. (Tsunazuchi said.)
(Tsunazuchi used the closest microscope and zooms in to exam any traces of human cells but found nothing. That's when Tsunazuchi concentrated on his spiritual energy of his Chakra and looking through the microscope again, much to his surprise, saw black molecules with red electrical charges radiating from them absorbing in any human cells as it they were merging.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: (It seems the cause of the victims' deaths wasn't by physical means, but some more spiritual. A dark twisted spiritual implosion of two different fundamental forces that cannot be blend due to incompatibility. A new evolutionary process that is triggered by physical and spirit configuration perhaps. The way these spirit molecules are chaotic and vengeful just like…) (eye widen) Like Rancors. (Tsunazuchi realized.)
(Tsunazuchi turns to see a glowing light in a top cabinet. Tsunaga dodges the fifth Rancor's attack, leaps into the air and with a spinning jump, swings his spinning Fire Piercing Blade directly at the Rancor, causing the slain foe to fade away. Then as he charged to slay the sixth Rancor, it slithers away to the opposite side and swings its tail at Tsunaga, launching him to a wall.)
Unknown #3: [Focus the Chakra into the soles of your feet, Tsunaga.] (A female voice spoke mentally)
Tsunaga Senju: Huh? Who said that? (Tsunaga wondered.)
Unknown #3: [There is no time to meet face-to-face yet but know that I am a friend within you, Tsunaga. Concentrate the chakra in your feet to step on the wall.] (She said.)
(Quickly, Tsunaga focus his Chakra on the soles of his feet and upon reaching the wall, lands on his feet standing on the wall while minimizing the force of his impact to cracks, much to a smiling Tsunaga's delight.)
Tsunaga Senju: (Don't know who you are but thanks. It's nice to know I have chakra control in situations like this.) (Tsunaga said in his mind.)
(The Rancor charged forth and threw a clawed fist at Tsunaga, only for the latter to evade the blow. Tsunaga reappears behind the Rancor with a smirk on his face.)
Tsunaga Senju: I may not be in wielding swords like my big brother, but with a little fire, I can send you off in pieces. Hidden Leaf Style Spirit Art: (slash) (slash) (slash) (slash) FIRE FIGHTING FRENZY! (Tsunaga exclaims excitedly.)
(Several bursts of fire were exploding where Tsunaga swung his sai strikes on the Rancor's body, burning it into a crisp until it faded away. Tsunazuchi opened the cabinet and found the source of the glows, two canisters filled with a black substance of enormous force of spirit genetic materials that Tsunazuchi felt even though the substances were safely encased inside protective glass. Tsunazuchi saw a label that read…)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Rancorgen? (looking back at cabinet) This rack has DNA samples, possibly from the people they kidnapped. Just what are they trying to gain from all these experimentations? (Tsunazuchi wondered.)
(Tsunazuchi heard banging on the chamber door. Tsunaga turns to see a screaming child hostage as the last Rancor, in the form of a boar, began to charge in to consume the boy, much to a frowning Tsunaga's dismay.)
Tsunaga Senju: I don't think so! (Tsunaga exclaims.)
(Tsunazuchi looked around until he found the switch and flip it, causing the chamber to open. The Rancor howls loudly as it began to its charge.)
Boy: (yelling fearfully) Help me! (He cried.)
(The chamber hatch finished opening as smoke came out, a silhouette of a person was shown. Just as the Rancor was inches to eat its prey, Tsunaga, with his Fire Piercing Blade, reappears in front of the boy, much to his and his awaken older sister's surprise.)
Tsunaga Senju: Ya hungry! EAT THIS! (Tsunaga yelled as he swings his Jutsu-flowing sai across the Rancor's face. Tsunazuchi saw coming out was a man in a hospital gown, covering his right eye with his hand and shaking uncontrollably.)
Tsunazuchi Senju: Hey, sir? Are you okay? (Tsunazuchi asked.)
Victimized Man: STAY BACK! IT'S NOT SAFE! I- I-!?
(The Rancor's mask broke in half, with the right portion landing on the floor. Tsunaga looked close and much to his shocked expression. Much to Tsunazuchi's shock…. The Rancor's right side of its face reveals a human face and the victim's right eye was red pupil with growing blackness taking over the white sclera as his left side of the face was covered in the harden black substance forming slowly into a Rancor Mask. The victim pants rapidly.)
Tsunazuchi & Tsunaga: (The victims are turning into Rancors / The enemies were humans!?) (They thought.)
(The Rancor howls painfully due to his exposed human face. Tsunaga may be shocked by this revelation but kept his guard up in case he wanted to devour the hostages behind him. Without warning, the Rancor summoned a portal and enters it, fleeing the battle. Back in the lab, the victim saw the current changes happening to him in his reflection.)
Victimized Man: What happened to me!? What have they done to me!? (vomits) (more of the black substance began to further take shape into a mask) (screaming fearfully) (The man yelled before going berserk and began to throw test tubes and lab equipment off its tables. The man howls in agony. Having enough of watching the man in agony, Tsunazuchi used his bo staff and knocks him out conscious and looked at the two canisters of Rancorgen.)
[Ningoden Ending 1 – Shadow and Shine]
And there after two weeks, give or take, I have completed the first chapter of Ningoden. By now I bet you're asking yourselves who are the voices talking to the Senju Brothers, except for Tsunamizu? Well my friends, be patient, those entities will reveal themselves sooner than you think. After 10 years since the first of my old fanfictions, I am pleased to see the Naruto portion of it up and ready to be read. I apologize if any readers didn't hear anything from me, but like most wise men in the world, I needed think to rejuvenate and restore my creative process.
This is the first of the First saga, which I proclaimed as the Senju Clan Restoration Saga, it will depict the return of one of the most prominent clans who built the Hidden Leaf Village, the Senju Clan. While this is fanon, non-canon, I gave Tsunade a background of her father, Mokunaga Senju, not only as the son of Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki, but as the one who created the rank of Teru and was declared as the village's First Hoteru. And rest assure we will get to the other 4 of the Five Great Nations' hidden villages' Teru as well. Furthermore, the Senju Clan Restoration Saga will show where Part I left off while Naruto is away training with Jiraiya. Furthermore, I will be making the Naruto anime filler arcs legit in this series with some alterations to it. So expect to see some anime characters debuts here.
While I will try my best to keep updating you with more new chapters and/or stories, everything behind the development of the fanfiction series is handled by me so patience and pacing myself are essential so that I don't burn myself out mentally. All I ask is you give time to read my fanfiction. The fact that some readers enjoy my work brings me such joy and gratitude for your support.
Also the Rancors are the Ninja World equivalent of the Hollows from Bleach, but only they were born from hatred and possess black masks and primarily possess red eyes. So yeah, they are a part of the history of shinobi as well as masked evil spirits as depicted by the people of the World of the Living.
See ya next time in the next chapter, it will take some time but it will be done and it will be worth the wait.
