The God of Wind:

The Humming Mist Arc:

Chapter 14: The Escape Begins

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An accident? Naruto felt a ball of lead drop into his stomach. No way was it an accident. Not with the pleasure Itojiro was taking in delivering the news. Besides, Haku was too skilled to be beaten by anyone in the prison. Naruto had yet to see him get so much as a scratch from a fight. Something was amiss. Across the cell, Sasuke voiced what Naruto was thinking, though he seemed more angry than stunned.

"What did you do?"

Itojiro chuckled, the sick man delighted in their concern. "Oh, I didn't do anything. There was just a malfunction with the boy's seal during the fight, his opponent landed a nasty blow while he was stunned." The lanky giant gave them a mocking wave. "Well, I just wanted to tell you about your friend. Maybe you should check on him. So long, little Leaf Shinobi."

The man departed; his lanky shadow slid across the wall as he walked away. As soon as Itojiro was out of sight, Naruto shot to his feet. Sasuke did the same. Without needing to communicate it, they both began to race towards the infirmary. Together, they dodged around fellow prisoners who were milling about the atrium. In seconds Naruto was across the atrium. He pried the door open and slipped inside, Sasuke was right behind him.

He let out a sigh of relief as he instantly saw Haku sitting up in his hospital bed, his abdomen wrapped in white bandages stained slightly pink. A slightly pudgy nurse tended to him. She glared at Naruto and Sasuke. "Don't just come barging in, we're treating patients."

Haku waved away her concerns. "Sorry Miss, they're my friends, just coming to check on me."

The nurse eyed them suspiciously, before she left with a huff. Naruto stepped up to Haku's bedside and looked him over more closely. Aside from the bandages and some bruises, he seemed well enough. "What happened?"

"I was about to win when my seal activated. As you can see, my opponent took advantage." Haku gestured towards the stained bandages.

Sasuke scowled and crossed his arms. "I don't like this. It's too great a coincidence …"

The Uchiha broke off his sentence as the double doors to the infirmary swung open. They banged against the wall loudly. Takeru strutted in, flanked by Ichiro and Nijiro. The man wore a slimy grin. Dressed in black and gold robes, he gave off an air of smugness that permeated the room like a foul stench.

"My, my, Haku, so terrible to see you injured." His nasally voice was thoroughly insincere. More sarcastic than anything.

Naruto clenched his fist angrily. "Why'd you activate Haku's seal."

Takeru offered him a thin-lipped smile. His eyes flashed dangerously. "Now why would you make such a nasty accusation? I think someone needs a reminder of his place." Naruto bit back a scream as he felt the familiar pinprick sensation of electricity racing through his veins. His muscles quivered as he braced himself against Haku's bed. "There, that ought to make the lesson sink in. Speaking of which," He stalked forward and bent over to whisper into Naruto's ear. "From now on, I expect you and Sasuke to put on much more entertaining fights. Or next time your friend might have a fatal accident. Rather foolish, to make such an exploitable weakness so obvious. Do we understand each other?"

He stared into Takeru's eyes. All Naruto wanted to do was sock the smug look off his face. But he couldn't. "Yes."

"Excellent." The rich man stood abruptly and motioned for Ichiro and Nijiro to fall into line behind him. Naruto stared after him hatefully.

Sasuke furrowed his brow. "What did he say?"

"That bastard activated Haku's seal to teach us a lesson. He wants us to have more entertaining fights." Naruto hissed. He was angry. Angry at Takeru for activating the seal. Angry at Itojiro for capturing them. Most of all, he was angry at himself. They'd been short sighted, antagonizing Takeru. Of course the bastard would retaliate!

'The question is, what will you do about it?'

Naruto closed his eyes and took a breath. Anger wouldn't get them anywhere not on its own. Slowly his rage turned to determination. When he opened his eyes, he looked at Haku and Sasuke with a fiery gaze. "I'm completing the seal tonight. Tomorrow, we're escaping."

"Are you sure?" Sasuke looked dubious.

He nodded resolutely, there was no doubt in his mind. He could push through and finish the seal. It was just a matter of effort and execution. Naruto turned to Haku. "You think you can manage if we do it tomorrow?" The long-haired boy shifted in his bed with a wince.

"Yes. Don't worry about me."

Sasuki nodded. "Alright then, let's get back to the cell."

They said their goodbyes to Haku and went on their way. As they exited the room, they came face to face with Ichiro, who gave them a smirk and a sarcastic wave. The black-haired boy walked away without a work. Sasuke stared after him wearily.

"You think he heard?"

Naruto shook his head slowly. "No way to be sure. Even if he did it doesn't change anything, I have to complete the seal as soon as possible. Let's go."

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Once they got back to their cell Naruto got straight to work. It was already late enough he could begin without worry. He channeled his anger, used it as fuel. Everything just clicked. In a state of creative flow, he started to connect all the different portions of his counter seal. Bridging formulas were created in mere minutes and slowly the seal started to take shape. Hours later when the prison was quiet and cool, Naruto finally set down his ink brush. Before him lay several stacks of sealing tags. They bore his finished seal. Five jagged flame-like spikes of compressed script, interspersed with the

Sasuke peered over his shoulder at the tags. "So that's it, they'll work?"

Naruto nodded. He was confident it would work. His paper test had shown it could suppress the seal. "Yes, now let's apply the full thing to ourselves. It'll be more permanent than the tags." At his direction, Sasuke took of his shirt. Naruto channeled chakra into his tooth and nipped his thumb. As blood started to ooze out, he dipped his ink brush in the red liquid. He quickly and precisely drew the symbols on Sasuke's body around the prisoner seal, some of the script trailed across the ground.

When he was finished Naruto stood up. Careful to avoid smudging any script, he placed his hand on the prisoner seal and channeled chakra into it. Sasuke hissed as the containment seal glowed red. It began to rapidly shrink, forming the completed seal around the prisoner seal.

"Now, follow the notes and do the same." Naruto passed Sasuke his ink brush and the stack of notes with the full sealing formula.

After taking off his shirt, he waited patiently while Sasuke drew the seal. The brush tickled as it traced across his skin. Finally, Sasuke activated the seal. Naruto felt the script heat up as it crawled across his skin and withdrew.

The two put their shirts back on and lay back on their futons. As he stared up at the ceiling, Sasuke said, "Tomorrow is the day."

Naruto nodded. "Yep. Now get to sleep."

Sleep came hard. Naruto tossed and turned restlessly. In-between the fits of restlessness and excitement, he snuck a few hours of rest. In the wee hours of the morning, he and Sasuke woke and prepared themselves silently. They checked their supplies, and once satisfied, pretended to be asleep.

They had to wait for the guards to come. To Naruto, it seemed like hours before he heard the now familiar heavy footsteps and jangle of keys. The key scraped against the lock, followed by the scraping of wood as the cell door was opened.

"Oi, doors open." A familiar gruff voice spoke. 'Why did it have to be him?' Naruto wondered. When they didn't answer, Denki stepped into the cell hesitantly. "Hey, brats, what's up, you're usually awake by now."

Naruto squeezed his eyes shut, he hesitated to act. 'Don't notice, don't notice.'

"Denki, just kick em awake, ain't got time for this." His partner shouted.

"Just a minute Zenji," Denki threw over his shoulder. His footsteps drew closer. They stuttered to a stop, and Naruto felt his stomach drop. "Hey wait a minute …"

He acted in the blink of an eye. Naruto threw the covers off, he was on Denki before he could react, a blade protruding from his palm and piercing the man's neck. The second guard tried to activate the seal, but it didn't work. "What the hel–" Sasuke got on him and silenced him before he could make any noise.

Naruto felt a spark of regret, as he watched Denki dying. He thought of the man's wife and daughter. They'd be on their own now. "Dammit, I really wish you hadn't been the one coming to wake us." He closed his eyes and looked away, unable to stand the look of panicked desperation in the man's eyes.

'Save the sentiment for later, focus on the mission Naruto.' Kurama chided him.

'I am.' Naruto snapped back. He clenched his fist to halt the trembling in his hand. After shaking his head, he glanced to Sasuke, who waited by the door.

"You ready?"

Naruto nodded firmly. Without speaking they transformed into the pair of guards. With another hand seal, Naruto created thirty clones and began to hand out a stack of sealing tags. There was no need to give them instructions, they knew what he wanted. As the clones spread out, he looked to Sasuke and nodded. Together they walked down the Special Cell Block. The clones weaved in and out around them, darting into cells and slapping tags onto prisoners with quick explanations.

They entered the atrium and immediately moved towards the infirmary. It was empty, save for a pair of guards near the doors to the stairs. Naruto tried not to move too fast.

"Morning Zenji, Denki." One of the guards greeted.

Naruto grunted and nodded. They finally reached the infirmary. He'd just seized the handle, when a panicked shout rang through the prison.

"They're escapin', the prisoners are escap–" It cut of with a wet gurgle. For a single instant, the prison stood silent. Then chaos erupted. Shouts rang through the halls and guards began to rush toward the regular cell block.

He took advantage of the situation to slip through the door to the infirmary. It snapped closed behind Sasuke, insulating them against the uproar just slightly.

The infirmary was nearly empty, save for Haku resting on his bed and a panicked nurse. "Oh, thank goodness you're here to protect us." She exclaimed with a hand resting over her heart. Naruto grimaced and dropped his transformation, earning a panicked scream from the nurse.

"Not so much. I'd suggest you use the exit back there. You don't wanna stick around." He told her pointedly.

She nodded mutely and scrambled towards the hidden door at the back of the room.

Haku sat up in his bed with a wince. "I take it the plan is in motion?"

"Yep, now, let me see your shoulder." Naruto held up the sealing suppression seal. Haku grimaced as he pulled down the shoulder of his kimono top.

Naruto placed the tag as gently as he could. Once it was in place, he held up a half ram seal. The seal glowed blue briefly, indicating its activation. He helped Haku out of bed. The boy moved a bit stiffly but was able to stand up and walk on his own.

"Let's get a move on." Sasuke muttered impatiently. As soon as Haku was ready, the Uchiha led the way to the door, a kunai clenched in his off hand and Sharingan blazing. He paused at the door, before throwing it open.

The atrium was a mess. Bodies of prisoners and guards alike were strewn about. Blood flowed across the concrete in tiny streams and improvised weapons were scattered about. The fight still raged, with reinforcements arriving to try and hold the line against the prisoners as they made for the stairway.

With Sasuke leading the way they skirted the walls as they tried to avoid the fighting. Naruto tried not to slip on the blood that slicked the ground. As they crossed the hall leading to the recreational rooms, a guard appeared from nowhere. Naruto's hand lashed out and cut his throat with a created sword.

Haku gave him an odd look. "Where did that come from."

Sasuke shook his head before he could answer. "Talk about it later, let's move."

Instead of going directly for the door to the ante-chamber, he made his way along a long, skinny hallway. They continued to creep along the back wall. The entire time, Naruto barely breathed. He was convinced any moment someone would notice them and they'd be dragged into the fighting. When they finally reached the door to the fighter waiting room, Naruto let out a sigh of relief.

The room lay quiet and still. You couldn't even hear the fighting that raged in the atrium anymore.

"We're almost there." Sasuke muttered. A confident grin stretched across Uchiha's lips.

Naruto walked over to the lever next to the gate. It took some effort, but finally the lever flipped. The silence was pierced by the sound of gears grinding and rattling chains as the metal gate rose up. Once it was clear Naruto led the way into the entrance tunnel. There was an air of excitement between them, they could sense they were close to escape.

"Once we get upstairs, keep your awareness up. There'll be fighting up there too." Naruto said over his shoulder as they exited the tunnel. The arena looked different from when it was in use. The bright stadium lighting was off, replaced with just enough lighting to cast a dim glow across the cavernous room. Naruto made a beeline for the side of the arena. They'd have to use surface climbing to get into the stands.

Haku eyed the wall wearily. "I think … I'll need some help getting up." He admitted sheepishly.

Naruto nodded readily. Usually, a shinobi would stay horizontal using core strength supplemented by chakra. With that wound, it would be difficult for Haku. He sidled up next to the mist genin and let Haku lean on him. With his arm over Naruto's shoulder, they began a faltering walk up the side of the wall. Sasuke strode smoothly beside them.

At the top they came over the lip of the barricade and Haku was able to stand on his own. As he swept his gaze upward, Naruto thought he saw movement in one of the boxes. He paused and looked closer. It was hard to make anything out in the dim light.

Kurama growled a warning. 'Naruto, I sense strong negative emotions, there are people here!'

Naruto's pulse quickened. He instantly knelt to the ground and placed his finger down. As the pulse of chakra rippled across the arena. Five pings. One miniscule, two large, two massive. His eyes snapped to the box he'd been looking at just as a bright light snapped on.

As the box was illuminated, his spirits sank. Naruto saw the unpleasantly familiar visage of their captor, flanked by all four of his enforcers.

Takeru glared down at them. His glasses glinted dangerously as he adjusted them. "When I heard of the escape attempt, I thought someone might try this route. I must admit I'm … disappointed, to see you here so soon after I warned you about playing along." The nobleman gripped the banister so tightly his knuckles bled white. "Once this little riot is put down, I'll make especially sure the lesson sinks in."

While the noble spoke, Itojiro took off his mask. The shaggy haired man bore a bloodthirsty grin. He licked his lips as he shuffled around behind Takeru protectively.

Naruto eyed the four Mist shinobi wearily. 'Dammit. The twins were hard enough, and Itojiro is supposed to be on par with Kakashi. Don't even know what that Ryuji guy can do. And Haku is injured.' He couldn't think of a way they could beat them. Escape wasn't much of an option either.

Takeru licked his lips. He looked like a snake, about to eat a juicy rat. "Itojiro, I want you to end this riot so I can deal with these disobedient toys." He ordered with a nasty smirk.

Itojiro nodded. He drew his needle sword with a sharp ring. "Very well, Lord Takeru. I'll take care of the riot."

The noble's grin widened. Then Itojiro's blade erupted through his chest, right where his heart was. Takeru's eyes widened as he stared at the blade protruding through his body. "What…?"

Blood sprayed from the wound as Itojiro ripped his blade free of Takeru's body. The noble collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut. He tumbled over the railing into the stands.

Naruto was frozen in shock. Idly, he noted a tingle on his skin as the punishment seal disappeared. What was going on? He'd expected Takeru to die today, but not at the hands of his own men. Itojiro chuckled while he stood in Takeru's place. His eyes danced with mad glee as he looked at the dead noble. Naruto gathered his wits enough to speak up. "Not that I mind, but wasn't he paying you?"

Itojiro's gaze landed on him. "Ah, the little Leaf Ninja. Thanks for causing this opportunity." The mad giant leapt over the barrier and landed in the stands. He treaded carelessly on Takeru's head. "See, rich boy here forgot who he was employing. What kind of fool makes a mercenary his main guard?"

Next to Naruto, Sasuke shifted wearily. "So, what now?"

"Now? Now I'm going to do exactly what I said. I'm going to put down this little insurrection. Then Takeru is going to continue as usual." Naruto gave him a quizzical look, which got a chuckle from Itojiro. "Come on, you're not that stupid. We're shinobi after all."

The gears began to turn. 'Takeru will continue as usual … so he doesn't want a stop to the fights.' The only way such a thing was possible, was if someone took Takeru's place. It wouldn't be hard, the man was an eccentric recluse. "You wanna use transformation to replace him?"

"Bingo." Itojiro laughed merrily. "I'm growing tired of taking orders. So I'll take Takeru's place. It'll make sense for him to experience some changes after such a traumatic event as this. Then, eventually, in a few years, maybe his family will begin to have some accidents."

Naruto's eyes widened. "You're planning on taking over the country?" Sasuke gaped in surprise next to him.

"You guessed it! And ya wanna know the hilarious part? I couldn't have done it without that little escape plan of yours! It was pretty fun, watching you piece things together." Naruto felt as if he'd been punched in the gut. His surprise showed on his face, and Itojiro took great amusement in it.

"You knew?"

The Mist shinobi nodded with a cackle. "You bet your ass I did! And you thought you were being so sneaky, using those little clones of yours. The only reason it worked is I wanted it to. So thanks for the assist."

Itojiro twirled his blade and licked his lips. As he prepared to strike, a series of muffled explosions rang out from the ground above.

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Well, the escape has begun, and Itojiro has betrayed his employer. You'll have to tune in next time to see how things proceed!

Chapter 15 is already out on my Pa treon, as well as the pilot chapter for a Naruto/Bleach Story that uses some elements of my Naruto: Soul Reaper Chronicles story but more firmly in the Bleach universe with Naruto having a backstory within that universe.

As always, I'd like to offer a big thank you to you patrons, thanks for helping keep my motivation going.

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Until Next Time,

RinneTaicho, Signing Off!