Hey guys. Back with another chapter. I apologize for the long updates. Life is constantly kicking me in the ass. But I try to do an update every now and then. I do want to try and update my other stories as I don't want to abandon them. At the same time, I've also written down some other story ideas of my own. I'll let you know at the end of the chapter. Anyways, quick recap.
Last time, the Marines encountered the Akatsuki while making their way to a stranded tank. Itachi Uchiha warns the Marines to leave the country or something bad will happen. The tank is saved, and the Marines dig in while it gets repaired. We now focus our attention on what's happening in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, specifically what Hinata's been doing.
"Regrets and Determination"
October 11, 2011 – 11:30:44
Hidden Leaf Village, Land of Fire
Chunin Hinata Hyuga
Leaf Ninja Team 8
Hinata Hyuga was walking down the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village with her teammates, Shino Aburame and Kiba Inuzuka, with his ninja dog Akamaru. They were heading towards the Hokage Tower to report on their mission. Well, two if they were to count the S-rank side quest that was given to every ninja team that went outside the village; finding Naruto Uzumaki and bringing him back to the Leaf. But with each passing day, the chances of finding him were only getting smaller, nothing but dead ends. It also didn't help that the chunin who reported Naruto missing, Iruka Umino, said that Western soldiers took Naruto. Well, maybe taken wasn't the right word. More like Naruto went with them of his own free will. It's been 10 years since anyone last saw him.
As they made their way to the Hokage Tower, they ran into Team 10, consisting of Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi.
"Hey, guys," Shikamaru greeted lazily, "You just got back today?"
"Yeah," Kiba replied, "We were just on our way to report to Lady Tsunade on the success of our mission."
"Technically Kiba, the success of one mission, and failure of our other mission," Shino corrected, "Did you forget we were given an S-ranked mission that was set forth by the previous Hokage?"
"Tch, I haven't forgotten, Shino," Kiba scoffed in response, "It's just that mission is impossible. Every ninja team that goes outside the village has been given that mission and they all failed. It's been 10 years, and no one has still been able to find that loser. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has already killed him."
"Shut up, Kiba."
Everyone turned to Hinata as she said that. Ever since Naruto left the village, Hinata has grown colder each day (AN: Not to the point where she's a bitch in Road to Ninja, but enough to not be shy and lash out at anyone).
"If I hear another negative comment about Naruto out of your mouth…" Hinata left her threat hanging. She even had her Byakugan activated to prove her point. Kiba, while a bit scared at her display, continued trying to defend his point.
"Forget it, Hinata," Kiba argued, "Naruto's dead."
This did not deter Hinata however, "You're wrong, Kiba! He's alive, and one day I'll find Naruto."
Wanting to deescalate the situation, Shikamaru stepped in, "We get it, Hinata. We all know you care for him, but you have to accept that at the very least Naruto's been gone for this long. You also must know that Naruto chose to leave the village with Western soldiers, at least that's what Iruka-sensei told us. It's possible Naruto is no longer in the Elemental Nations, otherwise we would've found him a lot sooner."
"Shikamaru's right, Hinata," Ino added, "We also have to assume Naruto doesn't wanna come back. When it was announced he disappeared, we all saw how at first the villagers rejoiced that he was gone. Then when it was announced he was the son of the Fourth Hokage, we saw how shaken up they were. But even with all of that, they may still hold some resentment towards Naruto."
Hinata paused for a moment before saying, "Even so, I will find him. He never gave up at the Academy when we were children, and I won't give up now!"
Before anyone could respond, Hinata told her teammates, "Come on guys, let's go report to Lady Tsunade."
Hinata set off with her teammates leaving Team 10 standing there contemplating Hinata's confidence. She's become more confident in the past several years. It started sometime before Hinata became a chunin. She had started receiving mysterious letters from someone outside of the Elemental Nations. She never said who they were from.
They reached the Hokage Tower where they encountered another ninja team, Team Ebisu, consisting of Konohamaru Sarutobi and his friends Udon and Moegi. Hinata wasn't the only one affected by Naruto leaving. Konohamaru lost the first person that saw him as himself and not the Honorable Grandson of the Third Hokage. He called Naruto his big brother, and in turn, Naruto felt he had someone he could be close to family.
Konohamaru noticed Team 8 approaching and called out to Hinata, "Hey, Hinata. Back from your mission?"
"Yes, we just got back," Hinata replied warmly, "What about you?"
"We just got done reporting to Lady Tsunade," Moegi answered, "She seems to be in a good mood."
"Do you think maybe she found a clue where Naruto is?" Udon asked. This got Hinata's attention.
"Maybe," Moegi responded, "She wouldn't say why she's in a good mood."
"I guess we'll just have to ask her ourselves," Kiba said, "Come on guys."
As Team 8 headed towards the Hokage's office, Hinata couldn't help but think about Udon's statement about Naruto. This, however, caught Shino's attention.
"I know what you're thinking, Hinata," Shino stated, "but you mustn't get your hopes up."
"I know that Shino, but I'm never giving up on finding him."
"I understand, but it will eventually become an unhealthy obsession."
Hinata couldn't deny Shino was right. Everyone told her to give up on the search, even their sensei, Kurenai Yuhi. But every effort to deter her was met with stubbornness.
They entered the Hokage's office where Tsunade and Shizune were reading over a document. They appeared to be quite excited about what they read. But they regained their composure when Team 8 entered the office.
"Team 8 reporting, Lady Fifth," Hinata announced.
Tsunade put the document away and put on her poker face, "Welcome back, you four. Were your missions successful?"
"The reconnaissance mission to the Land of Sound was successful," Shino stated, "However, the mission to find Naruto Uzumaki was a failure."
"Again," Kiba quipped only for him to be hit in the gut by a Gentle Fist from Hinata. Kiba kneeled clutching his stomach in pain while Akamaru whimpered worrying for his partner.
Tsunade thanked Hinata for shutting Kiba up.
Hinata felt the answer would be the same, but she still had to ask, "Pardon me Lady Hokage, but has there been any word from any other team about Naruto's whereabouts?"
Tsunade debated whether or not to tell Hinata about the recent development or just another heartbreaking apology.
"It's possible."
Hinata perked up at Tsunade's answer.
"But that's all I can share at the moment."
Another disappointment, but this time there was a potential lead.
"Thank you, Lady Hokage," Hinata bowed.
Tsunade paid them for their successful mission and told them to head home and rest up. Once Team 8 left, Shizune turned to Tsunade and asked, "Are sure it was right to not tell Hinata about Team 7's success?"
"As much as I didn't want to break her heart, it wouldn't help to have her run off after them," Tsunade explained, "Besides, they still have to bring Naruto back, so I wouldn't call it a complete success."
Tsunade pulled the document she had earlier, which revealed itself to be a letter sent from Kakashi stating Team 7's progress, including their capture and rescue from the Ultranationalists, and Naruto's location.
"We'll have to tell her eventually, along with the rest of the rest of the Leaf 12 (minus Team 7)," Shizune argued.
"I'll tell them when they've had a chance to rest up. Once we have an idea of where Naruto is exactly, we can-"
Before Tsunade could continue, she was interrupted by a team of ANBU Black Ops entering the office.
"Lady Hokage," the team leader said, "we've finished our recon mission to the Land of Spring. We confirm the Akatsuki are in a civilian village. They have been seen interacting with foreign soldiers."
"Dammit," Tsunade cursed to herself.
"Could they be the same soldiers that captured Team 7, Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked Tsunade.
"It's possible," she responded before turning to the ANBU, "Did you find out what those soldiers were doing there?"
"No ma'am," the team leader said dejected, "We couldn't get any closer without them spotting us. But our best guess is the Akatsuki and these foreign soldiers are protecting something or someone."
"Did you get a glimpse of how many soldiers were there?" Tsunade pressed.
"We spotted about 100 soldiers before we had to pull out, but there is the possibility of there being more of them. We have spotted several armored vehicles as well."
"What kind of person or object needs that level of protection, and why all the way out here in the Elemental Nations?" Tsunade asked herself then stated to the ANBU, "Thank you for the information. Dismissed."
The ANBU nodded and flickered out of the room.
"Do you think Daimyo Koyuki Kazahana knows about this?" Shizune asked.
"If she did, she would've sent a request for help. There's no way her samurai could take on modern soldiers. In fact, it would bring the attention of the Japanese government. The fact that these soldiers managed to get here without being detected raises questions. We'll have to deal this quickly and without as much trouble as we can."
Tsunade did have a point. If any military force showed up near the Elemental Nations, it would be met with the Japanese Self-Defense Force. Officially, the Elemental Nations are Protectorates of Japan, so if any or all of them was attacked, the Japanese Self-Defense Force would intervene. But in reality, the Elemental Nations are completely independent. At one point in history, the Empire of Japan tried to conquer the Elemental Nations but had quickly found it to be impossible to maintain as a territory. So the emperor met with the many daimyo of the nations and settled for a treaty that would see the Elemental Nations as independent. They would be under the protection of the Imperial Japanese government and would answer only to the emperor if the time ever came to. This treaty has held even after World War II. There were only a handful of times the Japanese government intervened in the affairs of the Elemental Nations, and even then, it was simply to prevent said affairs from spilling over to other nations, such as Russia, China, or America. So for foreign soldiers, potentially Russian Ultranationalists, being in the Elemental Nations was disturbing.
"I've got a feeling Shizune."
'Oh no,' Shizune thought hoping it was not another time where Tsunade thought her luck would change only for her to lose another gamble.
"If these soldiers are protecting something, or rather, someone, then I get the feeling Naruto may come with his fellow SAS deal with them," Tsunade guessed, "Kakashi's letter did state that Russia was in a civil war right now, and it's drawn the attention to the West. So, if these Russian rebels are here, then they might bring Naruto to the Land of Spring. This might be our best chance, Shizune. Have Teams 3, 8, and 10 here along with their senseis ASAP."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Shizune bowed as she ran off to have the message delivered to the shinobi of each team.
Hinata arrived at the Hyuga compound where she was greeted by her childhood bodyguard, Ko.
"Greetings, Lady Hinata," Ko bowed.
"Ko," Hinata simply acknowledged as she walked inside the compound.
"Lord Hiashi is in his office waiting for your report on your mission," Ko informed her. Though Hinata wasn't in the mood to meet her father, she had no choice but to go to his office. She walked through the compound to Hiashi's office. Once she was there, she knocked on the door.
"Enter," Hiashi's voice came from the other side.
Hinata walked into her father's office where he was sitting at the table looking over some documents.
"Hinata, you have returned," Hiashi stated emotionlessly, "How was your mission?"
"Our mission was a success, father," Hinata responded, "We've scouted the Land of Sound for intelligence on the Sound Village. We've located several Sound ninja outposts throughout the nation. Some of the documents we've recovered mention they are on alert for any sign of Akatsuki and their newfound allies from a distant country called Russia."
Hiashi sat there contemplating the information Hinata gave him. What allies did the Akatsuki have? What did they hope to gain? And how would this affect the Hyuga clan? Many questions ran through Hiashi's mind, yet there were no answers. His thoughts were interrupted when there was another knock on the door.
"Enter," Hiashi said. The door opened to reveal Neji Hyuga, Hinata's cousin.
"Pardon me, Lord Hiashi, but Lady Hinata and I have been ordered to the Hokage's office," Neji said.
"Already?" Hiashi asked, "Even though Hinata just returned from a mission?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Neji explained.
"Very well, best not to keep her waiting. Hinata, you're dismissed."
"Yes, father," Hinata bowed as she stood up and left the office.
As Hinata and Neji left the compound, Hinata couldn't help but wonder why Tsunade wanted to speak with her. Why didn't she do it earlier when they were debriefing their mission?
"You seem troubled, Lady Hinata," Neji pointed out.
"I don't understand why Lady Tsunade would want to see me now after a mission," Hinata explained.
"She needs every available ninja in the village. Not everyone can just relax after a mission. Even though we are not currently at war, we must always be prepared."
Hinata just nodded at Neji's statement. "There's something else, isn't there?" She hesitated to say anything. "Naruto Uzumaki, correct?"
Hinata said nothing. Neji sighed, "I'm not the first person to tell you this, and I won't be the last, but do you really think you can find him?"
"I don't think, Neji! I know can find Naruto, and I won't give up until I do! That's my nindo, my ninja way!"
Neji didn't know what to think or say next. For much of his life, Hinata would refer to him as "Elder brother Neji," even though he had hated her for causing the death of his father, Hizashi. But ever since he heard that Naruto Uzumaki left the village, she's stopped calling him that. In fact, she became colder to every member of the Hyuga clan, even to her own little sister, Hanabi. On one day, during the Chunin Exams, she finally managed to defeat him in a spar, shattering his belief that fate was already decided on a person. Following her victory, Hiashi gave Neji Hizashi's final letter to him, explaining why he gave up his life to avoid the Leaf Village going to war. It was an eye opener to Neji, to say the least. After that, Neji did his best to redeem himself for all the mistreatment he did to Hinata. She never held a grudge against him, saying she had always forgiven him, but there was still a level of coldness that wouldn't go away. He had surmised it would take Naruto coming back to the village to bring back the kind-hearted Hinata when she was an Academy student. But given the way the village treated Naruto, that wasn't going to happen, at least very unlikely.
"I'm not doubting you, Lady Hinata," Neji finally spoke, "But perhaps you should look at it this way. When Iruka-sensei last saw Naruto, he was seen with Western soldiers. From the way Naruto looked at him, it was the impression that he willing went with them. Now 10 years later, it's possible wherever Naruto is right now, he must be happy with his life. If we forcefully bring him back, it could bring some unexpected consequences. I know you love him and vice versa, but do you think he'll still love you if you bring him back to the Leaf against his will?"
Hinata contemplated Neji's logic, but before they could respond, they were already at the Hokage Tower. When they entered the office, they found the rest of Teams 3, 8, and 10, along with their senseis. Team 3 consisted of Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee with their sensei being Might Guy. Team 10's sensei, Asuma Sarutobi was there with Kurenai, although both weren't exactly happy that their date was interrupted.
"Neji, Hinata, it is good to see you two!" Lee announced.
"Lee," Neji simply greeted.
"Alright, now that your all here, we can begin," Tsunade grabbed everyone's attention, "Team 8, I apologize for bringing you back so soon after a mission, but this is an opportunity we won't want to waste."
Everyone present in the room was curious about what she meant.
"Eight days ago, I sent Team 7 to the Land of Tea to investigate the Akatsuki interacting with Russian Ultranationalist soldiers. The mission went South, and they were captured. However, they were then rescued by British Special Air Service soldiers. They were taken back to Great Britain where they remained for the past four days."
"Are they held prisoner there, too?" Asuma asked.
"No, but their movements are being monitored as long as they're in British custody," Tsunade assured, "Now here's where it gets interesting. One of the soldiers who rescued Team 7… was none other than Naruto Uzumaki."
Everyone's eyes widened when they heard about him. Hinata let out a gasp. She couldn't believe it.
"Naruto's… alive?" Hinata said.
"Yes, Hinata," Tsunade said with a smile, "And, he's doing quite well. Now, recently an ANBU recon team sent to the Land of Spring has discovered the Akatsuki along with the same Ultranationalists in a small civilian village. They appear to be protecting something or someone important."
"What a drag," Shikamaru groaned, "We're surrounded on all sides by almost every major Shinobi Nation, Orochimaru's goons, and now the Akatsuki are allying with soldiers from outside the Elemental Nations?"
"What is this world going to?" Kurenai groaned.
"Pardon me, Lady Tsunade," Guy asked, "but if you're asking us to go in there to take out those soldiers, but it sounds like a suicide mission. Very unyouthful if you ask me."
"I'm getting to that, Guy," Tsunade assured, "In fact that's part of the reason how Team 7 got captured, because the arrogant Uchiha tested his luck against a group of modern soldiers armed with modern weapons. The thought of the Shinobi villages being overtaken by a modern army is enough to make me drink my entire sake cabinet out of worry."
Everyone sweatdropped at that last statement.
Tsunade continued, "Anyways, with any luck, you won't have to engage the Russians. With any luck, Naruto might do it for you."
"What do you mean, Lady Tsunade?" asked Tenten.
"The British Special Air Service, or SAS as their better known as, are a group of elite Western soldiers capable of many feats. Hostage rescue, assassination, deep reconnaissance, anything a ninja can do, but they do it with direct and precise action. They also use modern weapons, not like the weapons and ninja tools we use today. They don't need to get up close to their enemies to take them out. In fact, they prefer to eliminate their enemies from a distance. That's what makes them so formidable."
'Wow,' Tenten thought, 'They must be strong warriors. Almost makes me wanna test my skills against them and take their weapons to study them.'
"Now, as to why Naruto would take them out for you," Tsunade continued, "I'm willing to bet that the Akatsuki and these Russian soldiers will attract the SAS's attention. With any luck, they'll send Naruto's squad to deal with these soldiers, and secure any objective they may be protecting. I also have reason to believe Team 7 will want to go along with them to help. Once most or all of the soldiers have been dealt with, that's when you'll make your move. Make yourselves known to them but under no circumstances are you to show hostile intent. You're there to help them. When the village is secure, you are to present Naruto with the request to return to the Hidden Leaf Village. If, by any chance, the SAS do not show up and the Japanese Special Forces appear, ask them to deliver the message to Naruto in Britain. Any questions?"
"What do we do if we're discovered by the Russians?" Shikamaru asked.
"Use whatever methods you need to get them off your trail. Any other questions?"
"What should we do if Naruto refuses our request to return to the Leaf?" Ino asked.
"If that happens, then you respect his wishes. We'll at least contact their government to collaborate with them to contain the Akatsuki to the Elemental Nations. There's no telling what will happen if the rest of the world knows about the Akatsuki and their goals."
"Do we have any estimate of how many Russians are in this village we're headed?" Asuma asked.
"The ANBU recon team reported at least a hundred soldiers along with armored vehicles. There are also about a few dozen Akatsuki swordsman as well," Tsunade explained, "Anything else?"
Everyone shook their heads, ready to accept the mission.
"Very well," Tsunade said, "You're orders are clear. Head to the civilian village, observe the enemy forces for as long as possible, find Naruto Uzumaki, and bring him back to the Leaf. This is an S-ranked mission. Gather any supplies you need. You leave for the Land of Spring at first light tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Lady Hokage!" Everyone said in union. They left the Hokage's office to prepare for the long and dangerous mission. Tsunade looked at the portraits of the Third and Fourth Hokages.
'Minato, Kushina, Sarutobi-sensei, don't worry,' Tsunade thought, 'We'll bring Naruto back. I'll see to it that he is seen as a hero who saved the village from the Nine-Tailed Fox.'
And that'll do it for this chapter. Again, I apologize for taking so long to write this chapter. I've got a lot of things going on.
Now along with updating my other stories, there are some other stories and crossovers that I want to write. Here are some that I've thought about.
Queen's Blade and Pirates of the Caribbean
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic and Fallout: New Vegas
Metal Gear Solid and Terminator
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic and Assassin's Creed
Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Fallout: New Vegas
Demon Slayer and Call of Duty: Ghosts
Anyways, these are just some of the ideas that I have written down. Let me know what you guys think.
Next time:
"Jackson! Get your ass on the line now! We got hostiles moving in from the North!"
"Red Dog 6, we're clear of the bog. Thanks for the assist. We'll hold down the left flank and provide supporting fire, out."