Sennin of the Four Nations

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Naruto x Harem?

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''Normal Speech''

Inner Thoughts, Dialogue, Musical Lyrics, or reading passages from books and scrolls.

(Quick Notes and Messages or Echoes.)

(Dark over lapping echoes)

''Boss Summons, Demons, Dark beings speaking, Possessions, Demonic/Angry characters speaking as well as extremely Dark spells and Magic.''

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Story Start

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''Was that,'' Mai hesitated for a moment to make sure she wasn't day dreaming.

''Wan Shi,'' she finished as the form of a large avian creature flew away from the palace.

''Yeah,'' Naruto answered her with a casual nod. He was standing against one the side of the balcony wall.

''Isn't he supposed to be...dead?'' she asked him as her mind tried to process everything her eyes were seeing.

"It was just a Genjutsu. I was trying to provoke the Avatar into going into the Avatar state so I could gauge how strong he was."

"I see…so considering how he tried to kill us last time we saw him this is a complete 180."

"We came to an agreement, I played upon his very weakness; his thirst for knowledge. For every year this war goes on I have to contribute a bookcase worth of knowledge or forfeit my life. In exchange I get accessed to the library's knowledge which has proven quite invaluable.''

''I see,'' she said before moving in front of him. She then drew back her hand and sharply slapped him, catching the blond off-guard.

''What was that for?'' he replied, looking mildly annoyed at Mai's action.

''For meddling in my life concerning Zuko,'' she answered him with some edge to her voice. She waited and judge his reaction as realization flickered to his eyes. ''Do you have anything to say for yourself?'' the last thing Mai was going to do was find herself in a relationship with a male version of Azula with the power of the Avatar who instead of using fear could twist your mind with logic and a kind smile.

''I'm sorry,'' he earnestly answered her before turning to the exit of the balcony. ''Let's go to a private room and talk about it.'' he suggested, ''...you have the right to know about why I meddled,'' he finished as he moved aside the curtain and Mai walked forward. The two of them continued down the hall and took residence in the palace's meeting room which was empty at that time of day. ''Well?'' she asked, waiting for him to explain why he found it fit to meddle.

''Forgive me Mai, but you weren't the only one I had in mind.'' he began as he took a seat opposite of her. The chairs were rather stiff but sturdy and the table was rather old, one that was decades old and finely crafted. ''As you're aware of I met Jin some time ago, but I was aware of her before then. In fact one of my paths informed me who was she was when she and Zuko went on that little date. From how things looked there wouldn't have been any closure for her if we had immediately gone back to the Fire Nation. Could you imagined how heart-broken she would have been if it turned out this Lee boy she was crushing on turned out to be the prince of the Fire Nation. How manipulated and humiliated she would have been? Also, if you and Zuko did pursue a relationship would he be able to fully commit to it without guilt? Many relationships tend to fail due to the fact people sometimes don't find closure with their past relationships. Not to mention you have to consider how strong your feelings to the other person are and what you are willing to do for those ties. Childhood crushes and first loves aren't always guaranteed to work out.'' he concluded as Mai nodded.

''I thought of something similar. About what I want in my life and if I did return to the Fire Nation what would I be achieving? What would I be doing with my life? What my dream is? When would I get my chance to see the world? I guess I can understand why you did what you did, but it still affects me and I appreciate it if you would come to me first if something like this in the future happens.'' she finished as Naruto nodded and smile.

''You know you look all sexy when you're stern like that.'' he teased her only to receive a mild glare and a roll of eyes in return. ''If that's all, I have to go and relax for a bit before I go take care of some business,'' he said as Mai turned back to him, a look curiosity formed on her face.

''What are you going to do?'' she softly asked him, her anger at him fading.

''I'm going to try to get the Avatar and his friends' one more chance to come around,'' he said as he took out a green, crystal like object and fumbled with it.

"It's one of the things I tend to rectify during the next few weeks. So how about it Mai? Care to join me for an afternoon on the city?'' he asked as Mai nodded and decided this would be the perfect time to explore her feelings.

''Just let me freshen up.'' she told the blond who quickly went over to her side and pulled out her chair. ''Give me about an hour.'' she informed him to which he softly inhaled, but to his credit he wisely decided not to say anything.

After a crisp forty minutes had passed Naruto was glad he waited. Mai looked absolutely stunning, she was wearing Earth kingdom Robes, a dark green with a tight fitted bodice showing off the outline of her breasts nicely. The two piece green garment was tightly tied with an elaborate system of golden strings along with a matching dark green skirt with golden trims. On her face she wore very light traces of make-up, much lighter than most teenage girls and she was wearing some sort of scent that had a touch of vanilla and mint. Whatever the scent was it sent shivers down his spine as he couldn't help but feel compelled to taste her.

Holding out his arm, Mai interlocked hers with his as they went out into the city. Naruto decided a nice little picnic outside the palace would be rather nice for such a lovely day. Crowded, hot, and dusty, alleys brimmed with many denizens from refugees to many middle class citizens. As they traveled through the city their senses were assaulted by many different scents. Walking by smithy their noses were stung by the scent of sweat and coal, and other minerals. As they moved to some of the nicer districts the sweet scent of tea and spices of restaurants washed over their nostrils and wet their appetites.

Finally they came to a rest at a small lake with a single tree for shade. As they enjoyed the quiet meal Naruto couldn't help but smile upon seeing Mai's light up at one of the treats he brought along.

''What?'' she replied, upon seeing his amused grin and started to feel a bit self-conscious. "I love fruit tarts." she answered as she did her damnest not to giggle after she took another bite of the tasty pastry. 'Curse you, you delectable treat. My only weakness.' she was shaken out of her thoughts as she suddenly found herself being whisked up in the air. ''What are you doing?'' she monotonously asked, her voice cracking slightly. ''No! Don't you dare!'' she screamed as Naruto dropped down into the lake resulting in them being soaked. ''What the hell is wrong with you?'' Mai snapped, losing all pretenses of control as Naruto only laughed which further infuriated her. ''You think this i...'' she was cut off as he spoke into her ear.

''I want my cute little student to express herself like she used to.'' he softly stated. ''You know you don't have to be reserved around me Mai.'' he said as he pulled back and look into Mai's eyes.

Mai's voice was caught in her throat as she wasn't sure how to answer or react. She wanted to hate Naruto so much but she couldn't. Even if she never said it, she held a good deal of resentment towards her teacher for presumably abandoning her. She was content with hating the blond for the rest of her life, but the moment she saw him she found herself unable to. She missed him.

Mai stood up, the wet cloth clinging to her figure to which Naruto couldn't help but study her form. ''...and maybe a few other things.'' he teased her with a suggestive wink as a faint blush formed on Mail's cheek, her arms promptly folded over her breasts. ''Why don't you use one of your crazy techniques and make a life size portrait,'' she grumbled as Naruto chuckled.

''Nah, I'll just rely on photographic memory.'' he continued to tease as he snaked his arm around her waist. ''Now to get you out of those clothes and no this was not my plan all along.'' he added as Mai sighed.

''You're such a hopeless pervert.'' she stated, but a small smile formed on her face. 'And I guess I wouldn't have it any other way.'

Toph all the while was sitting down on the sandy yet rough ground of a training arena not that far away from where they were. Soft breaths of air softly escaped her lips as she steadied her heartbeat. Her concentration was broken when she felt something land on her shoulder. ''You again, huh?'' she softly stated as the creature, the butterfly softly flapped its wings. ''People say you're beautiful, and though I've never seen you, I believe so too.'' she extended her fingers as the butterfly moved to it. ''But not in the same way.'' she finished with a smile as the creature took to the air. ''Freedom like yours was all I ever thought I needed.'' The images of the other members of the Gaang flashed through her mind. ''But then...I realized freedom is a rather subjective term. Even when I will be able to see you soon will I be able to live with the choices I made?'' she asked, her stone wall shields around her heart dropping and allowing her to be the girl she so desperately tried to distance herself from come out.

(2) She wasn't a proper lady. She couldn't read or write and only had a moderate grasp in math. She didn't do sleep overs, or giggle, or gush about boys endlessly. She didn't fantasize about weddings, or lavish dresses or parties. Toph Bei Fong was anything but a delicate flower. That's what her parents saw her as and she hated. So every day she fought to destroy this so called flower from the inside out while putting on a show for her parents. The only real influences outsider her tutors and her parents were the rough and gruff crowd of the underground Earth bending tournaments. Wanting so hard to erase the image of the soft-spoken docile daughter the Bei Fong's wanted Toph began emulating the behavior of those around her to the point.

Instead of being polite she would be sarcastic. Instead of being submissive she would be confrontational and instead of just being another trophy wife or decoration she would be independent and would tell people what she thought of them no matter who they were. And she would take care of herself, instead of the delicate flower they thought she was. That's who she was always been the tough girl that took care of herself and didn't need anyone but yet, what was the feeling in her heart that wouldn't go away.

''You're feeling regret, aren't you?''

Toph turned and found herself face to face with Naruto. His very presence having a very calming effect. ''I don't know what you mean.'' Toph vehemently denied as Naruto reached out to grab her hand.

''I forced you into a decision you shouldn't have had to make. Even if I didn't agree with their choices or decisions they were still your friends. As someone who has dealt with betrayal I know how painful it is, but I have my reasons for doing what I did. '' he confessed as Toph shook her head.

''I made my choice and its something I have to live with. I made the choice to move forward and make my own path.'' she replied as Naruto took a hold of her hand.

''What are you doing?'' she asked as he placed her hand against his chest.

''I don't want to hurt you Toph. That's never been my intention and I'm doing my best to make sure this world doesn't suffer the same fate as mine. And I want you as one of the ones by my side. You believe me don't you?''

Every passing heartbeat told her to trust him. ''I do, if I didn't I wouldn't be here now.'' she answered him as a smile formed on his face.

''Thank you,'' he said as he placed his hands on her headband despite her protests. ''Why do you insist on hiding away that hair of yours I know you don't like being girly or don't care about looks, but you trust me don't you Toph? Would it hurt to be a little soft, even if it's just around me?'' he asked as Toph's cheeks heated up.

''Well mister hair fetish if it'll make you happy.'' She cheekily remarked.

''I don't have a hair fetish,'' Naruto cried out as Toph freed her hair.

Toph's hair fell to her shoulder as she took on a rather woobish short of look. Strands of her bangs covered her eyes, a look of hesitance framed Toph's face. ''Well Naruto, do you like me better this way?'' she asked as a fluttering in her stomach began to occur.

''I find you beautiful this way yes, but then again I've come to learn a long time ago pretty face means nothing if the person doesn't have a good heart. Being a proper lady isn't your thing Toph and I definitely wouldn't have you as anyone else but my gruff and cocky earth bender. Even if you really could use a bath on more frequent bases,'' despite all the growth Naruto gained in years he could still be a bit of a clueless ass-hat at times. Something he realized when he suddenly found himself dodging a rock that was Earth Bend towards his head.

''Are you ready?'' he asked as they walked down through the doorway to where the members of the Gaang were kept. To say they didn't receive a warm welcome was an understatement.

''If we stop Ozai we can stop the war.'' Aang announced with certainty to Naruto's question of what exactly was the plan to end the war at the Day of the Black Sun.

Naruto shook his head. "You're wrong, Aang. Taking out Ozai and expecting the war to end there is naive. Anyone worth their grain of salt realizes that its unrealistic that a war will just end because one side's leader is captured. If one general dies then you just replace him with another. If you simply capture Ozai then what? He has supporters or loyal soldiers who are more than willing to break him out of any stronghold or continue the war in his name. The soldiers, the ones who have fought in this war and following this campaign for generations simply aren't just going to quit and change their minds, even if someone new were to take up the throne. The only thing you would be guaranteeing at that point is a bloody silver war within the Fire Nation itself. They would only see someone else of the royal family claiming the throne as a bid for power and that wouldn't take care of the loyalists and such who agree with Ozai's way. Only by killing Ozai and his followers in one swoop can we hope to put an end to this war.'' he finished as an uneasy look crossed upon the Gaang's face along with Zuko.

As far as Zuko was informed of, Naruto was only speaking a hypothetically situation to manipulate the Avatar. He still wasn't completely keyed in on the plan to end the war as he was still unsure where his allegiance lied.

''I'm not a killer,'' Aang argued. ''You make it sound so simple, killing. How could you say we were the same if you could be so callous about human life.''

''It's because I value human life so much I'm willing to kill to protect those who can't fight for themselves,'' Naruto snapped, before pausing and taking a deep breath. ''To this world I am an outsider with abilities no one else should have. I am one they would easily fear, but you Avatar, so many of the people put their fate into you and would hardly bat an eyelash if you killed the Fire Lord, then I, an unknown element did. And if you failed, an accident could be arranged the people to happen to the Fire Lord and the people would hail you as a hero, not to mention hail the new Fire Lord who would take the measures to make reparations for what the Nation itself has done to the Nations of Earth and Water to begin a new era of peace and understanding. And maybe one day the people would stop depending on one person and realize their potential once again. When one person, one who is naive and doesn't understand pain or truth can take complete control of the world then we as a people, we as the human race become weak and complacent.''

''But not everyone is a fighter. Not everyone wants to participate in war or...''

''The hardships that come with them.'' Naruto cut Aang off. ''And that's another flaw. Strength doesn't always come with the ability to fight. By your nature you are defensive and like to evade by finding another solution instead of facing things head on. Now tell me, if this invasion would have gone according to plan and you encountered Ozai what would you have done? You may be a pacifist but that doesn't mean members of the Water Tribe or Earth Kingdom are. Would you have forced them to play a defensive game because you don't like killing and risk their lives against Ozai's vengeful loyalists when they fight tooth and nail to reclaim their kidnapped ruler?'' he asked, realization dawning on Aang's face as he realized he and the others hadn't thought that far ahead.

''But can't you just seal their bending? If you could seal theirs like ours then there would be no need to kill.'' Katara spoke up in Aang's defense. One of the first things they tried to do upon realizing that they were captured was tried to bend their way out of the prison and found themselves unable too.

Naruto shook his head and tsk. ''You know it's called a war for a reason, and not an extended training exercise or sparing. People die and you of all people should know that.'' he emphasized in a tone of finality causing her to recoil slightly.

''Hey don't you...'' Sokka was cut off as the wall next to him was cracked by a powerful Shinra Tensei and Naruto's nonsense gauge which made even the normally brave strategist think twice about continuing to speak.

Though, instead of Naruto continuing Azula threw in her two cents. ''Even without power my father still has his political connections. A militarized nation isn't just going to stop an era long war just because you preach about peace and kindness. Far too many high-rank military men and nobility would have something to say when all the money they placed into this campaign for land, materials, and such stopped all of a sudden. Do you really think that if my father was the only person in the Fire Nation that truly wanted war? That members of the Fire Council wouldn't have arranged an accident of sorts to place a puppet ruler in their stead? I mean you're more than well aware what happened with that Earth King Buffoon and Long Feng.''

Suddenly a tremor coursed through the dungeon with small cracks of earth and dirt fell down from the ceiling. ''What the hell?'' Naruto cried out as another tremor occurred. Two Dai Li agents appeared.

''Lord Naruto! A title wave has appeared and attacked there's a strange creature attacking the palace. Our soldiers are being slaughtered.''

''What! Just what we needed!'' he snarled as he turned to Toph. ''I don't know what the hell is going on but were heading out. I trust you don't mind hanging back and watching them?''

''What the hell? You're putting me on grunt duty?'' she asked as another tremor echoed and nearly threw her off-balance. ''Then again I am not a fan of the tidal waves.''

''If you two are done with your lover's spat we might want to save the palace before were submerged under water.'' Azula dead panned. With that the others hastily exited the dungeon leaving Toph to guard the prisoners.

''You were our friend...how could you betray us?''

''It's complicated,'' Toph answered Katara. ''To walk my own path the only way...'' Toph stopped as she sensed a rather unfamiliar presence. Whoever the presence belonged to it unnerved her a bit. Before she could react a searing pain filled her body along with the sensation of blood dripping down her body.

Meanwhile outside the palace havoc and chaos was abound. A massive body of water surrounded the palace and the districts below were slightly flooded. Suddenly Naruto felt a pulse of chakra. Suddenly a water sprout erupted from the water. Suddenly the Samehada on Naruto's back began to jerk violently. Naruto removed the blade and quickly brought it in front of him to block the approaching attack only for his opponent to shatter the legendary blade with his attack. .

"I won't lose to you again Naruto this time around I will stand victorious."

"No way…" Naruto breathe out in other surprise. "Menma?"

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Chapter End

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2. Toph doesn't develop as much as the rest of the Gaang and there were a lack of tender and soft moments when it came to the other version of the Sennin Naruto stories (5 of us authors now.) As far as I can tell I'm the only one that doesn't have Naruto insult and curb-stomp Aang and so far I will be the only one portraying her as to having some regret and a softer side. (Same with Mai development). I know you guys really want to find out about Naruto's descendant and mysterious stranger, but I can't help but add tons of character development or set up.

3. There will not be a mass abuse of Impure World Resurrection so don't bombard me about that. The events of this chapter are what's going to tie into Book 3. So yeah, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.