16: Return to the land of waves, Council Meeting and the tense encounter at the Northern Hideout.

After their exploits at Orochimaru's main hideout, Naruto, Kabuto along with Kimimaro and Suigetsu headed towards Orochimaru's Southern Hideout, located off the coast of the Land of Waves. The journey took them back to the place where Naruto had experienced his first real mission, a mission that held bittersweet memories of hardship, battle, and newfound friendships.

Naruto and his companions finally docked at the harbor, the familiar sight of the peaceful village greeting them. The village had changed since his last visit. The atmosphere was lighter, the people more cheerful, and the shadows of poverty and fear that once loomed large had faded away.

As Naruto walked through the village streets, he was greeted with warm smiles and waves. Men and women called out his name, their voices filled with admiration and gratitude. Small children ran up to him, eager to see the man they had heard countless stories about, the hero who saved them from despair.

"Naruto!" one villager called, bowing respectfully.

"Thank you for everything you've done for us!" another added with a bright smile.

Naruto, unused to the adulation, sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "C'mon, guys, it's not a big deal. I was just doing my job," he said, embarrassed but happy to see that the people of the Land of Waves had recovered and were thriving.

Suigetsu, walking beside Naruto, glanced around the village with a smirk. "Damn, Boss. Seems like you're a legend around here." His tone was teasing, but the underlying respect was clear.

Naruto chuckled softly, still rubbing his head. "I guess so."

Naruto and his group soon reached Tazuna's house, where they saw the old man and his grandson, Inari, fishing by the river. The peaceful sight warmed Naruto's heart, a far cry from the frightened and helpless child Inari once was.

Inari, noticing Naruto from a distance, dropped his fishing rod and sprinted towards him. "Nii-chan!" he yelled, jumping into Naruto's arms.

Naruto caught him effortlessly, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Heh, told ya I'd come back, didn't I?" he said, ruffling Inari's hair.

Inari looked up at him with shining eyes. "You're really back! I knew you'd keep your word!"

Tsunami soon joined them, carrying a tray with lunch for Tazuna and Inari. She smiled warmly at Naruto, wiping her hands on her apron. "Naruto, it's so good to see you again. We weren't expecting visitors."

Tazuna also approached, his face crinkled in a pleased grin. "Well, if it isn't the kid who saved our hides. You've grown, Naruto!"

Naruto greeted them both with a respectful nod, glad to be among old friends. "Yeah, it's been a while, huh? I'm just glad to see you all doing well."

They shared a moment of quiet happiness, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the river and the village. The hardships of the past felt like distant memories now, replaced by the warmth of friendship and peace.

Suigetsu, observing the scene with confusion, muttered to Kabuto, "Who are these people?"

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, replying coolly, "The family Naruto helped during one of his early missions. Tazuna is a bridge builder. This village was once oppressed by a tyrant named Gato, and Naruto played a significant role in their liberation."

Suigetsu shrugged, still unimpressed. "Well, good for them, I guess."

Kimimaro stood silently, watching the interactions but saying nothing, his mind focused elsewhere. Naruto's carefree demeanor with the villagers was in stark contrast to the powerful warrior he had fought just days before.

Naruto, after chatting for a while, turned to his companions. "C'mon, let's grab some food. I'm sure Tsunami's cooking will blow your minds."

The group moved toward the house, where they would take a momentary rest before continuing their journey.

After a heartfelt lunch with Tazuna's family, Naruto stood by the door, looking out at the peaceful village. He smiled softly, appreciating the tranquility for a moment longer before turning back to his friends.

"It's time to go," Naruto said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. He gave a final wave to Tazuna, Tsunami, and Inari, who stood by the doorway, watching them with warm smiles.

"Take care, Naruto,"Tazuna called out, his rough voice full of gratitude. "You're always welcome here."

Inari beamed, his voice full of admiration. "Come back soon, nii-chan!"

Naruto gave them a thumbs-up, then turned away, leading Kabuto, Kimimaro, and Suigetsu through the village. His thoughts, however, drifted toward another destination. "Next stop… Zabuza and Haku," Naruto muttered to himself.

--

The walk to the graves was quiet, the only sounds being the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional whisper of the wind. As they neared the spot, Suigetsu's gaze suddenly sharpened. His eyes widened as he spotted something familiar.

"No way…" Suigetsu murmured, his voice filled with disbelief. "Is that?"

Before him stood Zabuza's massive sword, the Kubikiribōchō, planted firmly into the earth, marking the final resting place of the Demon of the Mist and his loyal companion, Haku.

"Why the hell is my senpai's sword just being used as a gravestone?" Suigetsu demanded, turning to the group, his expression a mix of confusion and indignation.

Kabuto, ever the collected one, adjusted his glasses with a small smirk. "Because Zabuza is dead," he replied matter-of-factly. "He and Haku both lie beneath this earth, together in death, as they were in life."

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly at Kabuto, a flicker of suspicion crossing his mind. 'Right... Kabuto always knows more than he lets on,' Naruto thought, remembering that Kabuto was a master of gathering information.

Suigetsu, however, didn't care for the subtleties of the conversation. His eyes locked onto the blade as he strode forward with purpose. He grinned, almost reverently, as he placed his hand on the hilt of the Kubikiribōchō.

"Senpai," Suigetsu said softly, almost as if addressing Zabuza himself. "I'm taking this. I'll wield it better than anyone else, and I'll make sure it gets used to its full potential."

Naruto's brow twitched. As much as Suigetsu's casual arrogance bothered him, Naruto couldn't deny that Zabuza had earned his respect in those final moments of battle all those years ago. The idea of someone else wielding his blade felt… wrong.

Just as Naruto was about to say something, a deep, familiar voice cut through the air.

"It's yours now, brat."

Everyone froze. Slowly, they turned toward the source of the voice. Before them, shimmering in the pale light, stood the spirit forms of Zabuza Momochi and Haku. The spectral figures looked as real as they did in life, though slightly translucent.

Zabuza's piercing gaze rested on Suigetsu, his arms crossed over his chest as he smirked. "Do what you want with it. It's just a tool. How you use it is what matters."

Suigetsu, grinning wide, nodded at his fallen senpai. "Thanks, Zabuza-senpai. I won't let you down."

Haku, who stood beside Zabuza with a serene smile, turned his gentle gaze to Naruto. His voice was soft, but it carried the weight of his emotions. "Naruto," he began, his voice like a breeze, "I am grateful to have met you. You showed me that people can change, even Zabuza." He smiled wider. "Thank you for that."

Naruto felt a lump in his throat, memories of their encounters flashing through his mind. He nodded solemnly. "Haku... Zabuza… I won't forget either of you."

Zabuza grunted, his harsh voice softer than usual. "Naruto... Don't ever change, no matter how tough things get. And don't die anytime soon. You're one of the few who understands what it means to fight for something real."

Naruto clenched his fists, his heart heavy yet full of respect. "I won't."

As Zabuza's and Haku's spirits began to fade, Suigetsu suddenly stepped forward, his tone more serious than usual. "Hey, senpai," he called out, catching the fading demon's attention. "If you see my brother, tell him this for me. I'll obtain all seven swords and surpass him. I'll become the strongest of the Seven Swordsmen."

Zabuza chuckled, his deep laughter resonating in the air. "If I run into Mangetsu, I'll be sure to pass on the message, brat."

And with that, Zabuza and Haku's spirits disappeared, leaving only the wind and the faint rustling of leaves behind.

--

The group stood in silence for a moment longer, paying their respects to the fallen warriors. Afterward, they turned and continued on their journey, advancing toward the Southern Hideout.

--

The towering structure loomed in the distance as they approached, its cold exterior reflecting the ominous atmosphere of Orochimaru's former territory. As they neared, a figure was already waiting for them, her red hair unmistakable even from afar.

"Karin," Kabuto murmured with a knowing smile."It seems she sensed our chakra long before we arrived."

As they approached, Karin's eyes widened in recognition. She glanced over the group, her gaze lingering on Kabuto, Kimimaro, and Suigetsu. Her sharp eyes then turned toward Kabuto, full of suspicion.

"What do you want, Kabuto?" she asked bluntly, crossing her arms.

Before he could answer, Kabuto gestured to Naruto. "First, introductions. Karin, this is Naruto Uzumaki."

Karin's eyes widened further, her jaw nearly dropping when she heard Naruto's name. "U-Uzumaki...?" she stammered, shock clear in her voice. "You're an Uzumaki?!"

Kabuto chuckled softly at her reaction. "Indeed. You two are distant relatives"

Naruto raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not entirely surprised. He'd heard of the scattered remnants of his clan.

After the introductions, Kabuto filled Karin in on Orochimaru's demise. Her reaction was instantaneous. Relief washed over her face, and for the first time in years, she allowed herself to relax.

"So, he's finally gone," Karin whispered, her tone a mixture of disbelief and liberation. "I'm… free."

With Orochimaru's end, Karin no longer had to remain as the warden of the Southern Hideout. The prisoners, long held captive under Orochimaru's twisted experiments, were released. However, as they departed, Naruto's divine presence flared, and his stern voice rang out.

"If any of you cause trouble, I'll hunt you down personally."

The sheer force of his words, coupled with his overwhelming aura, caused the former prisoners to quake in fear, bowing in submission before scattering into the wilds. Karin, witnessing Naruto's power firsthand, stood frozen in awe. She had never felt such divine strength radiate from a single person.

As the group began to leave the Southern Hideout, Karin walked beside Naruto, curiosity piqued. They began to talk, getting to know each other better, with Karin asking about his abilities and heritage. Meanwhile, Suigetsu, ever the mischief-maker, did his best to annoy Karin, poking fun at her and attempting to get under her skin.

Karin scowled, her patience wearing thin. "Will you shut up already, Suigetsu?!"

Suigetsu only grinned wider. "Make me!"

Naruto, chuckling at their antics, shook his head. For all the chaos surrounding their mission, moments like these felt strangely... normal.

--

Jiraiya and his group arrived at gates of Konoha. Standing guard were Izumo and Kotetsu, who straightened up upon seeing the famous Sannin arrive. Their initial smiles turned into expressions of curiosity and concern.

"Where's Naruto?" Izumo asked, peering behind Jiraiya as if expecting to see the young blond trailing behind him.

Jiraiya flashed a knowing grin, shaking his head. "Naruto's on a mission," he said, his tone casual yet layered with meaning. "He's currently freeing Orochimaru's test subjects."

At the mention of Orochimaru, both Izumo and Kotetsu froze. Izumo's eyes widened in disbelief, and Kotetsu stepped forward, his voice tinged with worry. "Is it really okay to let Naruto go off on something that dangerous? Alone?"

Jiraiya chuckled, dismissing the concern with a wave of his hand. "Trust me, kid. That boy can handle himself better than most grown men in this village. I'd be more worried about anyone who tries to get in his way."

Both guards shared a nervous glance but nodded, not questioning the legendary toad sage any further. As the trio made their way past, a feeling of anticipation hung in the air, a calm before the inevitable storm that awaited Konoha.

--

Later that afternoon, the council convened. The large room filled with tension as the elders and clan heads, Choza Akimichi, Shibi Aburame, Hiashi Hyuga, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Tsume Inuzuka gathered. Tsunade, Shizune, and Jiraiya sat at the forefront.

Koharu, began the meeting. "We are gathered here today to announce that Tsunade Senju will officially assume the role of the Fifth Hokage."

The clan heads nodded in approval, but Danzo's face remained stoic, though beneath the surface, his displeasure simmered. His grip tightened on the armrest of his chair as thoughts of Tsunade's incompetence filled his mind. "This position should have been mine." He didn't believe in Tsunade's strength or resolve to lead.

As the discussion progressed, the topic shifted to Konoha's pressing issues: the destruction caused by Orochimaru's invasion, the betrayal of their former allies in the Sand Village, and the steps needed for rebuilding the village.

"We need to rebuild quickly," Choza stated firmly. "Our infrastructure has taken a significant hit."

Shikaku, ever the strategist, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We also need to tread carefully with the Sand Village. Their betrayal may have cost us, but outright retaliation could lead to a larger conflict that we're not prepared for."

Inoichi added, "We should open diplomatic talks, but proceed with caution. We can't afford to look weak."

Tsunade remained silent, listening closely, but her mind was already focused on how to approach these challenges once she took office. The weight of becoming Hokage was looming, but she would carry it, for Konoha and for the memory of her lost loved ones.

The discussion turned to the date for Tsunade's official inauguration. While the logistics were hashed out, Danzo's mind was elsewhere, plotting and scheming in the shadows, just as he always had.

--

Meanwhile, far from Konoha, Naruto and his team had finally reached their destination: the Northern Hideout, where the infamous Jūgo was kept. The hideout was eerily quiet as they moved through the dark corridors, freeing the test subjects and prisoners as they went. One by one, the captives stumbled out, gazing warily at their liberators. Like at the Southern Hideout, they were given a clear warning, cause trouble, and Naruto would be there to deal with them.

At last, they reached Jūgo's cell.

Naruto narrowed his eyes at the sight before him. The boy was chained up, nodding his head back and forth repeatedly. His body trembled violently, barely containing the monstrous urges within him. Kimimaro, seeing his friend's torment, stepped forward.

"Jūgo," Kimimaro called out softly, his voice calm and composed. "It's me."

Jūgo's head snapped up at the familiar voice, his eyes wide with recognition. "Kimimaro...?" His voice was weak, filled with a mixture of relief and confusion. But before the moment could last, a dark, sadistic smile spread across Jūgo's face as the curse within him took over. He broke out of his restraints.

With a roar, his arm grotesquely morphed into a massive axe-like appendage. The force of his axe shattered his cell.

The boy began spouting vicious, bloodthirsty ramblings.

Kimimaro stepped forward.

Kabuto stepped back, eyeing the situation with cold calculation. "Kimimaro, don't overdo it. Let us handle him."

But Kimimaro ignored the warning, his resolve unshaken. "Jūgo is my responsibility."

Karin, meanwhile, frantically shook her head, inching away from the chaos. "There's no way I'm getting involved in a fight with him! He's insane!"

Suigetsu laughed, clearly amused by Karin's fear. "Typical. You're all talk when it comes to being tough." He brandished his newly acquired sword, Kubikiribōchō, with a grin that mirrored Jūgo's madness. "Guess it's my turn to play."

Jūgo's wild eyes locked onto Suigetsu, recognizing the challenge. His smirk widened, filled with malevolent glee. "Come then," Jūgo hissed, his voice low and filled with sadistic excitement. "Let's see how long you can survive."

The battle was about to begin, and though Jūgo was powerful, Suigetsu, with Zabuza's blade in hand, wasn't one to back down from a fight.

As the tension in the air mounted, Naruto silently observed, his eyes watching the confrontation unfold. "This... is going to get messy" he thought, mentally preparing for whatever would come next.

Tbc