The tempest mercenary of the elemental nations.
Chapter 3: Family ties
Green sand farm, living room.
''Jiraiya what the hell, you have to be joking how could you keep this from me'' said Tsunade upon hearing the name of the boy she just saved.
The toad sage could only sigh at this thinking he'd probably need to get some sáke from the toads to apologize to his teammate after this. ''listen hime I'll explain it all so please calm down for now.'' The slug princess was still angry but reluctantly nodded to get it out of the way, she can always punish him after he's done.
''Umm lady Tsunade what's so important about him? I mean I can somewhat understand because his name is Uzumaki like lady Mito but why are you so suprised by this?'' The young brunette couldn't help but ask her mentor.
''Sigh the Tatsumaki clan used to live on Uzushiogakure alongside the Uzumaki clan, I thought they all went extinct during the second war.'' Jiraiya decided that he should start his explanation in order to clear things up for his teammate.
''You're mostly correct hime so except that there were two survivors from what I understood, the first one was his father who before he got married was named Tatë Tatsumaki Uzumaki and the second was his grandfather Yari Tatsumaki.''
''The lighting god, damm that explains a lot.'' Said Tsunade with some understanding.
''lightening god who's that? Right, I haven't told you about the Tatsumaki's yet, like Jiraiya said earlier they lived on Uzushiogakure along with the Uzumaki's for a long time whose skills complimented them perfectly.''
Shizune listened with rapt attention to her mentor hearing about a clan that could match the Uzumaki's, she was about to ask a question when Tsunade continued.
''They were mainly known as bukijutsu master's both in the creation and usage of all kinds of weapons, combined with Uzumaki fuinjustsu they made some for the most powerful weapons known throughout the elemental nation's however their true power lies in their kekkei tota known as the tempest release, a nature transformation made of water wind and lightning that allowed them to control the weather, it rarely manifest within their members but it always shows up with those born with bright blue hair.''
Jiraiya nodded in confirmation ''indeed and were very traditionalist compared to the easygoing Uzumaki's for instance wielders of the tempest release are raised to be clan heads and to strengthen the bond between the two clans they often married powerful members of the Uzumaki clan, Yari beïng the previous head married Akane Uzumaki the crimson blade and Tsurugi's grandmother.''
Shizune was at awe at what she was hearing about the Tatsumaki's and couldn't help but look at the unconscious boy on the couch and imagined what he could be capable of in the future.
Tsunade took the moment to collect her thoughts about what she just heard. as a child she was friends with both of them and even looked up to them like older siblings, Yari beïng stern yet caring while Akane always made things fun. It broke her heart when she learned of what happened to Uzushiogakure.
Jiraiya gave the two ladies some time to collect their thoughts before continuing his story. ''During the second shinobi war an alliance of villages led by Iwa Kumo and Kiri somehow found out how to disable Uzushiogakure's defenses and for three days attacked them relentlessly, because of that and they didn't receive aid from Konoha they decided that even if they were to fall that they would make sure that the alliance wouldn't be able to get to their secrets so in desperation they launched an all-out assault while Tate and Yari could escape to the mainland, from there Yari used the last of his power to use a kinjutsu called the eternal storm prison to seal away the nation killing anyone left inside while Tatë fled the scene with as many of the clans secret he could carry on him where I've come to meet him during my travels and led him to wind county to go into hiding.''
''So, what Im saying is that he's potentially the last Tatsumaki, and the only one that can unseal Uzushiogakure and get to all the secrets that have been dormant since its downfall making him invaluable for anyone that wants to take the treasure's sealed away there which is why it is so important that no one knows about him.'' Jiraiya said with finality.''
While the three were talking to one another they didn't notice when Tsurugi started moving.
Dreamscape
''Urgh my head, this is almost as bad as that time I messed with dad's fuinjutsu notes. Almost blowing myself up then mom disciplining me and then the hour-long lecture from dad. Use protection, use shadow clones'' getting chills remembering that day only to get don a sad expression remembering what happened. ''Mom, dad they are... I'm alone... They're gone... Even... I never got the chance to meet them, to hold them.''
The sadness was suffocating but he took a moment to take note of his surroundings. He was floating in the middle of a multi-colored void and when he took a look at himself, he noticed that his hair turned bright blue. ''Huh so that's what my real hair color looks like.'' He knew of the seal that alters his appearance and the reason behind it, for as young as he might be he was far more mature than most children his age, so his parents told him about his lineage and the weight, responsibilities and dangers that came with it.
''Soooo, not much going on around here, am I dead or am I supposed to wait for something to happen or what?'' As if in response to his inquiry he's body suddenly erupted in light forcing him to close his eyes, ''me and my big mouth all the time.''
When he opened his eyes again, he was in an unfamiliar room, before he could voice his thoughts his body began moving on his own. ''what the, what's going on here.'' he saw his body changing clothes and looking at a mirror what he saw surprised him a standard dark blue shinobi outfit covered in bandages similar in design to what his mother always used to use with a Konoha forehead protector on his head, his body kept going through the motions Tsurugi beïng nothing more than a spectator inside his own body, his sight was clear but conversations were muffled only picking up bits and pieces while minutes turned to hours and hours to days until he came face-to-face with a giant nine-tailed fox looking him straight in the eyes before crushing him to death beneath his paws.
This continued on for what felt like entire lifetimes. Some were short getting killed mid-way while in others he lived a full life.
A boy with red hair with bags under his eyes crushing him with sand, dancing beside a tall dark-skinned man with glasses and seven swords on his back, rubbing the back of a short old man with a large nose with a chonmage haircut, a young man with pink eyes with a scar over his left stabbing him with the hook of a tall metal staff.
These were just some of the different visions he had gotten during which he occasionally felt like he was hit by electricity each time he felt time slowing down when it happened.
All of it left him tired and he hoped that all of it would end soon not knowing he was nearly done with three more to go.
He opened his eyes again to notice a difference, he could move now but he wished he couldn't. He was in the middle of a large open field with bodies littering the ground their blood staining the grass red, headbands from different villages on their bodies.
In the middle of the field stood one man standing his appearance fuzzy but with recognizable features, bright blue hair, a bright yellow eye was visible while the other side of his face was heavily scarred, a black leather outfit lined with grey fur covering most of his body with a wolf face as a belt buckle, and finally a large pitch-black scythe with the blade stylized to look like a wolf head with visible teeth lining the middle.
It was easy to see that this was yet another version of himself, looking like an agent of the Shinigami, his sole dead eye looking straight at him till he disappeared in a burst of speed, he quickly turned around in time to see him swing his scythe before he blacked-out again.
When he opened his eyes again he was once again in a new location, this time it was a large room with dim lighting coming from the tall ceiling, surrounding him were shinobi neatly lined up in formation the most noticeable feature beïng the blank masks on their faces.
Most surprisingly is that unlike other times he could actually hear his surroundings although he couldn't move freely anymore.
He was taken from his thought's when he heard the sound of a cane tapping the ground echoed from a hallway from which a man appeared.
The man looked crippled in his appearance, but an ominous feeling of power overpowered his initial assessment. His face was bandaged covering his right eye with shaggy black hair sticking out while on his chin was an x shaped scar, he wore a dark grey robe covering his right arm while his left was holding the cane he just heard.
He stopped in the center of the room right in front of him with a look in his eye that demanded respect in a way that sickened him to no end.
''Tatsumaki'' he said in a voice that demanded attention without compromise, '' I am glad to see that you (willingly) decided to join our ranks in service of the great tree of Konoha, with your aid we will unluck the secret's of Uzushiogakure transforming Konoha into the undisputed rulers of the elemental nations with my as hokage. FOR THE ROOTS BENEATH THE GREAT TREE, FOR LORD DANZO THE TRUE HOKAGE!''
Tsurugi's mind shut down at that, while in the background the apparent Danzo kept talking to his minion's numerous thoughts entered his head.
''This is Danzo, Danzo Shimura, the monster that ruined his life, who manipulated Iwa into destroying his home and killing his family, and even if this is some kind of dream, he's casually taking about plundering his homeland and taking over the elemental nations like this, he just couldn't believe that someone that heartless could exist.
And his agent's, they all look so lifeless, as if all free will has been stripped away from them replaced with unquestionable loyalty that make's even Suna's puppets more alive than they are.
As Tsurugi was pondering this he felt another shock going through his body and a feeling of calm to surge through him.
He saw the world around him fade away once again, the last thing he saw was Danzo's face while an eerie red glow came from behind his bandaged face.
Throughout is time in this dreamlike state he has forgotten more than he could ever remember, however he swore to himself that he would remember his face, even if he has to carve it onto his very soul in order to make that man pay for all his crimes. Not only for his own sake or for his family but also for the no doubt countless other victims that he has created if his soldiers alone are any indication.
Opening his eyes again, (he seriously beïng done with this and just wants to wake up already), he saw that he was standing atop a small hill overlooking his home.
Looking around he realized that he once again had free movement, testing his voice and hearing sound it would appear he could hear clearly as well.
Not knowing what to do he decided to start walking and have a look around. While moving he's starting to notice that while most of the farm is the same before the attack, he also is seeïng things that weren't there before, mainly a large peach three in the front garden that is still rather young.
Beïng caught up in his thoughts, he didn't realize the moment that he was standing on his front door. His hands trembled in hesitation not knowing what to think, he had just lost his family, but this is a dream so then again, he might be able to see them one more time regardless of how painful it would be when faced with reality.
Acting before thinking he opens the door only to be tackled to the ground by two blurs. ''Big brother welcome home let's play. ''Did they just... Is this... Big brother but... That can't... This can't... How could this be?''
''xxxx xxxx come on you two your brother just got back home from his tasks and your mother is almost done with dinner, you wouldn't wanna make her wait, would you?''
The two audibly gulped, stood up and quickly dashed to the dining room at speeds that that could match rookie shinobi. ''Those two little troublemakers, blink for a moment and they are of causing mischief somewhere although I'm surprised that they managed to get the drop on you like that.'' his father chuckled at his own comment while Tsurugi's trying to compose himself of what just happened.
''Well yea, my mind was a bit occupied with some stuff and I'm a bit tired and hungry.'' He sheepishly said while getting up. ''I can understand, I still can't believe that Jiraiya managed to get you to help him while not turning you into another pervert. But enough of that let's not keep Homura waiting before she mummifies us.''
Both men shudder at the thought while following the energetic duo's path. Things picked up quicky after that, he got to the dinner table to see that hotpot was on the menu.
Everyone started talking while he was trying to keep up with it all while improvising what to say, the twin's names were said a few times, but he kept hearing muffled sound irritating him to no end that something was keeping him from learning their names.
He took the chance to give his family a once over knowing that when this dream, illusion, hallucination or whatever this is ended he'll likely never see them again.
He first looked at his father, a large muscular man with a sharp angled face with bright yellow eyes, he has wild dark-blue hair going past his shoulders and wearing his ever-present forging outfit with all the soot and holes included. Despite his intimidating appearance he could easily be described as a gentle giant preferring piece over violence aby day.
His mom on the other hand was the complete opposite. A small and lean body with a soft rounded face marred with a scar on her left cheek and gentle green eyes, light brown hair going just past her neck, she wore simple baggy clothing concealing the numerous custom self-made bandages that she created during her time as a kunoichi of Suna that made her so feared along with her quick to anger tomboy personality.
And last but not least were his siblings, at six-year-old they looked like mini versions of his parents the only difference beïng that their hair colors were swapped around and their simple clothing compared to their counterparts.
He was cut from his musings by yet another stinging sensation causing him to feel drowsy. ''Are you okay sweaty, were not boring you I hope.'' His mother said in a mock hurt tone. ''No, I'm fine, just a bit tired that's all. I think I'm going to get some sleep now if it's no problem. Aww but brother, you said you'd play with us when you got back.'' His sister said with a pout on her face that was soon mimicked by her brother.
''I'm sorry I really am, but I'm not feeling rather tired right now, maybe we can play tomorrow?'' He asked the pair. They got a sad look on their faces but nodded in acceptance.
''It's okay son we understand, you'll have a lot to do soon so you need your rest, don't worry, we'll be waiting for you when you get back.'' His dad said with understanding in his voice. He couldn't help but hear the double meaning in his words while walking off.''
He got a small dizzy spell making him close his eyes. ''Tsurugi.'' He heard four voices say at the same time, turning around he opened his eyes to see the room replaced by the void he saw so long ago in his mind only his family remaining. ''We love you'' was the last he heard as he saw their bodies fade into the background.
Tears trailed down his face as he watched his family leave him again. ''No please don't leave me I beg you-''
Bonus scéne
Gale canyon
''Suisei-sama grave news, something horrible has happened. Calm down, you're sounding like someone died. It's Taté, his name has faded from the summoning scroll.''
The one call Suisei gasped at the news, not knowing what to think of it. ''Please tell me this is some elaborate prank set up by Tsubasa, it just can't be real. I'm sorry but I'm afraid that it's confirmed true.'' the leader's head drooped down at the grim news but was quickly replaced with hope, with an air of authority the boss wasn't known for he started relaying orders. ''Have my troublemaking daughter head to green sands to confirm the situation, and bring me Arashi, he needs to be informed as well to prepare. I'll get right on it.'' with that the messenger left in a hurry.
''Please for the love of everything right let there still be hope, give me strength Suzaku-sama.
Greetings dear viewers, Tsurugi here.
''The author in his wisdom decided to leave me with the author's note's, lazy attention seeking bastard.''
The door opened up revealing the author walking in. '' I heard that, and I got a few things to say about that, first of, I've been busy with work and this chapter is as large as the previous two combined.
Second of, there is a difference between having a chronic lung disease with the capacity of a wet paper bag and beïng lazy, im not a Nara Damm it.
Third of, due to my mom I'm more likely to take the phrase bastard a compliment instead of an insult so nice try.
And finally.'' he proceeded to crouch down in the corner of the room circling the ground with his finger. ''I'm lonely okay, you didn't need to rub salt on the open wound.''
''...Okay... sorry about that, so yea next chapter is called A new path, and I hope to see you all then, goodbye for now. See you all later ;)