Chapter Text
Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto
Co-Author and Beta: Ethereal-23
Chapter 73: The Journey Forward
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Tobi arrived at the meeting with a warp in space itself unveiling with a spiral. Oh, he couldn't just pop into the meeting chamber like that; there were specific regulated spaces upon which teleportation was allowed, and the rest of their headquarters had protections against space-time techniques. This area in question was a small chamber upon which six pillars stood, the magics he couldn't even begin to comprehend shining around a circle written in these arcane languages.
Two demons standing guard held their spears straight, saluting him as a member of the high circle—a fact they clearly despised, for they did not hide the contempt in their faces.
Tobi paid them no mind and quickly made his way to the meeting chamber, passing through a myriad of humans, demons, and other beings he had no name for. Half of them looked his way as he walked through.
As the stretch through the corridors continued, he entered the antechamber, upon which he saw the familiar figure of Bai Shen and someone else. The orange-haired, half-burnt demon was talking with the scantly clad woman with crimson hair and an absurdly large hat. He had seen her before, the day after the failed Land of Trees operation, "-make sure you do not overplay your hand. Our master has decided we ought to be more subtle in our approach once more."
"Worry not, my lord," She said with a musical and amused tone. "Everyone here has learned from Dhunarak's failure. Rest assured my operations remain as discrete as always."
"See that they are," The Herald dismissed her.
She tilted her ridiculous hat and walked away, her smile becoming mischievous upon spotting him. "A good day today, Lord Tobi"
His Sharingan narrowed. "Irene-san," he merely replied. She bowed and kept on her way. That woman always gave him a strange feeling, like she knew more than she let on.
"You arrive," Bai Shen said, flicking his wrist and making the large gate open before them. "Good. We're addressing the status of current operations. Your influence on Pain must play a role sooner than anticipated."
He followed after him, taking note of the other Heralds who were now gathered before Yamata's enormous head emerging out of the darkness. "How bad is it?"
Akuma's shrill voice was like icy shards gathering in his spine. "They have recovered Kaida Uzumaki."
At that, Tobi's visible eye widened. "The First Blade of Uzu?" He shook his head, "Damnation, that's not someone we want on our enemies' side."
"She gave me a good wallop!" Yamata's daughter excitedly called out.
Jeanne groaned lowly, rubbing her eyes and sitting in her seat. Behind her, Gilles muttered in his dead land's tongue while a sigh escaped Drolta's lips. Once Tobi had taken his seat, the vampire waved a free hand without looking back at her two servants. Both bowed, excusing themselves to let the meeting commence with their leaders.
"Can I fight her again!?" Ibuki jumped on the balls on her feet, gazing at her divine father.
Amusem*nt came to the god of destruction's many serpentine faces. "That will have to wait for a time. This operation has shown that we have been overeager in the past few months, which has brought minor setbacks we cannot afford."
Bai Shen nodded, "We are so close to our goal that the temptation of victory is easy to lunge for."
Contemplation grew on the astral projection of Zhu Zhang in his chair, "What of our current operations? Mine included?"
"Projects like yours remain in effect as they are," Yamata declared. "But until we are fully ready to bring our might to the world, our proxies will deploy missions further on." He paused, "Kaida Uzumaki's escape was my failure. It will not happen again."
Ibuki let out a low whine, slumping her head, "I got carried away. Sorry, papa."
"As I said, the fault is mine. You are not to blame for it. Now we move forward."
"I have made new countermeasures in all my facilities in case the worst comes to pass," Guildenstern conveyed from his seat. "The fact that our enemy was able to find Kaida shows that we must be further prepared. They will come for Tsukiko."
Listening to the conversation so far, Tobi let himself be heard among them, "So this means you want to use the Akatsuki now."
A head from Yamata nodded, "For the Elemental Nations, they shall be our instrument against our enemies."
"If Akatsuki is to bear the brunt of the empire's attention, then it can no longer act as a terrorist cell. And the strength of Ame by itself is pitiful; Pain cannot be everywhere at once, regardless of what he believes with those bodies of his." The masked man said, "No. Akatsuki and Ame must be bolstered into an army. Rope like-minded minor countries who are afraid of Asahi's expansion. And troops that will keep our foes at bay."
"Troops, we can provide them," Bai Zhen replied. "Give Pain useful tools to use. But this war must last. Do you understand me? We can't let either Akatsuki or Asashi secure a decisive victory. The power struggle must be prolonged for as long as possible. The Lotus' attention must be diverted on as many fronts as possible."
"Pain will need... incentive to believe this is the right course," Tobi said. "How am I to justify our plans diverting so much?"
"Have him hunt down the Jinchuuriki still, but remind him this war is to secure his 'ascension,'" The great serpent said. A few of the heads turned to Guildenstern, "There is... a method by which he will be fooled."
The demonic scientist merely let out a low chuckle.
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The mood when they returned to the Valley of Courage and Perseverance was somber. Naruto saw the same faces after the memorial held for the people who died after the Sand-Sound Attack. It was... hard to think about, knowing how many monkeys had died for their sake, following them in hopes of rescuing a great sage.
He thought it'd be a great victory, a non-stop celebration due to a very important piece of their family returned to them. And even if she wasn't the target, Kaida had been dearly missed by the clan. The legendary First Blade of Uzu had returned to the arms of her family, so why couldn't he feel like they had won?
The reason could be because now they knew more about their foe. The Cult of Jashin, or Ishtar, or whatever, was led by none other than Yamata-No-Orochi, the Eight-Headed Serpent, the Great Dragon of Devastation. A nature god who represented destructive aspects of the world in the form of a mighty divine demon.
That was the enemy they were facing... how were they meant to stand against the gods?
As he stood next to his relatives and fellow monkeys who fought at Forked River, watching the burial of those monkeys whose bodies were retrieved, Naruto could only feel loss and guilt. They came to help them. They were there for their family’s friends. And their reward was death?
What kind of friends were they to just accept that?
As he looked around, he could tell he wasn't the only one who felt the same. The older of his kin wore this grief with dignity and experience. They could look at their sacrifice and honor it properly.
Naruto could only see a waste of life.
Even Kaida, who knew they had all died for her, was bound to feel it, even though she kept a stoic expression.
He let out a surprised sound when a hand settled roughly upon his locks; turning around, he saw the white-furred visage of King Enma looking down at him. "This was their choice," He firmly said, "their duty. To have died for the Lotus, to return even a single one of our own to the fold, was the greatest honor they could have asked for."
Naruto said nothing.
The Monkey King stepped forward, standing before the headstones erected under a statue of Great Sage Equal of Heaven herself.
"Is death all that matters in the end?" He called out loud to the gathering of humans and apes, along with the other allies present, such as the dragonkin. "Is meaning only found in how we meet our end? No, the Great Sage who once sought immortality for all her kin learned that is not so. A life well lived is a life that echoes into the Heavens." He turned to face the gathering. "These are not the first deaths in the war against the Cult, nor shall they be the last. Let us all mourn for them, for our foes will not... so remember that the war is just beginning, and we must do our part. Fight on until the end for what we believe in, to protect home and family, the balance of this world."
He waved a hand at the gravestones, "Here their bodies lie, yet in the Celestial Palace of her Highest Majesty they dwell now. They howl at us to keep fighting... so we howl back!"
King Enma took a deep breath and let out a shrill howl that echoed in the valley. A primal sound full of bestial majesty. He banged his chest repeatedly.
It wasn't long before the rest of the monkey folk did the same.
The Cult had declared war. This was them returning the favor.
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Kaida could not fight the tears, not that she could, as she stood at the threshold of the makeshift Uzumaki compound in the Valley. Led by her grandmother and the others at the sight of a sea of redheads conversing among themselves before stopping to see the others had finally returned. The younger generation eyes the towering woman with wonder and confusion. Was this Tsukiko?
But the older Uzumaki knew well who stood before them. With tears falling from their cheeks, many muttered in emotional tones, "Kaida..."
Recognition bloomed in the eyes of the others who were told of the First Blade of Uzu. The first daughter of Tsukiko and Korin, the strong and unshakable warrior who fought devils and men across the Nation. A living legend who inspired countless people to become warriors themselves.
Who was supposed to have died in Uzushio's destruction.
But here she stood alive, Kaida's body shook with both grief and happiness mingled as one. Seeing so many but so few surviving Uzumaki still alive. By her headcount, along with those beside her, she calculated eighty-nine of kin here.
Before she knew it, several Uzumaki dashed to her, hugging her as tightly as they could. Many more soon followed that broke the dam with the First Blade as she cried earnestly, hugging as many as she could back. Kushina's lower lip trembled, wiping her fresh new tears beside Lyn, who cried, hugging Kya, who patted her in comfort.
Sakura rubbed her wet eyes at the sight with Karin, who was not handling it much better. Samenosuke chuckled and groaned as he slid down against the entrance wall. Saito patted his son's head, who faintly smiled, seeing everyone flowing with joy and love.
For the blond Uzumaki, his joy was mixed with the somberness of what came earlier. But he pushed through the mourning; those who died would not want him or the others to feel sad for their noble loss. While a bittersweet victory, it was a victory. They had found a member of their Uzumaki kin. Closing his eyes, he opened them to stand in front of Kurama, who stared back.
"How did I do?"
Silence came from the Bijuu before lightly smirking, "Keep impressing me, Naruto."
The blond blinked, finding himself and Karin wrapped in a hug by Kushina.
The two were dangling from the group when Kushina lifted them and ran towards her aunt with a giant grin on her face. Both the large woman and Ganyu, who was holding her arm, turned to them. "Aunty Kaida, these are Naruto and Karin; I told you about them!" She was bouncing on her feet, making the two bounce as well to the point Karin's glasses nearly fell. "Look, they are mine! I made them! Well, not Karin, but you know what I mean! Meet your grandniece and nephew!"
The bouncing intensified.
Kaida only laughed heartily, "Easy now, Kushi. Let the poor things down."
Kushina did so, and the two kids stared up at the great woman. Good gods, she was tall and huge! Karin saw a warrior of legend who was an inspiration to many young girls growing up. Naruto saw someone he definitely felt jealous of; he kept meeting so many large people in his family, and he remained scrawny.
Kaida crouched, doing her best to be at eye level, but she still towered over them all the same. The pony-tailed woman smiled brightly, showing the upper row of her teeth. "My goodness, it's so hard to think of you as a mom. Look at you two!" A large hand settled on the top of each of their heads, ruffling their hair. Naruto was reminded of Hiruzen's affections. It made him smile at her touch. "Oh, you're just a cutie little thing!" She said to Karin.
The bespectacled girl blushed, smiling shyly. "Thank you, great aunt Kaida."
"Oh, just call me graunty! ...No, that's weird; Aunty is fine," She beamed at Naruto. "Oh, you are Namikaze from head to toe. Guess Kushina's genes were no match for your old man's, huh?"
"Oh ha ha..." Kushina crossed her arms, letting out a humorless laugh.
"You're pretty tall for your age, kid!"
Naruto let out a long-suffering sigh, "I'm thirteen."
"Ooof, sorry, lad. Life's rough." She leans in and mutters conspiratorially. "Don't worry, some huge Uzumaki were let bloomers too. Kosuke was even shorter than you at your age~."
An embarrassed grunt escaped the hulking Uzumaki while Kuma walked into the compound following the smell of food. "I don't need to be reminded, Aunty."
"Oh, come on! My father was a runt, and look how he became!" Ganyu saw the twinge of pain in her beloved's eyes, mentioning her father. But it passed as she stood tall again, gazing at familiar and new faces. "I got thirty years catching up to do. Come on!" She cheered and drove the other Uzumaki to do the same as a celebration began for the return of the First Blade.
While everyone entered the compound properly, Sasuke remained back to observe. Despite knowing he was welcomed among these people, he still felt like an outsider. He did not see the Uzumaki but the ghosts of his late clan, which made his heart ache. Knowing he would never see his mother and the others, he cherished them so much.
That he was alone...
"Hey, you!"
Or was he?
Kushina ran up to the Uchiha, hands on her hips. "No skulking. You're joining us."
"I'm fine," Sasuke muttered with feigned annoyance, "This is between you and your clan."
A deadpan came from the former ANBU, pointing over Rin, hanging off Shirou's arm. Sakura found herself laughing beside Karin and Naruto. Yugao sheepishly chuckled, waving a dismissive hand with Homura staring, being offered some food. And little Emica, who was reading a manga to the little Uzumaki newborn. "Family isn't just about blood. And you’re my family, just like Kakashi and Yugao." She moved around the raven-haired teen and began pushing him inside. "so you are joining us 'ttbane!"
... How did his mother put up with this crazy woman?
Despite having that thought, the faintest smile came to Sasuke as the others came to him.
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With an impromptu celebratory feast finally coming to an end, Meihui lay on the ground, staring up at the sky above. The joy of her dearest granddaughter's return brought so much warmth to her heart, but it was still bittersweet as her precious firstborn was still far from her reach. She felt a surge of rage, recollecting Yamata taunting her as he had her daughter somewhere she could not find. Then the anger came to herself for being so narrow-focused like she was all those years ago, and it nearly cost her some of her kin for it.
She would never regret the assault. It led to them rescuing Kaida and also allowed them to discover some terrible yet vital things about their enemy: the fact that Yamata-No-Orochi was leading the cult personally and that his daughter was alive once more.
They had been so lucky Ibuki had only wanted to play, and it was only by the mercy of the gods her kin were spared. But that had come at the cost of the monkeys' lives.
"We f*cked up," The elder dragon said gravely. Loud enough that the kin around her turned to her in surprise.
"Maw-Maw?" Tamamo asked, tilting her head as her ears twitched.
"You all nearly died," Meihui exclaimed as she sat up, a worried look marring her features. "There were far greater dangers than any of us were expecting, and you had to face them because we didn't do our job properly!"
"We didn't die," Hikari argued. Though the bandages wrapped around her figure did not reassure the dragon. "We fought on, and we won"
"YOU took on a Hell Baron on your own! And the only reason you lasted long enough was because you released your seal and went out of control!"
The young, muscular woman bit her lip and looked down, vividly recalling how she had fought against the demon like a savage beast. She had even bit its eye out, "Well, I..."
"Can you tell me you honestly expected to survive that encounter had your kin not gotten there in time?"
Hikari said nothing.
"We were too... overzealous," Tomoe admitted with shame, "We should have prepared ourselves more. We rushed in without thinking..."
A grunt came from Jiraiya, under heavy bandages from his injuries, leaning against the fence wall. "Not our finest hour. We did f*ck up. Cost us lives in the process. But we also got back her." He pointed a finger at Kaida, who sat by Ganyu, Lyn, and Kya. "A small victory is still a victory. But we have to be better next time. We can't go half-co*cked."
"Exactly. The fact I did this twice shows I do not have the emotional control I thought I did." Meihui had sworn to herself for the past thirty years she would not repeat her mistake of abandoning Uzushio when Tsukiko was taken. But the very moment they had thought they discovered her daughter, all rational thought left her. Meihui's heart took over, and Enma's kin paid the price for it.
The Monkey chief could call it a noble sacrifice as much as he wanted. But their deaths were because of her impulsive actions. And that impulsiveness must not be repeated a third time or ever again.
She must be better. For herself, her precious children she holds so dear, and for their allies.
And for when they finally get Tsukiko free from Yamata's grip.
Adjusting herself and sitting formally to look at everyone, she soon bowed, "I am sorry. For putting so many of you in danger."
Many were taken aback by the words and seriousness spoken by the ancient mother of the Uzu. Kaida let out a lone sigh before getting up from her seat and coming to her grandmother, kneeling to her. "Grandmother," her voice was gentle, which made Meihui lift her head, revealing the tears dripping from her cheeks. "I am free because of you and everyone here. Yes, mother would have admonished all of you for doing something so damn crazy. But she would have been proud that you tried so hard."
She took her grandmother's hand, lips pursed for a moment as she tried to think of the right words. "Uzu fell... and a part of us fell with it."
Elders and those old enough to remember those days looked down mournfully, while those too young to remember could only share a piece of their relatives' pain. There was once a great village, a home, but now there were only ruins and bodies buried under the island's soil.
What was left was a scattered, broken people.
"But we start again. You all came for Mother to help you rebuild it." She tightened her hold on her grandmother's hand. "And I swear I will do everything in my power to make sure our island can rise again. Even if I have to put every single brick, fight every single enemy we have. Uzu will never fall again," The First Blade passionately promised.
"It won't because it will never find itself isolated again," Kushina called out, taking a step forward as she gathered her clan's attention. The 'unofficial' head of the clan spoke, and they listened. "The same type of independence the shinobi villages used to fight on their countries' behalf is over; the Land of Fire now acts as a whole. I will petition the shogun to make Uzushio a part of the Asahi empire, so any attack on its borders is an attack on the empire itself."
A few gasps came from several Uzumaki, hearing those words from Daisuke's daughter.
She shook her head. "We were once keepers of knowledge and slayers of demons. We're a shadow of our former selves. We are far too few to stand on our own once again, so we must do so together with our longtime allies in the Land of Fire."
Kaida's gaze shifted as she pondered her words, "Mother always said we were better off secluding ourselves from most of the politics in the mainland. We only acted in the wars to protect ourselves and our allies. But... I am only just learning how the world has changed, so I cannot say what's best for us right now. If you believe that to be the right course of action, then you have my support."
Those words brought a grin to Kushina's lips. Like a dream, she had long felt but never truly believed could even be possible... Home rebuilt... The home Naruto and Karin never got to see. The home of their ancestors...
Around her, many Uzumaki who had survived its destruction bore a look of hope as she did. Uzushio rising from the ashes... The Whirlpool to be reborn...
The older generation gave reserved gazes, joy mixed with apprehension, as they were fully aware of the current events in the Land of Fire. The Daimyo's daughter, Maiyuri Sasaki, was declared Shogun and to unite the entire Elemental Nation into one. In comparison, Fire has been a longstanding and gracious ally for Whirlpool in days past. The idea of joining this Asahi Empire did not sit well with many.
"While I will never speak ill of the Land of Fire being our friends, Kushina, the idea of joining their princess's conquests is worrying," the elderly Uzumaki, with white mixed with his red hair, declared.
Understanding glowed in the former ANBU's gaze, looking over to the man who spoke, "I won't ask her to put any of you into service, Hakaku. This will be asylum while we rebuild our home. Besides, Maiyuri-hime has me, Kosuke, my son, my daughter, and Soujiro. None else be required to fight in her name."
A dry glare came from a bandaged Saito with his son, "I am not exactly fond of the idea of my son being a dainin."
"It is fine, Father," Soujiro expressed, garnering his dad's attention. "Shogun Maiyuri has more than proven to me and every one of her Dainin here that she is just and worthy to follow her for her cause."
"Making war?" An Uzumaki questioned.
"Freeing us from a system that no longer serves its purpose and has brought everyone nothing but wars, pain, and death." Kushina declared, her tone steely and with conviction. "Hashirama-Sama's plan worked for its time because the era before was the worse it had ever been. But now, look how that system has run eighty years later. Because of that system, we lost Uzushio and I nearly became everything Tsukiko-Baachan told me never to become. No more."
"That old system, that pointless need to seek out advantages and destroy any potential opposition, is what led Iwa and Kumo to assault our island. If our clan is to survive this time, we'll have to be more active in this era."
"You ask us to put a lot of hope in a country that couldn't defend us when we needed them," a Uzumaki of large build said. "How could this princess, who is waging her war, promise us safety this time?" His words didn't come from suspicion but honest wariness and fear. "What promise do we have of rebuilding Uzu?"
Kushina saw in many of them that same fear, the same gnawing terror that their foes would find them and finish the job—if not the countries, then the hated Kurokiba. And she couldn't blame them; it was a valid concern that had kept many of the clan isolated and alone for so long.
"We've survived on hope all this time, have we not?" She pointed out, "The empire's protection will give our foes pause. And the Kurokiba now answer to beings more powerful than them, and they will not act without their say so."
"And the clan will double its protection over the island," Kamiko called out, opting to walk in human form among her cousins while her father rested back home from the battle. "We've been safeguarding it for decades. It is now a second home to many in the clan. If the Kurokiba return, they shall find us ready for them."
Enma, who had joined them during the celebration, snorted fiercely, "So will the monkeys."
"And the Lotus," Tomoe promised with a fire in her eyes, "Our warriors are still training, but they are dedicated and talented. We will not fail our friends."
"Aye!" A few winced at the cheerful tone of the severed head on the table. Mimir's friendly and wise demeanor aside, they were still getting used to the presence of the dead god. "You've got friends in many places; your clan doesn't need to shoulder burdens alone."
"You are godsdamned f*cking right!" The crass shout of Brok rang out, hitting the table with his hand as he sat among the Uzumaki with his dwarven brother, "I'm done seeing good folk suffering after so gods damn long. Time for some f*cking good to come back to this world! Tsukiko talked a lot about her clan, and after meeting you guys, I'll rebuild your whole f*cking island myself!"
Sindri winced, "Been a thousand years since we built houses." He soon grinned, "But it would be worth it for you guys; dwarven buildings never crumble." He nearly fell forward getting a smack on the back by his brother.
"You got that sh*t right!"
"Wash your hands before touching me, please."
Tamamo rose from her place. "Mother and the foxes will be at our side as well. We are not alone anymore." The half-kitsune spoke enthusiastically. "Any bastard wants to pick a fight with us. They will be in for a surprise!"
"The wolves are also with us." Saito tapped his sheathed sword against the ground.
"We failed once," Jiraiya stated with shame before he turned to steel, "but Konoha will not fail any of you again."
Kushina felt her lips tug upwards as she began to see a shift in her kin. Their concern, doubt, and fear ebbing away.
Hope.
She could see hope starting to glow in everyone's eyes. Finally, Meihui rose from her kneeling and stood strong, her gaze as hard as adamantine chains. "Our clan will never be shattered again. We are done being broken and afraid; The Uzumaki shall rise again!" she roared with a declaration that was joined by all those around her raising their fists in the air.
Broken, bled, hunted... but never unbowed, never defeated.
A whirlpool that raged ever onward.
This was the same attitude he tried to hold on to all his life, that no matter how bleak things were, how lonely and painful... there was light at the end of the tunnel. There were better days ahead.
He understood now, more than before; this was how every single one of them felt.
Yet here they stood... together, sharing their burdens and lifting each other.
This was his clan, Naruto realized with a swelling sense of pride in his chest and happy tears streaming down his cheeks.
The day for Uzushio to rise was not here yet, but on this day, one could say the Uzumaki had been reborn.
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Kaida let out a long, incredibly relieved sigh as her back hit something soft for the first time in thirty years: a bed. After decades of cold, hard walls and chains, the futon felt like the clouds themselves. And it almost made her break down into a giggling fit that would erupt into tears if she wasn't careful.
The Lotus and monkeys had been very hospitable, giving her a room to rest for as long as she needed. A lot of preparations were needed so that the clan would be staying in the Valley for a while yet. For the first time in so long, Kaida felt she could truly rest.
But not yet~
Instinctively, she tapped her finger on the floor and cast an area silence seal on the room. They'd be needing it~
Feeling dainty steps and a flowery fragrance so familiar to her, Kaida sat up on the futon, letting her loose yukata unveil a portion of her cleavage. Her lips dried up at the sight of Ganyu wearing a light blue gown that left her arms bare and showed plenty of her beloved's figure.
With her hands folded over her lap and a gently shy look in her eyes, Ganyu stared at her with longing. "How long has it been?"
"Too long..." Kaida breathed out, extending her hand. Ganyu approached her, still standing up, as the warrior woman delicately took hold of her smaller fingers. "Far too long," she kissed her fingers, her knuckles, and the back of her hand.
"We..." Ganyu stifled a moan, shuddering as Kaida's lips trailed up her arm. "We don't have to do anything; you can just rest."
"Thirty years I was kept bereft of your touch, your taste." She grinned against the skin of the dragon woman's arm. "I've endured..." Her smile faltered. "I Endured so much just for the thought of seeing you again, of being with my family..."
Her family... Her siblings and her father were all dead and buried. Gone...
A shudder wrecked through her body, and a sob escaped through her lips.
Like they had taunted her for so long, the clan wasn't dead; they were here, wounded, but here.
But not everyone was.
"Kaida?"
Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. She tried to smother them, to remain strong. Telling herself she wasn't there anymore, that she was here, she wasn't alone. She wasn't alone. She wasn't alone.
"Kaida..." Gentle fingers lifted her chin, and red, teary eyes stared infinitely kind and patient magenta ones, "...You don't have to endure anymore." A hand cupped her cheek, and Kaida leaned into it desperately, taking succor in her touch. "You don't have to be strong, not tonight, not with me."
Her lips trembled, pursing as tears fell like waterfalls.
"Don't be the Blade," Ganyu muttered, "You can fall apart now; it's okay." She knelt in front of her beloved, "I'll hold you together."
Kaida shuddered and shook before hugging Ganyu's tiny waist with stifled, pain-filled wails that came from the warrior woman. For tonight, she wasn't the First Blade. But just a woman who had spent three decades in a torturous incarceration.
And now she can finally let out the pain she held so long while being held by the lover she missed so much, knowing the family she had thought lost would be there, waiting for her come morning.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Drowzy eyelids rose, revealing Homura's brown orbs as dawn came over the valley. Per Lord Enma's orders, everyone in the battle was told to remain and rest in the Valley. None really argued against it, as all that survived needed much-needed rest from the whole ordeal. The former ANBU prospect slowly sat up from her futon. Wrapped in a yukata the monkeys warmly gave her to wear; she soon stretched her arms. Dropping them to her sides, her mind raced from all that had happened yesterday.
Coming to the legendary Valley of Monkeys, she meets the White Lotus and her new sensei's rediscovered kin. Then, she goes off to search for the living legend Tsukiko Uzumaki, only to be met by real demons, monsters, and deities of destruction. All in all, it was not what the teen girl thought would be her first mission with Kushina-sensei.
Yet, it was enlightening. Perhaps also prepared her for whatever antics were to come after this.
Rubbing her eyes, she surveyed a few empty futons, others full, and the smell of breakfast being made. Hearing soft snoring, Homura looked beside her to see her sensei's son, Naruto.
...
It was hard to believe this was the same orphan boy who, as she had heard, could not even do a simple clone jutsu. Then, a hidden bloodline limit awoke —one so rare that there is next to nothing, no research on it. Then came the one-eighty change from being a dropout to rivaling his peers. It was rather remarkable, in Homura's opinion.
In addition, his mother, her sensei, seemingly returns to the mortal world. Even a skeptic of the divine would call that a miracle of the Gods.
Everything after that surely felt like a whirlwind for the young blond Uzumaki.
"Hey." The teenage girl blinked, turning her gaze to her sensei, who knelt in front of her, already dressed. "How are you feeling?" Kushina kept her voice soft so as not to stir her son and the sleeping few around them.
Homura gave a half-shrug, "I am sore but alright, sensei."
The redhead nodded with relief, but shame glowed on her face. She then sat on her knees and said, "I am so sorry to have dragged you into that mess yesterday. Everything happened so fast, but I should have sent you home."
"I would have refused. Regardless of how the mission went, I am very proud to have helped you and your family. And I would happily do it again without hesitation."
The former captain smiled lopsidedly. "I appreciate that. But I will try to be careful from now on."
"Hai."
A loud snorted snore drew their attention to Naruto, who was tossing about on his futon. Kushina grumbled, "I swear the only thing he got from Minato was his looks and hair. Everything else is all me." That made her new student giggle in response.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Not too long after, everyone began to wake up for the new day and started it off with a large breakfast. While many were eating, Meihui sat beside Jiraiya, Kushina, Tomoe, Kaida, and Kamko. With countless thoughts flashing through her mind, one being the most prevalent, "I need to head back home and inform the high elders of the Kurokiba. They have broken the curse upon them. It will not be long before more become dragons like their wicked ancestors before them."
More than a few winced when a bit of killing intent slipped from Kaida: "They took my blood. They used my connection to dragons, to you grandmother, to undo their punishment." The level of violation she felt couldn't be put in words. She wanted nothing more than to hunt every single snake she could find at that moment.
Thankfully, all it took was Ganyu placing a hand on top of hers to calm her.
After a moment, Kaida let out a long sigh. "I suppose I should stay here and catch up on what I missed."
"Oh yeah!" Samenosuke called out from a few seats over. "There are these things called 'microwaves'; they're like game-changing, Aunty!"
"I meant more in terms of history, Samenosuke." The large woman droned with a sweatdrop falling from her brow while Ganyu giggled.
"Well, there was primarily the Third Shinobi War," Kushina pointed out.
"You're kidding, you lot had a THIRD one?!" Her face went through a series of comical expressions before she groaned and ran a weary hand over her face. "Whatever, that can wait."
"Great-grandmother," Shirou called out to the elder dragon, his expression one of unusual hesitation. "There is one thing I need to know before you leave... That woman"
The mood grew somber, and those who participated in the battle stopped eating, knowing exactly whom she was talking about.
"She called herself Yamata-no-Orochi's daughter. The serpent god himself acknowledged her as such... is she the same from the legends."
Sakura swallowed, "What... legend is that?"
Meihui scratched the base of her horn with a long nail. "Ibuki-Douji, one of the Three Calamities of old Japan. Monsters are labeled such because of the disasters they left in their wake. There was Otakemaru, an oni with a literally invincible body, who had to be weakened for a full year by a heavenly maiden before a mortal hero could slay him. Then there was Tamamo-no-Mae, a malevolent kitsune who brought malignant corruption and catastrophe wherever she went." Her draconic eyes settled over the fox-eared Uzumaki in their midst. "Whom our darling half-kitsune is named after."
Tamamo could feel all eyes on her; her ears flattened against her head in embarrassment. "The fox clan, um... we tell a different version of the tale."
"Of course you do," The elder dragon snorted, rolling her eyes. "Abe no Seimei, the greatest omnyoji that ever lived, discovered her machinations and managed to seal her into what became a cursed stone."
"Wwwwwhat became of the stone?" Naruto curiously asked before his mind grew in thought, "So. You know, with happened with the Sundering and all."
Maw-Maw snapped her fingers, "Now that is a FANTASTIC question."
Then she fell silent. And everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
"Let's... table that one for later, please?" Tamamo all but begged.
"And finally, Ibuki-Douij" The great dragon muttered. "Part demon, part dragon, part god… Such a creature was calamity incarnate, only the greatest heroes of the era managed to stand up to her back then. And even then her death only came about because they tricked her. To think Yamata managed to revive such a mighty child of destruction…"
Once more, a somber silence settled over them.
Clearing her throat, Meihui got the conversation focused, "So as I said. I will need to speak with High Elders. And will have to send word to the other Dragon Clans. This isn't something to be withheld."
Kamiko nodded in agreement, "Father is no doubt speaking to them already. But he will need both of us to address the other clans of the Kurokiba."
Jiraiya leaned back against his chair. "We are also going to have to inform Maiyuri-hime about yesterday." Kushina, slumping forward and rubbing her eyes, let out a low groan, "regardless of the purpose. Her Dainin did an unsanctioned mission without her approval."
"I know..." The redhead groaned with a huff. Kushina did not even want to think about the blowback that would come from this mess. Fangs Daimyo Osuke was going to blow like a volcano when they discovered Forked River Valley was turned into a crater. UGH. She turned her eyes to Jiraiya, "You're coming along too, right?"
"Nope," the Sannin slumped grimly, "I need to tell Hime back home what happened."
Kushina paled, "Mom is going kick your ass."
"No, she will heal me first and then kick my ass."*
Neither one was enthused about the prospect of the verbal and physical lashing that awaited them. But they had a duty and responsibility to inform their superiors of the enormous fubar incident that came the day before.
"I could reason with them." Dread came to nearly everyone's faces as they looked to Meihui, who spoke up. "Oh, I won't eat them!"
"Meihui, your reasoning involves breathing fire on people," Mimir deadpans, resting on the table.
"Well, they should never argue with me."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
The afternoon sun glowed overhead on Amotsu with the locals going through their daily routine. While many wore joyous expressions, it was not so on Maiyuri, who sat at her desk in her office with a deep frown on her brow. Behind her, Miharu and Namika just stared wide-eyed at a sheepish Kushina standing beside a deadpanning Kosuke who was without his usually furry companion as Kuma was sleeping back at the Uzumaki compound. Naruto, Sakura, and Karin felt like shrinking from the glare was coming from their princess and Shogun.
Sasuke and Soujiro remained neutral in their expressions but did have a tinge of a shiver down their spines.
"So, you did an impromptu rescue mission in a foreign land, which you proceeded to destroy, fighting demons, undead, and everything else in between." Maiyuri's voice became a sharp, angry hiss. "Without informing me or warning the local authorities."
"Time was of the essence; we had to act fast," Kushina said, "…Okay, maybe we acted too fast."
"You were led into a trap because they saw you coming a mile away," The shogun sternly replied. "And it turned into a warzone. I'll have to write a letter to the Daimyo of Fangs explaining what happened, and he's not going to be happy." The young leader rubbed her temple. "Tell me at least you succeeded. You were able to rescue Tsukiko Uzumaki?" Her voice carried a hint of awe at the prospect. Tsukiko had been the greatest sage of their time, a great warrior like Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha. To say nothing of the fact she was millennia old. Her wisdom was sorely needed in this day and age.
"It turns out it wasn't my grandmother," The redhead explained, though she was not disappointed much to the shogun's surprise and that of her bodyguards. "It was my aunt, Kaida Uzumaki."
Miharu gasped softly while his white-haired sister only boggled at the news, "The First Blade of Uzu? Holy sh*t...!" Namika exclaimed.
Even Maiyuri could barely hold her surprise. "Goodness, that is... the next best thing you could have asked for." She had grown up hearing tales of one of the strongest women in the lands. To hear she was still alive after the fall of Uzu...
"She's so badass!" Naruto was almost bouncing on his feet. "She, like, turned into a fire dragon and beat up a god!" He tried to ignore the weird pang his chest was making.
"She struck a god," Sasuke corrected with severity. "Big difference"
That sobered their attitude somewhat. Kaida had hit Ibuki with a power akin to a Tailed Beast bomb and yet the monstrous woman healed right up in an instant.
Maiyuri pursed her lips as her green eyes shifted from one side to the other in thought. "And that brings us to the other point. Yamata-no-Orochi still leads the Cult, as we suspected. He lives. As does his powerful daughter..."
"Our foes are demonic hordes, malevolent sorcerers, and power-hungry monsters led by gods of ancient times," Miharu muttered, leaning his head slightly, causing one bang to cover his eye. He looked to his shogun with severity. "My shogun, how are we to prepare for this?"
"... The same way we have so far," Maiyuri replied resolutely, resting her elbows on her desk and intertwining her fingers. We build alliances and grow the empire." She looked at Kushina. "I would never ask the Uzumaki to fight on my behalf, not after all you've lost... but I'm afraid your kin's help will be needed."
"You will find volunteers among my clan, don't you worry," Kushina assured her, a sentiment Kosuke shared as he grunted in affirmation as well. "Once Aunty Kaida is back into shape, she'll do what she always did. Go around the nations and hunt monsters."
Maiyuri nodded, pleased. "Demonic activity has become steadily rampant in the last few years, in no small part due to the Cult's actions; no doubt, her talents will be needed." She smiled, "And course, I swear your clan will be under the empire's protection. "What happened during the Second Shinobi War will not be repeated." Relief washed over the Uzumaki, hearing those words, "Are there plans to return to Uzushio?"
"Only when Aunty Kaida is fully recovered," Kushina explained, "Till then, business for us?"
A light snort came from the young Shogun, "More than enough to keep us all busy." She shuffled through several papers on her desk, "I’m brokering a proper alliance with Kirigakure." Naruto perked up upon hearing that, "Which is going slow, admittedly." Daimyo Tōru and his son, Prince Takeru, have been rather slow responding to her letters.
Maiyuri's soft jade eyes glimpsed at another paper with a subtle glare. Actual eyewitness reports of sightings of the traitor Kazuma. To think that man was audacious enough to set foot in these lands again after what he did years prior in the Guardian Twelve. Or perhaps he never truly left to begin with, but that was neither here nor there.
He would be dealt with the moment he plays his hand on whatever scheme he may have planned.
Another matter annoyed the shogun, as her orders sent to the Hyuuga clan's main branch were met with dragged feet to remove the bird cage seals on their fellow clan members. The Hyuuga Elders have been conveniently quiet in responding to her command. If it persisted, she would no doubt have to take the direct approach that the main branch would not disregard. As much as Maiyuri did not want to cause a spectacle, the Hyuuga main branch was leaving her with few options to do anything else discretely.
Shaking from her thoughts, she turned to her Dainin. "I have several assignments for each of you that are vital for the expansion of our empire."
Kushina and the kids stood at attention while Kosuke raised a brow. "We're ready to serve Shogun-sama," The former ANBU bowed.
"Good, because your mission, Kushina, is to oversee the construction of a dam for a potential ally to join us."
"Oh?" The Uzumaki matriarch tilted her head, "Must be somewhere important."
"Well, it is near Kumo's sphere of influence, but..." The shogun shrugged as she handed her the file.
"Hmm..." She frowned as she skimmed over the details. "So wait, it's located in the Land of Water? Is it really a priority in the large scheme of things? They're not even a military power anymore." Hell, their shinobi village had even transitioned into a tourist spot.
"Perhaps not, but I do want a buffer zone between us and countries that are under the Land of Lightning's influence, like the Land of Frost. The Land of Hot Water has remained peaceful for a while, but the daimyo is wary of bandit activity disrupting business; the events in the Land of Trees have only made them more afraid. Thanks to our negotiations, they will allow us to set up an outpost in the country in exchange for a few more soldiers to keep the peace. The dam is to secure more energy independence, a sign that the empire will not be assimilating them in any violent manner."
"Sounds good," Kushina slowly said. "But why me? Sounds like it's a bit below my pay grade."
"Oh, it is," Maiyuri merely acknowledged, "but I want people to know they can rely on me. What better way than to have one of my dainin parading around to make sure our end of the deal is fulfilled."
The redhead blinked, "Wait, is this a punishment? Am I being punished?"
"A little bit, yeah. You know, for not telling me about the Land of Fangs debacle before it went down. Of the dainin involved, you're the adult and most senior. If anyone should have informed me about what you were planning to do, it was you."
"What about Kosuke?! Shouldn't he also have told you?!"
The large man genuinely asks, "What makes you think I know what I should be doing half the time?"
"...Fair enough. Your work mostly revolves around hitting the things you're pointed at."
"And that's perfectly alright with me," He said, satisfied with a grin.
"Kosuke-san," the large man grunted, "There has been some heavy bandit activity in a minor nation that has requested our aid. Miharu and Namika will join you since, as you have stated, diplomacy is not your forte."
"Then I'll go get Kuma. He likes chasing bandits."
Namika lightly jumped on the balls of her feet, "Can I ride on top of Kuma while he chases them?!"
"Let him smell you first to see if he likes you."
Maiyuri dryly deadpanned, looking back at her cheering guard, with her brother rubbing his eyes. Shaking her head, she looked to the youngest of her Dainin: "Naruto, Soujiro." The blond stood at attention; while Saito's son merely blinked back with a co*ck of his head. "You two will be dispatched to Land of Rivers."
Sakura frowned in thought as she swore she was head of that land before. It was the Uchiha who recalled first, "Isn't that region in a civil war?"
"Yes, though it has been less than a year since it started. It has been a brutal one that has been noticed by many."
Karin's mind was turning: "Did a side reach out to us for help?"
Maiyuri nodded, "And thankfully they are people we would be most grateful to have at our side. You will be tasked with liberating the Katabami Gold Mine town from the enemy."
"Are they needed to fight the other faction as well?" Sakura questioned.
"I will deploy my soldiers to deal with the main faction; your task is to free that mining town. However, this will be a joint venture with Kiri as they seek to investigate the situation. I believe you know this team led by Haku Yuki."
"Haku-chan?" Naruto's face brightened, "Awesome!"
"Why is Kiri interested in this mission?" Karin wondered. "It just sounds a bit odd."
"There are other factors involved. Katabami Gold Mine town may have fallen to the insurrectionists, but they have employed a mercenary gang called the Kurosuki family." The shogun explained, "They are terrorizing the town and sending a lot of the gold to our allies' opposition in the Land of Rivers."
"The supply of gold must be cut to hamper the enemies' flow of money," Soujiro reasoned, "But where does Kiri come in?"
"That's where it gets complicated," Maiyuri pursed her lips. "The Kurosuki family is led by a man called Raiga. Not only is he a missing-nin from Kiri, but he's also a former Swordsman of the Mist, and he still possesses his weapon."
Realization soon dawned on them. "Now I get it," Naruto muttered. "Kiri wants the sword back."
"They were informed the moment we had confirmation about Raiga." The princess nodded. "The Land of Water is on the fence about the empire's expansion. I want them to feel they can trust us. In fact, Prince Takeru of Water himself will be traveling with the Kiri team to meet with me. I do believe he wants to discuss something else with me regarding the nature of this mission. So you two will be present with me at the meeting." She nodded at the half-Namikaze and young swordsman.
"No problem!" Naruto cheerfully replied while Soujiro dutifully bowed.
"Now, Sakura, Karin, Sasuke." She looked at the remaining three. You three will accompany some of the Guardian Ninjas to track down a criminal named Kazuma."
Kushina frowned at this. "Wait, I know that name" She tried to recall what she learned from old reports. "He was a Guardian Ninja, right? He turned against Konoha because he felt the shinobi village was undermining the country's main military with all the resources Konoha pulled."
Naruto vaguely recalled Asuma-sensei speaking about that during a training/spar session with Team Ten. "Wasn’t Asuma-sensei was a Guardian Ninja back then?"
"Indeed," Maiyuri nodded, "He helped stop Kazuma's plan, but unfortunately, the traitor fled soon after." That had left a bitter taste in the mouths of many in the Fire Court. "But now it seems he has resurfaced again."
"Capture or assassination?" Sasuke questioned with a hardened tone.
Maiyuri gave a hardened gaze, "I want that man to stand trial. However, I doubt he would come willingly, so if there is no other option, kill him. I will also assign Asuma Sarutobi and his Genin team for this mission as well."
"For payback?" Kosuke asked.
"He requested adamantly to me to be in the mission for Kazuma, I approved because he has experience with Kazuma. He knows my terms for the traitor."
The young Dainin bowed their heads in acceptance of the mission. Maiyuri nodded back before taking notice of the blond Uzumaki, who was deep in thought. "Speak your mind, Naruto."
Blinking, the blond looked up, soon scratching the back of his head, "I was just wondering about any news from Lanka?"
"Actually, yes." Naruto and the others perked up. "Several liaisons have been placed in positions with our empire. And they have been putting in the effort greatly." Especially the yokai warrior Sajin Komamura, once put into the soldier's ranks. Who had let his actions speak for him and even impressed General Ichiro.
Not to say there have not been some... disagreements about allowing demons into the empire.
"I even signed the documents that grant Kuroreimei's people a portion of land by the cost. Construction of a new settlement is beginning as we speak."
"Oh, that's awesome!"
Miharu and Namika shared a worried look, the sister in particular wincing and letting out a hiss while her brother pursed his lips. The way Maiyuri looked troubled did not help.
"Is it... not awesome?" Naruto muttered.
"I have received many complaints about granting land to Yokai, not to mention letting them trade with us openly and even volunteer for my army. I have a drawer where I keep all the letters of complaints."
"Oh," Naruto grew crestfallen. "That sucks. What can we do about it?"
"Nobody has defied me," Maiyuri shrugged, "My word is law; they can complain, but at the end of the day, they will obey. All we can do is hope the law is respected, but there have been instances of businesses turning away yokai and guards dismissing cases like that."
"That's bullsh*t" His sadness was soon replaced with anger. He remembered like it was yesterday when stores would tell him to scram and adults doing nothing when he told on them. It wasn't until Hiruzen learned of those particular instances that there were consequences for those people.
"I can't be everywhere, Naruto," The shogun said apologetically. And that was something else Naruto had to accept, just like in those days when Jiji couldn't be with him all the time to make sure he was being treated fairly, not when he had a village to run. It was doubly true for someone of Maiyuri's position. "All I can do is have my laws enforced and trust that eventually the good will outweigh the bad. I'm doing my best to ensure Kuroreimei's people can be comfortable and live without persecution in my empire. But I'm already very busy. In the end, time is the only thing that can take care of everything."
The blond Uzumaki's eyes were downcast with emotion. "I get it." His voice was soft but heavy with understanding. All of those around also come to realize and accept Naruto understood better than any of them what it is like to be treated as a pariah for something you had no control over.
Moreover, he knew that despite everything they could do and prove, they were not a threat and were here to help. There will always be people who see them as monsters, as they do for him, and nothing will change their minds.
"Just have to hope for the best." The way her young Dainin said that made Maiyuri lightly frown but shook it off.
A nod came from the Shogun, "All we can do."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
It was with painful memories that the Hatake neared the border he had not gotten close to since the Third Shinobi War. Yet those old scars held less sting than they once did, which had been noticed lately by his Tokubetsu Jōnin companion (not girlfriend) Anko leaping beside him through the trees. Like a weight after so long had been lifted from him.
He spent only an hour instead of three at the memorial.
Laughing, actual, real laughing when someone is telling a joke. Nobody could remember when they heard Kakashi laugh till now.
Kakashi still had his dour moments, but they had been lessening more and more.
And if Anko dared to say it out loud, she... was happy for Kakashi... very happy.
"Sensei!"
The buxom Kunoichi blinked, looking back to her student trailing beside them. She still winced at the thought of that but hid it well, looking at her green-haired charge dressed in Leaf fatigues and a vest. "What is it, Kuki?" Anko's voice sounded a bit awkward when saying that.
Reddish-violet eyes, with slit pupils like a reptile’s, stared back between the two adults, "Are we engage with any opposition the frontier guard is facing?"
"Not at all, Kuki-san," Kakashi answered. "We're just seeing what is going on with our troops."
"Hmm," the young teen merely pursed her lips, not easing her stance a bit. It was one thing to be ready in case they needed to act; it was another to go in, already expecting a fight.
Kakashi and Anko shared a troubled look; the girl saw danger everywhere. According to the profile, Kuki used to be an easy-going kunoichi, yet he was also hardworking and talented. But now, the loss of her team had induced in her a very demanding attitude. She constantly requested to be sent on assignment. Anything from reconstruction to hunting down criminals, she didn't want a single moment of idleness.
Honestly, it reminded Kakashi a lot of himself after the losses in his life.
Anko wondered if perhaps that was the reason Kuki was assigned to her, because of her own 'proximity' to Kakashi. Maybe the Hokage hoped she'd get some advice from him on how to deal with a young woman who lost so much in such a short time and who wanted to keep pushing herself to move on from the pain.
'Tch, the only reason she didn't ask Kakashi directly was because he already had his team and his duties,' Anko thought with self-deprecation.
It wasn't long before they reached the border outpost. It was designed as a small fortified position, with a stone gate serving as the frontier 'wall,' shinobi stationed in battlements, and barracks for them to rest and train until they were rotated.
They were taken to the office of the outpost's captain, a stern-faced man whose scars showed the things he'd been through in his service history. He sat behind a desk, overseeing patrol reports and other daily duties. Yoshima Kurama was known to follow orders without complaining, so of course, it came as a surprise that their forces stationed here still hadn't moved.
"There really wasn't any need for one of the shogun's shinobi to come here himself," Yoshima said, leaning back on his chair. "We have things in order."
"You do look like you run a tight ship," Kakashi commented as he sat in front of the man's desk with Anko and Kuki flanking him. "But you were told this outpost wasn't necessary anymore; the troops here will be needed elsewhere."
Yoshima sighed, running a hand over his short brown locks. "Look, I already sent a letter up the chain of my command expressing why this post is important. We are right at the border with the Land of Water; Kirigakure has used this route in the past."
"Whom now have a non-aggression treaty with us," Kakashi pointed out.
Yoshima's gaze hardened, "So did Suna."
Anko noticed how Kuki's fists clenched at the memory of the Sand-Sound Attack.
The masked shinobi sighed, "I get you to have concerns, but that's really not up to you any more than it is up to me. My orders are to make sure you follow yours. The council of generals assigns the draft of Konoha's troops as they are needed elsewhere."
"I don't think the generals understand the importance of this place. Turning our back on Kiri is a mistake that will cost us dearly." His words came clipped and angry. "I've been on this post for decades, and I've seen the sheer brutality Kiri has inflicted on people. The refugees that came to the Land of Fire were desperate to escape their persecution and savage practices. You have not seen the faces of those who crossed the border..." His lips pursed as he paused for a moment, "Or what remained of those who didn't make it through."
Kakashi chose his words carefully, "Kirigakure is not what it used to be."
"Since when?" Anko's brow narrowed upon hearing Yoshima's tone.
"When Mei Terumi took down Yagura, she has been reforming Kiri since becoming Kage." Kakashi kept his tone even and professional.
The other man looked unconvinced, "The Land of Water was always a cesspool of barbarism before we were ever born, Hatake. Savages who ruthlessly kill, violate, and destroy everything they touch." Yoshima leaned forward, "Can you look me in the eye and say they reformed overnight with this Terumi woman as Kage now?"
"Reform never happens overnight; it takes time and effort." 'Moreover, Yoshima is completely ignoring the fact there were countless people among the new Mizukage who wanted to put a stop to the Blood Mist era.'
Indeed, more than a few shinobi and civilians rallied under Mei Terumi, forming a rebellion against Yagura's reign. Individuals who had grown tired of the endless slaughters against people with bloodline limits. And the terrible practices that slaughtered many young shinobi before they were even twelve. With so many having died, even wiping out entire clans. The people had enough, and so Mei stepped up to bring it to an end.
All came to her side and brought down Yagura and ended the Bloody Mist Era.
Things were still a mess in Kiri, and the wounds may will take decades to heal, but at least now they finally can.
But in Yoshima's eyes, Kakashi only saw what he had endured as captain of this outpost for years. He only saw demons within the ranks of Kiri's shinobi corp. And what they did to people crossing the border to this outpost.
"I think it would be best for you and your unit to leave this place finally," Kakashi spoke professionally.
The outpost commander scoffs, "And play nice with our old foes; what a fool's errand."
"Watch your damn mouth," Anko spoke up with a growl in her tone.
Yoshima raised his hand placatingly, "I mean no disrespect to her highness. But what she wants is impossible. More to the point, do places like Kiri or hell, Iwa deserve anything but our kunai to their necks." He dropped his hands, "As far as I am concerned, this empire is a waste of time and resources."
"Well, as far as the empire is concerned, your opinion on the matter has no weight," Kakashi merely replied. Anko snorted, clearly amused, even as Yoshima slowly lost his composure, given the twitching in his eyes and the vein throbbing on his forehead. "Do as you’re told"
A groan escaped from the Kurama, the last remnants of his patience snapping. "I thought you, of all people, would understand the danger Kiri poses, Hatake."
One could hear a pin drop.
No... surely he couldn't have meant-
Anko had experienced anger before. Blinding hot anger at those who had wronged her, the sick mentor who raised her and used her like a disposable tool, like a test subject. Angry at assholes who took shots at her for being 'the snakes' apprentice. Angry that she still bore his mark.
But this was a new type of anger. Angry on someone else's behalf. A righteous indignation because some self-important f*cker dragged up something so painful for someone... dear to Anko just to prove a point.
It was like she was hearing a buzzing in her ears. A snarl escaped her throat as she took a step forward. One fist raised to strike while the other grabbed the desk, either to vault over it or throw it aside.
Yoshima clearly hadn't expected her to react like that. He let out a gasp at the sudden surge of killing intent and stood up so fast he knocked his chair back. Instincts born from a long career let him jump on the defense swiftly.
But the blow never came; Kakashi had stood up so fast nobody had seen him move, holding Anko's arm back.
For a moment, nobody spoke. Kuki's eyes kept shifting from her mentor to the dainin, unsure of what to do. No anger came from Kakashi, no killing intent or displeasure at Yoshima's words; he just kept his hold until the Special Jonin slowly reared her arm back and relaxed her stance.
"You have your orders," the Hatake finally said. His calm and measured voice was a sharp contrast to what the situation had devolved into. "See them through, or we'll find someone who will."
The captain's fists clenched for a moment. "...Very well," he said with a stiff bow. "I live to serve this nation." They picked up on how he omitted to say the shogunate or Maiyuri specifically.
But there was nothing more to be said, Kakashi turned around and walked away, with his companions joining after him. Though Anko didn't leave without flipping the man off one last time for good measure, enjoying the outrage and indignation on his face.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
'Sensei's boyfriend is so damn cool.' Kuki mentally murmured wistfully, standing beside Hatake and Anko, who observed the outpost unit finally pack up.
Said special Jōnin cast a glare beside her partner, "How are you not pissed off?"
"Being angry doesn't solve everything."
"He used..." Anko bit her tongue before sighing, "Rin to goad you."
Kakashi nodded, "And he failed." He eye-smiled at the buxom kunoichi, "But I am happy to see you care enough about me to defend me."
The Jōnin grumbled faintly, blushing and looking away, "f*ckers like him, who drag up someone's past to prove a point, just piss me off, is all. Don't read too much into it."
"Of course, I wasn't."
Beside them, the teenage Kunoichi half-listened while replaying the events of a few minutes ago in her mind: how Yoshima was acting and how her sensei and Hatake-San reacted. "I think I am on Anko-Sensei's side, I would have punched that jerk." The two adults peer over to her. "I doubt I could have kept my cool like you, Kakashi-dono." If someone had insulted her old team, she would have definitely lunged at the ass.
Most likely used her kunai too…
"While there is nothing wrong with acting on your emotions. In our profession, was must be detached from them," Kakashi addressed.
Anko spoke up, "But not so much; we become robots." She growled when Hatake patted her head.
"Your sensei is also right to Kuki-San." He moved his hand away before the older kunoichi nearly bit it. "Balancing professionalism and reigning in your emotions can be a delicate matter."
Kuki leaned in, "How do you do it?"
"A mask helps for one." The Dainin taps his own over his mouth.
Anko deadpans at her student, "Getting that damn thing off him is a pain in the ass though."
"Hey, I am getting better."
The snake mistress rolled her eyes before giving her student a look over, humming as she tapped her chin. "Um," The green-haired shinobi muttered nervously as her teacher’s critical eye trailed over her figure, "Sensei?”
"Masks do look cool, maybe it’d look good on you," The older woman grumbled mildly, "When we get back to the village or have a free day, I am taking you shopping." Kuki blinked, "We need to put some style on you instead of that bland rank-and-file thing you have going."
"It might be better if Kurenai does that since your sense of style is a chain mesh, a skirt, and a smile," Anko growled back, waving a fist at an amused Kakashi. "Well, there's nothing wrong with having some modesty."
Kuki observed the two before looking at her clothes, 'Do I really look that bland?' Though the mental image of her dressing like her sensei made her blush before shaking it away.
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Kabuto felt a cold chill down his spine standing beside his master, Orochimaru, whose eyes never left the sight before him. For someone like Kabuto, who had witnessed and caused things 'civilized' people considered monstrous... he could not help but feel just a bit disturbed by it all.
But at the same time, he was fascinated.
Not as much as his master, however.
This profane thing was glorious. A ritual that delved further beyond what Edo Tensei was even capable of. It had been a brilliant creation by the Second Hokage, turning every cell in the body into chakra to create a host body for a soul. But there were flaws, of course, and it still wasn't true life.
It was still only a step into true necromancy.
Now, Orochimaru was learning firsthand from a master.
And it was very educational.
Zhu Zhang was chanting in a tongue neither could decipher, holding his arms aloft as he walked down the middle of the chamber. He stepped around a large bowl built into the floor, and various tiny pathways connected to it spread all over the room.
Getting the 'raw materials' for it had been easy enough.
Fifty individuals, all spread neatly into five corners of the room. All of them kneeling, drugged, or under genjutsu, their eyes dead to the world.
To call death, one required death to open the way.
To create life, one needed to take that life from somewhere.
"Let the veil be torn... let the dead speak," The necromancer spoke up in their tongue.
Zhu Zhang smiled, and with a flourish of his arms, he created a storm of green flames, spreading all over the chamber like a howl of lost souls.
The sacrifices didn't even move when the flames engulfed them. Their forms didn't burn, they melted, broken down to their most primordial components as they pooled over the floor.
"Life for life, let the echoes of souls call one from the beyond."
The liquid, green and glowing, fell through slits on the floor, coursing through them and slowly filling them, igniting them into glowing intricate patterns as the substance flowed. The pathways guided all until they slowly converged into the center bowl.
Soon, the bowl was nearly filled with primordial liquid, for only the most primal components could bring back what was gone from the world. "Rise," Zu Zhang smiled darkly as a hand shot out from the pool, followed by another.
Next came the loud gasp as the head and upper torso of the long, raven-haired woman rose from the pool. Her lungs heaved as her body craved oxygen like a newborn babe. She was too disoriented to realize a pair of hands grabbed her wrists and pulled her damp nude body out of the pool and onto the floor, lying on her back.
Kabuto stood stone still, his eyes and mouth agape. His master could not contain the wide smile that formed on his lips. Standing over the woman, the immortal sorcerer grinned, "Death's grip holds you no longer. Welcome back, Mikoto Uchiha." The man's voice was muffled in the ears of the newly revived Uchiha matron, whose body soon shivered and shook. Her vision blurred, and she was unable to focus.
At the entrance of the room, two guards stood in awe at the sight. "Is it that easy to bring someone back to life?" Kabuto muttered out loud as he inspected the newly revived woman.
Overhearing the words, Zhu Zhang glanced at him, "Easy? To call a soul from the afterlife, to create it a body, to breach the veils beyond life and death, you need to be a master of such craft. And even then, the price for one soul to be forced back using many, many unwilling more... There is nothing easy about it."
The two lackeys froze at the sorcerer's gaze before relief came as he looked back at the resurrected woman.
Mikoto's vision slowly became clear as she sat up, looking around in a daze. What was this place? Where was she? So many thoughts and emotions rushed through her form like a tidal wave. Her eyes stopped at the large green pool in the center of the room, then looked at herself, seeing her form was drenched in the same substance. Shifting her eyes again, she soon took disturbed notice of the countless bodies in the corners of the room with green flames still burning.
Her head shifted again before freezing as she came face to face with Orochimaru, who knelt in front of her. "Mikoto-chan" He spoke warmly with a horrible grin.
The Uchiha's disorientation was fading as she stared back at the Sannin, "...You..." Her voice was a whisper. As confusion left her, anger replaced it quickly, "YOU!" She tried to lunge at the Leaf traitor, but the snake caught her easily as her body was sluggish and slow to move.
"Oh, it has been years since I have seen such fire in your eyes, Mikoto-chan."
Mikoto attempts to free her arms from the Sannin were useless, as she felt no strength in her limbs. "What have you done!?"
"You have been given a second chance at life, my dear." Her head turned to see a man she never met standing beside her and Orochimaru. Zu Zhang chuckled, "Not many could say they have been given such a blessing."
A chill returned to the Uchiha as everything she felt from that man was... wrong.
"I fulfilled my end of the bargain, Orochimaru," The sorcerer said, ignoring the woman's struggles. "We will require your services on other fronts,"
"I am a man of my word," the Sannin replied as he handed the woman to the guards, who easily caught her without issue. Whatever your people need of me, I will provide."
Zhu Zhang's smile was the epitome of self-satisfaction. "We will hold you to that." He tapped on something in his waist, an emblem of some kind, and a dark hole in the fabric of space opened behind him. He stepped through without a word and vanished as this portal closed.
Orochimaru turned his attention to Mikoto once more, "Get her some clothes; we're not savages here."
Mikoto tried to break free, but it was of no use; her limbs were weak. "What are you planning, you snake?" she hissed.
"You are going to help me achieve great things, Mikoto-chan," the pale man said with a sad*stic smirk. "You see, I've been running into many setbacks as of late, so I needed the incentive to make sure my plans proceed more smoothly this time."
"Plans...?" Mikoto muttered, looking over the chamber filled with the oozing bodies that were *melting, dripping into that foul green substance... the same ooze that covered her from head to toe. Her eyes widened in horror as she pieced things together. "All those people... all that death just so could bring me back to be your tool?"
Mikoto couldn't believe the depths of such depravity. She felt filthy and sick, knowing all those lives were traded for hers. Dozens upon dozens of lives snuffed out in such a profane manner for her.
The liquid coating her, she was covered in the literal lifeforce of human sacrifice...
The Uchiha woman retched, spitting bile, for her stomach was empty.
"Now, now, think of it as another chance at life. Only this time you'll serve a grander purpose," Orochimaru casually spoke as he crossed his arms behind his back, leaning forward until his face was inches away from the woman's. "I believe it's an improvement over your last days, hmm~?"
Mikoto glared at him with tears gathering in her eyes. "You're not even human anymore... you're a monster."
"Oh, Mikoto-chan," Orochimaru shook his head in amusem*nt, "Why would even anyone want to be human?" He looked at Kabuto, "Make sure she's comfortable; we need her in good condition."
He spoke so dismissively of her like she was just a pet, a slave.
Mikoto didn't even register as a cloak was put around her, her feet scraping against the floor as she was taken away. The horror of her new reality plagued her every thought, fearful of what Orochimaru would use her for.
'Itachi... Sasuke...'
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