41)Foxy Adventures: Ch.41

“You know, I'll never get over how quickly you can heal,” Sakura spoke with a frown and I shrugged as the five of us hopped from tree to tree, heading to where Karin had felt the chakra signatures of the samurai and Lord Hiroshi.

“Eh, you get used to it.”

“I've had seven years as your classmate and I never got used to it.”

“Really? I've spent a little over three months with him and I've gotten used to it.”

“That's because you are abnormal just like him. Not to mention you can make others heal quickly, which means you are used to it.”

“True, true. So, what are you going to do with that, Kakashi?”, I asked as I looked at the hilt in his hand, the man letting out a hum at my words. Turning my gaze to Sasuke, I smiled at the eager look that he tried his best to hide.

“Well, that is up to you. You are the one who killed him and as shinobi rules are-”

“The spoils of battle go to the victor,” Sakura murmured and I held my hand out as he held the hilt out to me. With a thought, it sparked before I grinned as a bolt of pure electric plasma formed from it.

Unlike the sparking yellow blade Aoi had, mine was brilliant gold and the small bit of Star Wars fan in me felt giddy as the blade hummed like a lightsaber when I swung it from side to side.

“I think I'll keep it, then. Then again, the old man might want to have it put with the other treasures of the Hokage,” I murmured as I clipped it to my hilt before chuckling when I saw Sasuke's disappointed look.

“If you want it, you just have to ask.”

“Hmph! I do not wish for something that you want. Instead, I think I will hunt down that Raiga and take his weapons for myself.”

“Ah, the Kiba Thunderswords? They would most definitely fit with your Lightning Style jutsu and they are counted amongst the seven blades of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.”

“You know quite a lot about them.”

“After Zabusa, I wanted to learn more about their group and I gotta admit that they're pretty badass, though I do wonder who managed to beat up the group to the point that they're no longer a group.”

“Might Dai, the father of Might Gai. He used the Eight Gates and killed off four of them, dying before he could kill the other three.”

'…Wait, we're just admitting it like that.'

“W-Wait, Gai-sensei…His dad is the one who killed four of them?!”, Sakura asked in surprise, Karin and Sasuke looking just as surprised while I hid my shock at the fact that Kakashi just up and revealed it like that.

“He did. We all thought that the man was just a simple genin since he never managed to be able to do anything other than simple basic Academy-level jutsu. However, it was after his death that Gai informed us that he didn't learn other jutsu because he was far too busy mastering the Eight Gates. In fact, it is to save Gai that he learned the Gates and fought against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.”

“And I'm guessing his name was placed on the crystal thing you like to look at?”, I chimed in, Kakashi looking at me with a smile and nodding.

“Indeed it is. It is also after his death that I began to realize what is needed for someone to truly become strong. It is not the chase for strength nor the pursuit of power that makes someone strong, but the need to protect those you love that pushes you beyond your limits.”

“Wow~ I didn't know that Gai-sensei was the son of a hero, who is a genin at that.”

“Jounin.”

“Pardon?”, I blinked in surprise at Kakashi's words and the man chuckled as he looked forward and continued.

“After his death, Might Dai was given the Konoha's Medal of Excellence and raised to the rank of Elite Jounin. I think that was one fo the few times where I saw Gai shed actual tears for the pride he felt to his father.”

'…Well, damn. I guess some things have changed in this world.'

“At least you know now that things have changed instead of finding out when you are faced with an enemy you didn't expect.”

'Yeah, like the Akatsuki now having an entire lower Division that they can use on top of the S-Rank shinobi. Should I conclude that it's not just Ame of the lower-ranking villages that are also part of this group?'

“I did catch a glimmer of Kusa's headband on that one girl with the illusions that you killed. Perhaps, we should accelerate your training even more now.”

'As if we hadn't done so already after your-Crap, that's right. When I used your chakra, all of my clones most likely popped, including the ones that were busy with the seals training.'

“They did, but you'll be glad to hear that they did finish with their work.”

'The Wave Transmission Jutsu? They actually finished the rough sketches?', I asked in surprise, hearing Kurama grunt before I blinked as the wave of memories flashed through my mind.

“You needed to rest your mind and body so I kept the memories at bay until you weren't going to keel over the second I let them go.”

'Thanks. Huh, they actually did, but it's all theoretical work anyway. A few of them were going to start the practical work, but they popped before they could.'

“Then you just make a few more and we'll see how it goes.”

'I guess we will. Oh, we're coming up on the envoy. You going back to sleep?'

“I've never done up to five tails in the human body so I'm going to try and figure out how to use it better. However, once we get through, we're going to have to work your body to the bone.”

'Of course. Let me know when we get back,' I said, ending the link right as we landed in front of the samurai.

Naturally, we found ourselves staring at dozens of katanas coated in vibrating chakra, Yamamoto standing at the front of the group with a blazing katana that made the air warp around it.

“Naruto?”

“Yep, it's me,” I answered as I coated my body in Kurama's chakra, only pulling it back when they pulsed a few times to make sure it wasn't a genjutsu.

When they did, the group sagged in relief while Yamamoto dismissed his flames, sheathing his katana before bowing his head in greeting to Kakashi.

“Kakashi Hatake, I believe it's been a while since we last saw each other, yes?”

“When I had to escort Lord Hokage to the annual meeting with Lord Hiroshi in the capital, I believe. I must admit that it is good to see you are still alive and well, General Yamamoto.”

'He knows Kakashi? Guess he really is a guy that's worth the bounty Kakuzu mentioned.'

“And I see you are the leader of a genin team now?”

“Yes, Lord Third had decided he had enough of me lounging about so he forced these little rascals onto me. Naruto here is also a former member of my team, but as you can see, he passed the Chunin exams.”

“Don't say that like a proud father when you dumped me on Ebisu while teaching all the fun stuff to Sasuke.”

“You're still mad about that?”

“More miffed to be honest, but I am mad for Sakura's sake since you only taught her a genjutsu or two.”

“Eh, I didn't mind it since I didn't need the training,” Sakura chimed in with a shrug, to which I rolled my eyes while Kakashi smiled and shook his head.

“I was wondering where Naruto got his skills from.”

“Jiraiya. That's the guy who trained me more,” I answered with a flat stare, Yamamoto blinking at my words before the man turned to Kakahsi who nodded.

“I…see. Well, it is no wonder that you survived the battle, then. However, I must ask whether or not you did take care of our adversaries.”

“Three are dead, one is currently in a coma and the other two escaped.”

“That Hidan guy, right? You just said you put him in a coma, but you never said what you did,” Kakashi spoke with a raised eyebrow before I saw the nervousness dancing in his eyes as I gave a sly grin.

“Oh, I bit onto him and pushed Kurama's chakra into his bloodstream.”

“…You are a devious little devil.”

“Hehehe~”

“Is the Nine Tails' chakra really that bad?”, Sakura asked and I looked at her before nodding slowly with an eerie smile.

“It is. My mother was the jinchuriki of Kurama before me, which means that I was bathed in his chakra from the point of conception up until my birth. Then, I had him sealed inside of me and have been with him for twelve years so our chakras are practically symbiotic. To anyone else, though, think of his chakra as actual flaming acid that will give third-degree burns to anyone who touches it unless I want them to.”

“…Oh, and you just-”

“Injected it into the bloodstream of an immortal, yes? Let me tell you, the guy will most definitely survive, especially since the other one kept me from taking his life, but the chakra that flows through his body will burn him from the inside out from now on until the day that he decides to die.”

“Well, that's…has anyone ever told you that you're a bit insane?”, Karin asked with a frown and I blinked at that before nodding with a happy smile.

“Yeah, a few times.”

“Well, allow me to add onto that. You're a bit insane.”

“Like you're one to talk, Ms. 'Art-is-an-Explosion'.”

“Hey, Naruto taught me that and it works!”

“How is Lord Hiroshi? I hope I didn't pull too hard,” I said as I tuned out Sakura and Karin going into their usual arguments and Yamamoto smiled at my words before shaking his head.

“Lord Hiroshi is currently resting in his carriage. Once again, I am in your debt for saving the life of my lord when I could not. If there is ever anything that you need, let me know.”

“…Well, while I don't use Fire Style jutsu or sharp weapons, my friend over there is a Fire Jutsu user and an aspiring swordsman-”

“What? I'm-!”

“So, if you could give him a few pointers on how to do both, consider the debt paid,” I said with a smile while muffling Sasuke, who struggled to get out of my grasp as Yamamoto looked at Sasuke and I before nodding.

“I cannot show him the techniques of the samurai as I am forbidden from teaching them to a shinobi, but if it would suffice, I can teach him basic swordplay and the Change in Chakra Nature to make it Fire Chakra.”

“That would be excellent. Sasuke, what do we say?”

“…Thank you!”, Sasuke gritted out as I let him go, quickly blocking his punch as Yamamoto turned before pushing him to follow after the man with a snicker.

“That was quite the nice thing for you to do,” Kakashi began as the two of us made our way to the back of the group, to which I shrugged as I smiled and nodded to the samurai we passed.

“It is, isn't it?”

“Why did you do it?”

“Because if he does get better, who is to be thanked for his progress?”, I asked with a sly grin, cackling as Kakashi sighed and shook his head.

“Of course, that's why.”

“That and part of me actually feels like he needs that something to get his mind off the fact that Itachi beat his ass. We both know what could happen should he want to find a quicker way to power.”

“…Okay, are you sure you're Naruto and not a spy that's bad at pretending to be him?”

“Really? Huh, I thought I had his personality down to a tee. Perhaps not calling you stupid Kakashi was not the path I should have pushed to the side,” I muttered sarcastically, pushing his hand away as he went to ruffle my hair before the two of us stopped in front of the carriage.

“Lord Hir-”

“Naruto! You're okay!”, The lord exclaimed with a happy smile as he threw the door open, Kakashi hiding his snickers while I sighed as Hiroshi walked over and hugged me.

“Lord Hiroshi, you remember that I am more than capable of handling myself, right?”

“Oh, let me be happy. Also, yes, I remember and I faintly remember a red-head and a blonde telling me the exact same thing at a time.”

“Good. Then you don't have to worry, but I really appreciate it,” I spoke with a smile, the man standing up with a soft chuckle before he looked at Kakashi who bowed his head.

“Lord Hiroshi, I'm guessing that the travelling with Naruto was a nice experience?”

“Oh, definitely. There's none like Naruto that can help me keep the mind occupied. Ah, I assume since everyone is here, our attackers are gone?”

“Half of them are permanently gone and one won't be able to do anything for the foreseeable future, yes, but two of the others unfortunately got away, my lord.”

“Ah, well, I suppose four out of six are good. I assume we are to rest for the rest of the day before continuing our voyage?”

“We are to rest for the day, but I believe that a special Jounin and a team of genin are not exactly enough to continue this mission. If the Akatsuki are to attack once again, it will be with bigger and stronger numbers, numbers that I do not believe we are capable of handling.”

“Hmm, it would be the right move for them. Very well, I will agree to this move even though I believe the two of you are quite enough for the trip.”

“We thank you for the praise, my lord, but unfortunately, not everyone in the team will be able to keep up,” Kakashi spoke with a smile and Hiroshi let out a chuckle at that before we watched the man walk back into his carriage.

“…He just tried to do the thing we did on you in the Land of Waves, didn't he?”

“One hundred percent,” Kakashi nodded in agreement and I let out a soft sigh before shaking my head.

“Hah, I really need some sleep right now,” I murmured, to which Kakashi looked amused before we turned and began making our way back to where we could hear Sakura and Karin were still arguing.

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“So, there was a group after the artifact like we were expecting?”, Hiruzen said with a frown and I nodded as Kakashi raised an eyebrow.

“I might be mistaken, but I'm fairly sure I never got told anything about an artifact.”

“It's supposed to be a secret. I was only told about it after we got attacked the first time.”

“And you didn't want to tell me?”

“Like I said, it's supposed to be a secret,” I answered with a shrug and the man looked at me before nodding.

“Very well. What is this artifact exactly?”

“Supposedly, it's able to boost the power of barrier-type fuinjutsu, but unfortunately, we're unable to figure out just how to activate it.”

“Has Pervy Sage taken a look at it?”

“Ha! Jiraiya has been stuck working on the damn thing since it arrived and he's almost ready to throw it through a wall to make it work.”

“…I don't mind taking a look. Not sure how I'd help, but I'm sure Kurama would understand a fair bit about it.”

“What makes you think I want to help?”

'It could count to you getting out of everyone's bad side and closer to their good side.'

“…What makes you think I'd want that?”

'Really? We're playing the hard-to-please card right now?'

“I am, yes.”

'Fine, I'll…if I make it to that age, I'll name my first son after you.'

“You think I'm that vain?”, He asked in a shocked tone and I rolled my eyes, confusing Kakashi and Hiruzen as I nodded.

'Yes, you are.'

“…You are correct. Kurama is a far better name than Boruto. Very well. I shall help.”

'Thank you.'

“He says he'll help.”

“In exchange for…?”

“Me naming my first son Kurama,” I answered with a smile, Hiruzen chuckling at my words while Kakashi just shook his head.

“I suppose that is to be expected. Very well, Kakashi. Join up with the samurai and Battalions 1 through 3 near the gate. You are in charge of making sure that Lord Hiroshi is escorted safely to his home this time. Naruto, follow me,” Kakashi nodded before he vanished while I followed after the old man with a hum.

Time to see what this artifact is.

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“ARRRRGGHH!!”

“And he's been like this ever since your battle with the Nine Tails' Jinchuriki!”, A deep voice echoed in the cavern, its source being a spectral figure made out of an array of colours as they knelt in front of the screaming Hidan.

“Yes, I believe the Nine Tails' jinchuriki used its chakra to burn Hidan's own chakra paths in order to make sure that he could never use jutsu again.”

“Huh, guess he took it easy on us, eh Itachi?”, A spectral figure in the shape of Kisame spoke with a smirk, the figure of Itachi beside him not replying as another spoke up.

“Wait, you're telling me that the Nine Tails' jinchuriki actually knows how to use the Tailed Beast's chakra? That's a lot different from what you and Itachi told us.”

“We said he could use the chakra to some difficulty, not that he could go up to Five Tails.”

“From the sounds of it, the Nine Tails himself was in control and he ran instead of fighting.”

“Which means that the two of them are talking to each other, which would make him a perfect Jinchuriki. What is our plan for that, leader?”, Another figure with a hunchback asked in a raspy tone, everyone looking at the figure crouched over Hidan before none of them flinched when tendrils shot up from the ground and through Hidan's throat to silence him.

“Itachi, Kisame, Hiruko, you are to meet up with Kakuzu at the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass. From there, the four of you are to find the Nine Tails' Jinchuriki and capture him.”

“I thought we were supposed to seal the Tailed Beasts in order of their tails from least to most.”

“And we will. That does not mean we cannot capture him and keep him sealed away until we are to extract their chakra.”

“And Hidan?”, Kakuzu asked, to which the leader stood up before looking to the quiet figure in the corner.

“Raiga, you are now the bearer of the Ring of Three.”

“I shall strive to do my best, Lord Pain,” Raiga spoke with a bow while Kakuzu sighed in frustration as Pain made a hand sign and Hidan vanished in a puff of smoke.

“You have your orders. Make sure you fulfill them.”

A/N: And it looks like the Akatsuki are doing a full-on offensive move. How's Naruto going to survive this? With Plot Armour…Not sure how, though…Eh, we'll figure it out.

Next chapter: Nine Tails and Wood vs Eyes, A Shark, Tentacles and Lightning…Yeah, where is this world going?”

As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…

Ba-Bye~!!