This is it... The final entry in NarutoBase's The Legendary Sage of Konoha FanFiction Series. It's been four long years since I first started out on the 24th of July 2010, but now, I'm finally here. The Series Finale is divided into six huge parts(!) for reading purposes rather than having it all mashed into one big-ass thread divided by countless posts. It is after all, the longest work I've ever written, being way longer than the Zelda/Zorro One-Shot I did half a year ago (about three times bigger actually). Anyways, for everyone who has been with me through this long journey, or, at least half of it for most people... Thank you. Hope you'll enjoy the end as well. For everyone else, most parts of this Series Finale could be read as a stand-alone work, meaning that if you've never read anything of my Series, you can still check this one out without getting too confused or lost, as I would gladly appreciate any reads I can get for this final shoot-out! I did after all, spend something between 100-150(!) hours writing and polishing this thing...
With that, I wish you all a good read, no matter how much you read of it or how long it takes for you to eventually get through it. Just be sure to give me a decent review in some way or the other once you're done (or satisfied), that is all that I ask. Oh, and don't forget to Thank Me either, that would be great, ehehehe... Enjoy!
The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series
July 2010 - July 2014
The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series, All Previous Chapters [In Chronological Reading Order]:
The Legendary Sage of Konoha;
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
--->
--->
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
--->
[15]
--->
--->
[18]
[19]
[20]
--->
The Legendary Sage of Konoha Returns;
[22]
[23]
[24]
[25]
[26]
[27]
[28]
[29]
[30]
[31]
[32]
[33]
[34]
[35]
[36]
[37]
[38]
[39]
[40]
[41]
[42]
[43]
[44]
[45]
[46]
[47]
[48]
[49]
[50]
[51]
The Legendary Sage of Konoha's Legacy;
[52]
[53]
[54]
[55]
[56]
[57]
Series Finale, Part 1;
"Timeline... A word often used to describe the flow of time... Yet, after all these years, I still find it hard to grasp..."
"What do you mean?"
"Heh... How old do you think I am son?"
"I... Well, now that you mention it, how can you still be alive, great great grandpa??"
"Haha, I'm not that old, Ikari, but... You see, there are still a lot of undiscovered secrets in the Shinobi World, that remains to be solved, even to this date... One of them is age... Now, let me tell you a story..."
?: Ehm, Ikari...??
Ikari: ...
?: Hello, I'm talking to you, anyone home in there??
Ikari: ?! Oh sorry, Ibuki, I was-...
Ibuki: You were what?
Ikari: Thinking of my late great great grandfather... I know it's several years since he passed away, but, I still remember his story-telling, even to this date... He was after all, the final living member of my family... I'm-...
Ibuki: Hmm, I see... Well then, let me help you get on better thoughts!
Ikari: What do you mean?
Ibuki: Just come along already, geez...
Sitting on a bench in the outskirt of Konoha, by the shade of a tree on a rather sunny day, Ikari, the great great grandson of Naruto the 2nd, whom had passed away of old age a couple of years ago, had turned into a grown teenager since the last time viewers laid eyes upon him. In fact, ten whole years had passed since Naruto the 2nd passed away, and Ikari still remembered the last story he ever told him, about the Chunin exam he and his siblings took part in, a long time ago. Ikari, whom had just recently turned sixteen, was very eager to prove that his bloodline was still burning strong within him. His grandfather and grandmother were the last known members of his family-tree to become shinobi before him, as both his father and mother, whom died when Ikari was only two years old, had passed down the opportunity to become shinobi, which nowadays was a free option, rather than a forced choice for most people. Ikari, who had spent four years of his life living at his great great grandfather's place after his parents died, never really knew much of his family's past. He never met his grandparents nor his great grandparents, and he couldn't even remember his own parents. Yet, somehow, his great great grandfather had lived on for a very long time, and his stories about Ikari's great great great grandfather, Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato, the 8th Hokage of Konoha, as well as his father, Uzumaki Jiraiya, and his grandfathers, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, before him, had inspired Ikari to learn more about his family-tree.
Although he'd had to fend for himself after Naruto the 2nd's death, Ikari was still able to keep up with society and was able to make many friends and acquaintances. Like many other kids his age without parents or other family members to keep watch over their childhood as they were growing up, Ikari had had a rough start. However, over the years, and after he decided to become a shinobi at the age of twelve, Ikari was already starting to become the man destiny had foretold him to be. But, like many other shinobi in the past before him, Ikari had a long and dark road ahead of himself. Sitting on the bench minding his own business, one of his teammates, Honda Ibuki, whom was his age and also happened to be his girlfriend for the past four years, came over to him. After quickly persuading him to stand up by grabbing a hold onto his hand, the two of them went over to a riverbed, not too far from the training-field, as she almost pushed him into the ground near a tree.
Ikari: Ouch, what was that for Ibu-...
Ibuki: Enough talk...
Laying her hand over his month, signaling him to be quiet, Ibuki gently laid down on top of him as she started kissing him wildly.
Ikari: Wh-at... Are you doing, what's up with you today Ibuki, you've never been this wild bef-...
Ibuki: Are you going to talk all day or are you going to start kissing me?
Looking at him with an intense stare, Ikari quickly realized what she truly wanted.
Ikari: What if someone sees us?
Ibuki: Silly you, no one's going to see us here...
Continuing to kiss him passionately, Ibuki seemed to be all in for it as Ikari didn't really see no other choice than to accept the approach. She wasn't really the dominant type, but for some random reason, which Ikari didn't really care to dig too deep into, Ibuki was already all over him before he managed to raise an eyebrow. Ibuki was a light-hearted girl, being born and raised into one of the renown families of Konoha, which had risen to fame about 90 years ago. She was also very passionate and kind-hearted, and this was perhaps also one of the reasons Ikari became so interested in her in the first place, as she didn't let her good wealth make her spoiled. She had dark green eyes, long black hair, a tan, yet, light brown color of her skin and a decent, trained and fit body, with curves that... Well, let's just say she was gorgeous looking, a sexy beast if you'd like. Ikari on the other hand was more or less your average guy. Short dark and spiky hair with a hint of dark blue in it, brown eyes, clean skin with what someone would call some sort of a teenage mustache, muscular body, but not too blown up, and a small scar in the form of a short line counting about one and a half inch, right beside his right eye, pointing downwards on his face. Even to this date, Ikari had no idea where the small scar came from, but all that really mattered was that Ibuki thought it looked cool on him, so he didn't bother much. What was still puzzling him to this date however, was how Ibuki ended up with someone like him, which he often mentioned to her when they were together, in which Ibuki always laughed away, telling him to shut his pretty mouth about it. Laying in the grass, the two of them seemed to be about to hit it off when someone suddenly approached them.
?: Found you!!
Ikari: Ehhh?!
Ibuki: What do you want... Bruce?
Just as they had laid down, the last member of their team, Senju Bruce, had tracked them down as she gave him a stern look. As opposed to Ikari's childhood, Bruce had had a life of being spoiled by the richest, and trained by the very best. He even had two personal bodyguards often walking around with him, something which annoyed him to such a degree sometimes, that he had to outsmart them to get away from them, like he'd had to do now. His family had climbed to power after both his great grandfather, Senju Tadakatsu, and his father, Senju Jin, had become the 9th and the 10th Hokage of Konoha respectively. Following the climb of the Uzumaki Clan and the 6th, Uzumaki Naruto, the 7th, Uzumaki Jiraiya, and the 8th Hokage of Konoha, the latter being Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato whom was father to Ikari's great great grandfather, Uzumaki Naruto the 2nd, the Senju Clan had once again become the strongest clan in the village. Bruce was what some would call a ladies' man... Blond short hair, blue eyes, well trained and muscular body, which made Ikari seem small in comparison, tall as a tree, extremely powerful, and a master in Taijutsu. Being two years older than Ikari and Ibuki, Bruce was a carefree, yet determined man, and he had taken the role of the leader in their team early on.
As Bruce was the only member of their team to become a Jonin, which just recently had happened, he felt it even more natural to take charge when their Sensei wasn't around. Being that Bruce had been promoted to Jonin just a few days ago, it was only a question of time before their team would be dissolved and each member given new purposes, but for now, they were still Team 7 of Konoha. Ibuki on the other hand had been promoted to Chunin two years ago, while Ikari was still a Genin, which seemed to bother him, especially when Bruce took it to the next stage and became a Jonin. According to Bruce himself, there were only two things that bothered him in his almost perfect life. One was the fact that he had gone this long before he got to partake in the Jonin exam, and another was his almost ability to not be able to get a lot of male friends. No wonder though, when he used to hang around girls all the time, something in which Ikari tried telling him, only to be quickly shot down by Bruce himself. For some reason though, despite Bruce being whom he was, he never ended up with Ibuki, which in many ways was his ideal woman. Fancy skills, reputation and good wealth never was her first priority due to her own background, which was one of the reasons to why she fell in love with Ikari, whom seemed to be the poverty-stricken kid in their team compared to the two of them.
Bruce: Oh... Were you two... Maybe I should come back later...
Ibuki: Geez, just spit it out Bruce...
Ikari: ...
Bruce: Our Sensei... You haven't forgotten about our meeting today have you??
Ibuki: Fine, fine, let's get going then...
Ikari: But...
Ibuki: Let's go Ikari...
Ikari: Sigh... Great timing Bruce... How did you find us anyways?
Bruce: How did I-... Does it really matter?
Ikari: Heh... No.
Bruce: Well then...
Ibuki: Let's just get going, shall we?
Storming off in front of them, Ibuki seemed as if something was bothering her, acting all strange as Ikari and Bruce quickly followed after her.
Bruce: What's wrong with her?
Ikari: I...
Bruce: You know, you shouldn't let her boss you around like she does all the time, Ikari...
Ikari: Boss me around?? She doesn't-...
Bruce: Seems like she does quite frequently if you ask-...
Ibuki: What was that?!
Bruce: Ehm, nothing...
Ibuki: Good...
Turning his head to the side, Bruce knew that he wasn't going to try and push his luck anytime soon with her, as the three of them headed back to Konoha.
[...]
As the morning minutes slowly went passed, the three of them finally made it to the meeting point, where, as always, their Sensei stood waiting for them.
Akuma: So you made it, about time I would say...
Bruce: It's not my fault these two took off and hid themselves out in-...
Ibuki: Well we're here now, that's what matters, right Sensei?
Akuma: Ehm, yeah I suppose...
Kazama Akuma, the Sensei of the three promising shinobi and one of the most well-known Jonin in the whole of Konoha, had a very calm, yet energetic personality. Not only was he one of the strongest shinobi around the village, almost as strong as Bruce's own father, the 10th Hokage himself, but he was quite clever too and one of the few other candidates that almost became the 10th Hokage instead. Akuma had early on been tasked with training Bruce and whomever he ended up with in his team, and in one way, you could almost say that Ikari was lucky to be teamed up with Ibuki and Bruce because of it. Even if most people had long forgotten about the once powerful line of the three Uzumaki Hokages all those years ago, Ikari was still gifted with the strong bloodline that was growing forth, slowly but steadily, from deep within him, something in which his Sensei, Akuma, discovered early on, and tried to take advantage of.
Heck, Ikari wasn't even suppose to be part of the team as both Bruce and Ibuki came from well respected families, but, fate had it that there was a mix up between the names and the numbers that were chosen for each Sensei, so he made the cut after all, and thereby getting one of the best, if not the best Sensei in town. Thus, he also got to know Ibuki and Bruce better as well...
Akuma: So anyways, first of all, congratulation Bruce, I knew you had it in you. Now that you're a Jonin, you can soon undergo training to become a Sensei yourself, or even join the Anbu-force if you rather want that.
Bruce: Thanks Akuma-Sensei, and yeah, I kind of knew already that I had it in me too, haha.
Ikari: Show off...
Bruce: What was that??
Ikari: You heard me...
Bruce: You're just jealous Ikari, hahaha, at this rate, I'm definitely going to follow in the footsteps of my father and great grandfather and become the next Hokage in no time! Just watch me!
Ikari: Hah! Don't be so sure about that! There's no way I'm going to let you beat me to it!
Bruce: Oh yeah? And what exactly is in your favor if I might ask? You are way behind in ranking, and the last two Hokages have been related to me... I would say the odds are in my favor!
Ikari: Ah shut it Bruce, don't forget that my bloodline stretches so far back that Konoha has had four Hokages within my family! That's two more than you-...
Bruce: Not quite... It's been a long time since anyone from your family was Hokage, and if we take the whole history of our village into consideration, my bloodline is way stronger than yours! Don't forget the 1st, the 2nd and the 5th Hokage, they were also Senju, and the 1st was even one of the founders of this village! That makes five in total for my family, one more than yours!
Ikari: Damn... Okay my mistake, but numbers doesn't matter anyways when the 6th Hokage of Konoha was the strongest shinobi to ever live you schmuck!
Bruce: You pizza-boy, don't even think for a second you're anything compared to me!!
Akuma: Hey, hey, hey, easy now boys, no need to take it out on each other...
Having to almost go in between them, Akuma swiftly separated the two before a brawl could properly start.
Ibuki: You two are always like this, geez... One day your rivalry will be the end of all of our sanity, I'm sure of it...
Akuma: Oh, and Bruce, I'm sorry I couldn't be there to watch the Jonin exam, but you already know why I suppose...
Bruce: Yeah, already told you not to worry Sensei.
Ibuki: Okay enough small talk, you said you had something for us Sensei??
Akuma: Ehm yeah, that is correct, or, something for you and Bruce that is...
Bruce: Oh...
Ikari: Hey, what about me??
Akuma: I'll get back to you in a second... So, it seems like there will be a Kage-meeting in three days' time, and speaking of your dad Bruce, the Hokage wants you and Ibuki as part of his Hokage-convoy... You can look at it as a mission if you like, but I-...
Ikari: Hey, why am I not part of-...
Bruce: Can you please let Akuma-Sensei finish Ikari?? No need to be so impatient...
Ikari: Humph!...
Akuma: As for you Ikari, I have something to show you tomorrow...
Ikari: Oh really...
Akuma: Yep, you'll see then. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Ikari: Well it better be something good to make up for me not being part of this mission... Damn, and this mission sounded so sweet too...
Seemingly getting a bit upset over this, Ikari let out a quiet sigh as he shook his head in disappointment.
[...]
As the day came to an end and the evening moon set upon the sky, a silent and comforting wind blew through the village as the burning sun quickly followed. Early next day, Ikari was already at the meeting-place as his Sensei finally arrived as well.
Akuma: Oh, you've already here I see, well that's a new one-...
Ikari: You wanted to see me, Akuma-Sensei?
Meeting up at the training-field, Ikari had been called out by his Sensei for some private lessons as he had a curious look on his face.
Akuma: Yes... I wanted to discuss more properly what we talked about yesterday during our team-meeting...
Ikari: Oh really now...
Akuma: Yep, it's a new technique, and I'm sure you'll like it.
Ikari: Oh really Sensei?! Amazing, hopefully it is something great!
Akuma: Now, now, first, let me tell you some background story on how this jutsu works...
Not only was his Sensei a very wise and knowledgeable man in his late 50s, but Akuma was also a certain somebody who was very good at teaching away new techniques, one of them being the Summoning technique. His hair, that once upon a time had the color of brown, had slowly started to fade into grey and was also quite long as well, as he had it tied up into a ponytail with his headband, of all things. He had a decent muscular body, and was quick off his feet, and, he was also an expert in most techniques, in other words, a real powerhouse, you could say. Rolling out a scroll on the ground, Akuma then continued to explain.
Akuma: This is a Summoning Contract... My very own to be exact... As you can see, my name is right up over there...
Pointing his finger almost to the far right of the scroll, Ikari looked earnestly as he noticed three other names coming up after him, and only two names before him.
Ikari: Oh... You're not the last one to learn this type of Summoning I see...
Akuma: That's right, I've already taught the Crimson Bear Summoning Technique to three other of my past students, and maybe, just maybe, you could be my forth...
Ikari: Really Akuma-Sensei?!
Pleased by hearing this, Ikari stretched his right fist into the air in excitement, before bending down to the scroll again to take a closer inspection.
Ikari: Honda Magoichi... Tachibana Usuke... Kazama Aku-...?!
Akuma: ...Something wrong, Ikari??
Ikari: That name... Honda Magoichi!
Akuma: Yes?? He was my Sensei's Sensei and the inventor of this Summoning Technique... You've heard of him??
Ikari: Yes, my great great grandfather used to tell me stories of the past, and his name has come up before... Wasn't he the teammate of Uchiha Noh and Senju Tadakatsu, the 9th Hokage of Konoha and my great great great grandfather's successor?? If so, he's Ibuki's distant relative as well if I'm not mistaken...
Akuma: Yeah, I suppose you're right... Quite some knowledge for a kid your age to possess, but you are absolutely right indeed. He's Ibuki's great great grandfather in fact... So anyways, about this technique...
Ikari: ...
Still looking over the scroll, Ikari then sat back as he crossed his feet and looked up at his Sensei.
Akuma: There's one thing to have the proper chakra control to be able to pull this technique off, another to know the hand-seals, and the third... Well the third is to sign this contract... I have no doubt that you have the proper chakra control for it, but the question is, would you like to sign this contract? If you do, you will be bound to it until you either die or sign another one, voiding your signature on this one. In some, but very rare cases, it's actually possible to sign more than one contract and have several summonings, but the skill to pull such a feat off and the requirement for it, I'm afraid, has been lost to history... So, what do you think?
Ikari: The Crimson Bear huh... If both you and Magoichi knew this technique, I would very much like to learn it as well Sensei, if you would teach it to me! Here, let me sign it-...
Akuma: Not so fast... First, I'll learn you the hand-seals... Summoning Technique!
Biting his thumb, Akuma then went on to preform some hand-seals, slower than usual so that Ikari could pay attention, before slamming his hand to the ground, causing a small smokescreen to appear and a tiny red bear to come out of it.
Akuma: So this is the hand-seals for it, now-...
Ikari: Wow, that's so cool!! Okay I think I got it, like this, no?
Akuma: ?! Ikari wait, you have to sign a contract first as no one knows what happens if-...
Paying attention to his Sensei's hand-seals, Ikari quickly mirrored them as he was already finished doing them before the smoke from Akuma's summoning had managed to settle, as he slammed his hand to the ground, before his Sensei managed to prevent him from doing so in time.
Akuma: ...-if... you do it without one...
[...]
Ikari: Ouch!!... What the?!
As Ikari slammed his right hand to the ground, the result he had expected, did not happen at all, as he suddenly fell towards the ground from about one meter's height, only to quickly rise to his feet again. However, he was not in Konoha anymore, but in some kind of exotic and mysterious place, filled with poisonous swamps and foreign lakes, tropic heat and huge mushrooms, pointing way up in the sky, with some high mountains and vast forests in the distance.
Ikari: Where... On earth... What just happened?! Sensei never said-... Damn.
Not really knowing where he was or what to do, Ikari decided to take a look around to see if he could find out.
Ikari: Shit, I hope this isn't some other dimension or some sh*t... What if...?! It can't be?!
Halting his advance, the thought that he might have imploded and died when he preformed the technique without a summoning contract first, and that he had come to some sort of mix between heaven and hell, suddenly hit him.
Ikari: Noooo... No, no, no, no, nooo!!! I can't be dead?! I was suppose to bring my family-name back to fame in Konoha, I was-... Ibuki!!... No!!! No, it can't be true!! Someone, anyone, help!! Arrrrgh!!
Falling to his knees in despair, Ikari didn't know what do to as he looked panic-struck like never before.
Ikari: I... I...
?: What on earth are you screaming about?!
Ikari: EHHHH?!?!
From the giant mushroom above him, a blue colored toad, that had a white belly and yellow eyes, being about five meter tall, suddenly jumped down in front of him as Ikari quickly backed away and readied his defenses.
Toad: Huh... Who are you?? What are you?...
Ikari: Ehh?! A talking toad?! Is this... Hell??!
Toad: Hell?! Bwuhahaha, what, you think you're dead or something??
Ikari: ?! What, I'm not dead after all?!
Toad: Of course you aren't! Why would you be?? The question is, what are you and why are you here?? How did you get here?
Ikari: A talking toad... Aha!! You must be a summoning, right! Right?!
Toad: Humph, I'm more than just a summoning... If you know the Summoning Technique, you must be a human...
Ikari: Yes! Yes, that I am!
Toad: A human huh...
Ikari: What, what's the matter?
Toad: For a human to set foot in Mt. Myobokuzan these days, now that's rare... It's a long time ago since that has happened...
Ikari: What... Mt. Myobokuzan??
Toad: Yes, this is our home-place after all, and you are trespassing as far as I can tell...
Ikari: Trespassing... No, I...
Toad: Well?
Ikari: I got nothing...
Toad: Geez...
Ikari: So how many years since a human last placed foot in this place you said?
Toad: 97 years to be exact, before I was born... The Era of the Three Great Toad Sages...
Ikari: Oh...
Toad: However, there has been some toads visiting the human world on some occasions up until 60 years ago...
Ikari: Really? How come?
Toad: The two last people to sign a contract with toads... Uzumaki Naruto the 2nd, and Senju Tadakatsu have-...
Ikari: Hey, I know those people!!
Toad: Huh... What do you mean?
Ikari: I'm related to the first! And the other, the other was the 9th Hokage!
Toad: Oh really now... Well then, if you are related to one of them, answer me this... Who was the last Toad Sage??
Ikari: Oh, that one is easy! Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato! Uzumaki Naruto the 2nd only had a contract with the toads, while Tadakatsu Senju, although knowing Sennin Mode, was not a Toad Sage, as he had a contract with toads, but his Sennin Mode came from-...
Toad: Hmm... How old did you say you were again kid?
Ikari: I didn't...
Toad: Well then, how old are you?
Ikari: I'm sixteen...
Toad: Then there's no way you could know these guys, is there??
Ikari: I... Sigh, do I really have to explain everything?! Can't you just get me out of this place...
Toad: Get you out of here?? What do you mean?
Ikari: What do I mean?!
Toad: Geez... How did you end up here then? You could always leave the same way you came...
Ikari: I... I don't really know... I did the Summoning Technique and... Before I knew it, I ended up here... I...
Toad: Did you sign a contract first?
Ikari: No, I-...
Toad: Oh... Then I have no clue how you came here or how you'll be able to go home...
Ikari: What?! Are you saying I can't leave this place?!
Toad: I didn't say you couldn't lea-...
?: Jiraiya...
Toad: ??
Ikari: Huh, who are you??
Sitting on top of a nearby leaf, another toad drew Ikari's attention, this one much smaller in size and much different in appearance than the other one, as he jumped down from the leaf, landing on top of the other toad's head, before jumping down on the ground beside Ikari. Seemingly both old and wise, Ikari knew that he was the right one to ask about how he was going to get home again, as the elderly toad began examining him.
Toad: This is Fukasaku-Sama, one of the elderly toads around here.
Fukasaku, the oldest living toad on Mt. Myobokuzan together with Shima, was still alive and functional, even after all those years. For a toad, a human lifetime was only baby-steps compared to a lifetime at Mt. Myobokuzan.
Fukasaku: That is correct... And you must be?
Looking at Ikari, the elderly toad seemed to be surprised to see him here.
Ikari: Me? My name is Ikari...
Fukasaku: Ikari huh...
Ikari: You mentioned Jiraiya?? Why does that sound familiar...
Fukasaku: Yes, yes I did... Long time ago, Jiraiya-San also came to Mt. Myobokuzan the same way you just did... By preforming the Summoning Technique without signing a contract first... It appears that, like Jiraiya-San, fate has drawn you here... Maybe you are in fact, his reincarnation, no??
Forming a smile on his face, Fukasaku seemed rather satisfied by this encounter.
Ikari: Reincarnation?? I don't know about that... This Jiraiya... Wait, you're not talking about the 7th Hokage of Konoha, are you??
Fukasaku: Oh, so you know your bit of history?? Well no, I did say long time ago, didn't I...
Ikari: Well it is a long time ago since he lived...
Fukasaku: Time... So differently observed by each living being... Yes, I suppose you are right, but the Jiraiya I'm talking about, is another... Come kid, I want to show you something...
Ikari: What's that??
Fukasaku: Just wait and see...
Toad: Well then, I'll leave this human in your capable hands, Fukasaku-Sama.
Taking his leave, the other toad took off as Ikari quickly hurried up to Fukasaku whom had already begun walking towards his new destination.
Ikari: Where are we going?
Fukasaku: I'm taking you to see the new Honorable Toad Sage, to hear what he has to say about all this...
Ikari: The new Honorable Toad Sage??
Fukasaku: Yes... After three whole millenniums, the last Great Toad Sage passed away as he found his successor. Come, let's not waste any more time...
Walking through all sorts or strange environments, the two of them suddenly found themselves at the entrance of an old looking temple as Fukasaku proceeded to step inside.
Fukasaku: Are you coming or not??
Turning around to check if Ikari came along, Fukasaku temporarily halted his walk for a bit as he looked over at Ikari.
Ikari: Yeah, I guess...
Pausing for a brief second, Ikari then gathered himself as he ventured inside as well. Not long after, the two of them found themselves by some sort of a throne, and on it, sat another human being, much to Ikari's surprise.
Ikari: !! That's another-...
Fukasaku: Speak only when spoken to kid!
Ikari: Oh, my bad...
Fukasaku: This is the Great Honorable Toad Sage... If anyone knows why you are here, it's him. If you seek answers, you should go to him...
Ikari: So what's his name-...
Fukasaku: Be quiet...
Ikari: I-...
?: Another human huh... I've been expecting you, Ikari...
Ikari: Who-... How do you know my-... What are you?
?: Who I was is no longer important, only who I am now...
Ikari: ... That toad, he said they hadn't seen a human here since-...
Fukasaku: We don't refer to him as a human anymo-...
?: I'll take it from here Fukasaku... Thanks for bringing him before me.
Fukasaku: Alright then, I got some things to take care off anyways...
Taking his leave, Fukasaku was gone before Ikari knew it as he looked around puzzled, trying to figure out what the heck was going on...
Ikari: So, who are you?
?: First, you tell me more about yourself... I need to know if you are the one I've foreseen...
Ikari: Foreseen??! At least give me a name to go by first...
?: You drive a hard bargain... Fine, my name is Naruto... Or that was what people used to refer to me as in the past...
Ikari: Naruto huh, that's an odd coincident... What's up with your way of speaking anyways? You sound so... Strange...
Naruto: ... Strange, huh?... Much must have changed in the human world I suppose since I last placed my feet there...
Ikari: And what are you doing here? How do I get home?!
Naruto: Relax, one thing at a time... Like I said, first tell me more about your bloodline, you ancestors... There's something quite familiar about you...
Ikari: Fine, my name is Uzumaki Ikari, son of Uzumaki Jinpachi and Uzumaki Jun, grandson of Uzumaki Shikamaru and Uzumaki Ina, great grandson of Uzumaki Jin and Uzumaki Mei, great great grandson of Uzumaki Kurenai and Uzumaki Naruto the 2nd... You want me to go on?
Naruto: ...
Ikari: Sigh... Great great great grandson of the 8th Hokage of Konoha, Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato and Uzumaki Aiko... Ehm, I don't think they ever got married, though I'm not too sure... After this, I only know that I'm related to the 7th and the 6th Hokage of Konoha somehow, but I can't remember right now whether they're fathers or uncles or what not in relation to Minato... What was it that my great great grandfather used to say about them, hmmm... Anyways, then even further back there's the 4th Hokage as well, and all this only refers to my father's line of forefathers, if I take my mother and her line into consideration as well, I woul-...
Naruto: That's fine, let me stop you right there...
Ikari: ...
Naruto: Did your great great grandfather possess the Rinnegan?
Ikari: The Rinnegan??
Naruto: Yes, like the eyes I possess...
Ikari: What?! You possess the Rinnegan?! How is that even possible, I didn't even notice because of your hair, I-...
Naruto: So that's a yes then?
Ikari: Oh... I suppose??
Naruto: Hmm...
Ikari: What??
Naruto: Is it just coincident that your great great grandfather shares the same name as me?? Wasn't that what you were thinking just a moment ago...
Ikari: How-... Geez, I'm not following you... Although, like I mentioned before, your name being Naruto and also you having the Rinnegan as well, is indeed an odd coincident...
Naruto: Who do you think I am?
Ikari: I don't know, some old lost dude who has settled down here? How the hell should I know...
Naruto: I believe we are distant relatives...
Ikari: Huh, in what way? I'm pretty knowledgeable about my own family-tree and my closest past relatives, and it says nothing about me having a grand uncle or anything like it, also named Naruto... The only Naruto in my recent family-tree is my great great grandfather, Naruto the 2nd, whom passed away ten years ago...
Naruto: You have to go further back...
Ikari: Further back?! Do you realize what you're saying? The only thing that would make sense is for you to be my great great great great great grandfather or granduncle or something, but that is just ridicules and impossible... There's no way you can be him... There's no way you can be...
Naruto: ...
Ikari: Right?...
Naruto: Is it now?
Ikari: Hah, you're bluffing...
Naruto: Am I now? I unfortunately don't think I know how to bluff anymore son.
Ikari: So you're not joking...
Naruto: I'm afraid not...
Just looking at Naruto with a mindless stare, Ikari suddenly broke out in hysteria.
Ikari: Huh?!?!?! Stop joking around! Are you saying that you are... The Legendary Sage of Konoha, the 6th Hokage, the 1st and only Sekaiteki-kage of the Joint Shinobi Alliance, now simply referred to as the Shinobi World Alliance, and that you are still alive, after all these years?! If that was to be true, you would have to be over 160 years old!! You do realize that, right?!
Naruto: I do...
Ikari: Ah, stop sh*tting me!!
[...]
Ibuki: What do you mean "gone"?!
Akuma: I... It's already reported to the Hokage, and it's being looked into as we speak... I think we have to go a long way back to find a similar occurrence where someone preformed the Summoning Technique without signing a contract first, and until we do, there's no way to say what really happened for sure... You shouldn't worry much, I'm sure he's fine, we just have to figure where he-...
Ibuki: How could you let something like this happen Sensei?! What if... What if Ikari is dead because of this?! And I'm leaving for our mission in two days, I can't have this over me then!!
Slamming the front door of her house, almost in her own Sensei's face, Ibuki ran up stairs as she was crying heavily. Both confused and unsure what to do about it, Akuma saw no other choice than to take his leave. Slowly walking passed a nearby take-away restaurant, he sat down and ordered a drink at a local bar, much to the host's surprise.
Bar Man: Akuma, why would you order a drink in the middle of the day, I thought you quit drinking 20 years ago, I-...
Akuma: Well now I need another one, so just serve me one already, please, it's been a long day...
Bar Man: Alright alright, I'll bring one to you then.
Not sure what to make of the situation, the bar man quickly hurried over to his booze shelf as he pulled out one of his finest drinks and poured it over in a small glass before bringing it over to Akuma. Not thinking twice about it, Akuma bottled it down in one go as he quickly ordered another one.
Bar Man: I don't think you should-...
Akuma: Stop worrying already...
Bar Man: Geez, fine, but you don't get another one after this...
Pouring another glass, the bar man left it by Akuma's hand as he put the remainder of the bottle back in his shelf, before going over to another customer further down the bar.
Akuma: What one earth just happened, where did you go, Ikari...
[...]
Ikari: This is just...
Naruto: So you understand it all a bit better now then?
Ikari: I... Well yes, but it really is a lot of history to swallow, I mean...
Naruto: I understand... Now, would you like to learn the way of the Toad Sages, like your forefathers before you, Ikari?
Ikari: I... I still don't even know how to get home from here...
Naruto: You don't need to worry about that, I assure you...
Ikari: Well, it's of course something I would like to do considering that I ended up here of all places, but... And-...
Naruto: Do you believe in fate and destiny son?
Ikari: I suppose...
Naruto: Then are you ready to set things in motion? Are you ready to become the man, the leader you are meant to be?
Having a determined yet firm look on his face, Naruto seemed to have everything going as he had foreseen as Ikari stumbled upon his question for a bit before he finally made up his mind.
Ikari: Yes, I am, but on one condition...
Naruto: And that is?
Ikari: If you can guarantee that you can get me out of this place before I grow as old as you.
Naruto: Hah, you have my word, no worries...
Ikari: Okay then...
Naruto: Good.
Ikari: So what happens now?
Naruto: I will call for you in a day or two for your training to begin, until then...
Ikari: So... How do I get home?
Naruto: You'll see...
As he said, a dim, yet strong current of chakra began beaming in both his hands as Naruto started to focus his chakra, clapping his hands together.
Ikari: And how will you summoned me here? How should I know it is time-...
Naruto: I will send a toad for you... Now, just sign the contract in front of you like we discussed earlier...
Getting up on his feet and off his throne, Naruto placed his hands on the empty scroll on the ground in front of him as several names began to appear on it.
Ikari: ...
Biting his thumb, Ikari then signed the contract as Naruto rolled it together again before placing it on his back.
Naruto: Now, time for you to take care of your friends and loved ones... Let's not have them worry about your whereabouts any longer. Until we meet again...
Reaching his right hand out, Naruto placed it onto Ikari's head as Ikari disappeared into thin air in a blink of an eye before him.
[...]
Ikari: Ugh!!
Landing firmly on the ground with his face first, Ikari suddenly found himself in Konoha again, much to his satisfaction. Before he managed to gather his thoughts however, he looked up, only to see a bunch of people standing around him, puzzled and wondering how he was able to appear out of nowhere like that. Day had already turned into evening, and as he rose to his feet again, a familiar face made his way through the crowd and over to him.
Akuma: Ikari?! Are you okay? Where on earth did you go? How did you-...
Ikari: Sensei!! Damn am I glad to see you...
Having seen the crowd gather around in the streets from his place at a nearby bar, Akuma could do nothing else than to check it out, just to be sure nothing was wrong.
Akuma: What where you thinking, you had us all worried! You can't take risks like that you know, you need to be more careful! You could have-...
Ikari: All that matters is that I'm here now. Come, let's discuss what I have to tell you, you'll never believe what happened!
Akuma: Oh...
Making his way through the crowd, Ikari came into open space as he quickly pointed at a nearby ramen shop.
Ikari: There!
Akuma: The Ramen shop?
Ikari: Yes, your treat of course...
Akuma: Geez, fine... As long as you have a good explanation on what went down.
Ikari: Fine, fine...
A few moments later, the first bowl of ramen had already been served as Ikari was as energetic as never before, swallowing down the first bowl in a matter of seconds as he was illustrating what happened with his hands, using his story-telling ability to its fullest potential. Not knowing what to say, Akuma paid close attention as bowls after bowls of ramen went down.
Akuma: Hmm...
Ikari: What, what's the matter? You don't believe me, do you?
Akuma: I didn't say that, it's just that...
Ikari: Well I don't blame you, I probably wouldn't have believed it myself if it was the other way around.
Akuma: Regardless, it's already getting late... I'll schedule a meeting with the Hokage tomorrow, so that we can report this occurrence to him and his advisers. In the meantime, you should let Ibuki know you are safe, I suppose she's worrying herself to dea-...
Ikari: Ibuki?! Shit, I totally forgot about her! How could I!!
Getting up from his chair, Ikari was already on the move before his Sensei managed to say a thing as a trail of dust was all that was left behind. Turning back towards the counter, Akuma looked up as his eyes met with the shop owner.
Ramen Guy: Will that be all sir?
Akuma: I... Yeah...
Ramen Guy: Here's the bill then...
Handing him the bill, Akuma took a brief look at it as he could do nothing else than to shake his head in disappointment.
Akuma: Geez, at this rate I'm going to get broke Ikari...
As evening turned into night and night into morning, Ikari had already calmed Ibuki down, as she was quite upset on his sudden disappearance. Spending half the night telling her what happened, she almost refused to let him go until the sun rose on the horizon.
Ikari: I should get going...
Ibuki: Just a little longer...
Ikari: Haha, you're worried that I'll disappear again, aren't you?
Ibuki: No, I...
Ikari: I get it... I promise you that I'll be more careful from now on, okay?
Kissing her warm lips goodbye, Ikari then managed to slip away from her grasp as he rose from the bed and got dressed.
Ikari: I would love to sleep all day, but I have to go see the Hokage with Akuma-Sensei...
Ibuki: Yeah, I understand...
Ikari: Why don't we go do something nice together later today, okay?
Ibuki: Okay, sure...
Ikari: After all, you are leaving on that mission tomorrow, so I better make you remember me until the next time we meet, haha.
Ibuki: Ahh, silly you...
Giving her a reassuring smile, Ikari then slowly closed the door behind him as he left the house and started to head over to the Hokage-mansion where Akuma was already waiting for him.
Akuma: Ahh, there you are, well then, shall we?
Heading up the stairs, the two of them then came before the office door as Akuma gently knocked on it. Not long after, they received a signal to enter as the two of them came before the Hokage and one of his advisers who were present as well.
Hokage: It's you Akuma-San, please enter...
Adviser: ...
Senju Jin, The 10th Hokage of Konoha, was a cool and laid-back guy, who had a strong personality and a hard to bruise determination. Being the voice and the face of Konoha, he often had the best and the worst of both worlds with his two advisers, as even if he at times was very easy-going, he often ruled with an iron will to keep things under control. His right-hand adviser and close friend, standing on the side of him, was a strict and mean-looking guy- a guy who often came off as the bad guy in the leadership of Konoha, taking care off most of the dirty work that had to be done, even behind the Hokage's back if he had to. However, in reality, he was just a careful and thorough guy, who sought to keep the peace at all cost. The Hokage's left-hand adviser, who were currently out of town on an assignment, was more or less the opposite, and thus, the two of them created the good guy-bad guy impression, with the Hokage having the final say. Being Bruce's own father, it was easy to spot some similarities between them and their personalities, and even if Ikari became good friends with Bruce, their rivalry was easily reflected in the Hokage as well whenever Ikari had a conversation with him.
Akuma: Good day Hokage-Sama, Yoshi-San.
Yoshi: So what is it that were of such haste? Did you resolve the situation that occurred yesterday?
Jin: Well if-... Ikari, right?
Ikari: That's correct, Hokage-Sama.
Jin: If Ikari is here now, I suppose everything is fine then... So what is it that you want to discuss?
Ikari: It would be easier if I explained what happ-...
Yoshi: Don't speak unless spoken to kid, Jin was talking to Akuma!
Ikari: I...
Jin: That's alright, please go ahead.
Giving him the permission to go on, Ikari then started to lay out the details of what had happened after he preformed the Summoning Technique without signing a contract first, how he ended up on Mt. Myobokuzan, how he encountered the Legend of old, Naruto himself, how he was going to undertake Sennin training and how he got back home. Hearing all this, Jin and his adviser, Yoshi, could only look puzzled at him, just like Akuma before them had, baffled over how such odds could play into motion.
Yoshi: Is this some sort of trickery kid? We don't have time for childish stories you know...
Jin: Hmm, I'm not quite sure what to make out of it to be honest...
Akuma: I found it hard to make sense myself at first, but I'm certain Ikari has told the truth and nothing but the truth of what happened here. I have no reason to think otherwise... Having looked through our archives late last night, I think I found a similar occurrence with one of the disciples of the 3rd Hokage, but the information was quite incomplete unfortunately...
Yoshi: Ohh... And?
Akuma: Well, according to it, more or less the same happened basically when Ikari did the technique without a summoning contract...
Jin: Hmmmm... Still though, no one has been in touch with Mt. Myobokuzan since the Era of the Three Great Toad Sages of Konoha and the death of the 8th Hokage, Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato... Also, the 6th Hokage's whereabouts and fate was labeled as unknown almost 100 years ago, there's no way he can still be alive, even if he became the host of the Jubi... I can only find this "story" hard to believe, even if our archives record a similar incident ages ago.
Ikari: Well then, maybe you should start to have some fate. Not all mysteries in this world has been solved yet, and one of them is age-...
Yoshi: Watch your tone, how dare you speak to the Hokage like that, kid! One with your background are in no position to-...
Jin: Just relax Yoshi, I got this, geez... He's just a kid.
Ikari: Just a kid?!
Jin: Haha, either way, like I just said, even if it all was true, the chances of this happening and the odds of it all is just too vague for me to take into account. He might have become the new Sage of Six Paths, a God if you like, but in the end, all life comes to an end... Anyways, I don't have much more time to put off to this report as there's a Kage-meeting coming up in Kumo tomorrow and we need to start preparing for it. Akuma, I'll leave the rest of this up to you...
Getting up from his chair, the Hokage put on his robe as he was just about to leave the room, passing by a rather upset Ikari who didn't know what to say.
Ikari: But, but...
Yoshi: Take my advice kid, if you want to end up somewhere in this world, you need to keep facts from fiction and put your head straight... I'm not saying you are lying, but things like this are better kept to yourself.
Ikari: Humph!!
Not taking this talk-to too lightly, Ikari proceeded to storm out the door as the Hokage and his adviser both had a stir expression on their faces.
Akuma: Yoshi-San, did you really have to go so hard on him??
Yoshi: It is better for him to hear it the hard way, trust me on that one...
Akuma: ... Heh, well in either case, time I took my leave. Hokage-Sama, Yoshi-San.
Bowing politely to the both of them, Akuma then took the door with him as he closed it gently behind him before setting out to look for Ikari.
Yoshi: That kid... He's always up to something, isn't he? Nothing but trouble, sigh...
Jin: Well, he did lose both his parents early in his childhood, I suppose you can't really blame him for that.
Yoshi: Still though, sooner or later he'll need to stop with his troublesome behavior. After all, he's in your son's team... He surely must have learned something up through the years.
Jin: Sigh, you should look brighter on the next generation of Konoha Shinobi, Yoshi, no matter the background... With an attitude like that, no one's going to respect the leadership of this village. If I'm not mistaken, his bloodline goes back to the 8th, 7th and 6th Hokage of Konoha, and probably even the 4th as well, and that might be why he came up with such a story to begin with...
Yoshi: Hmm, might be... So, shall we start preparing for the meeting then?
Jin: Indeed, might as well.
Going over to a drawer, Jin reached out for some papers as he put them on the table beside him.
Jin: I sincerely hope that this meeting can settle the differences the villages have with each other, so that the Shinobi World Alliance can continue to prosper and grow for the future generations to come as well. Too much work has been put into it for it all to go waste.
Yoshi: Well, I don't think it has been this tense since the 4th Great Shinobi War and what followed in its wake during the 5th Great Shinobi War... But if the situation can't be resolved, we might be looking at a real situation soon, and if so...
Jin: I know... Konoha's main goal though is for this alliance to continue its work, but if it can't be done and the four other main villages draws out, then we might not have a choice... However, regardless of what happens, we won't be having a war at our hands, that, I can assure you. This alliance is too important to crumble like a dry bread.
[...]
Ikari: Damn it, damn it all! How could they not acknowledge my report of what took place?! Ridicules! Who do they think I am? A worthless kid with no skills or any endeavor at all??! I might not be as strong as Bruce, or as smart as Ibuki, or even as well-adapt as Akuma-Sensei, but I'm still-... I'm still part of Team 7!! They should treat me with some respect!
Throwing some rocks into a riverbed near the forest, Ikari seemed to be both pissed off and sad at the same time. Looking into the great currents in front of him, someone came up to him from behind.
Akuma: Ah, there you are, why did you run off like that??
Reaching up to him came Akuma, whom seemingly had to stop for a bit to catch his breath.
Ikari: Does it matter??
Akuma: *Pant, Pant* Yes of course, but-...
Ikari: And what's up with your breath anyways? Getting old or something?
Akuma: I'm fine, thanks for asking though, hah!
Ikari: Geez...
Akuma: You shouldn't take what Yoshi-San said too hard on yourself, it's not like he knows how it is to grow up without parents-...
Ikari: What has that to do with anything?! What I said, what I told you and them is not a lie! I don't understand why they didn't believe me, I-...
Akuma: Relax, I didn't say-...
Ikari: Fine, then don't bring it up again either...
Akuma: I won't.
Ikari: Alright then.
Akuma: ... If it counts for anything, I do believe you.
Ikari: Like he*k you do...
Akuma: Gwuhahaha, well it's up to you to believe my words or not, but if you don't think I believe you, you should at least believe that I do yourself before stating that I don't, haha...
Ikari: ...
Akuma: Anyways, Ibuki and Bruce should be heading out for their mission soon...
Ikari: Yeah, I suppose they should... I still don't get why I wasn't elected for this mission as well, it is almost like the Hokage and his adviser holds some grudge towards me... Not only did Ibuki get a chance to partake in the Chunin exam two years ago which she passed, but now, now Bruce is already a Jonin... It feels like I'm being held back for some reason, and I'm tired of it!! It's already been four year since I last got a chance at the Chunin exam when I was twelve, and I've come much further since then... It's not fair! I'm part of this team as well, but it seems like Bruce gets all the benefits because his father is the Hokage!
Throwing another rock into the river, Ikari watched as the rock skipped across the water, hitting a tree at the other side of it.
Akuma: Well, they only selected Chunin level and above for this mission, so you can't really blame-...
Ikari: Well I'm at their level, and I would easily been able to complete this mission!
Akuma: I'm sure you would, but everything in its time Ikari, the worst thing you can do is to stress, no good will come from it. Besides, I've already sign you up for the next Chunin exam coming this fall, so you should be covered... I'm sure the Hokage will allow it this time arou-...
Ikari: Heh, I even passed the two first stages of the exam last time, made it all the way to the semi-finals together with Bruce and I still wasn't elected. He too eventually lost, when he advanced to the final, but he was still promoted...
Akuma: You need to know that pure fighting skills isn't everything, just remember that... They don't promote everyone who passes the first two stages, and there were several others who didn't get promoted that time as well, including Ibuki...
Ikari: Still, if I only had passed, I could have been a Jonin by now, even Ibuki passed the Chunin exam before me when she partook two years ago... What exactly did I do wrong that both of them did right?
Akuma: You can't always understand a Kage's decision- right or wrong...
Laying his hand on Ikari's shoulder for a second, Akuma then turned around as he was about to take off.
Akuma: Anyways, I should get going back to the village... Want to tag along??
Ikari: Yeah, I suppo-...
?: Hey there!!
Akuma: !!
Ikari: A toad?...
[...]
*Knock, Knock*
Having just prepared herself for the day, Ibuki was just about to leave the house when someone knocked on the door. Going over to it as she opened it up, she was surprised to see Bruce standing on the other side of it.
Ibuki: Bruce?? What are you doing here, I thought-...
Bruce: Change of plans, the meeting has been pushed forward, my father wants us to leave for it now.
Ibuki: Now?! I thought we were suppose to leave tomorrow morning-...
Bruce: Well I don't make the plans, the Hokage does...
Ibuki: But Ikari and I was suppose to do something nice tonight, I-...
Bruce: There's no buts, we are going now, the Hokage's order... That is unless you don't want to come after all??
Ibuki: Of course I do, but...
Bruce: Can't you just leave a note or something??
Ibuki: ... Yeah I suppose, but-...
Bruce: Good, then it's settled. Enough with the buts already Ibuki, time to get ready.
Inba: Is-... Is th-e last member... Ready Bruce?
Bruce: Yes Inba-San, we should be ready to leave now.
Having gone to pick up Ibuki, Bruce had been escorted by the Hokage's other adviser whom had been called back from his assignment due to the pushing forward of the Kage-meeting. Being Yoshi's counterpart, Inba was a very nice and helpful guy, almost to such a degree that he didn't know how to say no. Due to this, he was almost more like a helper to the Hokage rather than an adviser, something in which Yoshi usually used to his advantage if the two of them disagreed on something, getting what he wanted more times than the other way around. In other words, Inba was too nice and often got screwed over because of it, both when it came to women and even his friends. However, being as passionate and kind as he was, he never complained about it, although he did sulk at times when no one was around. A very peculiar fellow he was that man.
Bruce: Ibuki, are you coming or not??
Ibuki: There, I'm ready.
Shutting the door behind her, Ibuki then quickly followed as the three of them headed towards the East gate of Konoha where the rest of the Hokage-convoy was already waiting for them.
[...]
As Ikari and Akuma were just about to leave, a small toad shot up from the river behind them where Ikari just recently had been skipping rocks, as he looked at the two of them with an energetic expression on his face.
Akuma: Ohhh, it sure is...
Ikari: Do you believe me now Sensei??
Akuma: I already said I did Ikari, but this does indeed make things interesting...
Toad: So, are you ready to go kid? The Great Toad Sage is waiting for you...
Ikari: Well yeah, if Naruto is ready, I am, but... Ibuki leaves tomorrow for the Kage-meeting with Bruce and the rest of the Hokage-convoy, we were supposed to do something nice together tonight...
Toad: Ibuki?? Never heard of anyone named that... Anyways, this opportunity is not to be missed kid, the chance won't come again...
Akuma: Once in a lifetime opportunity huh...
Ikari: I...
Akuma: I'm sure she'll understand, besides, the day is still young, you'll probably make it back before evening settles. And if not, I'll make sure to give her a heads-up.
Ikari: Right... Well then, shall we?
Toad: Great, then just hold on a second.
Licking his finger, the toad then spat up some oil as he started to draw a circle patterned symbol on the ground with it as Ikari and Akuma looked earnestly on what he was doing.
Toad: There... Now, just step into this circle with me and we're good to go. He'll be able to teleport us to Mt. Myobokuzan from within this symbol.
Ikari: Great.
Stepping into the circle with the toad, the two of them were just about to take off when Akuma spoke out.
Akuma: Wait...
Ikari: Huh??
Toad: ...
Akuma: You don't suppose it would be possible to bring one extra with you this time, do you?
Toad: One extra?
Ikari: Akuma-Sensei?
Toad: Oh... You want to come along? Well...
Pondering on the question for awhile, the Toad then rapidly made up his mind.
Toad: Okay, just don't try anything funny...
Calling Akuma into the circle as well, the three of them were gone in a flash, leaving only the oil pattern on the ground left behind.
[...]
Akuma: ?!
Ikari: Damn this teleportation technique is both fast and efficient!
Toad: We're here!
Naruto: Just on time as well...
Having been teleported to Mt. Myobokuzan by some sort of alternative form of the Flying Thunder God technique, the three of them were suddenly standing before Naruto in the old temple of the Great Toad Sage.
Akuma: You're-...?! So it's true after all...
Naruto: You're his Sensei I presume...
Akuma: That I am... And you are him, the one, aren't you?
Naruto: ...
Ikari: Okay now that I'm here, I'm ready to begin my training as planned!
Having an excited look on his face, Ikari couldn't wait to begin his training soon enough. Nodding back at him, Naruto seemed to be pleased as he looked over at the toad that brought them there as he took off and left the temple.
Naruto: So you're here...
Ikari: Huh??
Akuma: ...
Turning to the left, Ikari and Akuma realized what Naruto meant as both Fukasaku and Shima entered the temple.
Fukasaku: So they're already here I see...
Shima: Why wouldn't they be?? Naruto already planned for it...
Ikari: They??
Naruto: Yes...
Ikari: Okay... Well anyways, my training, when do we start?
Starting to get a bit impatient of all the waiting around, Ikari seemed more than ready to get his training going, and that fast.
Fukasaku: Relax kid, one thing at a time...
Shima: This training can't be rushed...
Naruto: Patience is the key to good health, and good health is the key to good and efficient training...
Ikari: Huh??
Naruto: We will commence your training in a bit, but first, over to something else...
Ikari: What?! What do you mean?? If you brought me here now, you better be ready for-...
Naruto: Before we begin, I would like to talk to your Sensei, now that he's here too.
Ikari: Say what?? He wasn't even suppose to come along, geez... Fine, I'll take a walk meanwhile...
Fukasaku: Actually, you are coming with us.
Ikari: Oh??
Shima: We might as well give you some background story on how it all works while you wait for the Great Toad Sage to be ready for you.
Calling him over, Ikari then went with Shima and Fukasaku as the three of them left the temple.
Naruto: Now... Akuma, was it?
Akuma: Yeah, so you know...
Naruto: ... There's more reasons to why you came here other than sightseeing... You bring a great concern with you...
Akuma: Yes... The Shinobi World Alliance... The most important day in the history of the Alliance since its establishment, will take place tomorrow... Three of the five big villages have been in a dispute with each other, almost being on the brink of war, and the Alliance is heavily influenced by their cooperation... If a war was to break out, the whole Alliance would crumble with it... Even if the Alliance has been stretched out to over 25 villages by now, only three other villages beside Konoha, Suna, Iwa, Kumo and Kiri can begin to measure themselves up to the five big in strength, size and power.
Naruto: ...
Akuma: About ten other villages have their own Kages, while the rest are either small towns with local leaders being elected every now and then with a time-period between three to five years or so, or villages that originally were part of another, breaking out to form their own solidarities...
Naruto: The once Joint Shinobi Alliance have indeed grown big then I see... But with it, new troubles have arrived...
Akuma: Indeed...
Shaking his head back and forth in disappointment, Naruto let out a big sigh while clutching his head as Akuma paid close attention to him.
Akuma: This is why I've come... Seeing this opportunity present itself, I figured that if you actually were still alive after all these years, the savior of the old, the mighty 6th Hokage of Konoha, you might have the answer to fix everything... There is only so much the Hokage can do, but if a war was to break out between Suna, Kiri and Iwa, I'm afraid he won't have any other choice...
Naruto: Than to pick a side...
Getting up from his chair, Naruto had a worried look on his now aged face. Having become immortal at the age of 72, his age and appearance had since then stopped changing, but even at over 160 years old, Naruto could still pull off a thing or two.
Naruto: Another war... All we fought for back then, what we established... The sacrifices that were made... Everything hangs in the balance, and I... I've still not yet fulfilled my purpose...
Akuma: What do you mean?
Naruto: Peace will never exist as long as people are not able to fully understand each other... The Sage of Six Paths once tried to connect everyone with his chakra, but that only lead to more hate and selfishness... I was suppose to find the key when the time was right, and now, 100s of years later, it has still not presented itself and a new war is about to break out...
Walking back and forth, even Naruto himself didn't seem to know what exactly to make out of it all and what do do with the current situation at hand.
Akuma: The Legendary Sage of Konoha, will you help??
Going down to one knee, Akuma seemed to know his bit of history as he plead Naruto for help. Almost remembering his old human self of the past, seeing his display, Naruto finally made up his mind.
Naruto: Perhaps... I should make a visit in person to the Kage-meeting finding place tomorrow... But I can't promise anything.
Akuma: Really??
Naruto: After all, I am the first and only Sekaiteki-Kage ever elected, perhaps it was time that I utilized that title...
Akuma: So you think that it will help?
Naruto: Like I said, I can't promise anything, but my appearance might cool things down... Last time I checked, being the Sekaiteki-Kage didn't come without its benefits. It's been too long since I last saw the world with my own eyes...
Akuma: Haha, well then, seems like you still have some sort of humor intact... I could reveal when and where the Kage-meeting will be taking place tomorrow if you'd like me to...
Naruto: That won't be necessary, I already know by talking to you...
Akuma: Hmm... Very well.
As their conversation came to a close, Ikari returned together with Fukasaku and Shima as he was pumped like never before.
Naruto: Fukasaku... Take Ikari through the first step of the training where the the great fire burns... Once he's entered through the first stage, I'll take over his training.
Fukasaku: Understood.
Ikari: Wait, so you're going to train me then??
Fukasaku: But of course, Shima and I are the two first teachers of Sennin Mode after all...
Ikari: Really now...
Fukasaku: Come now, no time to waste.
Taking off with Ikari further into the land of Mt. Myobokuzan, the two of them were gone as Naruto continued.
Naruto: For now, I will meditate. I have a feeling the future will be decided very soon... That will be all.
Shima: We'll take good care of Ikari, don't you worry.
Akuma: Right then, I'll be heading back to Konoha in the meantime.
Clapping his hands together, Naruto then laid his right arm on Akuma's head as Akuma was gone in a flash.
Shima: Still as efficient as always... I'll go and prepare something for that kid to eat once today's training is over.
Naruto: ...
Leaving the temple, Shima then headed back outside as Naruto began his meditation.
[...]
Bruce: Not long left now before we reach Kumo... Ibuki, are you following??
Ibuki: Yeah, I-... I'm right behind you.
Jin: Bruce! Come over here for a second...
Having almost reached Kumo for the meeting, the Hokage's convoy was heavily guarded by at least three dozen shinobi, two of them including Bruce and Ibuki whom had been elected personally by the Hokage himself to join his convoy. Calling his son over to the wagon, Jin whispered some words into his ears as Bruce nodded firmly at his command. Returning back to Ibuki's side, Bruce then began to lay out the details of what his father had told him.
Ibuki: What was all that about??
Bruce: Even if we're going to this meeting as part of this Alliance, we have to keep both eyes and ears open for anything suspicious...
Ibuki: Okay, I got it...
Coming out of a vast forest, the Hokage's convoy found themselves at the border of Kumogakure as the Village Hidden in the Clouds could be seen on the horizon...
Bruce: Almost there...
[...]
Ikari: What do you mean almost there?
Fukasaku: There, the shrine where the everlasting fire burns...
Having arrived at the training-ground, Fukasaku sat down by a pond with a great fire burning on top of a pillar above it. Coming over to him, Ikari just admired the environment around him as he looked taken back by its greatness.
Fukasaku: Impressive huh... So, are you ready for your training to begin??
Ikari: As ready as I can get...
Beginning to go through the initial steps, Fukasaku started to explain how Natural Energy worked and how Ikari would be able to absorb it... After about six hours or so, the two of them headed back down to where Fukasaku and Shima lived as Ikari had a tired look on his face, having trained all day. The sun had begun to settle as the two of them entered the house. On the table in front of them, the dinner was already served as Ikari was starving from the long day of hard work...
Ikari: Oh!!!
Running to the table, Ikari was about to dig in when he realized it was no ordinary food before him.
Ikari: Ehhh?! What exactly is this?!
Taking a spoon of the hot soup, Ikari didn't know whether to swallow it down or spit it all out.
Shima: My special bug soup of course!
Fukasaku: My favorite!
Ikari: Ugh...
Swallowing the mouthful, Ikari could do nothing else than to force it down. It was either that or go to bed starving, after all. As he forced spoon after spoon down, Ikari then realized something as he looked out the window.
Ikari: ?!
Shima: Something wrong kid??
Ikari: Shit!! What time is it?!
Fukasaku: Well, by time it is hard to say, we don't exactly operate by time here, but I would say that it's getting late... Why??
Ikari: Ibuki!! She's leaving tomorrow, we were suppose to...
Shima: ...
Knowing there was no chance he would make it back in time, Ikari almost loathed himself for forgetting about her once again...
Fukasaku: You can't leave here when you just came... If you're going to finish your training, you would have to be here for a couple of days at least first to grasp the initial steps of it...
Ikari: A couple of days?! Damn...
Shima: What, you thought you would finish Sennin training in one day kid? Hahaha, it's harder than what you think apparently...
Ikari: Ibuki...
Fukasaku: Don't you worry though, I'm sure your Sensei will give her a heads-up on your situation.
Ikari: I suppose...
As the day came to an end and a new one began, Ikari and Fukasaku had already ventured up to the great fire once more as the training had recommenced. Over in Kumo, something far more serious was about to begin.
Ibuki: Your father will be able to calm things down, right Bruce? If a war was to break out, I-...
Bruce: Don't worry... Even though my father is a cautious man, he'll know what to do if the situation requires it. He's the 10th Hokage of Konoha after all!
Inba: I'm sure Jin and the Raikage will be able to help sort out this mess, isn't that right Yoshi?
Yoshi: I suppose...
Having arrived at the meeting, both Bruce, Ibuki, Yoshi and Inba had found their seats in a big room filled with chairs, with a round-table in the middle of it which had five spots available for the five-big village Kages. The rest of the Kages and village leaders in the alliance were seated row by row facing the round-table, with the stronger villages' representatives in the front and the Kages and the leaders from the weaker villages of the alliance behind them. The bodyguards and the advisers were seated all the way in the back of the room. Much had changed indeed since the establishment of the Shinobi World Alliance all those years ago...
Raikage: Glad you all could make it. Jin, Kaito, Utakata, Hanzo... As well as all of you other leaders here today.
Nodding respectfully to the other Kages and village leaders, the Raikage then sat down in his designated chair, being joined by the Hokage, the Kazekage, the Mizukage and the Tsuchikage at the round-table.
Jin: Yes, hopefully we can find a way to sort this out Reiji...
Kazekage: It's not like I had a choice, but-...
Mizukage: Geez, how else would we be able to fix this Kaito?
Kaito: Humph... I wasn't done talking, Utakata...
Tsuchikage: Let's keep the tone at a minimum, unless we don't want to come to an agreement here today...
Kaito: Geez, yeah, yeah, I agree...
Tsuchikage: So Utakata, have you thought more on what we discussed earlier?
Looking over at the Mizukage, the Tsuchikage had a stern look on his face.
Utakata: Yes I have, Hanzo...
Hanzo: And?
Utakata: That's why I'm here, isn't it?
Having seated themselves around the table, the meeting was about to begin as the Hoshikage from the Hidden Star Village, the Kusakage from the Hidden Grass village, as well as some others, including the Hidden Rain Village, the Hidden Sound Village, the Hidden Snow Village and so forth, were seated on the first row facing the table. Having a serious look on his face, the Raikage was hoping to let this meeting be the turning stone, and the end to all the arguing.
Hanzo: Well I hope you have a real answer for your actions this time, or we won't get anywhere with this meeting.
Kaito: I agree with you Hanzo, for once...
Utakata: ...
Kaito, the 9th Kazekage of Sunagakure, had a very stressed look on his face, knowing very well that he had to find a way to make an agreement of contract renewal with Hanzo and Iwa come through, that was his main concern after all. Well, beside trying to avoid a war from breaking out that is. The thing was that Suna was dependent on Iwa for monthly supplies of resources for the village to go around due to it being located in the middle of a wasteland covered by desert from all sides. And without them, they were in a tight spot.
Hanzo, the 12th Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, had pressed himself and his village into a corner as he knew that if he would agree to the contract and the conditions that had been put forth by the Kazekage, he wouldn't only undermine his own power, but his village's power as well. The reason behind the sudden refusal was that Iwa had a small isle located in the Water Country that had belonged to them ever since the 2nd Great Shinobi War, where in the aftermath that followed, Kiri gave Iwa the isle as a part of the truce they agreed upon, and it was this isle that Iwa received their resources that they sent to Suna from. However, not long ago the isle had suddenly been taken back by Kiri in the middle of the night, dishonoring and breaking the code of peace which the Shinobi World Alliance stood for, resulting in most of the Kages and the other village leaders seeing it as an act of war. It was a tough situation to begin with, and to make things even worse, Hanzo had almost responded to the situation and gone to war with Kiri as he meant that it was a clear violation of the contract by Utakata, that the Alliance had agreed upon. The only thing that held him back was that no lives were lost in the brief encounter, as well as several urges from his own advisers and the other Kages to hold back- at least until they had tried to solve the situation peacefully at a Kage-meeting.
Utakata, the 11th Mizukage of Kirigakure, was usually a calm and respected man, but due to his actions, every eyes in the room laid upon him, watching his movements closely. It wasn't that he suddenly had an urge for war or had some twisted mind of world domination, but rather that he too actually had a good reason for taking the isle, and it was the fact that a vital missing cargo with building-materials that was suppose to be delivered to them by Suna, had gone missing. Suna and Kaito claimed to have delivered it, stating that Kiri had got greedy and power-hungry demanding more, while Utakata and Kiri on the other hand, firmly disagreed, blaming Suna for trying to hold back resources that they absolutely needed. The reason to why Kiri needed the materials was due to the harsh spring weather storms that roamed the Water Country in the first months of the year. No one actually knew where the cargo went or where it was currently located, but nonetheless, it was a crucial item in solving the whole situation, avoiding future dispute and stopping a war from breaking out. In worse case scenario, it would affect the whole Alliance and shake it to its funding core. In order to make up for the lacking supplies, Utakata saw no other option than taking the isle after getting several rejections for support from the other villages in the Alliance close to Kiri. To make things clear, Suna was mad at Iwa for not giving them supplies, Iwa blamed Kiri for committing an act of war, and Kiri blamed Suna for holding back resources they needed. It was a heated three-way in which none would be the first to admit their lack of understanding each others' concerns and problems, and the rest of the Kages and the village leaders could only hope for the three of them to find a way out of the tunnel and into the light.
All this lead Reiji, the 10th Raikage of Kumogakure, to do all he could to calm things down, and therefore he saw no other options than to call in a meeting in Kumo, but like Jin, he basically had no clue how to fix the situation at hand.
[...]
Down at the temple, Naruto had finished his meditation as he rose from his chair and was gone in a flash. Reappearing just beside Ikari and Fukasaku, Ikari almost fell on his back in shock, as Naruto spoke to them.
Naruto: It is time... That will be all for now Fukasaku.
Fukasaku: Roger...
Taking off, Fukasaku skipped across the ground as he disappeared between some trees and was gone before Ikari managed to say a thing.
Ikari: Wait, where is he-...
Naruto: Let's go kid, there's no time to lose. I sense a great urgency that needs to be dealt with fast.
Ikari: A great urgen-...
Naruto: If we delay any longer, the world will be in great danger.
Ikari: What?!
Naruto: No time to explain, off we go.
Grabbing a hold onto him, the two of them were gone.
[...]
Hoshikage: Hey, hey, you guys shouldn't be so blunt, there has to be a way sorting this out-...
Utakata: And who said you had any say in this Hoshikage?! Your village isn't even part of the five heads of this Alliance, and therefore, you have no power, and no say in this matter to begin with! This situation does not concern you!
Hanzo: Hah! This is why-...
Utakata: Why what?!
Hanzo: This is why there's no working around your problems! You've been hungry for war the whole time!
Utakata: What did you say to me?! It's your damn fault for not wanting to agree on the damn contract renewal put forth by Kaito, and Kaito's damn fault for apparently sending our cargo into no-man's land!
Kaito: Our fault?!
Hanzo: If you hadn't taken our isle, there wouldn't be an argument to begin with!
Kaito: Don't you dare say our villages are solely responsible for this mess! If it hadn't been for Hanzo's stubbornness and your obliviousness, we would have solved this already!
Hanzo: What?! Those ridicules claims of yours... We will never agree to such a thing with the current situation at hand! And you Utakata, I refuse to believe that you, a man once highly respected in this Alliance, would risk a war by taking our isle by force, just because you lacked resources!
Reiji: Shut it!! All three of you! At this rate, we'll never be able to sort this problem out...
Jin: Reiji is right, we wouldn't want a war to break out after-...
Utakata: No Hokage-Sama, you two shut it! This obviously can't be sorted out by negotiation!
Kaito: As the leader of Sunagakure, I won't stand for this crap any longer... If the Mizukage and the Tsuchikage can't decide whether to work this out, I don't see no other choice than to pull my village out of this Alliance...
Jin: Wait, what?! You can't do that! That's the last thing we need right now!
As the Shinobi World Alliance meeting had gone off to a heated argument right off the bat, they were not getting any closer to sorting the problem out. Some of the Kages and the Leaders from the other small villages, like the Hidden Grass, were too scared to act or to say their own opinions. After all, if they were to side with any of the three main villages in the dispute, a war would surely be on the brink of breaking out.
Kusakage: I think-... No, I don't want to take any sides here... You guys shouldn't lash out on each other like that... Like the Hoshikage said, there has to be a way-...
Utakata: And you... Why would you even bother adding your opinions here? You have nothing to do with this, and I simply can't care what a leader of your reputation has to say! You can't even speak plainly!
Kusakage: What-...
Hoshikage: Hey, calm down, are you really that hot-blooded?!
Hanzo: I hate to say it, but you really are the trouble-maker here Mizukage-Sama, if you could just calm down.
Kaito: Yeah, you need to calm the fu*k down!
Utakata: Shut it! This is between Hanzo and myself, I don't even begin to understand your problem-...
Kaito: Like I said, you really are blind to your own mistakes...
Utakata: This is utterly stupid... I don't even see why I bothered to come here! Rei, Zise, let's go.
Getting up from his chair, the Mizukage signaled his two advisers to come along as he was just about to leave the meeting.
Hanzo: I knew it, run with your tail between your legs, oh great Mizukage-Sama, but I assure you, this is not over yet... Fu*k, that's it, I've had enough as well, there's no sense around here to go on... If we're all going to act like children, I might as well go before things get ugly. Out of respect to the founders of this Alliance, I will not make a scene here...
Also getting up from his chair, the Tsuchikage also headed for an exit point with his advisers.
Reiji: Wait just a minute, you can't leave before the matter is settled!
Jin: He's right! You can't-...
Kaito: Oh let them go... They were always too afraid to do what needs to be done... They're cowards, both of them... If they don't want to stick around to fix their problem, I don't see why we should care... Let them have their war, let's see if Utakata is as strong as he claims to b-...
Continuing to bad-mouth their way, the Kazekage seemed to be so full of himself that he didn't notice that the Mizukage had turned around as a huge Water Dragon came flying towards him.
Everyone: !!
Kaito: ?!
Just barely managing to dodge to the side, the seat in which he was seated, got completely crushed by the heavy wave as the rest stood speechless, ready to act.
Kaito: You dare attack me?!
Utakata: I won't miss next time... Don't say I didn't warn you.
Turning his back on the room again, he then continued on his path only to get the Kazekage still screaming at him.
Reiji: Enough already!!
Kaito: There won't be a next time!
Utakata: !!
Sending off an attack of his own the Mizukage's way, the Mizukage could only answer with a new attack as the two techniques clashed in the middle of the room. Seeing this, the Tsuchikage also turned around as he tried to join the fray, trying to separate the two of them. As the attack came to an end, the two of them were about to clash in person as the Tsuchikage jumped in between. Seeing this, the Hokage and the Raikage ran over to the two as they tried holding them back from each other.
Utakata: Let go of me or you will answer to my rage as well!
Kaito: I'm not the one you should hold back, he's the crazy one!
Jin: Will you two stop it!!
Reiji: Guards!!
Breaking free from the Hokage's grasp, the Kazekage went for the Mizukage once more as the Tsuchikage was pushed back. Just as he was about to reach his goal however, a sudden and strange airborne substance filled the air, in the shape of tiny bubbles. Before anyone managed to think or react, it was as if time stopped still. Being frozen on the spots they were standing on, the five of them had no clue what the hell happened. The rest of the village leaders got up to their feet as well, amazed by what were taking place before them.
Jin: !!
Reiji: What the-...
Kaito: What on earth is this technique?! I can't move a muscle...
Utakata: ...
Hanzo: There can't be anyone here with such a power...
Hoshikage: I didn't do anything...
Kusakage: Neither did I?...
Puzzled on the occurrence happening before them, none of them knew what to do as the five big heads of the Alliance had been rendered immobile.
?: That would be me...
Everyone: ?!
?: It saddens me to witness what this Alliance has turned into, sigh... To see what it was funded upon being ground in the mud like this. I had a feeling it was bad, but this is just...
Reiji: Who the hell are you?!
Barely being able to turn their heads to the side, the five of them, together with the rest in the room, saw a strange figure standing by one of the exits. Beside him, another smaller figure stood.
Ibuki: Ikari??
Immediately recognizing him, Ibuki ran over to him from the back, followed by Bruce, as she grasped him hard.
Ibuki: What are you doing here?! Who's this guy?
Ikari: That would be... The Legendary Sage of Konoha.
Reiji: Huh??
Utakata: The Legendary who?
Hanzo: Never heard of him...
Kaito: What have you done to us?! What is this technique?! Just who are you??!
Naruto: ...
Jin: It can't be...
Hoshikage: Can anyone tell me who this guy is?
Kusakage: Who exactly are you?!
Reiji: You dare interrupt our meeting and attack us like this?!
Naruto: Sigh... One question at a time... Now, this is not an attack, what you were displaying earlier... Now that was an attack... An attack on your forefathers' legacy... The founding bricks of this Alliance...
Kaito: What are you babbling about?!
Bruce: Ikari, is this a friend or a foe?
Ikari: He's one of the good guys, trust me on that one.
Not really knowing whether to stay back or go full-out-attack, most of the other Kages and the village Leaders stood idle by, being the only ones to be able to move their bodies freely amongst them.
Utakata: Just what exactly are you guys doing?! Don't just stand there, attack him! He's an enemy, infiltrating our meeting!
Hanzo: Damn you easily blame others being the enemies of this Alliance, when you yourself have been on the brink of starting a war...
Naruto: Relax, I come in peace...
Kaito: In peace?! Then what do you call this??!
Naruto: Sigh... Someone had to stop you from destroying each other...
Reiji: If you speak the truth, then let us out of this dreadful technique...
Naruto: Fine...
Clapping his hands together, the five Kages were suddenly able to move freely again, but as they were, it did not take long before both Kaito, Utakata and Hanzo went for him with each their attacks.
Jin: ?! What are you guys doing!! My son is in the line of fire!!
Reiji: This place is too small for an all out battle!!
Ikari: Ibuki, watch out!!
Ibuki: ?!
Bruce: !!
Naruto: ...
As each of the attacks came closer to them, they suddenly began to diminish as they all disappeared in thin air before them, just a few feet away from where Bruce and Ikari were standing, as they had gone in front to protect Ibuki, much to Jin's relief. The Kages and the Village Leaders stood shocked, not knowing what exactly happened to the three attacks, as Bruce and Ikari turned around, as if stating that they weren't the ones to stop them.
Naruto: I'm not here for war!!
Shouting out, Naruto's eyes came into view behind his hair, revealing his Rinnegan as the Staff of Fortune and Destiny formed in his hand, slamming it hard into the ground, causing the whole room to shake violently.
Kaito: The Rinnegan?!
Hanzo: How is that even possible?! The last known person to possess the Rinnegan was one of the 8th Hokage's children, and he died a few years ago...
Ikari: ...
Utakata: Are you a ghost from the past?!
Kaito: Doesn't matter, nobody attacks me like that and gets away with it!
Using his raw speed, Kaito suddenly stood by Naruto's side as he launched a straight punch his way. Easily being able to dodge it, Naruto didn't seem to have much trouble as Utakata also joined in from the other side, pushing Bruce, Ikari and Ibuki away, out of the danger zone. Falling on their backs, the three of them watched as he also threw a punch Naruto's way, only to get the same result. Looking over at Kaito, the two of them suddenly seemed to work together as Naruto was dodging between their attacks, jumping away from them to gain some distance, only to land on the ground again with Hanzo standing right behind him.
Naruto: ...
Connecting his punch, it seemed as Hanzo had made a clean strike, but to his surprise, his punch went straight into some sort of force-field as he got knocked back by some sort of recoil. Quickly getting up at his feet again, he was just about to prepare an attack as a Water Dragon and a large pile of sand flew from the Kazekage and the Mizukage, heading straight for Naruto. Seemingly getting tired of the situation at hand, Naruto's whole body suddenly beamed up as his fully evolved Bijou Mode started to take form. This time around it wasn't as big and violent as in the past, but more compressed and defense based. Taking the attacks head on, Naruto stood with both his arms crossed together inside his chakra shield as the two attacks slowly began to get sucked into his Bijou Mode. As the attacks came to a disappointing end, Naruto suddenly vanished, only to reappear on top of one of the pillars in the room. Once there, he slowly sat down, leaning his head towards the palm of his right hand.
Naruto: Not bad... Not bad at all I suppose...
Ikari: Amazing!!
Hanzo: He teleported?!
Kaito: None of our attacks are working?!
Utakata: *Pant, Pant* Such reflexes and maneuvering for a guy this old...
Hanzo: He's not even responding to our offensive, is he playing with us??
As Kaito and Utakata walked up to Hanzo, the three of them stared at Naruto, not really sure what to do next. As they were looking at him, Naruto suddenly disappeared once more, only this time, he reappeared between Hanzo and Utakata as he gently laid his hands on their shoulders.
Utakata: ?!
Hanzo: !!
Naruto: You know, there's something not quite right here, is there...
Utakata: Beside us?!
Hanzo: What are you doing??!
Letting go of them, Naruto then went over to Ikari, Bruce and Ibuki as he helped the three of them up to their feet again.
Kaito: He has some sort of teleportation technique, could it be...
Hanzo: Why didn't he do anything??
Utakata: Just who is this guy...
Reiji: Sigh...
Jin: ...Can't you guys see??
Stepping in between the two groups, Jin then started to address the rest.
Jin: Don't you guys know any bit of history?! Ikari, I'm sorry I didn't believe you earlier, you were right after all... I had my doubts, but I would never have believed that he was still alive after all these years!
Ikari: ...
Reiji: What do you mean??
Jin: This is not just some powerful old man, this is the 6th Hokage of Konoha, Uzumaki Naruto himself...
Kaito: Huh?!
Hanzo: Hahahahaha... Yeah, that's not really funny at all... Well you are joking, right?
Jin: I'm afraid not...
Utakata: The 6th Hokage of Konoha? Like, the one and only??
Reiji: So the legend is true...
Kaito: But, but... He would be over 100 or so years old!!
Looking at each other, not knowing just what to say, or what to do, the people in the room stood speechless, anticipating what to come. Stepping down from the back of the room came Inba and Yoshi, as the two of them went up to Jin.
Yoshi: So you were right Ikari... I'm sorry I jumped the gun on you.
Inba: So what does all this mean? Why have you come here? Why now? And where have you been all these years?
Bruce: How are you even alive??
Ibuki: He's way too... His chakra, it feels so strange...
Bruce: What do you mean?
Ibuki: I can't sense a clear chakra in him anymore, like it's divided up in eleven parts, and only one being his own...
Being a sensor type, Ibuki felt a strange vibe coming from Naruto. Not only was his way of talking strange, but his aura, his presence, it felt so powerful she had no idea how to determined what to believe.
Ibuki: Is he even human anymore?
Ikari: Okay enough chit-chat, we do got more important things at hand, right?
Kaito: Well...
Ikari: Right?!
Reiji: I don't know who this kid is, but he's right... This does not change a thing unless we all can come to an agreement... If the legend of the old is as accurate as I'm lead to believe, maybe you have some answers... After all, there must be a reason to why you've come to this meeting, Sekaitekikage-Sama...
Nodding respectfully before him, Reiji was quickly followed by Jin and some others as Kaito was still scratching his head.
Kaito: Sekaiteki-Kage??...
Jin: Long time ago, after the 5th Great Shinobi War ended and the Bijou were all sealed into him, peace grew throughout the land. The man standing before you is the only one in the history of the Shinobi World Alliance to be elected Sekaiteki-Kage, meaning he was the leader of this Alliance back then. A Global-Shadow in other words...
Utakata: Hmm... This Alliance had one Kage elected as the leader, ruling over the other Kages before? Can't remember hearing about that... Why come there never was a second one in line??
Hanzo: Well, if you are some sort of a Demi-God like the legends claims, you must have a good reason to show up here.
Naruto: ...
Hanzo: Right?
Looking over at him patiently, everyone was as if expecting an answer. Silence filled the room as the wild wind could be heard blowing outside. After a few seconds, Naruto finally spoke out.
Naruto: For each question you ask, you get one in return. For each answer, an answer...
Jin: ...
Naruto: This Alliance... In one minute, it is about to break up and a war between the Mizukage, the Kazekage and the Tsuchikage is about to begin over something that easily could be sorted out, then in the next minute, once what is deemed as a greater threat appears, you all work together perfectly like you grew up together...
Reiji: ...
Naruto: Why is that?
Kaito: I...
Utakata: Well I-...
Hanzo: ...
Naruto: The answer is simple... But I'm not here to answer my own questions, I'm here to help you see those answers for yourself. This Alliance is more than just a mean to maintain peace and work together against a greater threat. It is a medium used to bring out an example of how everyone can live side by side, without pain and suffering...
Jin: ...
Naruto: Blame...
Kaito: ...
Naruto: Desperation...
Utakata: ...
Naruto: Anger...
Hanzo: ...
Naruto: To work together, you need to understand one another, to understand each others' problems, but also to understand each others' success...
Bruce: What is he talking about?
Ikari: Just pay attention...
Naruto: Not only in the time of great need, but also in time of joy. If you can't find a way to understand each other, how are you suppose to solve your problems?
Stumped by Naruto's wise words, the three involved in the dispute were still a bit puzzled on what all this meant. Realizing that there could always be a way to work things out without the use of force, Utakata suddenly went down to his knees in front of the rest.
Utakata: Tsuchikage-Sama, please forgive my rash decisions and ruthless ways... I hope we can avoid further troubles...
Hanzo: Utakata...
Utakata: Sorry I attacked you earlier Kazekage-Sama, I shouldn't have-...
Kaito: No worries...
Grabbing a hold onto his arm, Kaito helped Utakata back up on his feet as Naruto continued.
Naruto: But to be able to understand each other is not only about admitting your own mistakes, but about working towards a solution, benefiting everyone. Only time will tell if there is hope for the future, and the future is dark indeed... We are all different, but in the end, we are all the same...
Jin: What do you mean the future is dark??
Naruto: Use this Alliance's strengths, reinforce its weaknesses, work together, and above all else...
Reiji: ...
Naruto: Never take each others' feelings for granted. If you can't begin to understand one another, you will never be able to maintain peace.
Finishing his speech, Naruto then walked over to Ikari, laying his hand on his right shoulder.
Naruto: I will call for you when the time is right, until then.
Ikari: Wait, are you-...
And just like all the times before, Naruto was gone in a flash.
Ikari: He's gone...
Jin: So what are your answers?
Looking over at Kaito, Hanzo and Utakata, it finally seemed as if they had made up their minds to cooperate again.
Kaito: I suppose we can work our problems out in a better way.
Utakata: I'll listen to your solutions, as I'm sure now that we can come to an agreement without further dispute.
Hanzo: Yes... Alone we're weak, together we're strong. A good lesson has been taught today, and we should lead as an example to strengthen that ideal.
Reaching their hands out, the three of them nodded at each other as they all sat down again, ready to come to an agreement benefiting them all when a Kumo guard suddenly came running inside the room with an urgent report.
Guard: Raikage-Sama, Raikage-Sama!! It's very bad!!
Everyone: ?!
Reiji: What, what is it?!
Guard: A large force counting over 30 000 shinobi has crossed our North boarder and passed through the four Volcanoes of Great Eruptions! They've burned down several towns on their way over here!
Reiji: What?!
Jin: !!
Kaito: What did you say?!
Utakata: Who would attack us out of the blue like that?? Our Alliance is the only known force in the world with such numbers?!
Hanzo: Is this what he meant by dark times?
Jin: Reiji, we need to respond to this threat!
Reiji: Right, Hori, sound the alarm!
Signaling the guard to sound the alarm, he was out the door before anyone managed to stand up from their chairs.
Hoshikage: If we're going to have a war on our hands, we'll need every man we can get.
Kusakage: Relax Isuke, there's no way a force of 30 000 will be able to match our number of 245 000 shinobi. They will surely retreat once they see our forces.
Isuke: That's not what I'm worried about Nagashi, where does 30 000 shinobi come from, and why would they attack all of a sudden?
Nagashi: Doesn't matter, we will show our might, that should teach them.
Isuke: Still, it's going to take some time to muster all our forces!
Reiji: They must have been beyond our radar for a long time, growing in the shadows, waiting for their time to strike. Due to the dispute between you three, they must have seen this as the perfect time.
Jin: The only thing laying beyond the North boarder of Kumo is the Unknown Realms... If I'm not mistaken, that should be beyond the Great Sea, where our Alliance have no roots... They must have come by ships to get here... I've only heard stories of that place existing, we don't even know what we're dealing with.
Kaito: Reiji, how long will it take to muster our forces, how many shinobi do we have stationed here in Kumo as we speak?
Reiji: About 50 000...
Utakata: Then we got no time to lose, we should head out now to face them! Let the rest join us as soon as they get here!
Hanzo: Wait, we need to plan this first, rushing out to battle will only lead to total bloodshed.
Jin: What do you suggest?
Laying out his plan, the Allied forces began to prepare for battle as the two forces met on a large battlefield with huge mountains covering them up from all sides. Having no intentions to go into hiding, Ikari, Bruce and Ibuki were also among the ranks, lead by the Hokage's squadron.
Jin: Squadron 3, attack!
Signaling his forces to attack, the two forces clashed in what seemed to be a battle without mercy. Three whole days passed as the enemy forces slowly began to fall, leaving only a small group left. Up on a hill, Jin was seen fighting what seemed to be the leader of the group as he was backed up by Bruce, Inba and Yoshi at his sides. Little further down the hill, Ikari and Ibuki were fighting side by side as the two of them were exhausted.
Ibuki: There's no end to them! Ikari, I can't hold on much further...
Ikari: Just a little longer, until the Raikage's squadron arrives for the counter-attack!
Being desperate for backup, the two of them could only hold on as more allies from further down the hill approached them.
Ikari: Where the hell is Akuma-Sensei anyways?
Ibuki: Ikari, watch out!
Just barely managing to push him aside from an incoming Flame Bullet, the two of them rolled down the hill, only to crash into the allies standing further down. Looking up, Ikari saw the warm sun settling, just barely visible from behind the top as he saw Jin, Bruce, Inba and Yoshi fighting a large man with heavily armor there. The red light from the sunset almost blinded him, but it did not stop him from pushing himself to his limits.
Ikari: Look, up there, that's Bruce and our Hokage!
Ibuki: !!
Forcing himself up, Ikari told Ibuki to take a rest as he took a few other shinobi with him, charging up the hill as they clashed head to head with some enemies. Despite being a Genin, Ikari still had this sense of leadership around him as the ones fighting alongside him were all Chunins, but they were not questioning his call for support for even a second. Just as Ikari was about to finish his opposition off, he was suddenly warped onto a cold stone floor, landing face first.
Ikari: !! What the...
Looking around, Ikari spotted a man standing before him, not too far ahead with his back turned towards him. Standing by a waterfall, only the silhouette of the man was seen.
Ikari: Did I just teleport some place?!
Struggling to regain his breath, Ikari forced himself up to his feet as he approached the man, quickly realizing that it was Naruto standing there.
Naruto: The Waterfall of Self-Reflecting Soul Determination.
Ikari: What are you doing, what have you done?! I was in the middle of a battle! Where have you been, why didn't you help us-...
Naruto: I know what you've been through...
Ikari: You knew?! Why didn't you help out?!
Naruto: Fukasaku asked me the same question... If it was a wise move to let the Alliance fend for itself...
Ikari: *Pant, Pant* And??...
Naruto: They need to learn to work together as allies if they are ever going to seek true understanding... If I was to help out, they would have learned nothing and we would be back to square one. It's not my decision to play with the fates and destinies of others, even if I can, or perhaps even if I should, I can only lead them towards the right direction, not do it for them...
Ikari: Can you speak plainly for once!! Why... *Huff, Huff* Am I even here then?!
Naruto: Come here for a second and look into this waterfall...
Ikari: I don't have time to look into no damn waterfall! I need to get back, back to Ibuki, back to the fight!
Naruto: I need to tell you something... Something in private. Something I couldn't tell the others... At least not yet...
Ikari: What exactly?! Can't it wait?!
Naruto: But first, take a look... What do you see?
Ikari: Damn it!
Hurrying over to the waterfall streaming down in front of him, Ikari seemed so stressed he couldn't bother to refuse any longer, as he looked deep into its clear water.
Ikari: I...
It was as if he was caught in his own reflection as he saw flames blazing, earth cracking, swords clashing, dead bodies on the ground, friendship, rivalry, love, life, hatred, bonds, pain, leadership, sacrifice, death... A lot of small images beamed fast by in the reflection before him as Naruto grabbed a hold onto his shoulder, breaking his trance.
Ikari: !!
Not knowing what he saw, Ikari began to sweat as his breath was rapidly increasing. It was as if he saw into the future, but at the same time into the past.
Ikari: What did I... What is this...
Naruto: The Waterfall of Self-Reflecting Soul Determination is a tool, a way to look at your own destiny, your own soul...
Ikari: But I could only see pain and suffering...
Naruto: It wasn't the only thing you saw, was it?
Ikari: Well...
Naruto: What you saw... All images are connected to the fate of this world... It is as I expected... You are indeed the next one in line...
Ikari: The next one in line?? What do you mean by the next one in line?!
Naruto: There is a never-ending curse placed upon this land, a curse even I don't know when will be lifted or even how... I believe that you are the next reincarnation of the Sage's Will and Body, the next one after me... The Sage of Six Paths created a curse, a curse that was carried on by his two sons... Then later by Hashirama and Madara, Sasuke and myself... No matter how it ends, the curse will always resurface, resurrect... Your counter-part has yet to be revealed, but in the not too distant future, you will meet. Much will rest on your shoulders, and you need to be prepared for it... Prepared with proper training, training that will take a lot of time to complete, but that will help you become the man you need to be...
Ikari: What do you mean?
Naruto: The training you've started, is much more than just becoming a Toad Sage and learning Sennin Mode... It will take time and it can only be completed here on Mt. Myobokuzan... This means that you will have to make a choice...
Ikari: ...
Naruto: You will have to leave Konoha for at least a year, perhaps even more...
Ikari: ...Well all that can wait for now! Right now, I need to get back to my friends out on the battlefield, I need to help out!
Naruto: Yes... I agree...
Ikari: ?!
In what seemed like a blink of the eye, Ikari found himself on the battlefield once more as he looked up at the hill where Jin and the rest fought. The enemy commander was laying on the ground as Jin stood over him, ready to finish him off.
Bruce: What are you waiting for dad, let's end this!
?: Ugh... A great storm of pain and death is coming, *Hark*... If you don't even have the balls to finish this, you won't stand a chance when the real fight begins... Gwuhahahaha-...Ukg-...
Jin: ...
Standing over him, Jin watched as Bruce approached the man and finished him off with a quick stab of his kunai. Blood gushed out of his mouth as he died on the spot, unable to finish his evil laugh. Stepping off from his body, Jin signaled Yoshi and Inba with a nod, as the two of them came over to him.
Jin: It's over... At least for now...
Yoshi: A great storm huh...
Inba: Well we need to prepare then... We should build up our defense with everything we got.
Bruce: Agreed.
Gathering the remaining allied shinobi, the squadrons of the Hokage and the Raikage met up as Jin and Reiji had a brief talk. Not long after, the Big-Five village Kages met up on the battlefield as they were joined by the remaining Kages and Leaders from the other villages in the Alliance as well. Finally being able to locate Ibuki, Ikari hugged her tightly as they all discussed how to handle the situation at hand. All in all, 25 300 allied shinobi and 29 701 enemy shinobi were killed and 299 captured alive in the battle of the Fiery Red Mountains.
[...]
As the battle had come to an end and the respectively Kages and village Leaders had gone back to their villages after having decided what to do with the situation at hand, the next coming days had been quiet, almost too quiet for most people.
Ibuki: Are you really sure about this Ikari??
Ikari: Yes... I have to Ibuki, there's no other way.
Having returned to Konoha, the two of them had escaped with only a few bruises as they had sat down on a bench beneath a roof as the rain was pouring from the skies outside. Having a determined, yet sad look on his face, Ikari had taken Ibuki to some place quiet to tell her the news that he had to undergo training in the mountains of Myobokuzan, and that he had no idea how long it would take for him to complete his training and return to Konoha, to her... Telling her that he had to fulfill his destiny was almost too strange for himself to believe in, but after the last week and the different events occurring, nothing was strange anymore, at least not by his own perspective.
Ikari: This will not be the end of our relationship, of us... I promise you, I will be back as fast as I can.
Ibuki: I understand... If this is something you feel you must do, then you'll have my support, however, I only wish we could-...
Ikari: ...
Ibuki: Just plea-se, take-... Take care Ikari... I love you, I always will, I-...
Ikari: Try not to be sad Ibuki, it hurts me to see you like this... I-... I love you too with all my heart okay, and our future will have much in store for us, I just know it. Be safe Ibuki, I will be back before you know it...
Not really feeling like she was in a position to stop him from leaving even though she wanted to, Ibuki had a worried and heavy look on her face. Wiping a tear from her chin, Ikari gave her a kiss and then a firm hug as he stood up to his feet. Walking out into the heavy rain, Ikari went over to Bruce whom stood a couple meters away from them as he gave him a hug too.
Bruce: Take care then bro, and don't forget, even though we're rivals, you will always be like a brother to me. Don't you forget that or I'll have to come whoop your ass.
Ikari: Haha, I know Bruce... If I ever had a real brother, I wish it would be you... Please keep an eye out for Ibuki for me while I'm gone, okay?
Bruce: I will, you have my word.
Ikari: Take care then, until next time Bruce.
Ibuki: Ikari!!!-...
And before they knew it, Ikari was gone like the raindrops falling from the skies above them... Going over to Ibuki, Bruce sat down on the bench beside her as they just stared emotionless out into the heavy black rain.
[...]
Naruto: You came...
Ikari: I'm ready.
Naruto: Good... Well then, let's begin the second stage of your training, shall we?
A prominent yet tough future was ahead for all of them, but how would it all turn out in the end? Well, that's another story to be told as time was, after all, the only thing they could not alter, and with time flying by, so did they get closer to their destinies.
Ikari goes to train at Mt. Myobokuzan with the help of Naruto himself, as the first part of The Legendary Sage of Konoha's Series Finale comes to an end. What else lies in front of him and his friends, and how will this long-going story eventually come to its definitive end? Look for Part 2 to find out more!!
--->
With that, I wish you all a good read, no matter how much you read of it or how long it takes for you to eventually get through it. Just be sure to give me a decent review in some way or the other once you're done (or satisfied), that is all that I ask. Oh, and don't forget to Thank Me either, that would be great, ehehehe... Enjoy!
The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series
July 2010 - July 2014
The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series, All Previous Chapters [In Chronological Reading Order]:
The Legendary Sage of Konoha;
[1]
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[2]
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[3]
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[4]
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[5]
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[6]
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--->
Sasuke Chronicles;
[7]
[7]
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--->
[8]
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[9]
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[10]
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[11]
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[12]
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[13]
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--->
Kakashi Chronicles;
[14]
[14]
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[15]
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--->
[16]
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--->
[17]
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[18]
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[19]
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[20]
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--->
[21]
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The Legendary Sage of Konoha Returns;
[22]
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[23]
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[24]
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[25]
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[26]
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[27]
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[28]
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[29]
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[30]
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[31]
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[32]
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[33]
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[34]
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[35]
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[36]
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[37]
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[38]
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[39]
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[40]
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[41]
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[42]
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[43]
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[44]
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[45]
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[46]
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[47]
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[48]
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[49]
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[50]
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[51]
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The Legendary Sage of Konoha's Legacy;
[52]
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[53]
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[54]
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[55]
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[56]
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[57]
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Series Finale, Part 1;
The Legendary Sage of Konoha
&
The 6th Great Shinobi War
A New Threat Emerges:
A New Threat Emerges:
"Timeline... A word often used to describe the flow of time... Yet, after all these years, I still find it hard to grasp..."
"What do you mean?"
"Heh... How old do you think I am son?"
"I... Well, now that you mention it, how can you still be alive, great great grandpa??"
"Haha, I'm not that old, Ikari, but... You see, there are still a lot of undiscovered secrets in the Shinobi World, that remains to be solved, even to this date... One of them is age... Now, let me tell you a story..."
?: Ehm, Ikari...??
Ikari: ...
?: Hello, I'm talking to you, anyone home in there??
Ikari: ?! Oh sorry, Ibuki, I was-...
Ibuki: You were what?
Ikari: Thinking of my late great great grandfather... I know it's several years since he passed away, but, I still remember his story-telling, even to this date... He was after all, the final living member of my family... I'm-...
Ibuki: Hmm, I see... Well then, let me help you get on better thoughts!
Ikari: What do you mean?
Ibuki: Just come along already, geez...
Sitting on a bench in the outskirt of Konoha, by the shade of a tree on a rather sunny day, Ikari, the great great grandson of Naruto the 2nd, whom had passed away of old age a couple of years ago, had turned into a grown teenager since the last time viewers laid eyes upon him. In fact, ten whole years had passed since Naruto the 2nd passed away, and Ikari still remembered the last story he ever told him, about the Chunin exam he and his siblings took part in, a long time ago. Ikari, whom had just recently turned sixteen, was very eager to prove that his bloodline was still burning strong within him. His grandfather and grandmother were the last known members of his family-tree to become shinobi before him, as both his father and mother, whom died when Ikari was only two years old, had passed down the opportunity to become shinobi, which nowadays was a free option, rather than a forced choice for most people. Ikari, who had spent four years of his life living at his great great grandfather's place after his parents died, never really knew much of his family's past. He never met his grandparents nor his great grandparents, and he couldn't even remember his own parents. Yet, somehow, his great great grandfather had lived on for a very long time, and his stories about Ikari's great great great grandfather, Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato, the 8th Hokage of Konoha, as well as his father, Uzumaki Jiraiya, and his grandfathers, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, before him, had inspired Ikari to learn more about his family-tree.
Although he'd had to fend for himself after Naruto the 2nd's death, Ikari was still able to keep up with society and was able to make many friends and acquaintances. Like many other kids his age without parents or other family members to keep watch over their childhood as they were growing up, Ikari had had a rough start. However, over the years, and after he decided to become a shinobi at the age of twelve, Ikari was already starting to become the man destiny had foretold him to be. But, like many other shinobi in the past before him, Ikari had a long and dark road ahead of himself. Sitting on the bench minding his own business, one of his teammates, Honda Ibuki, whom was his age and also happened to be his girlfriend for the past four years, came over to him. After quickly persuading him to stand up by grabbing a hold onto his hand, the two of them went over to a riverbed, not too far from the training-field, as she almost pushed him into the ground near a tree.
Ikari: Ouch, what was that for Ibu-...
Ibuki: Enough talk...
Laying her hand over his month, signaling him to be quiet, Ibuki gently laid down on top of him as she started kissing him wildly.
Ikari: Wh-at... Are you doing, what's up with you today Ibuki, you've never been this wild bef-...
Ibuki: Are you going to talk all day or are you going to start kissing me?
Looking at him with an intense stare, Ikari quickly realized what she truly wanted.
Ikari: What if someone sees us?
Ibuki: Silly you, no one's going to see us here...
Continuing to kiss him passionately, Ibuki seemed to be all in for it as Ikari didn't really see no other choice than to accept the approach. She wasn't really the dominant type, but for some random reason, which Ikari didn't really care to dig too deep into, Ibuki was already all over him before he managed to raise an eyebrow. Ibuki was a light-hearted girl, being born and raised into one of the renown families of Konoha, which had risen to fame about 90 years ago. She was also very passionate and kind-hearted, and this was perhaps also one of the reasons Ikari became so interested in her in the first place, as she didn't let her good wealth make her spoiled. She had dark green eyes, long black hair, a tan, yet, light brown color of her skin and a decent, trained and fit body, with curves that... Well, let's just say she was gorgeous looking, a sexy beast if you'd like. Ikari on the other hand was more or less your average guy. Short dark and spiky hair with a hint of dark blue in it, brown eyes, clean skin with what someone would call some sort of a teenage mustache, muscular body, but not too blown up, and a small scar in the form of a short line counting about one and a half inch, right beside his right eye, pointing downwards on his face. Even to this date, Ikari had no idea where the small scar came from, but all that really mattered was that Ibuki thought it looked cool on him, so he didn't bother much. What was still puzzling him to this date however, was how Ibuki ended up with someone like him, which he often mentioned to her when they were together, in which Ibuki always laughed away, telling him to shut his pretty mouth about it. Laying in the grass, the two of them seemed to be about to hit it off when someone suddenly approached them.
?: Found you!!
Ikari: Ehhh?!
Ibuki: What do you want... Bruce?
Just as they had laid down, the last member of their team, Senju Bruce, had tracked them down as she gave him a stern look. As opposed to Ikari's childhood, Bruce had had a life of being spoiled by the richest, and trained by the very best. He even had two personal bodyguards often walking around with him, something which annoyed him to such a degree sometimes, that he had to outsmart them to get away from them, like he'd had to do now. His family had climbed to power after both his great grandfather, Senju Tadakatsu, and his father, Senju Jin, had become the 9th and the 10th Hokage of Konoha respectively. Following the climb of the Uzumaki Clan and the 6th, Uzumaki Naruto, the 7th, Uzumaki Jiraiya, and the 8th Hokage of Konoha, the latter being Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato whom was father to Ikari's great great grandfather, Uzumaki Naruto the 2nd, the Senju Clan had once again become the strongest clan in the village. Bruce was what some would call a ladies' man... Blond short hair, blue eyes, well trained and muscular body, which made Ikari seem small in comparison, tall as a tree, extremely powerful, and a master in Taijutsu. Being two years older than Ikari and Ibuki, Bruce was a carefree, yet determined man, and he had taken the role of the leader in their team early on.
As Bruce was the only member of their team to become a Jonin, which just recently had happened, he felt it even more natural to take charge when their Sensei wasn't around. Being that Bruce had been promoted to Jonin just a few days ago, it was only a question of time before their team would be dissolved and each member given new purposes, but for now, they were still Team 7 of Konoha. Ibuki on the other hand had been promoted to Chunin two years ago, while Ikari was still a Genin, which seemed to bother him, especially when Bruce took it to the next stage and became a Jonin. According to Bruce himself, there were only two things that bothered him in his almost perfect life. One was the fact that he had gone this long before he got to partake in the Jonin exam, and another was his almost ability to not be able to get a lot of male friends. No wonder though, when he used to hang around girls all the time, something in which Ikari tried telling him, only to be quickly shot down by Bruce himself. For some reason though, despite Bruce being whom he was, he never ended up with Ibuki, which in many ways was his ideal woman. Fancy skills, reputation and good wealth never was her first priority due to her own background, which was one of the reasons to why she fell in love with Ikari, whom seemed to be the poverty-stricken kid in their team compared to the two of them.
Bruce: Oh... Were you two... Maybe I should come back later...
Ibuki: Geez, just spit it out Bruce...
Ikari: ...
Bruce: Our Sensei... You haven't forgotten about our meeting today have you??
Ibuki: Fine, fine, let's get going then...
Ikari: But...
Ibuki: Let's go Ikari...
Ikari: Sigh... Great timing Bruce... How did you find us anyways?
Bruce: How did I-... Does it really matter?
Ikari: Heh... No.
Bruce: Well then...
Ibuki: Let's just get going, shall we?
Storming off in front of them, Ibuki seemed as if something was bothering her, acting all strange as Ikari and Bruce quickly followed after her.
Bruce: What's wrong with her?
Ikari: I...
Bruce: You know, you shouldn't let her boss you around like she does all the time, Ikari...
Ikari: Boss me around?? She doesn't-...
Bruce: Seems like she does quite frequently if you ask-...
Ibuki: What was that?!
Bruce: Ehm, nothing...
Ibuki: Good...
Turning his head to the side, Bruce knew that he wasn't going to try and push his luck anytime soon with her, as the three of them headed back to Konoha.
[...]
As the morning minutes slowly went passed, the three of them finally made it to the meeting point, where, as always, their Sensei stood waiting for them.
Akuma: So you made it, about time I would say...
Bruce: It's not my fault these two took off and hid themselves out in-...
Ibuki: Well we're here now, that's what matters, right Sensei?
Akuma: Ehm, yeah I suppose...
Kazama Akuma, the Sensei of the three promising shinobi and one of the most well-known Jonin in the whole of Konoha, had a very calm, yet energetic personality. Not only was he one of the strongest shinobi around the village, almost as strong as Bruce's own father, the 10th Hokage himself, but he was quite clever too and one of the few other candidates that almost became the 10th Hokage instead. Akuma had early on been tasked with training Bruce and whomever he ended up with in his team, and in one way, you could almost say that Ikari was lucky to be teamed up with Ibuki and Bruce because of it. Even if most people had long forgotten about the once powerful line of the three Uzumaki Hokages all those years ago, Ikari was still gifted with the strong bloodline that was growing forth, slowly but steadily, from deep within him, something in which his Sensei, Akuma, discovered early on, and tried to take advantage of.
Heck, Ikari wasn't even suppose to be part of the team as both Bruce and Ibuki came from well respected families, but, fate had it that there was a mix up between the names and the numbers that were chosen for each Sensei, so he made the cut after all, and thereby getting one of the best, if not the best Sensei in town. Thus, he also got to know Ibuki and Bruce better as well...
Akuma: So anyways, first of all, congratulation Bruce, I knew you had it in you. Now that you're a Jonin, you can soon undergo training to become a Sensei yourself, or even join the Anbu-force if you rather want that.
Bruce: Thanks Akuma-Sensei, and yeah, I kind of knew already that I had it in me too, haha.
Ikari: Show off...
Bruce: What was that??
Ikari: You heard me...
Bruce: You're just jealous Ikari, hahaha, at this rate, I'm definitely going to follow in the footsteps of my father and great grandfather and become the next Hokage in no time! Just watch me!
Ikari: Hah! Don't be so sure about that! There's no way I'm going to let you beat me to it!
Bruce: Oh yeah? And what exactly is in your favor if I might ask? You are way behind in ranking, and the last two Hokages have been related to me... I would say the odds are in my favor!
Ikari: Ah shut it Bruce, don't forget that my bloodline stretches so far back that Konoha has had four Hokages within my family! That's two more than you-...
Bruce: Not quite... It's been a long time since anyone from your family was Hokage, and if we take the whole history of our village into consideration, my bloodline is way stronger than yours! Don't forget the 1st, the 2nd and the 5th Hokage, they were also Senju, and the 1st was even one of the founders of this village! That makes five in total for my family, one more than yours!
Ikari: Damn... Okay my mistake, but numbers doesn't matter anyways when the 6th Hokage of Konoha was the strongest shinobi to ever live you schmuck!
Bruce: You pizza-boy, don't even think for a second you're anything compared to me!!
Akuma: Hey, hey, hey, easy now boys, no need to take it out on each other...
Having to almost go in between them, Akuma swiftly separated the two before a brawl could properly start.
Ibuki: You two are always like this, geez... One day your rivalry will be the end of all of our sanity, I'm sure of it...
Akuma: Oh, and Bruce, I'm sorry I couldn't be there to watch the Jonin exam, but you already know why I suppose...
Bruce: Yeah, already told you not to worry Sensei.
Ibuki: Okay enough small talk, you said you had something for us Sensei??
Akuma: Ehm yeah, that is correct, or, something for you and Bruce that is...
Bruce: Oh...
Ikari: Hey, what about me??
Akuma: I'll get back to you in a second... So, it seems like there will be a Kage-meeting in three days' time, and speaking of your dad Bruce, the Hokage wants you and Ibuki as part of his Hokage-convoy... You can look at it as a mission if you like, but I-...
Ikari: Hey, why am I not part of-...
Bruce: Can you please let Akuma-Sensei finish Ikari?? No need to be so impatient...
Ikari: Humph!...
Akuma: As for you Ikari, I have something to show you tomorrow...
Ikari: Oh really...
Akuma: Yep, you'll see then. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Ikari: Well it better be something good to make up for me not being part of this mission... Damn, and this mission sounded so sweet too...
Seemingly getting a bit upset over this, Ikari let out a quiet sigh as he shook his head in disappointment.
[...]
As the day came to an end and the evening moon set upon the sky, a silent and comforting wind blew through the village as the burning sun quickly followed. Early next day, Ikari was already at the meeting-place as his Sensei finally arrived as well.
Akuma: Oh, you've already here I see, well that's a new one-...
Ikari: You wanted to see me, Akuma-Sensei?
Meeting up at the training-field, Ikari had been called out by his Sensei for some private lessons as he had a curious look on his face.
Akuma: Yes... I wanted to discuss more properly what we talked about yesterday during our team-meeting...
Ikari: Oh really now...
Akuma: Yep, it's a new technique, and I'm sure you'll like it.
Ikari: Oh really Sensei?! Amazing, hopefully it is something great!
Akuma: Now, now, first, let me tell you some background story on how this jutsu works...
Not only was his Sensei a very wise and knowledgeable man in his late 50s, but Akuma was also a certain somebody who was very good at teaching away new techniques, one of them being the Summoning technique. His hair, that once upon a time had the color of brown, had slowly started to fade into grey and was also quite long as well, as he had it tied up into a ponytail with his headband, of all things. He had a decent muscular body, and was quick off his feet, and, he was also an expert in most techniques, in other words, a real powerhouse, you could say. Rolling out a scroll on the ground, Akuma then continued to explain.
Akuma: This is a Summoning Contract... My very own to be exact... As you can see, my name is right up over there...
Pointing his finger almost to the far right of the scroll, Ikari looked earnestly as he noticed three other names coming up after him, and only two names before him.
Ikari: Oh... You're not the last one to learn this type of Summoning I see...
Akuma: That's right, I've already taught the Crimson Bear Summoning Technique to three other of my past students, and maybe, just maybe, you could be my forth...
Ikari: Really Akuma-Sensei?!
Pleased by hearing this, Ikari stretched his right fist into the air in excitement, before bending down to the scroll again to take a closer inspection.
Ikari: Honda Magoichi... Tachibana Usuke... Kazama Aku-...?!
Akuma: ...Something wrong, Ikari??
Ikari: That name... Honda Magoichi!
Akuma: Yes?? He was my Sensei's Sensei and the inventor of this Summoning Technique... You've heard of him??
Ikari: Yes, my great great grandfather used to tell me stories of the past, and his name has come up before... Wasn't he the teammate of Uchiha Noh and Senju Tadakatsu, the 9th Hokage of Konoha and my great great great grandfather's successor?? If so, he's Ibuki's distant relative as well if I'm not mistaken...
Akuma: Yeah, I suppose you're right... Quite some knowledge for a kid your age to possess, but you are absolutely right indeed. He's Ibuki's great great grandfather in fact... So anyways, about this technique...
Ikari: ...
Still looking over the scroll, Ikari then sat back as he crossed his feet and looked up at his Sensei.
Akuma: There's one thing to have the proper chakra control to be able to pull this technique off, another to know the hand-seals, and the third... Well the third is to sign this contract... I have no doubt that you have the proper chakra control for it, but the question is, would you like to sign this contract? If you do, you will be bound to it until you either die or sign another one, voiding your signature on this one. In some, but very rare cases, it's actually possible to sign more than one contract and have several summonings, but the skill to pull such a feat off and the requirement for it, I'm afraid, has been lost to history... So, what do you think?
Ikari: The Crimson Bear huh... If both you and Magoichi knew this technique, I would very much like to learn it as well Sensei, if you would teach it to me! Here, let me sign it-...
Akuma: Not so fast... First, I'll learn you the hand-seals... Summoning Technique!
Biting his thumb, Akuma then went on to preform some hand-seals, slower than usual so that Ikari could pay attention, before slamming his hand to the ground, causing a small smokescreen to appear and a tiny red bear to come out of it.
Akuma: So this is the hand-seals for it, now-...
Ikari: Wow, that's so cool!! Okay I think I got it, like this, no?
Akuma: ?! Ikari wait, you have to sign a contract first as no one knows what happens if-...
Paying attention to his Sensei's hand-seals, Ikari quickly mirrored them as he was already finished doing them before the smoke from Akuma's summoning had managed to settle, as he slammed his hand to the ground, before his Sensei managed to prevent him from doing so in time.
Akuma: ...-if... you do it without one...
[...]
Ikari: Ouch!!... What the?!
As Ikari slammed his right hand to the ground, the result he had expected, did not happen at all, as he suddenly fell towards the ground from about one meter's height, only to quickly rise to his feet again. However, he was not in Konoha anymore, but in some kind of exotic and mysterious place, filled with poisonous swamps and foreign lakes, tropic heat and huge mushrooms, pointing way up in the sky, with some high mountains and vast forests in the distance.
Ikari: Where... On earth... What just happened?! Sensei never said-... Damn.
Not really knowing where he was or what to do, Ikari decided to take a look around to see if he could find out.
Ikari: Shit, I hope this isn't some other dimension or some sh*t... What if...?! It can't be?!
Halting his advance, the thought that he might have imploded and died when he preformed the technique without a summoning contract first, and that he had come to some sort of mix between heaven and hell, suddenly hit him.
Ikari: Noooo... No, no, no, no, nooo!!! I can't be dead?! I was suppose to bring my family-name back to fame in Konoha, I was-... Ibuki!!... No!!! No, it can't be true!! Someone, anyone, help!! Arrrrgh!!
Falling to his knees in despair, Ikari didn't know what do to as he looked panic-struck like never before.
Ikari: I... I...
?: What on earth are you screaming about?!
Ikari: EHHHH?!?!
From the giant mushroom above him, a blue colored toad, that had a white belly and yellow eyes, being about five meter tall, suddenly jumped down in front of him as Ikari quickly backed away and readied his defenses.
Toad: Huh... Who are you?? What are you?...
Ikari: Ehh?! A talking toad?! Is this... Hell??!
Toad: Hell?! Bwuhahaha, what, you think you're dead or something??
Ikari: ?! What, I'm not dead after all?!
Toad: Of course you aren't! Why would you be?? The question is, what are you and why are you here?? How did you get here?
Ikari: A talking toad... Aha!! You must be a summoning, right! Right?!
Toad: Humph, I'm more than just a summoning... If you know the Summoning Technique, you must be a human...
Ikari: Yes! Yes, that I am!
Toad: A human huh...
Ikari: What, what's the matter?
Toad: For a human to set foot in Mt. Myobokuzan these days, now that's rare... It's a long time ago since that has happened...
Ikari: What... Mt. Myobokuzan??
Toad: Yes, this is our home-place after all, and you are trespassing as far as I can tell...
Ikari: Trespassing... No, I...
Toad: Well?
Ikari: I got nothing...
Toad: Geez...
Ikari: So how many years since a human last placed foot in this place you said?
Toad: 97 years to be exact, before I was born... The Era of the Three Great Toad Sages...
Ikari: Oh...
Toad: However, there has been some toads visiting the human world on some occasions up until 60 years ago...
Ikari: Really? How come?
Toad: The two last people to sign a contract with toads... Uzumaki Naruto the 2nd, and Senju Tadakatsu have-...
Ikari: Hey, I know those people!!
Toad: Huh... What do you mean?
Ikari: I'm related to the first! And the other, the other was the 9th Hokage!
Toad: Oh really now... Well then, if you are related to one of them, answer me this... Who was the last Toad Sage??
Ikari: Oh, that one is easy! Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato! Uzumaki Naruto the 2nd only had a contract with the toads, while Tadakatsu Senju, although knowing Sennin Mode, was not a Toad Sage, as he had a contract with toads, but his Sennin Mode came from-...
Toad: Hmm... How old did you say you were again kid?
Ikari: I didn't...
Toad: Well then, how old are you?
Ikari: I'm sixteen...
Toad: Then there's no way you could know these guys, is there??
Ikari: I... Sigh, do I really have to explain everything?! Can't you just get me out of this place...
Toad: Get you out of here?? What do you mean?
Ikari: What do I mean?!
Toad: Geez... How did you end up here then? You could always leave the same way you came...
Ikari: I... I don't really know... I did the Summoning Technique and... Before I knew it, I ended up here... I...
Toad: Did you sign a contract first?
Ikari: No, I-...
Toad: Oh... Then I have no clue how you came here or how you'll be able to go home...
Ikari: What?! Are you saying I can't leave this place?!
Toad: I didn't say you couldn't lea-...
?: Jiraiya...
Toad: ??
Ikari: Huh, who are you??
Sitting on top of a nearby leaf, another toad drew Ikari's attention, this one much smaller in size and much different in appearance than the other one, as he jumped down from the leaf, landing on top of the other toad's head, before jumping down on the ground beside Ikari. Seemingly both old and wise, Ikari knew that he was the right one to ask about how he was going to get home again, as the elderly toad began examining him.
Toad: This is Fukasaku-Sama, one of the elderly toads around here.
Fukasaku, the oldest living toad on Mt. Myobokuzan together with Shima, was still alive and functional, even after all those years. For a toad, a human lifetime was only baby-steps compared to a lifetime at Mt. Myobokuzan.
Fukasaku: That is correct... And you must be?
Looking at Ikari, the elderly toad seemed to be surprised to see him here.
Ikari: Me? My name is Ikari...
Fukasaku: Ikari huh...
Ikari: You mentioned Jiraiya?? Why does that sound familiar...
Fukasaku: Yes, yes I did... Long time ago, Jiraiya-San also came to Mt. Myobokuzan the same way you just did... By preforming the Summoning Technique without signing a contract first... It appears that, like Jiraiya-San, fate has drawn you here... Maybe you are in fact, his reincarnation, no??
Forming a smile on his face, Fukasaku seemed rather satisfied by this encounter.
Ikari: Reincarnation?? I don't know about that... This Jiraiya... Wait, you're not talking about the 7th Hokage of Konoha, are you??
Fukasaku: Oh, so you know your bit of history?? Well no, I did say long time ago, didn't I...
Ikari: Well it is a long time ago since he lived...
Fukasaku: Time... So differently observed by each living being... Yes, I suppose you are right, but the Jiraiya I'm talking about, is another... Come kid, I want to show you something...
Ikari: What's that??
Fukasaku: Just wait and see...
Toad: Well then, I'll leave this human in your capable hands, Fukasaku-Sama.
Taking his leave, the other toad took off as Ikari quickly hurried up to Fukasaku whom had already begun walking towards his new destination.
Ikari: Where are we going?
Fukasaku: I'm taking you to see the new Honorable Toad Sage, to hear what he has to say about all this...
Ikari: The new Honorable Toad Sage??
Fukasaku: Yes... After three whole millenniums, the last Great Toad Sage passed away as he found his successor. Come, let's not waste any more time...
Walking through all sorts or strange environments, the two of them suddenly found themselves at the entrance of an old looking temple as Fukasaku proceeded to step inside.
Fukasaku: Are you coming or not??
Turning around to check if Ikari came along, Fukasaku temporarily halted his walk for a bit as he looked over at Ikari.
Ikari: Yeah, I guess...
Pausing for a brief second, Ikari then gathered himself as he ventured inside as well. Not long after, the two of them found themselves by some sort of a throne, and on it, sat another human being, much to Ikari's surprise.
Ikari: !! That's another-...
Fukasaku: Speak only when spoken to kid!
Ikari: Oh, my bad...
Fukasaku: This is the Great Honorable Toad Sage... If anyone knows why you are here, it's him. If you seek answers, you should go to him...
Ikari: So what's his name-...
Fukasaku: Be quiet...
Ikari: I-...
?: Another human huh... I've been expecting you, Ikari...
Ikari: Who-... How do you know my-... What are you?
?: Who I was is no longer important, only who I am now...
Ikari: ... That toad, he said they hadn't seen a human here since-...
Fukasaku: We don't refer to him as a human anymo-...
?: I'll take it from here Fukasaku... Thanks for bringing him before me.
Fukasaku: Alright then, I got some things to take care off anyways...
Taking his leave, Fukasaku was gone before Ikari knew it as he looked around puzzled, trying to figure out what the heck was going on...
Ikari: So, who are you?
?: First, you tell me more about yourself... I need to know if you are the one I've foreseen...
Ikari: Foreseen??! At least give me a name to go by first...
?: You drive a hard bargain... Fine, my name is Naruto... Or that was what people used to refer to me as in the past...
Ikari: Naruto huh, that's an odd coincident... What's up with your way of speaking anyways? You sound so... Strange...
Naruto: ... Strange, huh?... Much must have changed in the human world I suppose since I last placed my feet there...
Ikari: And what are you doing here? How do I get home?!
Naruto: Relax, one thing at a time... Like I said, first tell me more about your bloodline, you ancestors... There's something quite familiar about you...
Ikari: Fine, my name is Uzumaki Ikari, son of Uzumaki Jinpachi and Uzumaki Jun, grandson of Uzumaki Shikamaru and Uzumaki Ina, great grandson of Uzumaki Jin and Uzumaki Mei, great great grandson of Uzumaki Kurenai and Uzumaki Naruto the 2nd... You want me to go on?
Naruto: ...
Ikari: Sigh... Great great great grandson of the 8th Hokage of Konoha, Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato and Uzumaki Aiko... Ehm, I don't think they ever got married, though I'm not too sure... After this, I only know that I'm related to the 7th and the 6th Hokage of Konoha somehow, but I can't remember right now whether they're fathers or uncles or what not in relation to Minato... What was it that my great great grandfather used to say about them, hmmm... Anyways, then even further back there's the 4th Hokage as well, and all this only refers to my father's line of forefathers, if I take my mother and her line into consideration as well, I woul-...
Naruto: That's fine, let me stop you right there...
Ikari: ...
Naruto: Did your great great grandfather possess the Rinnegan?
Ikari: The Rinnegan??
Naruto: Yes, like the eyes I possess...
Ikari: What?! You possess the Rinnegan?! How is that even possible, I didn't even notice because of your hair, I-...
Naruto: So that's a yes then?
Ikari: Oh... I suppose??
Naruto: Hmm...
Ikari: What??
Naruto: Is it just coincident that your great great grandfather shares the same name as me?? Wasn't that what you were thinking just a moment ago...
Ikari: How-... Geez, I'm not following you... Although, like I mentioned before, your name being Naruto and also you having the Rinnegan as well, is indeed an odd coincident...
Naruto: Who do you think I am?
Ikari: I don't know, some old lost dude who has settled down here? How the hell should I know...
Naruto: I believe we are distant relatives...
Ikari: Huh, in what way? I'm pretty knowledgeable about my own family-tree and my closest past relatives, and it says nothing about me having a grand uncle or anything like it, also named Naruto... The only Naruto in my recent family-tree is my great great grandfather, Naruto the 2nd, whom passed away ten years ago...
Naruto: You have to go further back...
Ikari: Further back?! Do you realize what you're saying? The only thing that would make sense is for you to be my great great great great great grandfather or granduncle or something, but that is just ridicules and impossible... There's no way you can be him... There's no way you can be...
Naruto: ...
Ikari: Right?...
Naruto: Is it now?
Ikari: Hah, you're bluffing...
Naruto: Am I now? I unfortunately don't think I know how to bluff anymore son.
Ikari: So you're not joking...
Naruto: I'm afraid not...
Just looking at Naruto with a mindless stare, Ikari suddenly broke out in hysteria.
Ikari: Huh?!?!?! Stop joking around! Are you saying that you are... The Legendary Sage of Konoha, the 6th Hokage, the 1st and only Sekaiteki-kage of the Joint Shinobi Alliance, now simply referred to as the Shinobi World Alliance, and that you are still alive, after all these years?! If that was to be true, you would have to be over 160 years old!! You do realize that, right?!
Naruto: I do...
Ikari: Ah, stop sh*tting me!!
[...]
Ibuki: What do you mean "gone"?!
Akuma: I... It's already reported to the Hokage, and it's being looked into as we speak... I think we have to go a long way back to find a similar occurrence where someone preformed the Summoning Technique without signing a contract first, and until we do, there's no way to say what really happened for sure... You shouldn't worry much, I'm sure he's fine, we just have to figure where he-...
Ibuki: How could you let something like this happen Sensei?! What if... What if Ikari is dead because of this?! And I'm leaving for our mission in two days, I can't have this over me then!!
Slamming the front door of her house, almost in her own Sensei's face, Ibuki ran up stairs as she was crying heavily. Both confused and unsure what to do about it, Akuma saw no other choice than to take his leave. Slowly walking passed a nearby take-away restaurant, he sat down and ordered a drink at a local bar, much to the host's surprise.
Bar Man: Akuma, why would you order a drink in the middle of the day, I thought you quit drinking 20 years ago, I-...
Akuma: Well now I need another one, so just serve me one already, please, it's been a long day...
Bar Man: Alright alright, I'll bring one to you then.
Not sure what to make of the situation, the bar man quickly hurried over to his booze shelf as he pulled out one of his finest drinks and poured it over in a small glass before bringing it over to Akuma. Not thinking twice about it, Akuma bottled it down in one go as he quickly ordered another one.
Bar Man: I don't think you should-...
Akuma: Stop worrying already...
Bar Man: Geez, fine, but you don't get another one after this...
Pouring another glass, the bar man left it by Akuma's hand as he put the remainder of the bottle back in his shelf, before going over to another customer further down the bar.
Akuma: What one earth just happened, where did you go, Ikari...
[...]
Ikari: This is just...
Naruto: So you understand it all a bit better now then?
Ikari: I... Well yes, but it really is a lot of history to swallow, I mean...
Naruto: I understand... Now, would you like to learn the way of the Toad Sages, like your forefathers before you, Ikari?
Ikari: I... I still don't even know how to get home from here...
Naruto: You don't need to worry about that, I assure you...
Ikari: Well, it's of course something I would like to do considering that I ended up here of all places, but... And-...
Naruto: Do you believe in fate and destiny son?
Ikari: I suppose...
Naruto: Then are you ready to set things in motion? Are you ready to become the man, the leader you are meant to be?
Having a determined yet firm look on his face, Naruto seemed to have everything going as he had foreseen as Ikari stumbled upon his question for a bit before he finally made up his mind.
Ikari: Yes, I am, but on one condition...
Naruto: And that is?
Ikari: If you can guarantee that you can get me out of this place before I grow as old as you.
Naruto: Hah, you have my word, no worries...
Ikari: Okay then...
Naruto: Good.
Ikari: So what happens now?
Naruto: I will call for you in a day or two for your training to begin, until then...
Ikari: So... How do I get home?
Naruto: You'll see...
As he said, a dim, yet strong current of chakra began beaming in both his hands as Naruto started to focus his chakra, clapping his hands together.
Ikari: And how will you summoned me here? How should I know it is time-...
Naruto: I will send a toad for you... Now, just sign the contract in front of you like we discussed earlier...
Getting up on his feet and off his throne, Naruto placed his hands on the empty scroll on the ground in front of him as several names began to appear on it.
Ikari: ...
Biting his thumb, Ikari then signed the contract as Naruto rolled it together again before placing it on his back.
Naruto: Now, time for you to take care of your friends and loved ones... Let's not have them worry about your whereabouts any longer. Until we meet again...
Reaching his right hand out, Naruto placed it onto Ikari's head as Ikari disappeared into thin air in a blink of an eye before him.
[...]
Ikari: Ugh!!
Landing firmly on the ground with his face first, Ikari suddenly found himself in Konoha again, much to his satisfaction. Before he managed to gather his thoughts however, he looked up, only to see a bunch of people standing around him, puzzled and wondering how he was able to appear out of nowhere like that. Day had already turned into evening, and as he rose to his feet again, a familiar face made his way through the crowd and over to him.
Akuma: Ikari?! Are you okay? Where on earth did you go? How did you-...
Ikari: Sensei!! Damn am I glad to see you...
Having seen the crowd gather around in the streets from his place at a nearby bar, Akuma could do nothing else than to check it out, just to be sure nothing was wrong.
Akuma: What where you thinking, you had us all worried! You can't take risks like that you know, you need to be more careful! You could have-...
Ikari: All that matters is that I'm here now. Come, let's discuss what I have to tell you, you'll never believe what happened!
Akuma: Oh...
Making his way through the crowd, Ikari came into open space as he quickly pointed at a nearby ramen shop.
Ikari: There!
Akuma: The Ramen shop?
Ikari: Yes, your treat of course...
Akuma: Geez, fine... As long as you have a good explanation on what went down.
Ikari: Fine, fine...
A few moments later, the first bowl of ramen had already been served as Ikari was as energetic as never before, swallowing down the first bowl in a matter of seconds as he was illustrating what happened with his hands, using his story-telling ability to its fullest potential. Not knowing what to say, Akuma paid close attention as bowls after bowls of ramen went down.
Akuma: Hmm...
Ikari: What, what's the matter? You don't believe me, do you?
Akuma: I didn't say that, it's just that...
Ikari: Well I don't blame you, I probably wouldn't have believed it myself if it was the other way around.
Akuma: Regardless, it's already getting late... I'll schedule a meeting with the Hokage tomorrow, so that we can report this occurrence to him and his advisers. In the meantime, you should let Ibuki know you are safe, I suppose she's worrying herself to dea-...
Ikari: Ibuki?! Shit, I totally forgot about her! How could I!!
Getting up from his chair, Ikari was already on the move before his Sensei managed to say a thing as a trail of dust was all that was left behind. Turning back towards the counter, Akuma looked up as his eyes met with the shop owner.
Ramen Guy: Will that be all sir?
Akuma: I... Yeah...
Ramen Guy: Here's the bill then...
Handing him the bill, Akuma took a brief look at it as he could do nothing else than to shake his head in disappointment.
Akuma: Geez, at this rate I'm going to get broke Ikari...
As evening turned into night and night into morning, Ikari had already calmed Ibuki down, as she was quite upset on his sudden disappearance. Spending half the night telling her what happened, she almost refused to let him go until the sun rose on the horizon.
Ikari: I should get going...
Ibuki: Just a little longer...
Ikari: Haha, you're worried that I'll disappear again, aren't you?
Ibuki: No, I...
Ikari: I get it... I promise you that I'll be more careful from now on, okay?
Kissing her warm lips goodbye, Ikari then managed to slip away from her grasp as he rose from the bed and got dressed.
Ikari: I would love to sleep all day, but I have to go see the Hokage with Akuma-Sensei...
Ibuki: Yeah, I understand...
Ikari: Why don't we go do something nice together later today, okay?
Ibuki: Okay, sure...
Ikari: After all, you are leaving on that mission tomorrow, so I better make you remember me until the next time we meet, haha.
Ibuki: Ahh, silly you...
Giving her a reassuring smile, Ikari then slowly closed the door behind him as he left the house and started to head over to the Hokage-mansion where Akuma was already waiting for him.
Akuma: Ahh, there you are, well then, shall we?
Heading up the stairs, the two of them then came before the office door as Akuma gently knocked on it. Not long after, they received a signal to enter as the two of them came before the Hokage and one of his advisers who were present as well.
Hokage: It's you Akuma-San, please enter...
Adviser: ...
Senju Jin, The 10th Hokage of Konoha, was a cool and laid-back guy, who had a strong personality and a hard to bruise determination. Being the voice and the face of Konoha, he often had the best and the worst of both worlds with his two advisers, as even if he at times was very easy-going, he often ruled with an iron will to keep things under control. His right-hand adviser and close friend, standing on the side of him, was a strict and mean-looking guy- a guy who often came off as the bad guy in the leadership of Konoha, taking care off most of the dirty work that had to be done, even behind the Hokage's back if he had to. However, in reality, he was just a careful and thorough guy, who sought to keep the peace at all cost. The Hokage's left-hand adviser, who were currently out of town on an assignment, was more or less the opposite, and thus, the two of them created the good guy-bad guy impression, with the Hokage having the final say. Being Bruce's own father, it was easy to spot some similarities between them and their personalities, and even if Ikari became good friends with Bruce, their rivalry was easily reflected in the Hokage as well whenever Ikari had a conversation with him.
Akuma: Good day Hokage-Sama, Yoshi-San.
Yoshi: So what is it that were of such haste? Did you resolve the situation that occurred yesterday?
Jin: Well if-... Ikari, right?
Ikari: That's correct, Hokage-Sama.
Jin: If Ikari is here now, I suppose everything is fine then... So what is it that you want to discuss?
Ikari: It would be easier if I explained what happ-...
Yoshi: Don't speak unless spoken to kid, Jin was talking to Akuma!
Ikari: I...
Jin: That's alright, please go ahead.
Giving him the permission to go on, Ikari then started to lay out the details of what had happened after he preformed the Summoning Technique without signing a contract first, how he ended up on Mt. Myobokuzan, how he encountered the Legend of old, Naruto himself, how he was going to undertake Sennin training and how he got back home. Hearing all this, Jin and his adviser, Yoshi, could only look puzzled at him, just like Akuma before them had, baffled over how such odds could play into motion.
Yoshi: Is this some sort of trickery kid? We don't have time for childish stories you know...
Jin: Hmm, I'm not quite sure what to make out of it to be honest...
Akuma: I found it hard to make sense myself at first, but I'm certain Ikari has told the truth and nothing but the truth of what happened here. I have no reason to think otherwise... Having looked through our archives late last night, I think I found a similar occurrence with one of the disciples of the 3rd Hokage, but the information was quite incomplete unfortunately...
Yoshi: Ohh... And?
Akuma: Well, according to it, more or less the same happened basically when Ikari did the technique without a summoning contract...
Jin: Hmmmm... Still though, no one has been in touch with Mt. Myobokuzan since the Era of the Three Great Toad Sages of Konoha and the death of the 8th Hokage, Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato... Also, the 6th Hokage's whereabouts and fate was labeled as unknown almost 100 years ago, there's no way he can still be alive, even if he became the host of the Jubi... I can only find this "story" hard to believe, even if our archives record a similar incident ages ago.
Ikari: Well then, maybe you should start to have some fate. Not all mysteries in this world has been solved yet, and one of them is age-...
Yoshi: Watch your tone, how dare you speak to the Hokage like that, kid! One with your background are in no position to-...
Jin: Just relax Yoshi, I got this, geez... He's just a kid.
Ikari: Just a kid?!
Jin: Haha, either way, like I just said, even if it all was true, the chances of this happening and the odds of it all is just too vague for me to take into account. He might have become the new Sage of Six Paths, a God if you like, but in the end, all life comes to an end... Anyways, I don't have much more time to put off to this report as there's a Kage-meeting coming up in Kumo tomorrow and we need to start preparing for it. Akuma, I'll leave the rest of this up to you...
Getting up from his chair, the Hokage put on his robe as he was just about to leave the room, passing by a rather upset Ikari who didn't know what to say.
Ikari: But, but...
Yoshi: Take my advice kid, if you want to end up somewhere in this world, you need to keep facts from fiction and put your head straight... I'm not saying you are lying, but things like this are better kept to yourself.
Ikari: Humph!!
Not taking this talk-to too lightly, Ikari proceeded to storm out the door as the Hokage and his adviser both had a stir expression on their faces.
Akuma: Yoshi-San, did you really have to go so hard on him??
Yoshi: It is better for him to hear it the hard way, trust me on that one...
Akuma: ... Heh, well in either case, time I took my leave. Hokage-Sama, Yoshi-San.
Bowing politely to the both of them, Akuma then took the door with him as he closed it gently behind him before setting out to look for Ikari.
Yoshi: That kid... He's always up to something, isn't he? Nothing but trouble, sigh...
Jin: Well, he did lose both his parents early in his childhood, I suppose you can't really blame him for that.
Yoshi: Still though, sooner or later he'll need to stop with his troublesome behavior. After all, he's in your son's team... He surely must have learned something up through the years.
Jin: Sigh, you should look brighter on the next generation of Konoha Shinobi, Yoshi, no matter the background... With an attitude like that, no one's going to respect the leadership of this village. If I'm not mistaken, his bloodline goes back to the 8th, 7th and 6th Hokage of Konoha, and probably even the 4th as well, and that might be why he came up with such a story to begin with...
Yoshi: Hmm, might be... So, shall we start preparing for the meeting then?
Jin: Indeed, might as well.
Going over to a drawer, Jin reached out for some papers as he put them on the table beside him.
Jin: I sincerely hope that this meeting can settle the differences the villages have with each other, so that the Shinobi World Alliance can continue to prosper and grow for the future generations to come as well. Too much work has been put into it for it all to go waste.
Yoshi: Well, I don't think it has been this tense since the 4th Great Shinobi War and what followed in its wake during the 5th Great Shinobi War... But if the situation can't be resolved, we might be looking at a real situation soon, and if so...
Jin: I know... Konoha's main goal though is for this alliance to continue its work, but if it can't be done and the four other main villages draws out, then we might not have a choice... However, regardless of what happens, we won't be having a war at our hands, that, I can assure you. This alliance is too important to crumble like a dry bread.
[...]
Ikari: Damn it, damn it all! How could they not acknowledge my report of what took place?! Ridicules! Who do they think I am? A worthless kid with no skills or any endeavor at all??! I might not be as strong as Bruce, or as smart as Ibuki, or even as well-adapt as Akuma-Sensei, but I'm still-... I'm still part of Team 7!! They should treat me with some respect!
Throwing some rocks into a riverbed near the forest, Ikari seemed to be both pissed off and sad at the same time. Looking into the great currents in front of him, someone came up to him from behind.
Akuma: Ah, there you are, why did you run off like that??
Reaching up to him came Akuma, whom seemingly had to stop for a bit to catch his breath.
Ikari: Does it matter??
Akuma: *Pant, Pant* Yes of course, but-...
Ikari: And what's up with your breath anyways? Getting old or something?
Akuma: I'm fine, thanks for asking though, hah!
Ikari: Geez...
Akuma: You shouldn't take what Yoshi-San said too hard on yourself, it's not like he knows how it is to grow up without parents-...
Ikari: What has that to do with anything?! What I said, what I told you and them is not a lie! I don't understand why they didn't believe me, I-...
Akuma: Relax, I didn't say-...
Ikari: Fine, then don't bring it up again either...
Akuma: I won't.
Ikari: Alright then.
Akuma: ... If it counts for anything, I do believe you.
Ikari: Like he*k you do...
Akuma: Gwuhahaha, well it's up to you to believe my words or not, but if you don't think I believe you, you should at least believe that I do yourself before stating that I don't, haha...
Ikari: ...
Akuma: Anyways, Ibuki and Bruce should be heading out for their mission soon...
Ikari: Yeah, I suppose they should... I still don't get why I wasn't elected for this mission as well, it is almost like the Hokage and his adviser holds some grudge towards me... Not only did Ibuki get a chance to partake in the Chunin exam two years ago which she passed, but now, now Bruce is already a Jonin... It feels like I'm being held back for some reason, and I'm tired of it!! It's already been four year since I last got a chance at the Chunin exam when I was twelve, and I've come much further since then... It's not fair! I'm part of this team as well, but it seems like Bruce gets all the benefits because his father is the Hokage!
Throwing another rock into the river, Ikari watched as the rock skipped across the water, hitting a tree at the other side of it.
Akuma: Well, they only selected Chunin level and above for this mission, so you can't really blame-...
Ikari: Well I'm at their level, and I would easily been able to complete this mission!
Akuma: I'm sure you would, but everything in its time Ikari, the worst thing you can do is to stress, no good will come from it. Besides, I've already sign you up for the next Chunin exam coming this fall, so you should be covered... I'm sure the Hokage will allow it this time arou-...
Ikari: Heh, I even passed the two first stages of the exam last time, made it all the way to the semi-finals together with Bruce and I still wasn't elected. He too eventually lost, when he advanced to the final, but he was still promoted...
Akuma: You need to know that pure fighting skills isn't everything, just remember that... They don't promote everyone who passes the first two stages, and there were several others who didn't get promoted that time as well, including Ibuki...
Ikari: Still, if I only had passed, I could have been a Jonin by now, even Ibuki passed the Chunin exam before me when she partook two years ago... What exactly did I do wrong that both of them did right?
Akuma: You can't always understand a Kage's decision- right or wrong...
Laying his hand on Ikari's shoulder for a second, Akuma then turned around as he was about to take off.
Akuma: Anyways, I should get going back to the village... Want to tag along??
Ikari: Yeah, I suppo-...
?: Hey there!!
Akuma: !!
Ikari: A toad?...
[...]
*Knock, Knock*
Having just prepared herself for the day, Ibuki was just about to leave the house when someone knocked on the door. Going over to it as she opened it up, she was surprised to see Bruce standing on the other side of it.
Ibuki: Bruce?? What are you doing here, I thought-...
Bruce: Change of plans, the meeting has been pushed forward, my father wants us to leave for it now.
Ibuki: Now?! I thought we were suppose to leave tomorrow morning-...
Bruce: Well I don't make the plans, the Hokage does...
Ibuki: But Ikari and I was suppose to do something nice tonight, I-...
Bruce: There's no buts, we are going now, the Hokage's order... That is unless you don't want to come after all??
Ibuki: Of course I do, but...
Bruce: Can't you just leave a note or something??
Ibuki: ... Yeah I suppose, but-...
Bruce: Good, then it's settled. Enough with the buts already Ibuki, time to get ready.
Inba: Is-... Is th-e last member... Ready Bruce?
Bruce: Yes Inba-San, we should be ready to leave now.
Having gone to pick up Ibuki, Bruce had been escorted by the Hokage's other adviser whom had been called back from his assignment due to the pushing forward of the Kage-meeting. Being Yoshi's counterpart, Inba was a very nice and helpful guy, almost to such a degree that he didn't know how to say no. Due to this, he was almost more like a helper to the Hokage rather than an adviser, something in which Yoshi usually used to his advantage if the two of them disagreed on something, getting what he wanted more times than the other way around. In other words, Inba was too nice and often got screwed over because of it, both when it came to women and even his friends. However, being as passionate and kind as he was, he never complained about it, although he did sulk at times when no one was around. A very peculiar fellow he was that man.
Bruce: Ibuki, are you coming or not??
Ibuki: There, I'm ready.
Shutting the door behind her, Ibuki then quickly followed as the three of them headed towards the East gate of Konoha where the rest of the Hokage-convoy was already waiting for them.
[...]
As Ikari and Akuma were just about to leave, a small toad shot up from the river behind them where Ikari just recently had been skipping rocks, as he looked at the two of them with an energetic expression on his face.
Akuma: Ohhh, it sure is...
Ikari: Do you believe me now Sensei??
Akuma: I already said I did Ikari, but this does indeed make things interesting...
Toad: So, are you ready to go kid? The Great Toad Sage is waiting for you...
Ikari: Well yeah, if Naruto is ready, I am, but... Ibuki leaves tomorrow for the Kage-meeting with Bruce and the rest of the Hokage-convoy, we were supposed to do something nice together tonight...
Toad: Ibuki?? Never heard of anyone named that... Anyways, this opportunity is not to be missed kid, the chance won't come again...
Akuma: Once in a lifetime opportunity huh...
Ikari: I...
Akuma: I'm sure she'll understand, besides, the day is still young, you'll probably make it back before evening settles. And if not, I'll make sure to give her a heads-up.
Ikari: Right... Well then, shall we?
Toad: Great, then just hold on a second.
Licking his finger, the toad then spat up some oil as he started to draw a circle patterned symbol on the ground with it as Ikari and Akuma looked earnestly on what he was doing.
Toad: There... Now, just step into this circle with me and we're good to go. He'll be able to teleport us to Mt. Myobokuzan from within this symbol.
Ikari: Great.
Stepping into the circle with the toad, the two of them were just about to take off when Akuma spoke out.
Akuma: Wait...
Ikari: Huh??
Toad: ...
Akuma: You don't suppose it would be possible to bring one extra with you this time, do you?
Toad: One extra?
Ikari: Akuma-Sensei?
Toad: Oh... You want to come along? Well...
Pondering on the question for awhile, the Toad then rapidly made up his mind.
Toad: Okay, just don't try anything funny...
Calling Akuma into the circle as well, the three of them were gone in a flash, leaving only the oil pattern on the ground left behind.
[...]
Akuma: ?!
Ikari: Damn this teleportation technique is both fast and efficient!
Toad: We're here!
Naruto: Just on time as well...
Having been teleported to Mt. Myobokuzan by some sort of alternative form of the Flying Thunder God technique, the three of them were suddenly standing before Naruto in the old temple of the Great Toad Sage.
Akuma: You're-...?! So it's true after all...
Naruto: You're his Sensei I presume...
Akuma: That I am... And you are him, the one, aren't you?
Naruto: ...
Ikari: Okay now that I'm here, I'm ready to begin my training as planned!
Having an excited look on his face, Ikari couldn't wait to begin his training soon enough. Nodding back at him, Naruto seemed to be pleased as he looked over at the toad that brought them there as he took off and left the temple.
Naruto: So you're here...
Ikari: Huh??
Akuma: ...
Turning to the left, Ikari and Akuma realized what Naruto meant as both Fukasaku and Shima entered the temple.
Fukasaku: So they're already here I see...
Shima: Why wouldn't they be?? Naruto already planned for it...
Ikari: They??
Naruto: Yes...
Ikari: Okay... Well anyways, my training, when do we start?
Starting to get a bit impatient of all the waiting around, Ikari seemed more than ready to get his training going, and that fast.
Fukasaku: Relax kid, one thing at a time...
Shima: This training can't be rushed...
Naruto: Patience is the key to good health, and good health is the key to good and efficient training...
Ikari: Huh??
Naruto: We will commence your training in a bit, but first, over to something else...
Ikari: What?! What do you mean?? If you brought me here now, you better be ready for-...
Naruto: Before we begin, I would like to talk to your Sensei, now that he's here too.
Ikari: Say what?? He wasn't even suppose to come along, geez... Fine, I'll take a walk meanwhile...
Fukasaku: Actually, you are coming with us.
Ikari: Oh??
Shima: We might as well give you some background story on how it all works while you wait for the Great Toad Sage to be ready for you.
Calling him over, Ikari then went with Shima and Fukasaku as the three of them left the temple.
Naruto: Now... Akuma, was it?
Akuma: Yeah, so you know...
Naruto: ... There's more reasons to why you came here other than sightseeing... You bring a great concern with you...
Akuma: Yes... The Shinobi World Alliance... The most important day in the history of the Alliance since its establishment, will take place tomorrow... Three of the five big villages have been in a dispute with each other, almost being on the brink of war, and the Alliance is heavily influenced by their cooperation... If a war was to break out, the whole Alliance would crumble with it... Even if the Alliance has been stretched out to over 25 villages by now, only three other villages beside Konoha, Suna, Iwa, Kumo and Kiri can begin to measure themselves up to the five big in strength, size and power.
Naruto: ...
Akuma: About ten other villages have their own Kages, while the rest are either small towns with local leaders being elected every now and then with a time-period between three to five years or so, or villages that originally were part of another, breaking out to form their own solidarities...
Naruto: The once Joint Shinobi Alliance have indeed grown big then I see... But with it, new troubles have arrived...
Akuma: Indeed...
Shaking his head back and forth in disappointment, Naruto let out a big sigh while clutching his head as Akuma paid close attention to him.
Akuma: This is why I've come... Seeing this opportunity present itself, I figured that if you actually were still alive after all these years, the savior of the old, the mighty 6th Hokage of Konoha, you might have the answer to fix everything... There is only so much the Hokage can do, but if a war was to break out between Suna, Kiri and Iwa, I'm afraid he won't have any other choice...
Naruto: Than to pick a side...
Getting up from his chair, Naruto had a worried look on his now aged face. Having become immortal at the age of 72, his age and appearance had since then stopped changing, but even at over 160 years old, Naruto could still pull off a thing or two.
Naruto: Another war... All we fought for back then, what we established... The sacrifices that were made... Everything hangs in the balance, and I... I've still not yet fulfilled my purpose...
Akuma: What do you mean?
Naruto: Peace will never exist as long as people are not able to fully understand each other... The Sage of Six Paths once tried to connect everyone with his chakra, but that only lead to more hate and selfishness... I was suppose to find the key when the time was right, and now, 100s of years later, it has still not presented itself and a new war is about to break out...
Walking back and forth, even Naruto himself didn't seem to know what exactly to make out of it all and what do do with the current situation at hand.
Akuma: The Legendary Sage of Konoha, will you help??
Going down to one knee, Akuma seemed to know his bit of history as he plead Naruto for help. Almost remembering his old human self of the past, seeing his display, Naruto finally made up his mind.
Naruto: Perhaps... I should make a visit in person to the Kage-meeting finding place tomorrow... But I can't promise anything.
Akuma: Really??
Naruto: After all, I am the first and only Sekaiteki-Kage ever elected, perhaps it was time that I utilized that title...
Akuma: So you think that it will help?
Naruto: Like I said, I can't promise anything, but my appearance might cool things down... Last time I checked, being the Sekaiteki-Kage didn't come without its benefits. It's been too long since I last saw the world with my own eyes...
Akuma: Haha, well then, seems like you still have some sort of humor intact... I could reveal when and where the Kage-meeting will be taking place tomorrow if you'd like me to...
Naruto: That won't be necessary, I already know by talking to you...
Akuma: Hmm... Very well.
As their conversation came to a close, Ikari returned together with Fukasaku and Shima as he was pumped like never before.
Naruto: Fukasaku... Take Ikari through the first step of the training where the the great fire burns... Once he's entered through the first stage, I'll take over his training.
Fukasaku: Understood.
Ikari: Wait, so you're going to train me then??
Fukasaku: But of course, Shima and I are the two first teachers of Sennin Mode after all...
Ikari: Really now...
Fukasaku: Come now, no time to waste.
Taking off with Ikari further into the land of Mt. Myobokuzan, the two of them were gone as Naruto continued.
Naruto: For now, I will meditate. I have a feeling the future will be decided very soon... That will be all.
Shima: We'll take good care of Ikari, don't you worry.
Akuma: Right then, I'll be heading back to Konoha in the meantime.
Clapping his hands together, Naruto then laid his right arm on Akuma's head as Akuma was gone in a flash.
Shima: Still as efficient as always... I'll go and prepare something for that kid to eat once today's training is over.
Naruto: ...
Leaving the temple, Shima then headed back outside as Naruto began his meditation.
[...]
Bruce: Not long left now before we reach Kumo... Ibuki, are you following??
Ibuki: Yeah, I-... I'm right behind you.
Jin: Bruce! Come over here for a second...
Having almost reached Kumo for the meeting, the Hokage's convoy was heavily guarded by at least three dozen shinobi, two of them including Bruce and Ibuki whom had been elected personally by the Hokage himself to join his convoy. Calling his son over to the wagon, Jin whispered some words into his ears as Bruce nodded firmly at his command. Returning back to Ibuki's side, Bruce then began to lay out the details of what his father had told him.
Ibuki: What was all that about??
Bruce: Even if we're going to this meeting as part of this Alliance, we have to keep both eyes and ears open for anything suspicious...
Ibuki: Okay, I got it...
Coming out of a vast forest, the Hokage's convoy found themselves at the border of Kumogakure as the Village Hidden in the Clouds could be seen on the horizon...
Bruce: Almost there...
[...]
Ikari: What do you mean almost there?
Fukasaku: There, the shrine where the everlasting fire burns...
Having arrived at the training-ground, Fukasaku sat down by a pond with a great fire burning on top of a pillar above it. Coming over to him, Ikari just admired the environment around him as he looked taken back by its greatness.
Fukasaku: Impressive huh... So, are you ready for your training to begin??
Ikari: As ready as I can get...
Beginning to go through the initial steps, Fukasaku started to explain how Natural Energy worked and how Ikari would be able to absorb it... After about six hours or so, the two of them headed back down to where Fukasaku and Shima lived as Ikari had a tired look on his face, having trained all day. The sun had begun to settle as the two of them entered the house. On the table in front of them, the dinner was already served as Ikari was starving from the long day of hard work...
Ikari: Oh!!!
Running to the table, Ikari was about to dig in when he realized it was no ordinary food before him.
Ikari: Ehhh?! What exactly is this?!
Taking a spoon of the hot soup, Ikari didn't know whether to swallow it down or spit it all out.
Shima: My special bug soup of course!
Fukasaku: My favorite!
Ikari: Ugh...
Swallowing the mouthful, Ikari could do nothing else than to force it down. It was either that or go to bed starving, after all. As he forced spoon after spoon down, Ikari then realized something as he looked out the window.
Ikari: ?!
Shima: Something wrong kid??
Ikari: Shit!! What time is it?!
Fukasaku: Well, by time it is hard to say, we don't exactly operate by time here, but I would say that it's getting late... Why??
Ikari: Ibuki!! She's leaving tomorrow, we were suppose to...
Shima: ...
Knowing there was no chance he would make it back in time, Ikari almost loathed himself for forgetting about her once again...
Fukasaku: You can't leave here when you just came... If you're going to finish your training, you would have to be here for a couple of days at least first to grasp the initial steps of it...
Ikari: A couple of days?! Damn...
Shima: What, you thought you would finish Sennin training in one day kid? Hahaha, it's harder than what you think apparently...
Ikari: Ibuki...
Fukasaku: Don't you worry though, I'm sure your Sensei will give her a heads-up on your situation.
Ikari: I suppose...
As the day came to an end and a new one began, Ikari and Fukasaku had already ventured up to the great fire once more as the training had recommenced. Over in Kumo, something far more serious was about to begin.
Ibuki: Your father will be able to calm things down, right Bruce? If a war was to break out, I-...
Bruce: Don't worry... Even though my father is a cautious man, he'll know what to do if the situation requires it. He's the 10th Hokage of Konoha after all!
Inba: I'm sure Jin and the Raikage will be able to help sort out this mess, isn't that right Yoshi?
Yoshi: I suppose...
Having arrived at the meeting, both Bruce, Ibuki, Yoshi and Inba had found their seats in a big room filled with chairs, with a round-table in the middle of it which had five spots available for the five-big village Kages. The rest of the Kages and village leaders in the alliance were seated row by row facing the round-table, with the stronger villages' representatives in the front and the Kages and the leaders from the weaker villages of the alliance behind them. The bodyguards and the advisers were seated all the way in the back of the room. Much had changed indeed since the establishment of the Shinobi World Alliance all those years ago...
Raikage: Glad you all could make it. Jin, Kaito, Utakata, Hanzo... As well as all of you other leaders here today.
Nodding respectfully to the other Kages and village leaders, the Raikage then sat down in his designated chair, being joined by the Hokage, the Kazekage, the Mizukage and the Tsuchikage at the round-table.
Jin: Yes, hopefully we can find a way to sort this out Reiji...
Kazekage: It's not like I had a choice, but-...
Mizukage: Geez, how else would we be able to fix this Kaito?
Kaito: Humph... I wasn't done talking, Utakata...
Tsuchikage: Let's keep the tone at a minimum, unless we don't want to come to an agreement here today...
Kaito: Geez, yeah, yeah, I agree...
Tsuchikage: So Utakata, have you thought more on what we discussed earlier?
Looking over at the Mizukage, the Tsuchikage had a stern look on his face.
Utakata: Yes I have, Hanzo...
Hanzo: And?
Utakata: That's why I'm here, isn't it?
Having seated themselves around the table, the meeting was about to begin as the Hoshikage from the Hidden Star Village, the Kusakage from the Hidden Grass village, as well as some others, including the Hidden Rain Village, the Hidden Sound Village, the Hidden Snow Village and so forth, were seated on the first row facing the table. Having a serious look on his face, the Raikage was hoping to let this meeting be the turning stone, and the end to all the arguing.
Hanzo: Well I hope you have a real answer for your actions this time, or we won't get anywhere with this meeting.
Kaito: I agree with you Hanzo, for once...
Utakata: ...
Kaito, the 9th Kazekage of Sunagakure, had a very stressed look on his face, knowing very well that he had to find a way to make an agreement of contract renewal with Hanzo and Iwa come through, that was his main concern after all. Well, beside trying to avoid a war from breaking out that is. The thing was that Suna was dependent on Iwa for monthly supplies of resources for the village to go around due to it being located in the middle of a wasteland covered by desert from all sides. And without them, they were in a tight spot.
Hanzo, the 12th Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, had pressed himself and his village into a corner as he knew that if he would agree to the contract and the conditions that had been put forth by the Kazekage, he wouldn't only undermine his own power, but his village's power as well. The reason behind the sudden refusal was that Iwa had a small isle located in the Water Country that had belonged to them ever since the 2nd Great Shinobi War, where in the aftermath that followed, Kiri gave Iwa the isle as a part of the truce they agreed upon, and it was this isle that Iwa received their resources that they sent to Suna from. However, not long ago the isle had suddenly been taken back by Kiri in the middle of the night, dishonoring and breaking the code of peace which the Shinobi World Alliance stood for, resulting in most of the Kages and the other village leaders seeing it as an act of war. It was a tough situation to begin with, and to make things even worse, Hanzo had almost responded to the situation and gone to war with Kiri as he meant that it was a clear violation of the contract by Utakata, that the Alliance had agreed upon. The only thing that held him back was that no lives were lost in the brief encounter, as well as several urges from his own advisers and the other Kages to hold back- at least until they had tried to solve the situation peacefully at a Kage-meeting.
Utakata, the 11th Mizukage of Kirigakure, was usually a calm and respected man, but due to his actions, every eyes in the room laid upon him, watching his movements closely. It wasn't that he suddenly had an urge for war or had some twisted mind of world domination, but rather that he too actually had a good reason for taking the isle, and it was the fact that a vital missing cargo with building-materials that was suppose to be delivered to them by Suna, had gone missing. Suna and Kaito claimed to have delivered it, stating that Kiri had got greedy and power-hungry demanding more, while Utakata and Kiri on the other hand, firmly disagreed, blaming Suna for trying to hold back resources that they absolutely needed. The reason to why Kiri needed the materials was due to the harsh spring weather storms that roamed the Water Country in the first months of the year. No one actually knew where the cargo went or where it was currently located, but nonetheless, it was a crucial item in solving the whole situation, avoiding future dispute and stopping a war from breaking out. In worse case scenario, it would affect the whole Alliance and shake it to its funding core. In order to make up for the lacking supplies, Utakata saw no other option than taking the isle after getting several rejections for support from the other villages in the Alliance close to Kiri. To make things clear, Suna was mad at Iwa for not giving them supplies, Iwa blamed Kiri for committing an act of war, and Kiri blamed Suna for holding back resources they needed. It was a heated three-way in which none would be the first to admit their lack of understanding each others' concerns and problems, and the rest of the Kages and the village leaders could only hope for the three of them to find a way out of the tunnel and into the light.
All this lead Reiji, the 10th Raikage of Kumogakure, to do all he could to calm things down, and therefore he saw no other options than to call in a meeting in Kumo, but like Jin, he basically had no clue how to fix the situation at hand.
[...]
Down at the temple, Naruto had finished his meditation as he rose from his chair and was gone in a flash. Reappearing just beside Ikari and Fukasaku, Ikari almost fell on his back in shock, as Naruto spoke to them.
Naruto: It is time... That will be all for now Fukasaku.
Fukasaku: Roger...
Taking off, Fukasaku skipped across the ground as he disappeared between some trees and was gone before Ikari managed to say a thing.
Ikari: Wait, where is he-...
Naruto: Let's go kid, there's no time to lose. I sense a great urgency that needs to be dealt with fast.
Ikari: A great urgen-...
Naruto: If we delay any longer, the world will be in great danger.
Ikari: What?!
Naruto: No time to explain, off we go.
Grabbing a hold onto him, the two of them were gone.
[...]
Hoshikage: Hey, hey, you guys shouldn't be so blunt, there has to be a way sorting this out-...
Utakata: And who said you had any say in this Hoshikage?! Your village isn't even part of the five heads of this Alliance, and therefore, you have no power, and no say in this matter to begin with! This situation does not concern you!
Hanzo: Hah! This is why-...
Utakata: Why what?!
Hanzo: This is why there's no working around your problems! You've been hungry for war the whole time!
Utakata: What did you say to me?! It's your damn fault for not wanting to agree on the damn contract renewal put forth by Kaito, and Kaito's damn fault for apparently sending our cargo into no-man's land!
Kaito: Our fault?!
Hanzo: If you hadn't taken our isle, there wouldn't be an argument to begin with!
Kaito: Don't you dare say our villages are solely responsible for this mess! If it hadn't been for Hanzo's stubbornness and your obliviousness, we would have solved this already!
Hanzo: What?! Those ridicules claims of yours... We will never agree to such a thing with the current situation at hand! And you Utakata, I refuse to believe that you, a man once highly respected in this Alliance, would risk a war by taking our isle by force, just because you lacked resources!
Reiji: Shut it!! All three of you! At this rate, we'll never be able to sort this problem out...
Jin: Reiji is right, we wouldn't want a war to break out after-...
Utakata: No Hokage-Sama, you two shut it! This obviously can't be sorted out by negotiation!
Kaito: As the leader of Sunagakure, I won't stand for this crap any longer... If the Mizukage and the Tsuchikage can't decide whether to work this out, I don't see no other choice than to pull my village out of this Alliance...
Jin: Wait, what?! You can't do that! That's the last thing we need right now!
As the Shinobi World Alliance meeting had gone off to a heated argument right off the bat, they were not getting any closer to sorting the problem out. Some of the Kages and the Leaders from the other small villages, like the Hidden Grass, were too scared to act or to say their own opinions. After all, if they were to side with any of the three main villages in the dispute, a war would surely be on the brink of breaking out.
Kusakage: I think-... No, I don't want to take any sides here... You guys shouldn't lash out on each other like that... Like the Hoshikage said, there has to be a way-...
Utakata: And you... Why would you even bother adding your opinions here? You have nothing to do with this, and I simply can't care what a leader of your reputation has to say! You can't even speak plainly!
Kusakage: What-...
Hoshikage: Hey, calm down, are you really that hot-blooded?!
Hanzo: I hate to say it, but you really are the trouble-maker here Mizukage-Sama, if you could just calm down.
Kaito: Yeah, you need to calm the fu*k down!
Utakata: Shut it! This is between Hanzo and myself, I don't even begin to understand your problem-...
Kaito: Like I said, you really are blind to your own mistakes...
Utakata: This is utterly stupid... I don't even see why I bothered to come here! Rei, Zise, let's go.
Getting up from his chair, the Mizukage signaled his two advisers to come along as he was just about to leave the meeting.
Hanzo: I knew it, run with your tail between your legs, oh great Mizukage-Sama, but I assure you, this is not over yet... Fu*k, that's it, I've had enough as well, there's no sense around here to go on... If we're all going to act like children, I might as well go before things get ugly. Out of respect to the founders of this Alliance, I will not make a scene here...
Also getting up from his chair, the Tsuchikage also headed for an exit point with his advisers.
Reiji: Wait just a minute, you can't leave before the matter is settled!
Jin: He's right! You can't-...
Kaito: Oh let them go... They were always too afraid to do what needs to be done... They're cowards, both of them... If they don't want to stick around to fix their problem, I don't see why we should care... Let them have their war, let's see if Utakata is as strong as he claims to b-...
Continuing to bad-mouth their way, the Kazekage seemed to be so full of himself that he didn't notice that the Mizukage had turned around as a huge Water Dragon came flying towards him.
Everyone: !!
Kaito: ?!
Just barely managing to dodge to the side, the seat in which he was seated, got completely crushed by the heavy wave as the rest stood speechless, ready to act.
Kaito: You dare attack me?!
Utakata: I won't miss next time... Don't say I didn't warn you.
Turning his back on the room again, he then continued on his path only to get the Kazekage still screaming at him.
Reiji: Enough already!!
Kaito: There won't be a next time!
Utakata: !!
Sending off an attack of his own the Mizukage's way, the Mizukage could only answer with a new attack as the two techniques clashed in the middle of the room. Seeing this, the Tsuchikage also turned around as he tried to join the fray, trying to separate the two of them. As the attack came to an end, the two of them were about to clash in person as the Tsuchikage jumped in between. Seeing this, the Hokage and the Raikage ran over to the two as they tried holding them back from each other.
Utakata: Let go of me or you will answer to my rage as well!
Kaito: I'm not the one you should hold back, he's the crazy one!
Jin: Will you two stop it!!
Reiji: Guards!!
Breaking free from the Hokage's grasp, the Kazekage went for the Mizukage once more as the Tsuchikage was pushed back. Just as he was about to reach his goal however, a sudden and strange airborne substance filled the air, in the shape of tiny bubbles. Before anyone managed to think or react, it was as if time stopped still. Being frozen on the spots they were standing on, the five of them had no clue what the hell happened. The rest of the village leaders got up to their feet as well, amazed by what were taking place before them.
Jin: !!
Reiji: What the-...
Kaito: What on earth is this technique?! I can't move a muscle...
Utakata: ...
Hanzo: There can't be anyone here with such a power...
Hoshikage: I didn't do anything...
Kusakage: Neither did I?...
Puzzled on the occurrence happening before them, none of them knew what to do as the five big heads of the Alliance had been rendered immobile.
?: That would be me...
Everyone: ?!
?: It saddens me to witness what this Alliance has turned into, sigh... To see what it was funded upon being ground in the mud like this. I had a feeling it was bad, but this is just...
Reiji: Who the hell are you?!
Barely being able to turn their heads to the side, the five of them, together with the rest in the room, saw a strange figure standing by one of the exits. Beside him, another smaller figure stood.
Ibuki: Ikari??
Immediately recognizing him, Ibuki ran over to him from the back, followed by Bruce, as she grasped him hard.
Ibuki: What are you doing here?! Who's this guy?
Ikari: That would be... The Legendary Sage of Konoha.
Reiji: Huh??
Utakata: The Legendary who?
Hanzo: Never heard of him...
Kaito: What have you done to us?! What is this technique?! Just who are you??!
Naruto: ...
Jin: It can't be...
Hoshikage: Can anyone tell me who this guy is?
Kusakage: Who exactly are you?!
Reiji: You dare interrupt our meeting and attack us like this?!
Naruto: Sigh... One question at a time... Now, this is not an attack, what you were displaying earlier... Now that was an attack... An attack on your forefathers' legacy... The founding bricks of this Alliance...
Kaito: What are you babbling about?!
Bruce: Ikari, is this a friend or a foe?
Ikari: He's one of the good guys, trust me on that one.
Not really knowing whether to stay back or go full-out-attack, most of the other Kages and the village Leaders stood idle by, being the only ones to be able to move their bodies freely amongst them.
Utakata: Just what exactly are you guys doing?! Don't just stand there, attack him! He's an enemy, infiltrating our meeting!
Hanzo: Damn you easily blame others being the enemies of this Alliance, when you yourself have been on the brink of starting a war...
Naruto: Relax, I come in peace...
Kaito: In peace?! Then what do you call this??!
Naruto: Sigh... Someone had to stop you from destroying each other...
Reiji: If you speak the truth, then let us out of this dreadful technique...
Naruto: Fine...
Clapping his hands together, the five Kages were suddenly able to move freely again, but as they were, it did not take long before both Kaito, Utakata and Hanzo went for him with each their attacks.
Jin: ?! What are you guys doing!! My son is in the line of fire!!
Reiji: This place is too small for an all out battle!!
Ikari: Ibuki, watch out!!
Ibuki: ?!
Bruce: !!
Naruto: ...
As each of the attacks came closer to them, they suddenly began to diminish as they all disappeared in thin air before them, just a few feet away from where Bruce and Ikari were standing, as they had gone in front to protect Ibuki, much to Jin's relief. The Kages and the Village Leaders stood shocked, not knowing what exactly happened to the three attacks, as Bruce and Ikari turned around, as if stating that they weren't the ones to stop them.
Naruto: I'm not here for war!!
Shouting out, Naruto's eyes came into view behind his hair, revealing his Rinnegan as the Staff of Fortune and Destiny formed in his hand, slamming it hard into the ground, causing the whole room to shake violently.
Kaito: The Rinnegan?!
Hanzo: How is that even possible?! The last known person to possess the Rinnegan was one of the 8th Hokage's children, and he died a few years ago...
Ikari: ...
Utakata: Are you a ghost from the past?!
Kaito: Doesn't matter, nobody attacks me like that and gets away with it!
Using his raw speed, Kaito suddenly stood by Naruto's side as he launched a straight punch his way. Easily being able to dodge it, Naruto didn't seem to have much trouble as Utakata also joined in from the other side, pushing Bruce, Ikari and Ibuki away, out of the danger zone. Falling on their backs, the three of them watched as he also threw a punch Naruto's way, only to get the same result. Looking over at Kaito, the two of them suddenly seemed to work together as Naruto was dodging between their attacks, jumping away from them to gain some distance, only to land on the ground again with Hanzo standing right behind him.
Naruto: ...
Connecting his punch, it seemed as Hanzo had made a clean strike, but to his surprise, his punch went straight into some sort of force-field as he got knocked back by some sort of recoil. Quickly getting up at his feet again, he was just about to prepare an attack as a Water Dragon and a large pile of sand flew from the Kazekage and the Mizukage, heading straight for Naruto. Seemingly getting tired of the situation at hand, Naruto's whole body suddenly beamed up as his fully evolved Bijou Mode started to take form. This time around it wasn't as big and violent as in the past, but more compressed and defense based. Taking the attacks head on, Naruto stood with both his arms crossed together inside his chakra shield as the two attacks slowly began to get sucked into his Bijou Mode. As the attacks came to a disappointing end, Naruto suddenly vanished, only to reappear on top of one of the pillars in the room. Once there, he slowly sat down, leaning his head towards the palm of his right hand.
Naruto: Not bad... Not bad at all I suppose...
Ikari: Amazing!!
Hanzo: He teleported?!
Kaito: None of our attacks are working?!
Utakata: *Pant, Pant* Such reflexes and maneuvering for a guy this old...
Hanzo: He's not even responding to our offensive, is he playing with us??
As Kaito and Utakata walked up to Hanzo, the three of them stared at Naruto, not really sure what to do next. As they were looking at him, Naruto suddenly disappeared once more, only this time, he reappeared between Hanzo and Utakata as he gently laid his hands on their shoulders.
Utakata: ?!
Hanzo: !!
Naruto: You know, there's something not quite right here, is there...
Utakata: Beside us?!
Hanzo: What are you doing??!
Letting go of them, Naruto then went over to Ikari, Bruce and Ibuki as he helped the three of them up to their feet again.
Kaito: He has some sort of teleportation technique, could it be...
Hanzo: Why didn't he do anything??
Utakata: Just who is this guy...
Reiji: Sigh...
Jin: ...Can't you guys see??
Stepping in between the two groups, Jin then started to address the rest.
Jin: Don't you guys know any bit of history?! Ikari, I'm sorry I didn't believe you earlier, you were right after all... I had my doubts, but I would never have believed that he was still alive after all these years!
Ikari: ...
Reiji: What do you mean??
Jin: This is not just some powerful old man, this is the 6th Hokage of Konoha, Uzumaki Naruto himself...
Kaito: Huh?!
Hanzo: Hahahahaha... Yeah, that's not really funny at all... Well you are joking, right?
Jin: I'm afraid not...
Utakata: The 6th Hokage of Konoha? Like, the one and only??
Reiji: So the legend is true...
Kaito: But, but... He would be over 100 or so years old!!
Looking at each other, not knowing just what to say, or what to do, the people in the room stood speechless, anticipating what to come. Stepping down from the back of the room came Inba and Yoshi, as the two of them went up to Jin.
Yoshi: So you were right Ikari... I'm sorry I jumped the gun on you.
Inba: So what does all this mean? Why have you come here? Why now? And where have you been all these years?
Bruce: How are you even alive??
Ibuki: He's way too... His chakra, it feels so strange...
Bruce: What do you mean?
Ibuki: I can't sense a clear chakra in him anymore, like it's divided up in eleven parts, and only one being his own...
Being a sensor type, Ibuki felt a strange vibe coming from Naruto. Not only was his way of talking strange, but his aura, his presence, it felt so powerful she had no idea how to determined what to believe.
Ibuki: Is he even human anymore?
Ikari: Okay enough chit-chat, we do got more important things at hand, right?
Kaito: Well...
Ikari: Right?!
Reiji: I don't know who this kid is, but he's right... This does not change a thing unless we all can come to an agreement... If the legend of the old is as accurate as I'm lead to believe, maybe you have some answers... After all, there must be a reason to why you've come to this meeting, Sekaitekikage-Sama...
Nodding respectfully before him, Reiji was quickly followed by Jin and some others as Kaito was still scratching his head.
Kaito: Sekaiteki-Kage??...
Jin: Long time ago, after the 5th Great Shinobi War ended and the Bijou were all sealed into him, peace grew throughout the land. The man standing before you is the only one in the history of the Shinobi World Alliance to be elected Sekaiteki-Kage, meaning he was the leader of this Alliance back then. A Global-Shadow in other words...
Utakata: Hmm... This Alliance had one Kage elected as the leader, ruling over the other Kages before? Can't remember hearing about that... Why come there never was a second one in line??
Hanzo: Well, if you are some sort of a Demi-God like the legends claims, you must have a good reason to show up here.
Naruto: ...
Hanzo: Right?
Looking over at him patiently, everyone was as if expecting an answer. Silence filled the room as the wild wind could be heard blowing outside. After a few seconds, Naruto finally spoke out.
Naruto: For each question you ask, you get one in return. For each answer, an answer...
Jin: ...
Naruto: This Alliance... In one minute, it is about to break up and a war between the Mizukage, the Kazekage and the Tsuchikage is about to begin over something that easily could be sorted out, then in the next minute, once what is deemed as a greater threat appears, you all work together perfectly like you grew up together...
Reiji: ...
Naruto: Why is that?
Kaito: I...
Utakata: Well I-...
Hanzo: ...
Naruto: The answer is simple... But I'm not here to answer my own questions, I'm here to help you see those answers for yourself. This Alliance is more than just a mean to maintain peace and work together against a greater threat. It is a medium used to bring out an example of how everyone can live side by side, without pain and suffering...
Jin: ...
Naruto: Blame...
Kaito: ...
Naruto: Desperation...
Utakata: ...
Naruto: Anger...
Hanzo: ...
Naruto: To work together, you need to understand one another, to understand each others' problems, but also to understand each others' success...
Bruce: What is he talking about?
Ikari: Just pay attention...
Naruto: Not only in the time of great need, but also in time of joy. If you can't find a way to understand each other, how are you suppose to solve your problems?
Stumped by Naruto's wise words, the three involved in the dispute were still a bit puzzled on what all this meant. Realizing that there could always be a way to work things out without the use of force, Utakata suddenly went down to his knees in front of the rest.
Utakata: Tsuchikage-Sama, please forgive my rash decisions and ruthless ways... I hope we can avoid further troubles...
Hanzo: Utakata...
Utakata: Sorry I attacked you earlier Kazekage-Sama, I shouldn't have-...
Kaito: No worries...
Grabbing a hold onto his arm, Kaito helped Utakata back up on his feet as Naruto continued.
Naruto: But to be able to understand each other is not only about admitting your own mistakes, but about working towards a solution, benefiting everyone. Only time will tell if there is hope for the future, and the future is dark indeed... We are all different, but in the end, we are all the same...
Jin: What do you mean the future is dark??
Naruto: Use this Alliance's strengths, reinforce its weaknesses, work together, and above all else...
Reiji: ...
Naruto: Never take each others' feelings for granted. If you can't begin to understand one another, you will never be able to maintain peace.
Finishing his speech, Naruto then walked over to Ikari, laying his hand on his right shoulder.
Naruto: I will call for you when the time is right, until then.
Ikari: Wait, are you-...
And just like all the times before, Naruto was gone in a flash.
Ikari: He's gone...
Jin: So what are your answers?
Looking over at Kaito, Hanzo and Utakata, it finally seemed as if they had made up their minds to cooperate again.
Kaito: I suppose we can work our problems out in a better way.
Utakata: I'll listen to your solutions, as I'm sure now that we can come to an agreement without further dispute.
Hanzo: Yes... Alone we're weak, together we're strong. A good lesson has been taught today, and we should lead as an example to strengthen that ideal.
Reaching their hands out, the three of them nodded at each other as they all sat down again, ready to come to an agreement benefiting them all when a Kumo guard suddenly came running inside the room with an urgent report.
Guard: Raikage-Sama, Raikage-Sama!! It's very bad!!
Everyone: ?!
Reiji: What, what is it?!
Guard: A large force counting over 30 000 shinobi has crossed our North boarder and passed through the four Volcanoes of Great Eruptions! They've burned down several towns on their way over here!
Reiji: What?!
Jin: !!
Kaito: What did you say?!
Utakata: Who would attack us out of the blue like that?? Our Alliance is the only known force in the world with such numbers?!
Hanzo: Is this what he meant by dark times?
Jin: Reiji, we need to respond to this threat!
Reiji: Right, Hori, sound the alarm!
Signaling the guard to sound the alarm, he was out the door before anyone managed to stand up from their chairs.
Hoshikage: If we're going to have a war on our hands, we'll need every man we can get.
Kusakage: Relax Isuke, there's no way a force of 30 000 will be able to match our number of 245 000 shinobi. They will surely retreat once they see our forces.
Isuke: That's not what I'm worried about Nagashi, where does 30 000 shinobi come from, and why would they attack all of a sudden?
Nagashi: Doesn't matter, we will show our might, that should teach them.
Isuke: Still, it's going to take some time to muster all our forces!
Reiji: They must have been beyond our radar for a long time, growing in the shadows, waiting for their time to strike. Due to the dispute between you three, they must have seen this as the perfect time.
Jin: The only thing laying beyond the North boarder of Kumo is the Unknown Realms... If I'm not mistaken, that should be beyond the Great Sea, where our Alliance have no roots... They must have come by ships to get here... I've only heard stories of that place existing, we don't even know what we're dealing with.
Kaito: Reiji, how long will it take to muster our forces, how many shinobi do we have stationed here in Kumo as we speak?
Reiji: About 50 000...
Utakata: Then we got no time to lose, we should head out now to face them! Let the rest join us as soon as they get here!
Hanzo: Wait, we need to plan this first, rushing out to battle will only lead to total bloodshed.
Jin: What do you suggest?
Laying out his plan, the Allied forces began to prepare for battle as the two forces met on a large battlefield with huge mountains covering them up from all sides. Having no intentions to go into hiding, Ikari, Bruce and Ibuki were also among the ranks, lead by the Hokage's squadron.
Jin: Squadron 3, attack!
Signaling his forces to attack, the two forces clashed in what seemed to be a battle without mercy. Three whole days passed as the enemy forces slowly began to fall, leaving only a small group left. Up on a hill, Jin was seen fighting what seemed to be the leader of the group as he was backed up by Bruce, Inba and Yoshi at his sides. Little further down the hill, Ikari and Ibuki were fighting side by side as the two of them were exhausted.
Ibuki: There's no end to them! Ikari, I can't hold on much further...
Ikari: Just a little longer, until the Raikage's squadron arrives for the counter-attack!
Being desperate for backup, the two of them could only hold on as more allies from further down the hill approached them.
Ikari: Where the hell is Akuma-Sensei anyways?
Ibuki: Ikari, watch out!
Just barely managing to push him aside from an incoming Flame Bullet, the two of them rolled down the hill, only to crash into the allies standing further down. Looking up, Ikari saw the warm sun settling, just barely visible from behind the top as he saw Jin, Bruce, Inba and Yoshi fighting a large man with heavily armor there. The red light from the sunset almost blinded him, but it did not stop him from pushing himself to his limits.
Ikari: Look, up there, that's Bruce and our Hokage!
Ibuki: !!
Forcing himself up, Ikari told Ibuki to take a rest as he took a few other shinobi with him, charging up the hill as they clashed head to head with some enemies. Despite being a Genin, Ikari still had this sense of leadership around him as the ones fighting alongside him were all Chunins, but they were not questioning his call for support for even a second. Just as Ikari was about to finish his opposition off, he was suddenly warped onto a cold stone floor, landing face first.
Ikari: !! What the...
Looking around, Ikari spotted a man standing before him, not too far ahead with his back turned towards him. Standing by a waterfall, only the silhouette of the man was seen.
Ikari: Did I just teleport some place?!
Struggling to regain his breath, Ikari forced himself up to his feet as he approached the man, quickly realizing that it was Naruto standing there.
Naruto: The Waterfall of Self-Reflecting Soul Determination.
Ikari: What are you doing, what have you done?! I was in the middle of a battle! Where have you been, why didn't you help us-...
Naruto: I know what you've been through...
Ikari: You knew?! Why didn't you help out?!
Naruto: Fukasaku asked me the same question... If it was a wise move to let the Alliance fend for itself...
Ikari: *Pant, Pant* And??...
Naruto: They need to learn to work together as allies if they are ever going to seek true understanding... If I was to help out, they would have learned nothing and we would be back to square one. It's not my decision to play with the fates and destinies of others, even if I can, or perhaps even if I should, I can only lead them towards the right direction, not do it for them...
Ikari: Can you speak plainly for once!! Why... *Huff, Huff* Am I even here then?!
Naruto: Come here for a second and look into this waterfall...
Ikari: I don't have time to look into no damn waterfall! I need to get back, back to Ibuki, back to the fight!
Naruto: I need to tell you something... Something in private. Something I couldn't tell the others... At least not yet...
Ikari: What exactly?! Can't it wait?!
Naruto: But first, take a look... What do you see?
Ikari: Damn it!
Hurrying over to the waterfall streaming down in front of him, Ikari seemed so stressed he couldn't bother to refuse any longer, as he looked deep into its clear water.
Ikari: I...
It was as if he was caught in his own reflection as he saw flames blazing, earth cracking, swords clashing, dead bodies on the ground, friendship, rivalry, love, life, hatred, bonds, pain, leadership, sacrifice, death... A lot of small images beamed fast by in the reflection before him as Naruto grabbed a hold onto his shoulder, breaking his trance.
Ikari: !!
Not knowing what he saw, Ikari began to sweat as his breath was rapidly increasing. It was as if he saw into the future, but at the same time into the past.
Ikari: What did I... What is this...
Naruto: The Waterfall of Self-Reflecting Soul Determination is a tool, a way to look at your own destiny, your own soul...
Ikari: But I could only see pain and suffering...
Naruto: It wasn't the only thing you saw, was it?
Ikari: Well...
Naruto: What you saw... All images are connected to the fate of this world... It is as I expected... You are indeed the next one in line...
Ikari: The next one in line?? What do you mean by the next one in line?!
Naruto: There is a never-ending curse placed upon this land, a curse even I don't know when will be lifted or even how... I believe that you are the next reincarnation of the Sage's Will and Body, the next one after me... The Sage of Six Paths created a curse, a curse that was carried on by his two sons... Then later by Hashirama and Madara, Sasuke and myself... No matter how it ends, the curse will always resurface, resurrect... Your counter-part has yet to be revealed, but in the not too distant future, you will meet. Much will rest on your shoulders, and you need to be prepared for it... Prepared with proper training, training that will take a lot of time to complete, but that will help you become the man you need to be...
Ikari: What do you mean?
Naruto: The training you've started, is much more than just becoming a Toad Sage and learning Sennin Mode... It will take time and it can only be completed here on Mt. Myobokuzan... This means that you will have to make a choice...
Ikari: ...
Naruto: You will have to leave Konoha for at least a year, perhaps even more...
Ikari: ...Well all that can wait for now! Right now, I need to get back to my friends out on the battlefield, I need to help out!
Naruto: Yes... I agree...
Ikari: ?!
In what seemed like a blink of the eye, Ikari found himself on the battlefield once more as he looked up at the hill where Jin and the rest fought. The enemy commander was laying on the ground as Jin stood over him, ready to finish him off.
Bruce: What are you waiting for dad, let's end this!
?: Ugh... A great storm of pain and death is coming, *Hark*... If you don't even have the balls to finish this, you won't stand a chance when the real fight begins... Gwuhahahaha-...Ukg-...
Jin: ...
Standing over him, Jin watched as Bruce approached the man and finished him off with a quick stab of his kunai. Blood gushed out of his mouth as he died on the spot, unable to finish his evil laugh. Stepping off from his body, Jin signaled Yoshi and Inba with a nod, as the two of them came over to him.
Jin: It's over... At least for now...
Yoshi: A great storm huh...
Inba: Well we need to prepare then... We should build up our defense with everything we got.
Bruce: Agreed.
Gathering the remaining allied shinobi, the squadrons of the Hokage and the Raikage met up as Jin and Reiji had a brief talk. Not long after, the Big-Five village Kages met up on the battlefield as they were joined by the remaining Kages and Leaders from the other villages in the Alliance as well. Finally being able to locate Ibuki, Ikari hugged her tightly as they all discussed how to handle the situation at hand. All in all, 25 300 allied shinobi and 29 701 enemy shinobi were killed and 299 captured alive in the battle of the Fiery Red Mountains.
[...]
As the battle had come to an end and the respectively Kages and village Leaders had gone back to their villages after having decided what to do with the situation at hand, the next coming days had been quiet, almost too quiet for most people.
Ibuki: Are you really sure about this Ikari??
Ikari: Yes... I have to Ibuki, there's no other way.
Having returned to Konoha, the two of them had escaped with only a few bruises as they had sat down on a bench beneath a roof as the rain was pouring from the skies outside. Having a determined, yet sad look on his face, Ikari had taken Ibuki to some place quiet to tell her the news that he had to undergo training in the mountains of Myobokuzan, and that he had no idea how long it would take for him to complete his training and return to Konoha, to her... Telling her that he had to fulfill his destiny was almost too strange for himself to believe in, but after the last week and the different events occurring, nothing was strange anymore, at least not by his own perspective.
Ikari: This will not be the end of our relationship, of us... I promise you, I will be back as fast as I can.
Ibuki: I understand... If this is something you feel you must do, then you'll have my support, however, I only wish we could-...
Ikari: ...
Ibuki: Just plea-se, take-... Take care Ikari... I love you, I always will, I-...
Ikari: Try not to be sad Ibuki, it hurts me to see you like this... I-... I love you too with all my heart okay, and our future will have much in store for us, I just know it. Be safe Ibuki, I will be back before you know it...
Not really feeling like she was in a position to stop him from leaving even though she wanted to, Ibuki had a worried and heavy look on her face. Wiping a tear from her chin, Ikari gave her a kiss and then a firm hug as he stood up to his feet. Walking out into the heavy rain, Ikari went over to Bruce whom stood a couple meters away from them as he gave him a hug too.
Bruce: Take care then bro, and don't forget, even though we're rivals, you will always be like a brother to me. Don't you forget that or I'll have to come whoop your ass.
Ikari: Haha, I know Bruce... If I ever had a real brother, I wish it would be you... Please keep an eye out for Ibuki for me while I'm gone, okay?
Bruce: I will, you have my word.
Ikari: Take care then, until next time Bruce.
Ibuki: Ikari!!!-...
And before they knew it, Ikari was gone like the raindrops falling from the skies above them... Going over to Ibuki, Bruce sat down on the bench beside her as they just stared emotionless out into the heavy black rain.
[...]
Naruto: You came...
Ikari: I'm ready.
Naruto: Good... Well then, let's begin the second stage of your training, shall we?
A prominent yet tough future was ahead for all of them, but how would it all turn out in the end? Well, that's another story to be told as time was, after all, the only thing they could not alter, and with time flying by, so did they get closer to their destinies.
~ End of Part 1
Ikari goes to train at Mt. Myobokuzan with the help of Naruto himself, as the first part of The Legendary Sage of Konoha's Series Finale comes to an end. What else lies in front of him and his friends, and how will this long-going story eventually come to its definitive end? Look for Part 2 to find out more!!
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