Naruto: Tales of Ashihara

Naruto: Tales of Ashihara

Kakumei – Arc 1: The Consumer of Worlds

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Chapter 37 - The Uchiha Path

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In the village of Konoha, in the Hokage's office after a lunch break, Naruto sits at his desk, and is reviewing mission requests and commercial contracts. Shikamaru enters the room and leaves an additional bunch of papers on the desk.

"I heard that the 4th Raikage had a discussion with Sasuke in Kumo." he tells to Naruto.

"Yeah? About what?" asks the Hokage.

"The declassified files. Itachi Uchiha's mission. And the Kage Summit in the land of Iron."

"Ah! This again?" says Naruto, a bit embarrassed. "You know, I really got into trouble with the Daimyo and the elders for this. Only Granny Tsunade, and Kakashi-sensei were on my side. All the other elders have left for the capital since then."

"Understandable." interrupts Shikamaru. "They didn't want to face the consequences of their past conspiracies… And it shows your resolve as the Hokage. You're not willing to lie to the world. You're not willing to keep secrets. You want to be honest, transparent, with your villagers and your Kage colleagues, regardless of how much of a drag it could mean. That's bold."

"Thank you…" answers Naruto. "Still, I'm glad you and my predecessors stay by my side."

Shikamaru nods in respect and turns around to leave. He pulls a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, and stops by the door before leaving.

"Um, So what about Sasuke?" adds Naruto, while his advisor is still here. "After learning this, I'd expect him to run into this office and lecture me about it. But he didn't, apparently."

"Who knows…" says Shikamaru. "Maybe he got the point, and accepts it. Maybe he even appreciates the effort."

"Hah! Nah, I'm sure it pissed him off." answers the 7th. "He must be busy that's all. But I hope he did understand. He still doesn't feel washed off from his past sins. He thinks he can't get people's recognition and forgiveness. Maybe he gets that revealing these data to the world could help the public opinion. And especially now, I hope that reflecting on this part of his life helps him to make the right choice, and not to fall in hatred and vengeance again."

Shikamaru, interested by the Hokage's point, turns around to face him again.

"About that, aren't Kobo's funerals taking place in Kiri today?" he asks.

"Yes. I'm truly sorry for Kobo, but I can't be there in person. I at least sent a clone to attend the event. He'll probably meet Sasuke there."

Shikamaru just nods again and turns around. He puts a cigarette in his mouth and pulls a lighter from his pocket before walking through the door frame to leave the office.

"Let's just hope this funeral don't turn into a call for vengeance." he says while leaving.

"It won't. I'll make sure of it." says Naruto, now alone.

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Through the village, people are living their normal daily life, unaware of the storm that will soon strike this village, and this world. The Jonins and high-graded of Konoha also have time for themselves and their families in this new day.

Rock Lee, at his clan's dojo, is passing the teaching of Maito Gai on to his students. Among them, his son Metal Lee, his wife Wakasa Lee, his 2 years old daughter Popi Lee, and a clone of the Hokage. At the Hyuga main house, Boruto Hyuga is training with the current head of the clan, Hanabi Hyuga. His efforts are being spectated by another clone of his father, the former leader of his clan being his grandfather Hiashi Hyuga, and his mother Hinata Hyuga who carries Himawari in her arms.

At the same time, Takeshi Minamoto prepares to leave the training field and then the village, after a few days of training with the 6th Hokage. Kakashi lets him go, still astonished by this kid's ability to learn. These few days were enough for him to get all the basics about Shiden, and to continue his preparation alone. Kakashi goes to join Shizune, who's sitting on the field, and has been spectating them all through this session.

Izuna Uchiha isn't at home or training. His mother is busy at the hospital and can't have him or his sister around, so Tsunade, the 5th Hokage, is baby-sitting for her. The little girl sleeps while her brother stares at her, lost in his thoughts. What busies his mind is the man he met recently, his father, Sasuke Uchiha. Aware of what is currently taking place in Kiri, the kid clenches his fist. Tsunade, who isn't using any transformation jutsu to hide her age anymore, walks in and goes to sit next to the boy.

"You, boy, are thinking about Sasuke." she guesses. "He didn't come back after leaving the hospital, did he?"

"… No, I'm glad he didn't. I never knew him, and never wanted to." answers Izuna. "He better stay away, doing whatever mission he's doing. He's always on a mission anyway. Mom's been saying this since I was born."

Tsunade lets her head fall back and stares at the ceiling. She quickly reflects on the past, and thinks of Sasuke's current life and purpose.

"You know, boy, I don't know much about your dad, but I used to know someone who had the same job as him." she says. "Someone who served the same purpose to the village. He was always on missions, To this day, he's still the ninja who completed the most missions for Konoha. To not have him around, but to know he's risking his life somewhere in your name, was a necessary bad."

"… I get that he's busy, but Mom is too. Yet she never killed any of her friends." answers the kid, thinking of Teru. "If he's gonna die doing whatever he's doing, good for him, but why did it have to be Teru's dad?… Anyway, why isn't he just letting the Hokage do his job. He could just make a clone and do it."

"Ha!" she laughs. "I'm not sure that you know how strong your dad actually is."

"… If he's really strong, then how did he let Teru's dad die?" wonders Izuna, still angry about it.

Tsunade, still looking up at the ceiling, thinks of an answer that could be honest but not too explicit.

"As I said, I don't know much about him." she says. "You should ask you mom, or not… From what I know, This mission is personal to him. In his youth, when I was the Hokage, he went down a path of hatred, and vengeance, and this all alone, sacrificing his spirit and mind for what he thought was justice served. Eventually, your mom and the Hokage brought him back to his senses and to the village. His current wanders are just him serving the world to repent from his past sins… The path of vengeance and hatred… It seems to be a common thing in your clan, to go this way."

She looks down at the kid and sees that he was barely paying attention to this answer.

"But don't you dare do the same mistakes, boy!" she adds to get his attention.

Izuna looks at her, and completely changes the topic of the discussion.

"Say, Grandma 5th… How was it, to be Hokage?" he asks.

"To be Hokage…?" she says. "Well, I did my best, in hard times. You know, the war, Akatsuki, all those deserters… It was complicated. Kakashi, the 6th, had it easier. He just had to ensure peace with other nations. Now Naruto has to maintain this peace, while your father does the dirty work for him… And according to his reports, he'll have to fight a different war by himself."

Izuna stops looking at his sleeping sister and raises his head to stare at Tsunade.

"What reports are you talking about?" he asks.

"Oh, I shouldn't be telling you about that." she says to get over it, and stands up. "So, you didn't have a lunch, aren't you hungry? What do you want to eat?"

"… Can we have… Ramen from Ichiraku?" he questions.

"Really, you like that too?" asks Tsunade, a bit surprised by this answer.

"Last time at the academy, Lord 7th said it's his favorite. I just want to try it."

"What? Don't tell me Sakura never brought you there?" she exclaims. "Because of the 7th, it's become some kind of landmark of the village."

Izuna just shrugs and looks at her innocently. Tsunade sighs, smiles, and bends over to gently grab the sleeping baby in her arms. She then bumps her thigh into the boy to push him, inviting him to stand up. Together they leave the house and go for a meal.

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After Kobo's funeral, Sasuke went to search for Momoshiki Otsutsuki, while he himself was also investigating this world, looking for the next pieces of his gardening plan. Four weeks have passed, and Momoshiki found all that he needed. Kinshiki spent this time training and preparing the 5 hosts they selected. Sasuke Uchiha also progressed, he found the place that the Otsutsuki prepared as their divine garden. Looking deeper into it, he found out what happened to the land and deduced that the enemies must be hiding there. He kept following their tracks.

Now 4 weeks after the funeral, in Kiri, the Minamoto family has returned. Tsubai is discussing his months of absence, that he spent following Sasuke around, with the Mizukage. At the same time, Takeshi Minamoto is planning the beginning of his ninja career with Mizuno (the Mizukage's assistant, who found herself involved against Isami Kurama 9 years ago).

On the village's border, not far away from the national prison, the genin and the Mizukage's assistant are walking and speaking.

"So I finally have a team." says Takeshi, happily. "So why did it take so long? Who finally accepted to have me as a student."

"You'll see, it's quite funny." answers Mizuno.

"Is it your daughter?" he asks. "Is Mio on the team?"

"No, she's still at the academy and won't be out before 3 more years." she says. "Not everyone gets to graduate early like you… Your team is a bit more… special."

"So who are my teammates?"

Mizuno stays quiet for a moment and thinks of a way to properly introduce them verbally to Takeshi.

"Around 12 years ago, Sasuke Uchiha completed a mission for Kiri and, as a result, brought Kobo Uchiha and two baby girls to the village." she explains. "Your teammates are the two girls that were trained and educated by the special forces, apart from the academy. Their names are Kaori and Yukiko."

"Okay… I think I met them already."

"Possible, since you yourself spent some time at this formation center too. And your sensei will be Kokoro. You certainly know her, she's a woman that joined this village roughly at the same time as your father. She also is a Yamabushi."

"Yeah, I know her! I'm glad it's her!"

"When she learned about this opportunity, she insisted on taking the job. Your team will meet for the first time next week. The two girls also are quite strong for kids already. Make sure to be worthy of them."

Takeshi nods confidently, and keeps walking by the Mizukage's assistant's side.

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Meanwhile, not far away from them, Tsubai is doing the same, having a walk and a chat, but with the 5th Mizukage. They're speaking once again about Kobo and the threat that caused his decease. Tsubai reflects on it, and expresses his feeling about the Otsutsuki.

"They're damn tough, like way too much for any ninja." he says, in a frightened tone. "Sasuke's really the only one who can hold his ground, but still can't really win against them all."

"You speak as if we'd be obviously doomed if they came to invade a village." suggests the Mizukage.

"Honestly, it feels like it." answers Tsubai. "If it was me and not Sasuke, I'd just give up, destroy the damn world and kill myself. I'm sure this would be easier than having to face them."

"This would be much of an extreme measure." calmly says Mei, mocking Tsubai's pessimism. "Destroy the world to avoid it being attacked sounds like a really bad approach of the problem."

"I know, but I don't know. Anyway, I don't think there's any chance they approach this continent. Our only encounter with them was around a month ago, in another dimension." assumes Tsubai, unknowing of the fact that the Otsutsuki are already on this world.

"Don't you think they could come after the Tengus' powers? Like Katashiki Otsutsuki back then."

"AAHH?" yells Tsubai. "Hope not. Dudes kept calling me a damn inferior being. They probably didn't see any interest in me or Daikoku. Also, I'm fed up with people wanting my power. Katashiki, my old man, Sojobo, and Isami… hey, what about him? Is he still locked up."

Mei stops and turns around to look to the prison that can be seen over the other buildings, a distance away from the rest of the village.

"He's still imprisoned, and there's no plan to release him." she says. "We still didn't find Ripper, the swordsman that Kobo fought back then. Neither did we find any more clones of the scientist that assisted Isami Kurama. But the man himself didn't see sun light for 9 years."

"Good." says Tsubai, a bit confused. "Now that I think of it, I never actually met him, not even once. I mean except before the 4th war, when he still was a simple wanderer passing by Ryuka."

As they speak, a violent blast sound interrupts their discussion. Tsubai makes a simple annoyed, blank face, but get serious when he notices Mei's shocked, worried and frightened face. He turns around to see where she's looking at. The prison they were talking about a minute ago. It is on fire, falling into ruins.

"What Damn is that?" he yells. "A mutiny? An evasion?"

"It looks violent." says Mei, stressed. "I'm not sure the prison security will handle it. It looks like an outside attack. The consequences could quickly reach the surroundings."

"The surroundings?" wonders Tsubai, who quickly realizes something. "Wait a damn moment, Takeshi's there!"

Tsubai runs off to the place and goes to find his son and Mizuno. The Mizukage hurries to follow him. On the place. Mizuno and Takeshi arrive first near the prison, but see no living thing escape the burning tower. Takeshi just looks around, surprised. Mizuno pays close attention to the scene, and notices piled up burning bodies. Not only ninja corpses, but prisoners too. In Takeshi's mind, Tentoki is explaining his observations and his opinion on the situation.

"Judging by the nature and impact of the explosion that started this, it must have been an attack from outside, with Fire release." he deduces. "By the power of the resulting blast and the aftermath, we can safely suppose that it is a very powerful terrorist. Since he killed both ninjas and prisoners… He must be here with a precise goal, other than pure chaos."

Takeshi steps forward with Mizuno to see the scene from a closer point. He tries to tell the essential of Tentoki's observation to her.

"Takeshi, look out! Up there!" yells Tentoki, who noticed someone's presence above them.

Takeshi stops and looks up and around to find what Tentoki means.

"There!" shouts Mizuno who found it first and points her finger to the sky.

Up there, a few dozens of meters above them, a person is floating, lying in the air like on a bed, with his head resting on his fist. He watches the arson from above, looking for entertainment, and doesn't pay attention to the two ninjas.

"TAKESHI!" yells Tsubai who arrives running at the scene.

He and the Mizukage stop a bit away from Takeshi and Mizuno and look around to understand the situation. Tsubai looks up to see what his son is looking at, and gasps out in fear. He takes a step back and holds his voice to not scream out.

Out of the fire, in front of Takeshi and Mizuno, a tall, wide figure steps out, unworried by the flames, and wearing a passed out prisoner on his shoulder. He looks down surprised at the ninjas who showed up. Mizuno and Takeshi step back, intimidated by this man's appearance. Mizuno looks at the prisoner he's carrying, and recognizes Isami Kurama. Who are they? Why are they freeing this man? What is happening?

"IT'S THEM!" screams Tsubai behind the Mizukage.

Everybody, including the two invaders, turn to him.

"THEY'RE THE ONES WE FOUGHT! THOSE WHO KILLED KOBO!" yells Tsubai, unable to contain his shock, he who was just reassuring himself saying they'll never come here minutes ago.

The last words echo in the young Takeshi's mind. Those who killed Kobo. Those who took Teru's father away from him. Not able, and not willing, to contain his anger, he clenches his fist and, after a little second of immobility, screams out his rage and rushes to Kinshiki, the one standing before him, now on the safe soil. The boy's body gets surrounded by thick lightning as he performs a very fast series of hand signs.

Shiden

The lightning's color gets more intense until it becomes almost purple, revealing a still incomplete Shiden. Takeshi bounces off the ground and aims for the giant's neck with tremendous speed, as the Mizukage, her assistant and the boy's father watch, unable to stop him.

Without any effort given, Kinshiki Otsutsuki stops the kids's jutsu by absorbing all the lightning emitting from his body without any needed movement. Takeshi reaches the target's neck, but just powerlessly pokes on it with the tip of his fingers. Kinshiki raises his giant hand to grab the kid's arm and smashes him recklessly into the ground near his feet. He then slowly lifts up his foot and prepares to stomp down on the already passed out young boy.

Jikanteido

To save his son, Tsubai instinctively freezes time and runs forward. Being more analytic, Daikoku in his mind has another plan.

"Tsubai, Stop!" he says. "Look at Mizuno."

Tsubai stops running and looks in her direction. He sees her holding her hands on the ground with a wind wave crawling, aiming for Takeshi.

"See? She's already on it, the distance is good." he says. "Now be careful. The one above has Rinnegan. He can see us move. Don't waste this opportunity."

"Let's scratch that ogre's nape off!" yells Kasha. "He can't see us, does he? We have to take out at least one of them!"

"No…" answers Tsubai. "We're not scratching his nape off… We're sealing him away."

Tsubai surrounds his body with black chakra and runs on all four, like Kasha would to prepare for a surprise attack.

Time resumes, and as he expected. Mizuno's wind stream makes Takeshi slide away from Kinshiki. The giant slams his foot down anyway and breaks the ground. The boy's safe, but still gets lifted up and thrown away by the impact. Mei runs forward to get involved in the fight, now that she noticed that Tsubai disappeared.

Yoton – Yokai

She pukes strong acid out of her mouth. Kinshiki puts one hand down in his back and raises the other toward the acid puddle. He simply absorbs it again, leaving Mei unsettled. She sees his two eyes, that are just plain white like Byakugan. What power is allowing him to absorb jutsus like this. Still with his right hand raised forward, absorbing the acid, and the left down, Kinshiki looks straight forward and calmly closes his eyes.

"This is stupid and pointless." he says. "I am talking to you, Meiton user." he adds as he raises his left hand in his back.

With this hand, he creates a red glowing spectral axe and pulls it up to stop a large black scythe. Tsubai, who used his time pause to sneak in the enemy's back, attempted to seal him away with the same jutsu he used to seal Katashiki.

"What?" yells the Yamabushi in his mind. "How did he see us? We were in his blind spot!"

"No damn clue?" answer Kasha and Daikoku together. "What's this guy?"

Before Tsubai can make any more movement, Kinshiki clenches his other fist, with the hand he used to absorb the acid. He makes a brass knuckle on it and quickly turns around to hit Tsubai, crushing him in the air and sending him flying in Mei's direction. The Mizukage sees him flutter toward her and reacts to stop him.

Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu

Next to her, a water clone appears and slows Tsubai down as much as possible before being directly blown up by the body's speed. Tsubai still safely lands down, already beaten in one shot. The Mizukage jumps forward and prepares another approach.

Futton – Komu

She expels a, invisible cloud of mist. Kinshiki, who first doesn't understand what happens, finds himself completely covered by this cloud. It takes him a while before he realizes that his skin is very slowly melting.

Byakugan

He uses his Dojutsu to see the source of this effect and sees the fog. Worried that Isami Kurama, lying unconscious on his shoulder, gets affected, he throws him away and out of the cloud. Meanwhile Mei jumps in the cloud, unaffected by the corrosive mist, and aims for Kinshiki's face with both her feet.

Quick enough, he raises his hand to protect his face and grab her foot. Also quickly enough, she changes her plan and just leans on the tip of one of the giant hand's fingers to push herself back and out of his range, unsure of how to touch him.

Suddenly, all the invisible corrosive fog is being sucked up in the air and absorbed in Momoshiki's palm, who slowly flies down, closer to the ground, until he stands right next to his partner.

"Two Kekkei Genkai for a single human?" says Kinshiki to the Mizukage. "This is quite remarkable, lady."

"How careless of you, Kinshiki." says Momoshiki as he sets foot next to him.

Just as he lands, he and Kinshiki feel worthless little blades of kunais hit their skin without making any harm. Momoshiki turns to see Mizuno who threw the cloned weapons. Surprised that her blades didn't have an effect, she hurries to stand up and runs toward the enemies. Momoshiki raises his two hands, one toward her, and another toward the Mizukage who's going forward again to help her kunoichi.

Shinra Tensei

With both his hands, he emits strong push forces that send the two women backwards, crashing into the nearest buildings. The two Otsutsuki are now the only ones standing. The younger and shorter one uses Bansho Ten'in to bring the still sleeping body of Isami Kurama to him. Kinshiki looks at all the passed out ninjas around him and at the dead bodies in the burning prison.

"Shall I terminate those who still breath?" he asks.

"Not worth the effort." answers Momoshiki. "I'll get their lives and chakra along with the rest of this planet's anyway."

Kinshiki grabs the two shoulders of Isami Kurama to make him stand before Momoshiki, who raises one hand in front of the prisoner's face and causes him to suddenly wake up. Isami looks around in panic and, still feeling fuzzy, tries to understand what is happening.

Momoshiki also raises his other arm up as a hand-sized small portal appears next to him. He puts his hand in the rift and pulls out a fruit. A mysterious chakra fruit. Isami, startled and confused, stares at the Otsutsuki before him and tries to focus.

"Isami Kurama,…" says Momoshiki. "… you've been chosen by the gods to serve as a host to the power… of a Daitengu."

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End of Chapter 37 – Next Chapter: The Daitengu's revival.