Chapter 144: Let the World Know
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Author's Note -
Hey guys this is a two in one chapter (3000+ words to compensate for Yesterday)
Also, since the previous chapter two comment's votes have tied up, I have decided to do Hashirama's past in a two or probably three part chapter.
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"Why was Naruto called to the Office?" Sasuke, Neji, and Lee thought upon seeing Naruto leave with an ANBU member…
"Sasuke-kun,"
"It's been a while since we have trained right?" Lee said.
"Yeah," Sasuke responded.
"I only started training yesterday,"
"And I have yet to spar,"
"How about you and I have a fiery battle?" Lee asked as he got into a stance to take on Sasuke.
"Wait!" Neji said.
"Neji?" Lee looked at Neji who interrupted.
"Lee, it's too soon for you both to battle,"
"How about you warm up and let me have a go?"
"I have been waiting to face Sasuke in a battle for a long time now…" Neji said.
"…" Lee observed Neji's expression for a second.
After all, it was not every day that Neji was enthusiastic to battle since any training with Gai-sensei would only make Neji feel less enthusiastic. However, despite facing such a situation on a daily basis, Neji quietly persisted alongside Tenten and Lee doing hellish training.
Lee smiled at Neji.
"I understand…"
"Don't hesitate to go all out," Lee gave a thumbs up to Neji.
He then looked at Sasuke.
"Please don't hold back," Lee bowed.
"Mm!" Sasuke nodded.
"I'll be doing my warm-up exercises here while watching you both battle each other," Lee said as he backed away.
*Sh!*
Neji entered into a fighting stance against Sasuke.
"We will start with simple sparring for the first round,"
"From the second round we will get a bit serious," Neji said.
"What if you get injured?" Sasuke asked.
("Me?")
("Getting injured?") Neji wanted to laugh; however, he had also witnessed Sasuke's battle against Gaara, which was all the more a reason for him to believe Sasuke's words.
"If you are worried about injuries, then do you suggest we hold back or stop the match if one of us gets injured?" Neji asked.
Sasuke understood from Neji's words that he wanted to have a proper match to test their skills and see who would come out victorious.
"Hmph,"
"Why not be honest and say that you want to have an actual battle against me," Sasuke taunted.
"Indeed Sasuke,"
"I wish to have a battle with you," Neji said.
Lee's eyes widened.
("As expected,")
("They consider each other as rivals and want to have a proper battle,") Lee was happy as he visualized Neji and Sasuke's passion for battle burning around them. The towering flames were so powerful that they threatened to burn anyone who would get in their way.
"Sasuke, use your Sharingan," Neji said.
"Hmph,"
"Why don't you force me?" Sasuke asked as he entered into a fighting stance as well…
Sasuke put his left hand behind him and brought his right hand forward, assuming Lee's exact stance which he had displayed almost a minute ago.
Neji frowned.
("Does he intend to use Lee's moves against me?") Neji thought.
"Make your move," Sasuke said as he taunted Neji using his left hand which was in the front.
"You…" Neji was angered.
Just as he was about to make a move, Sasuke stood upright, breaking away from his fighting stance.
"Huh?" Neji stared at Sasuke.
Sasuke shook his head.
"Forget it. I've lost my interest,"
"Naruto is not here, and I have my training to do," Sasuke said as he walked away.
"…" Neji stared with wide eyes, which wouldn't expand his vision no matter what since he was already in possession of the Byakugan.
"Are you mocking me?" Neji asked.
"Don't take it the wrong way,"
"We will have our battle,"
"Just not today,"
"I still need to train for the battle between Naruto and me," Sasuke said as he walked away.
"Sasuke-kun…" Lee stared at Sasuke who walked out of the field…
"Damn it!" Neji struck the tree log in the middle of the training field in anger.
(Whoosh!)
Lee followed behind Sasuke.
"Sasuke-kun,"
"Is there any problem?" Lee asked as he stood by the gates of the training field.
Sasuke stopped walking and shook his head in denial.
"I see…"
"Sasuke-kun, If you ever want to spar then let me know" Lee smiled.
"Mm…" Sasuke nodded following which he started to walk again…
("Sasuke-kun,")
("I promise, I will work a hundred times harder to catch up to you and Naruto-kun…") Lee thought as he continued to watch Sasuke slowly disappear into the woods as he headed over to another training field to train in the Raikiri.
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Back in the Hokage's office…
Outside the office door,
Kiba stared at Shino,
"Can you explain," Kiba asked.
"You mean Naruto?"
"Lots of things happened during the Chūnin exam,"
"But you were knocked out for the whole time," Shino said.
"Hey,"
"That's why I am asking you," Kiba said.
*Door opens*
Naruto looked at Kiba and Shino including Karin who stood quietly in a corner.
"You guys can come in now!" Naruto announced.
Kiba, Shino, and Karin walked into the room.
Hiruzen looked at Kiba, Shino, and Karin.
"You three,"
"Especially you, Kiba-kun and Shino-kun," Hiruzen pointed out.
"Lord Third," Kiba and Shino looked at Hiruzen.
"You two are only accompanying because this is a rescue mission to bring back your sensei and your teammate,"
"You are in no manner to interfere in the mission,"
"The main mission is Naruto's and Asuma's responsibility," Hiruzen concluded following which he looked at Naruto.
Naruto looked at Kiba and Shino,
"I'll tell you guys what to do before we reach there," Naruto said.
"Mm!" Kiba and Shino nodded.
Hiruzen stared at Kiba and Shino.
("I would have told them to call Naruto with respect since he is a jōnin; however, it might also make Naruto more distant from his generation,") Hiruzen thought.
(Bang!)
Tsunade rushed in through the doors.
"The antidote has been prepared," Tsunade said as she brought out three tubes and placed them on the table in front of Hiruzen and everyone else.
Tsunade looked at Naruto and the team,
"Of these three,"
"One is for Hinata, second is for Kurenai just in case, and the third is the last resort if any of you guys are struck with the poison," Tsunade warned.
"Thanks, Granny," Naruto said as he collected the antidote.
"Shino,"
"I'll leave these in your hands," Naruto said as he handed the antidotes over…
"Mm!" Shino nodded and kept them in the bags.
Naruto walked over towards Karin,
"Karin," Naruto looked at Karin who stared at Naruto with an in-depth look, unable to lift her eyes off of him.
"I promise to never hand you over to those people," Naruto said with a firm voice.
"Naruto…" Karin murmured.
"Even if I am not here in the village, No one here will let them take you away," Naruto assured.
"Mm!" Karin lowered her head after nodding towards Naruto.
Karin was already head over heels for him,
This additional gesture only made her feel that she was more indebted to him than before…
Tears flowed down Karin's cheeks uncontrollably.
Ever since her arrival in the village, she was treated as someone no different than the people born within the village.
Naruto also ensured that she was taken care of while also starting to train as one of the village's finest medical ninjas.
With the addition of Tsunade taking her as a personal disciple along with Sakura, she felt blessed more than ever.
"Thank you…" Karin murmured as she cried even harder.
Tsunade ran towards her and hugged.
"As your teacher, I should have been heading along with you guys to the negotiation."
"However, you are already in safe hands," Tsunade said as she comforted Karin by hugging her.
…
Soon Karin cleared her tears away following which the team (Kiba (and Akamaru), Shino, Karin, and Asuma) looked at Naruto.
"All right,"
"Since, everything is prepared, we are going to head out at once," Naruto said.
"Yes!" The team responded following which they started to head out of the door one after another.
"Naruto," Hiruzen called out upon seeing Naruto being the last one who was about to head out.
"Yes, old man?" Naruto looked at Hiruzen.
"No matter what happens, don't lose it,"
"Hinata may have been your wife, and she will always be…"
"But don't forget that the Grass have seen their fair share as well." Hiruzen reminded.
"Don't worry old man…" Naruto said slowly.
Hiruzen frowned
"I will end this without any casualties on either side," Naruto said as he walked out.
*Door closes*
Hiruzen turned around in his chair to take a look at the village basked in the afternoon sunlight.
*sigh*
Hiruzen gazed lazily at the village.
However, what he instead saw was Naruto's face before closing the door.
The image replayed back in his mind several times over.
Even after warning Naruto, he could still find hints of anger deep within Naruto's voice, but before he closed the door, Hiruzen was able to catch a glimpse of what happened to be a look full of hatred accompanied by helplessness.
…
Soon it was evening, and the squad arrived near the bridge.
Asuma looked at Naruto.
"We have another half an hour before the time of exchange as stated in the letter," Asuma said.
"Mm!" Naruto nodded following which he looked at the group.
"Kiba, Shino,"
"your job is to make sure that Hinata and Kurenai sensei escape to safety,"
"Karin, you will also follow them to safety," Naruto said.
"Naruto,"
"What are we going to do?"
"They said that they wouldn't let Hinata out until this Yellow Flash guy is imprisoned or something,"
*Bark* Akamaru barked in support of the statement.
"Kiba,"
"I told you, leave that part to me and Asuma sensei," Naruto said.
"…" Kiba silently stared at Naruto following which he looked towards Asuma-sensei.
Asuma nodded, signifying that he should listen to Naruto's suggestions.
"I don't know what you are doing, but I guess I will follow your lead," Kiba said.
"Thanks for understanding," Naruto smiled following which he looked at Karin.
"Karin,"
"You must be prepared,"
"We will be pretending to hand you over at the exchange,"
"But don't worry,"
"I will save you immediately," Naruto said.
"Mm!" Karin nodded immediately to show her enthusiasm.
Seeing that everyone was ready for the plan Naruto stood upright.
"Good to hear,"
"We'll go to the bridge in the next 20 minutes," Naruto said following which he looked at Shino.
"Before we get on with the exchange, I want you to send your bugs over to scan the area for any problems that we might face," Naruto said.
"Mm!" Shino nodded.
…
Soon twenty minutes had passed.
"All right,"
"Let's head to the bridge," Naruto said.
"Yes!" The team nodded as they proceeded straight ahead for the bridge.
….
(Whoosh!)
Naruto, Asuma, Kiba (with Akamaru), Shino and Karin had appeared.
The team faced the ninjas who stood on the other side of the Tenchi Bridge.
Their group consisted of a bunch of ninjas spread out in a type of a formation with Kurenai who was bound in ropes right in the middle of the formation.
"Ninjas from the Hidden Leaf have arrived," a man in front of the grass ninja group announced after verifying their headbands.
"I see…" Takeuchi murmured as he stepped out.
"Asuma, Kiba, Shino…" Kurenai murmured.
Kiba sniffed about.
"Where's Hinata?" Kiba shouted out.
"Kiba don't," Kurenai was about to shout only to have her hair pulled.
"Shut up bitch," the man holding her hostage spoke.
Asuma was mad.
(Whoosh!)
Asuma took out his chakra blades.
*bz!*
Asuma ran his wind release chakra through it.
*Sh!*
Naruto put his hand in front of Asuma.
"Naruto…" Asuma snapped out of his anger, realizing that he had at the very least seen Kurenai now ever since she was taken hostage, however, Naruto being Hinata's husband didn't even see her yet.
"Calm down Asuma-sensei,"
"Even Shikamaru will be able to see through that intentional provocation," Naruto said.
"Naruto…" Asuma stared at Naruto as he slowly put his blades down
("Who's that brat in the orange tracksuit?") Takeuchi thought as his eyes examined Naruto from the bottom-up only for his gaze to land on Naruto's yellow hair.
("It couldn't be…")
("The son of the yellow flash…") Takeuchi was a bit worried about his next move.
"Who's the leader?" Takeuchi asked slowly.
"I am," Naruto stepped out.
"huh?" Takeuchi and the others from the grass village stared at Naruto, including Kurenai.
("Naruto, the leader?") Kurenai thought.
"Have you brought the girl?" Takeuchi asked.
Naruto silently turned his head towards Karin.
"You ready?" Naruto asked.
"Mm!" Karin nodded.
"Bring her over," Takeuchi gave the order to the man who was holding down Kurenai.
"Yes, Sir!" The man responded as he made Kurenai get up and brought her next to Takeuchi.
Naruto looked at Shino.
"Anything so far?" Naruto asked.
"No…" Shino shook his head.
("Looks like sending those bugs didn't work out huh…") Naruto thought.
Naruto could have used Sage mode, but that will be the same thing as alerting the enemy.
"Where's Hinata?" Naruto asked as he stared at Takeuchi.
"Huh, haven't you read the terms?"
"That girl has the flying thunder god seal,"
"Unless the yellow flash turns himself in, we are not going to send her over," Takeuchi said.
Naruto frowned.
"The Yellow Flash died over twelve years ago," Naruto said.
"Then how was this seal inscribed on a girl who's just 12-13 years old?"
"How do you explain that?" Takeuchi asked.
"…" Naruto remained silent.
"Don't waste my time,"
"We'll make the exchange at the center of the bridge,"
"Each side will let the girls walk towards the other side without anyone accompanying by the side," Takeuchi said.
Naruto nodded slowly following which he turned towards Karin.
"Karin," Naruto called out weakly…
Karin saw the look of remorse on Naruto's face,
The initial plan would have worked if Hinata was there.
Unfortunately, she was not even seen yet ever since their arrival.
So the only way out was the one person exchange for now.
"See you later…" Karin said in a weak voice as she stepped past Naruto.
"Go," Takeuchi said as he lightly pushed Kurenai who's hands were bound to walk towards the bridge.
*Ugh*
Kurenai groaned uncomfortably as she started walking.
*Sound of wind accompanied by light footsteps*
Karin and Kurenai walked towards each other.
…
Kurenai and Karin glanced at one another as they brushed past crossing to the other half of the bridge.
Kurenai had a look of hatred.
She couldn't save Hinata, now Karin had to pay as well.
"Kurenai," Asuma called out.
"…" Kurenai, however, was walking towards the team absent-mindedly while thinking of her position as a jōnin and was considering if walking towards the team was the correct thing to do…
Asuma eagerly waited for Kurenai to show up.
Soon the two had crossed the bridge to the other side.
Karin in the Grass Village and Kurenai back with the team from the Hidden Leaf.
Asuma looked at Naruto.
"There's no problem," Asuma confirmed as he untied Kurenai; meanwhile the ninja on the other side confirmed as well after glancing at Karin.
However, those three words were what Naruto wanted to hear the most.
Naruto closed his eyes.
< Sage Mode! >
Naruto activated sage mode instantly determining Hinata's location.
She was stuck in the same room, sitting on the chair bound in ropes as she remained unconscious.
Naruto brought his hands together.
< Shadow Clone Jutsu! >
(Poof!)
A clone appeared.
"Huh?"
"What's happening?" Takeuchi murmured.
"Kiba, Shino,"
"Are you two prepared?" Asuma asked.
"Mm!" The two nodded.
The main Naruto took out a bunch of newly customized Kunai that he had received whereas the clone closed his eyes.
< Flying Thunder God - Substitution! >
*Sh!*
Hinata instantly appeared in mid-air.
("Whoosh!") Asuma caught her.
"Now," Asuma shouted.
"Hah!" Naruto instantly launched about twenty Kunais.
"Those kunais," Takeuchi instantly regretted after seeing those unusually shaped kunais.
However, Naruto's eyes were calm to the point that he was giving an icy glare.
< Flying Thunder God - Rasen Flash Super Circle Dance Howl Stage ZERO! >
(Whoosh!)
*zz!*
Takeuchi had only seen an orange flash.
However, the same could be said for everyone as well.
(Whoosh!)
Before anything could be comprehended, Naruto had already reappeared beside Asuma and Hinata with Karin in his arms.
…
There was pin drop silence followed by a gentle rustle of the wind…
Takeuchi slowly turned back to see a sight that he would never forget for the rest of his life…
In front of his eyes, all his comrades lay on the ground uninjured, or in this case unconscious. All of them without a single exception had been taken down within a span of say less than forty milliseconds.
He then thought back to the Orange flash he had seen.
Slowly his body became numb as his thought process failed to keep up with the reality around him.
Just what was that…
Takeuchi stared in horror at Naruto.
The same could be said for everyone else as well.
Asuma, Karin, Kurenai, Shino, and Kiba were utterly shocked.
The initial plan was for Naruto and Asuma to collaborate together and hold down the Grass ninjas as Kiba and Shino escaped retreated back with Hinata and Kurenai. Later on, Naruto and Asuma would rejoin the team at a specified meeting place. However, that was all unnecessary right now…
Naruto looked at Shino.
"Give Hinata the antidote immediately," Naruto said in a low voice.
"y-yes," Shino immediately pulled out the antidote tube and injected the contents through the needle, directly into her bloodstream.
Kiba looked at Naruto as though he was a complete freak.
"W-Who are you…?" Takeuchi stammered as he struggled to ask.
Naruto stared at Takeuchi for a moment since his mind was slowly clearing up from all the pent emotions.
He then thought back to Hiruzen's words and smiled.
("Why wait until the war to do it?") Naruto thought as he looked at Takeuchi.
"I am Uzumaki Naruto,"
"The Orange Bolt of the Hidden Leaf!"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Indie131998
Indie131998 Haha!
Overnighter-mode!
The best cheat code available in the real world to hack time!
Of course, the backlash will be received.
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Chapter (4/7) + (5/7) for the week!
As Usual
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