章 29: A Night of Red Moon
THE HARBOUR OF DEGARASHI
It was time for the Grand Race. Fireworks were shot up in the sky, and the whole town was cheering loudly for the support of both families, mostly the Wasabi.
"Wow, I didn't realize this race was going to be this big. The whole town is here. So what kind of race is this anyway?" Ino asked her current team captain.
"You know, the kind that starts and finish." Naruto joked with some innocent sarcasm to his girlfriend.
"Cheeky aren't you, Whiskers." Ino said with a pout.
"Hahaha well, according to Jirocho-san, the starting-point is here, at the Harbour of Degarashi. From here, the runners will head for the Modoroki Shrine, which is located on Nagi Island, the mid-point of the race." Naruto informed his teammates as he held up a map to show their headings.
"I guess we'll be sailing then. Unless Idate has to run on water all the way to the island." Shikamaru said, hoping it wasn't true.
"Don't worry, Shika. It seems the first leg of the race, is to use a boat from here. Once we reached Nagi Island, the runner has to take one of two 'Ryuko's Jewels' from the Modoroki Shrine, and run all the way to dedicate their jewel at the Great Todoroki Shrine. Whoever makes it there first; wins. That's as far as the basic rules go, but other than that, ANYTHING goes. Shortcuts, obstructions, and secret manoeuvres are all allowed." Naruto informed his team.
"So hiring a Ninja is not a violation of the rules either." Shikamaru said.
"But where are the Ninjas of the Wagarashi family?" Ino asked.
"It seems they are keeping a low profile. But make no mistake, they are around. I can sense stronger chakra signatures here, but there are too many people to pinpoint." Naruto said with narrowed eyes at the crowd of people.
"I don't care what you guys do. Just don't get in my way. I have a race to win." Idate called out to his young bodyguards.
"Don't worry, Idate. You just focus on running. We'll be right behind you." Ino said to the Wasabi Runner.
"Besides, it's OUR job to make sure no one gets in your way. But If we encounter any opposition, you WILL do what we say. Understood?" Naruto said with a authoritative voice.
"Pfft whatever" Idate merely scoffed.
Then the announcer spoke through the loud speaker.
"ATTENTION! ATTENTION! THE GREAT TODOROKI SHRINE RACE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! RUNNING FOR THE WASABI FAMILY, IDATE MORINO." Many of the town folk cheered for him.
"RUNNING FOR THE WAGARASHI FAMILY, FUKUSUKE HIKYAKUYA." Many of the Wagarashi followers cheered for him.
"RUNNERS TAKE YOUR MARK!"
As the two runners prepare themselves to run, and the large harbour doors slowly opened to reveal their boats still on dock, Idate then notices a gathering of clouds on the Horizon, and knew what he had to do.
"GET SET!"
"GO!"
The two runners began to run at fast speeds, towards their boats.
"That's our cue too. Let's g-WHAT THE!!" Naruto yelled out in shock.
Instead of running towards the ships, Idate made a left turn, and ran elsewhere.
"WHAT IS THAT IDIOT DOING?!" Ino yelled out, as Team 10 chases after Idate.
"IDATE! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?! THE BOAT IS THAT WAY!" Shikamaru surprisingly yelled out.
"Guys, let's just follow him, for now. He might know what he's doing." Naruto calmly informed his team.
"A-Are you sure?" Ino asked her blonde captain.
"Idate may be a prick, but he's completely loyal to Jirocho-san. He won't do anything to let him down. For now, we just follow him, and make sure he's safe. I just hope my hunch is right." Naruto said with hope in his voice.
"I hope so too, Naruto-kun. Because this is our first C-Rank Mission. And I'll kill Idate if we fail." Ino said with slightly angry tone.
"Don't worry, if we do, I'll help you." Naruto said with a soft smile to his blonde girlfriend.
The Genin trio then continued to follow the Wasabi Family Runner, hoping that he is still actually competing, instead of fleeing.
As Idate continues to run further away from the harbour, Team 10 is now currently on his tail. Ino wanted to yell at Idate for the wrong direction he is heading, but Naruto suggested that they keep their distance for now.
As much as he dislikes the arrogant Wasabi Runner, he can already tell that Idate is fiercely loyal to Jirocho, and would never betray him in such a way. The blonde Uchiha decided to put some faith in Idate, and trust that the Wasabi Runner knows what he is doing, and he is going with the best course of action to win the race.
Aside from all of that, Naruto's Senses were going crazy. Whether if it was because of his natural Sensory ability, or Kurama's Negative Emotion detection. He could feel that they were being followed, and judging from their Chakra Signature, they were Shinobi, and Mid-Genin Level at best.
Idate was now running on a Cliffside.
But unbeknownst to him, he was caught in a Genjutsu, that made him believe that he was running in circles.
Team 10 noticed this, and was about to help the Wasabi Runner, but then they saw Idate had already noticed the illusion, and perform a single hand seal to disrupt his chakra flow, easily freeing himself from the Genjutsu.
Team 10 was currently following behind him, as they continue to jump from tree branch to tree branch, just above the Cliffside that Idate was running on.
'So he IS a ninja, or maybe he received some level of shinobi training. What are you not telling us, Idate?' Naruto thought to himself in wonder, but the rest of his team were able to hear, since Ino's mind-link is still on.
'His speed alone is almost Chunin Level, and judging from the way he notices and dispelled that Genjutsu earlier, proves it." Shikamaru added in with his thoughts.
'Yeah, I guess that's-HOLY CRAP!' Ino didn't get to finish her sentence in her mind, when she notices that Idate was about to runoff the cliff.
"IDATE!!" Ino yelled out to the Wasabi Runner.
But Idate noticed it too late. Apparently, after he dispelled the Genjutsu that was casted upon him, and continues to run foward blindly, there was a Second layer of Genjutsu in its place.
As Idate was about to fall off the cliff, he felt his body completely paralyse.
"Shadow Possession Success. Thanks for the Shunshin Naruto" Shikamaru said with a sigh of relief with Naruto next to him, with his hand on the Nara's shoulder.
Naruto was able to Shunshin himself and Shikamaru near Idate, so the lazy Nara was able catch him with his Shadow before he could fall.
"Yeah, that was too close" Ino said, as she jumps down from her tree branch, to meet-up with the rest of her team.
"HEY! WHAT GIVES?! LET ME GO!" Idate demanded, with hint of annoyance and anger in his tone.
"HEY! SHIKA AND NARUTO-KUN JUST SAVED YOUR ASS, SO HOW ABOUT A LITTLE THANK YOU!" Ino yelled out, trying to defend her teammate's actions.
"Yeah right, like I would give my thanks to ninja-runts like you" Idate said with an arrogant and disgusted expression on his face.
"WHY YOU LOUSY..." Ino was about to yell for the insult, but she was interrupted by her blonde paramore, who finally decided that he had enough with the Wasabi Runner's attitude.
"ENOUGH! Listen here, Idate. You were caught in a Genjutsu, which means the Shinobis of the Wagarashi are not too far behind us. Instead of escorting Fukusuke to the Todoroki Shrine, they were sent to eliminate you. Now I have been very patient with you. VERY PATIENT. But you almost got yourself killed, which could have jeopardized our mission AND the race. So I want you to tell us what you are planning, NOW! Or I'll have Ino go through your mind. And I don't care how long it takes." Naruto said with a serious tone.
"Look I don't need your help, okay! The only reason you saved me, is because you are bound to by duty!" Idate said with an annoyed scoff.
"And I don't care. Tell us your plan. NOW." Naruto ordered with the same serious tone, and glared heavily at the Wasabi Runner.
"Where are we going Idate? What happened to Port Degarashi?" Shikamaru asked, as he too wanted to know what is Idate's actual plan is, as he releases his Shadow possession on the Wasabi Runner.
"What about it? Forget the port. I'm heading North from here." Idate stated clearly.
"You are? So does that mean it is faster that way?" Ino asked.
"That's right." Idate said with a smirk.
"How do we know we can trust you?" Naruto said with narrowed eyes.
"That's the problem with you 'Ninjas'. You can't trust anything, can you?" Idate yelled out for the mistrust.
"You haven't really given us a choice, did you? You conned us when we first met, and it looked like you 'Ran Away' when the race started." Shikamaru said with a bored tone.
"I AM NOT RUNNING AWAY....look....at this time of the year, there are some pretty strong seasonal winds blowing hard across the sea. Back at the starting point, I noticed the clouds. I can see the wind blowing towards us. On top of that, at the port to the North, there's an ocean current that flows directly to Nagi Island." Idate explainded.
"So you weren't running away this whole time. You were just using a shortcut" Ino said, trying to summarize the actual plan.
"That's what I was saying. You need to use THIS more a little right here" Idate said mockingly, as he pointed his thumb to his head, indicating his brain.
"Nevertheless, I suggest you be more transparent with us in the future. The Shinobis of the Wagarashi are currently on our tail, and it's best that travel together." Naruto suggested, but it sounded more like an order.
"Hmph whatever. Just try to keep up." Idate said, as he turns to continue to head North.
Team 10 and Idate continue to head North to the second harbour in full speed.
Idate explained to them, that a local fisherman there, is more than willing to help the Wasabi family by providing his fastest boat to them.
Naruto notices the level of admiration and respect the fishermen spoke of Jirocho, and how much the Wasabi had done for the local folks of the Land of Tea. He realizes that the stakes of the race are more impactful than he thought.
This beautiful land should not have to suffer any more under the heels of the Wagarashi. Even if he still doesn't like Idate as a person, he will ensure that he wins the race no matter what. Too many good people are depending on it.
THE FISHERMEN'S BOAT
As they sail though the clear seas, Idate had a look of worry on his face. Even if he doesn't doubt his speed to win the race, nothing is certain. Especially when Shinobis are involved. He gritted his teeth in anger and frustration, and decided to ask his 'bodyguards' the question that he always wonder.
"Why did guys want to become a Shinobi anyway?!" Idate asked out of the blue.
"What do you mean?" Shikamaru asked in return, not knowing what it really meant.
"What does it sound like?! I'm asking, what made you guys decide to wake up one day, and put on some stupid headband and become a disposable soldier to your village." Idate asked harshly with a bit of venom in voice.
"Hey! We are not disposable, you jerk!" Ino yelled out to the disrespectful runner.
"Every Shinobi is disposable! I mean, you guys are just Genins, and yet you say things like you seen it all. You are not even Chunin yet, so how would you know that you are not disposable huh?!" Idate yelled out in return.
"...Is that why you hate Shinobis? Is because you didn't get to become a Chunin?" Naruto asked with a monotone voice, as he continues to steer the boat.
"W-What?" Idate asked with surprise in his voice.
"I remember now, why your name is so familiar to me. I have a Lover who works in the Torture and Interrogation Corp in Konoha, and she mentioned she works under two higher-ups. Inoichi Yamanka, which is Ino's father, and Ibiki Morino, The Head of T&I. I assume he's a relative of yours." Naruto said, as he finally put all the pieces together of Idate's true identiy.
"W-What did you say? M-My brother is alive?" Idate asked in disbelief, as he always thought that his brother had died in an explosion.
"Yes he is, Idate. And judging from your skills and knowledge, you were a Genin of Konoha." Naruto simply said.
"I...I" Idate was speechless, as he couldn't believe that the little blonde Genin was quite a detective.
"Idate, I don't know what happened to cause you to be this way, but..." Naruto didn't get to finish his sentence, as he instinctively dodge an incoming Arrow that almost hit his head.
"AMBUSH!" Naruto yelled out.
The four youngsters turned their heads and saw there was another boat chasing behind them, with three men standing on top the deck of the ship.
Each of them are wearing matching yellow jumpsuits which was stitched up the middle. They were also wearing an Rain forehead protector that covers their wholes heads, and some sort of breathing apparatus. Their faces were covered with a white sash, with eyeholes cut out. One of them had both, the other had only one, and the last had none at all.
"Looks like I missed, Oboro" says the one with only one-eyehole in his sash, and is holding a crossbow in his hand.
"That doesn't matter, Mubi. How are we doing anyway, Kagari?" Asked the supposed leader with both-eyeholes in his sash, now identified as Oboro.
"See for yourself. Their just up ahead." Says The eyehole-less Ame ninja, known as Kagari
"Alright then. Let's get rolling" Oboro declared to his team.
Mubi then fired a bunch of Arrows towards Team 10's boat.
Naruto saw the incoming projectiles, and made several hand seals, and thrust his open hand forward.
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
The strong force of wind blew all the arrows away, preventing any damage on their ship.
"Looks like they have a Wind Style User. No matter" Mubi says, as he places more arrows on his crossbow and fired them all towards the boat.
But it was all in vain, as Naruto once again managed to easily blow all the arrows away with his Gale Palm.
"Naruto-kun! You know where we are right?" Ino asked, when she realizes the major advantage they have, due to their current location.
"What do mean, Ino?" Naruto asked, not sure what she meant.
"I mean...look at what we are surrounded by now" Ino said, as she waves her hands around, to show what they have been standing on this whole time.
"....The Oceon. Clever girl." Naruto said with smirk.
"Guys, will you please stop flirting with each for one second. We are kind of in a situation here." Shikamaru said with tired sigh.
"Relax Shika. Besides, there's a new Jutsu I just mastered from one of the scrolls Asuma Sensei had given me. And I'm dying to test it out. And since we are at the ocean, I don't need to use the moisture in the air for this one" Naruto said with his confident smirk never leaving his face.
Naruto then proceed to make a very long combination of Hand Seals, but it was impressively fast on the naked eye.
The ocean beneath them was violently shaking, as soon as Naruto had finished his last hand-seal.
Oboro and his team felt a little nervous, when they felt the sudden chakra spike from the blonde shinobi.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A VERY LARGE Dragon made of water rose from the ocean and was send flying towards Team Oboro's ship in incredible speed. It's glowing yellow eyes were narrowed, as it's deafening roar echoed throughout the sea.
Team Oboro were in a state of complete shock to witness such a powerful Jutsu. They had heard of the Water Dragon Jutsu, but they never imagined it could be this big and powerful.
The Water Dragon crashed into the enemy boat, completely annihilating it into pieces.
"Well, I guess that takes care of that" Naruto said with a satisfied smile.
Idate was in disbelief to see the so called 'blonde runt', destroyed the enemy ninjas in one fell swoop. Even though he would never admit it, Idate now has a new sense of respect, and deep fear, towards the blonde Uchiha.
But unfortunately, it wasn't over yet.
"Naruto!" Shikamaru yelled out from behind, as suddenly many copies of Team Oboro were rising from the deck of the ship.
"Ino! Protect Idate. Shikamaru! You and me will get rid of these Clowns once and for all." Naruto ordered with a serious tone.
As the trio of leaf Ninjas continue to hit the multiple clones, they noticed they were as intangible as ghosts, yet were able to inflict some damages.
"These are Haze Clones! Hitting them is a waste of time! Naruto! These things are practically The Standard Clone Jutsu! The only difference is; we can't hit them to dispel them! The real ones are probably hiding somewhere among them!" Shikamaru informed his team leader, as he continues his assault to find the real ones.
"Can you find them, Naruto-kun?!" Ino asked, as she blocks an incoming Kunai that was thrown at her.
"Yeah, I just need a second!" Naruto tried to knelt down to use his Sensory ability, but could not, as Team Oboro kept attacking him as soon as he let his guard down.
"You better stay close to my side, Idate." Ino said to the Wasabi Runner.
"No way! Why would I want any help from a bunch of Ninjas?!" Idate stubbornly yelled out, as he still despises all Ninjas from his core.
"Look around you, Asshole! Beggars can't be choosers...." Naruto said to Idate in annoyance, but then he saw one of the Ame Ninja was about to pounce on Shikamaru ".....Shikamaru! Behind You!" Naruto yelled out.
The real Kagari jumped down to attack Shikamaru from behind, but the Nara managed to duck out of the way just in time, thanks to Naruto's warning. Shikamaru then crouches on one knee, and made a single hand seal.
"Ninja Art: Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
Shikamaru's shadow was sent towards Kagari and was able to catch and trap him. But Shikamaru was forced to let go, as Oboro threw a kunai towards him, and he was forced to dodge once again.
"Shit! This is going to take forever. And I need to catch all three of them with my Shadow to make them stop. But I can't find the originals with these clones hanging around. Naruto! Can you detect them with your Sensory Jutsu?!" Shikamaru asked his blonde team leader.
"It's over! Give up Idate and we might let you live!" Oboro yelled out with smirk behind his 'breather'.
"Tempting. But I rather kick your asses than sell out a comrade" Naruto said with determined eyes.
"C-Comrade?" Idate said in disbelief, that Naruto actually thought of him as a comrade.
"You have any ideas?" Shikamaru asked, as he is now back-to-back with Naruto, with many of the Haze Clones surrounding them.
"Just one. And...sorry you have to find out this way, Shika." Naruto said with a sad smile.
"Find out what?" Shikamaru asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't say we didn't give you chance, now we will...." Mubi said, but didn't get to finish his sentence, as he saw Naruto performs several unique hand seals, that ends with a Snake Seal.
"Steam Style: Shower of Needles!"
Many shards of sharp Steam that had somehow became physical, but very hard to see from the naked eye suddenly appear out of thin air, floating around Naruto and Shikamaru. They were then shot from all directions, hitting all the Haze Clones, and eventually the originals.
The Steam Shards were endless, and they were impossible to dodge.
Oboro was hit in the stomach, Kagari was hit in his left shoulder and right thigh, but Mubi was hit directly in his single eye, killing him instantly.
As the remaining two Ame Ninja yell out in incredible pain, all of the Haze clones disappeared.
Shikamaru was surprise to see his friend use Steam Release for the first time in front of him. He knew Naruto was strong before, but now this is just ridiculous! Just how strong is the troublesome blonde?
He was also troubled that Naruto had killed Mubi like it was normal.
Shikamaru then uses his Shadow Possession Jutsu once again, to bind Oboro and Kagari. Hopefully, they can try to get some information out of them.
After Ino had tended to their wounds, Naruto had tied-up Oboro and Kagari to the poll of the boat.
"Now that I have your attention. How many of you are there?" Naruto asked Oboro, with a cold tone.
"You Bastard! You killed Mubi! I will make sure you die a slow and painful death! But not before I kill your friends in front of you!" Oboro threatened with pure rage in his eyes.
The Blonde had just killed his comrade, and he vows to make him suffer for it.
Naruto had been given some lessons of Interrogation from his 'Anko', and he knew that to get information from an enemy, pain must be inflicted.
While he would rather have Ino use one of her Clan's signature Jutsus to simply extract the information from their heads, unfortunately she has not yet learned the Yamanaka's infamous Psycho Mind Transmission Jutsu.
According to her father, it is a very advanced level technique of their Clan, which she was still not ready to learn yet.
So now Naruto needed to use to old fashioned way.
Naruto then created an Steam Shard, the shard itself was almost colorless, almost completely invisible. Naruto grabbed the shard in his right hand, and stabbed Oboro's left kneecap with it, causing the Ame Ninja to scream out in agonizing pain.
"AHHHHHHHH"
"I'm going to ask you again....How..."
Naruto began to twist the shard into Oboro's kneecap without even flinching.
"AHHHHHHHH"
"...many"
"GOD DAMN IT!"
"FUCK YOU!"
"...you"
"I SWEAR I WILL....."
"...out"
"AHHHHHHHH"
"...there?"
"AAAAHHHHHHHH....haha....haHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Y-You....You just wait, kid. Aoi sensei is going to kill you all, with his sword." Oboro said with a large evil grin behind his breather.
"A-Aoi Sensei?" Idate said to himself with shock, as he thought he would never have to hear that accursed name again,
"But.....not before I kill you first." Oboro said, with the sinister grin never leaving his face.
Naruto didn't like the sound of his tone, and as he subconsciously concentrate his Chakra into his ears, he heard the sound of.....burning paper?.....all over the boat!
"GET OFF THE BOAT! NOW!"
Hearing the fear in his voice, Ino, Shikamaru and Idate immediately ran to the edge of the boat.
"HAHAHAHA SEE YOU IN HELL, BLONDIE!" Oboro yelled out in satisfaction.
Team 10 managed to jump out of the boat in time, before it was completely destroyed in a fiery explosion, courtesy of the many Paper Bombs Oboro and his team managed to placed when they first attacked.
Oboro and Kagari were no doubt killed in the explosion, but the shockwave of the blast had managed to separate Team 10 from Idate.
NAGI ISLAND
Idate was able to swim all the way to the island, but he could not locate his Ninja bodyguards anywhere. While he would not admit it to himself, he really hopes that they survive the explosion, and soon find their way back to him. The Race was still far from over after all.
As he climbs up the rocks to drag himself away from unforgiving sea, he felt a shadow of a man standing over him.
The man that was standing before Idate, gave him nothing but a smug grin.
"Long time no see, Idate" The man says, with a cocky tone.
"Y-You....A-Aoi Rokusho....you son of AHH..." Idate didn't get to finish his sentence, as he was grabbed by his hair, and was thrown very hard on the rocky surface.
"Now is that any way to treat your old Sensei? Really, how many times do I have to teach you, to never trust anyone." The man now identified as Aoi says, as he reaches for the heavy Umbrella on his back, and began to beat Idate with it.
"Such a fool you are."
Naruto, Ino and Shikamaru managed to swim all the way to the sandy shores of Nagi Island. They could still see what was left of their burning boat from afar, that is currently sinking to the bottom of the ocean.
"Are you guys alright?" Naruto asks his team.
"Y-Yeah, we're okay." Shikamaru responded, as he panted to regain his breath.
"Wait, where's Idate?" Ino asked, as she looks around to see no signs of their fourth member.
"It looks like we were separated during the explosion. Hang on, I'll try to find him." Naruto said, with worry in his voice.
Naruto then knelt down, and places his index on the sandy ground, and closes his eyes to concentrate. The Island was vast, and he could detect many small chakra signatures gathering at the Modoroki Shrine. They are probably the villagers who came all the way to support their Runners, when they arrive to collect their 'Ryuko Jewel,' and head straight to the Todoroki Shrine.
Naruto then detected 2 Chakra signatures that were near them. One he recognizes as Idate's, but the other had High-Chunin Level Chakra, and a strong sense of Malice.
The young Uchiha managed to combine both his natural Sensory ability and Kurama's Negative-Emotion detector. The result, is a very powerful sensory skill, that can track and identify any target with ease.
"I found him. But he's not alone. We need to move now." Naruto informed his team with urgency.
"Right" Both Ino and Shikamaru responded in unison.
Team 10 then set off to look for their forth 'Ninja-hating' member. But despite their differences, Naruto truly hopes that Idate will be alright when they arrive.
WITH IDATE AND AOI
The Ame Jonin continues to beat the defenceless Wasabi Runner without mercy in the heavily rain area. Idate had bruises all over his face, and Senbons all over his body.
Whats's worse, is that Aoi continues to verbally belittle the Wasabi Runner of his self-worth, as he beats him to a pulp. Calling him a coward and a worthless human being, that that doesn't deserve to live.
"Times Running out, Idate. Fukusuke will be at the Modoroki Shrine right about now. Any chance you have is long gone." Aoi gloated with grin.
Idate was feeling weakened by the beating, and dropped down to his knees, and eventually on his belly.
"Your running days are over. You can't even stand-up. Once the poison in those Senbons finishes spreading through your body, you will be crossing a different sort of 'finish-line.' The last finish-line....of Death" Aoi said, with the evil grin never leaving his face.
Idate felt his will-to-fight was slowly fading away, as he tries desperately to reach for the pocket knife that was on the ground in front of him.
"What do you really think you can do with that little pocket knife?" Aoi asked out of pity, for the sorry sight of the Wasabi Runner.
Aoi then reached out to grab the pocket knife on the ground, but his hand was immediately slapped away by Idate, as the Wasabi Runner desperately clings to it.
"NO! Don't touch it!" Idate declared, as he somehow maintained his defiant spirit.
Feeling annoyed, Aoi continues to beat the helpless Idate. The Ame Jonin stomped his foot on Idate's hand that was still clinging on the pocket knife, and kicked the Wasabi Runner directly on the face.
He then began to stomp on his weakened body.
"You fool. Were you hoping to show the world that you are a man of integrity? You could have just run away. You picked the wrong time to try to 'redeem yourself' Idate." Aoi said with cold-casual tone.
The Ame Jonin then places his foot firmly on Idate's chest. Waiting to let the poison in his Senbons finally finishing the Wasabi Runner off for good.
Idate was weak and he could feel his consciousness fading. As he was about to drift off to unconsciousness, he heard a loud cry of a familiar voice.
"Water Style: Liquid Bullet!"
A large orb of water came rocketing towards the direction of the Ame Jonin.
Aoi was able to jump out of the way in time, but by doing so, Idate was freed from the hold of his foot.
The Water bullet was send crashing onto the ground, causing a medium size crater.
Aoi who saw the results of the sudden attack, was intrigued to see a who was the caster of such powerful Water Jutsu.
"IDATE!" yelled out by Ino, who immediately went to him to check on his wounds, while Naruto and Shikamaru went to confront the Ame Jonin.
Aoi was surprise to see a team of three Konoha Genins, who is now standing between him and his target.
"I assume, you are in charge of the three Ame Ninjas that attacked us?" Naruto asked.
"Yes and apparently, they weren't quite up to the job. Where are they anyway?" Aoi asked with a bored tone, wondering where his Genin team is.
"Dead. And you will be too, if you don't step away." Naruto answered and threatened.
"Quite a tough guy aren't you, little man. That's a shame though, I was planning to enrol my foolish Genin Team to the next Chunin Exams. Ah well, you win some, you lose some. It makes no difference to me." Aoi said like it was no big deal.
"You say that, like they are replaceable." Shikamaru said with narrowed eyes.
"Oh they are, it is just going to be a hassle to find a 'New Team' that's all." Aoi coldly answered.
"You son of a bitch. They might be our enemies, but they were your comrades. How could you disrespect them like that?!" Ino demanded to know, what sort of Jonin would care so less for his Genin Team.
"They were nothing but tools to me. That is all. But thanks to you lot, you prove that they were a bunch of useless tools, so I need to replace them once this is all over. But why are you so upset about it? Isn't that what we Shinobi are? We use every 'tool' we have for our benefit?" Aoi said with a smug look.
"It's scum like you, who give the title of Shinobi a bad name" Ino said with a hint of anger.
"And it's kids like you, who dies easily for their childlike views of the world." Aoi retaliate Ino's last comment with his own.
Naruto stood silent at his comments about Ninja world.
Aoi then threw his umbrella up in the air, and made a single hand-seal.
"Ninja Art: Senbon Shower!"
The umbrella then started to spin and shot out countless poisonous Senbons in all directions, that is now raining downwards on Team 10.
Naruto then perform several hand-seals and took a deep breath.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
All the Senbons were blown away before they could hit any of the Konoha Genins, which causes Aoi to grit his teeth in annoyance.
But then heard a feminine voice yell out from behind him.
"Fire Style: Phoneix Flower Jutsu!"
Ino blew out multiple Fireballs towards the Ame Jonin, and Aoi was struggling as he dodges the many very-lethal Fire attacks.
Aoi then jumps up high in the air, and grabs his still airborne Umbrella. He then swings it downwards and unleased a strong 'Force of Wind' towards Team 10.
They managed to jump out of the way, but Ino was hit full-force, as she used her body to shield the still unconscious and defenceless Idate, from the attack.
As Aoi was still in the air, smirking with satisfaction, as he was able to hit one of the pesky Genins. He then realizes that one of them is missing.
He then saw a single kunai thrown in the direction towards his chest. Aoi smiled smugly, as he was able to dodge the kunai before it hits him.
But as the kunai passed by him, he saw a 'paper' attached on the ring of the handle, causing his eyes to widen as he realizes what it was.
BOOM!
Apparently Shikamaru had taken advantage of the chaos after Aoi's aerial assault, and made an unexpected sneak-attack on the Ame Jonin with a Paper-Bomb attached Kunai.
Aoi managed to use his Umbrella to shield himself from the explosion in time, but not without escaping with some minor burns. His umbrella however was not so lucky, as it was now completely destroyed.
The Ame Jonin then landed on the ground, on his feet. Cursing the pesky Konoha Genins under his breath.
But when he heard the sound of a loud Roar behind him, his eyes widened, when he saw a very large
Water Dragon heading straight towards him.
Realizing that there was no other choice, Aoi reach into his pouch, and pulled out some sort of 'Sword-Handle.' Afterwards, a glowing double-edged blade made of Pure Yellow Electrical-Energy, emerged from the handle.
Aoi then uses the 'Energy Sword' to slice through the Water Dragon before it could harm him.
'What is that thing?' Naruto thought in interest, when he saw the unique sword cut through his attack like it was nothing.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of loud cheering coming from the direction of the Modoroki Shrine.
"Fukusuke must have reached the Modoroki Shrine. You three are quite impressive for a bunch of Genins, but your mission is already a failure. The poison will soon kill Idate. He's finished. You better pray that we won't see each other again. Because next time, my Sword of the Thunder God will cut right through you all." Aoi threatened with a confident smirk, before he Shunshin away.
"Damn it" Shikamaru said with a frustrated tone.
'Sword of the Thunder God, huh. I wonder how that useless Jonin got his hands on a weapon like that?' Naruto thought out of curiosity. A sword like that belonged to the Second Hokage, one who was beaten only by Hashirama and Madara, to think his weapon would be used by a nobody.
The blonde found it amusing that Konoha had allowed itself to lose such a powerful weapon, but knowing the state of Konoha, he shouldn't be surprised.
He wondered what the Real Naruto was doing right now, Last night The Blonde used Shadow Clones to do the mission while he decided to visit a certain Giant Red Monkey.
"NARUTO-KUN! SHIKA!" Ino yelled out to her two team-mates.
Naruto and Shikamaru immediately ran to her side, as they both could hear the urgency in her tone.
"Ino, what's wrong?"
"It's Idate, his pulse is weakening. We need to get him out of here, so I can treat the poison" Ino informed her teammates, of the Wasabi Runner's dire condition.
"Right. Shika, help me carry him." Naruto ordered the pineapple haired boy, as they both carry the unconscious Idate, shoulder to shoulder.
Somewhere Else
'Ao stepped into a pub, his face hidden by a thick hood, with just his chin visible from the outside. The rain had been pouring down for two days, and he was feeling cold and bitter as he approached the bar where he was meant to meet the informer.
Byakugan activated, he took a quick glance around the bar, looking for anybody who could have been following him; after all, Yagura's spies would do everything to get a hold of him.
As he surveyed the room, his attention was drawn to a single individual sitting alone in a table wearing a black hoodie with dark hair sticking out. Upon approaching the guy, Ao saw nothing unusual about him and decided to review the note that Mei-Sama had handed him before approaching.
Dark Hoodie, Slightly long dark hair, sitting alone, when you approach, say the word 'Mizu'
Ao approached him and the guy moved with far more speed than he could have anticipated, lowering his hoodie around his right eye and showing A Mangekyo Sharingan in the process.
"Tsukuyomi"
Before he could process what had just happened, Ao found himself in a completely different environment: the sky had turned dark, and the moon had turned blood red; below him, there was blood-red water; and, amid the cries of crows as they all suddenly rushed to the same spot in front of him, a Man slowly appeared.
With his breath stopped in his throat and perspiration pouring down his forehead, Ao couldn't comprehend why his Byakugan had seen an entirely different face behind the hood.
The Butcher of the Uchiha Clan was recognized by Ao.
Uchiha Itachi
週次パワーステータス
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