Back in Sasuke's House…
*Sh!*
*Sh!*
*Sh!*
Sasuke swung his sword up and down, practicing his sword-wielding skills.
However, his expression was sour, as he thought back to the previous night's incident where Lee got him in one kick.
("Damn it!")
("I can't believe I was caught off like that…") Sasuke thought back to when Lee kicked him off the ground as he continued to wing his sword.
"Elder Brother," Jūgo called out.
Sasuke turned towards Jūgo to see him holding a cup of tea on a plate as he looked at Sasuke.
"I've made Tea," Jūgo said.
"Mm," Sasuke nodded as he settled down his sword and took the cup from Jūgo.
*slurp!*
"Jūgo," Sasuke called out.
"Yes, Elder Brother?" Jūgo responded.
"That day, you used sage mode, right?" Sasuke asked.
"Yeah," Jūgo said as he thought back to Sasuke killing Kimimaro in front of him.
"Where did you learn it?" Sasuke asked.
"It's an inborn ability amongst my family,"
"My sage mode was amplified by Orochimaru-sama using his cursed mark seal," Jūgo replied.
"I see…" Sasuke said as he though for a bit.
"Jūgo,"
"How did you gather energy so fast?" Sasuke asked.
"Since it is an inborn ability,"
"Our bodies naturally absorb natural energy, that's why when I went berserk, it got activated immediately," Jūgo explained.
("Naturally absorbs energy?")
("How convenient…") Sasuke sighed internally.
"I want you to be my sparring partner from now on," Sasuke said.
"If that's what you wish for elder brother…" Jūgo said following which he closed his eyes.
Sasuke immediately finished his tea and placed it on the plate that Jūgo bought, following which he entered a stance to face Jūgo.
"HAHAHHA!!!!"
"IF IT'S A FIGHT YOU WANT THEN IT'S A FIGHT, YOU GET!!!!" Jūgo shouted madly as soon as he opened his eyes.
Sasuke's body tensed as he slowly started to radiate with battle intent.
In the Village Hidden in the clouds…
The Fourth Raikage sat down on his large seat in his office room while staring at the door as though he was waiting for something.
"Raikage-sama!" a voice called out.
"Huh…?" Ay raised his head to look at a woman who appeared by the door,
"Mabui," Ay recognized the woman by the door.
"Raikage-sama,"
"It's Bad news,"
"The two ninjas we sent to attend the Chūnin exam event were killed at our borders,"
"WHAT?" Ay stood up as he blasted the armrest on his chair to smithereens.
(Whoosh!)
A young man with blonde hair appeared.
"Yes,"
"It's true,"
"A primary analysis at the scene revealed no clue whatsoever,"
"Darui is at the location still digging out for more clues at this moment," Cee said.
"Fools!" Ay cursed as he looked towards Mabui.
"I had put you in charge of the mission debrief," Ay said.
"But…" Mabui wanted to justify; however, Ay did not give her the opportunity.
"Nine years ago,"
"We were this close to finding out the secrets after sacrificing one of our best men,"
"That naive old fox,"
"He pulled the rug from under us by sending in a body double of that clan's leader!" Ay shouted.
"…" Cee and Mabui stared in silence.
"After NINE YEARS,"
"When we finally received a chance,"
"Two idiots end up getting themselves killed," Ay cursed following which he looked at Mabui.
"Tell Darui to do whatever it takes to find out who the culprits were,"
"Otherwise, it will be hard to pin this blame on anyone at all," Ay said.
"Yes!" Mabui affirmed the order and exited the room in haste.
However, Cee was still in the room.
"What is it, Cee?" Ay asked in anger.
"Raikage-sama, there has been news that the Hidden Leaf Village is holding an event to celebrate their treaty with the Hidden Sand," Cee replied.
"What?"
"An event?" Ay was surprised.
("Is there any possible motive behind this?") Ay thought following which he looked at Cee.
"Just warn everyone to be on alert," Ay said.
"Got it!" Cee said following which he exited the room in haste.
Ay clenched his fists as he thought,
("That Old Fox,")
("What is he planning to do right now…?")
Hidden Leaf Village…
In a building underground…
Two figures stood opposite to each other.
(Whoosh!)
An agent half kneeled next to one of the figures.
"Reporting,"
"The two ninjas have been taken care of," the man reported.
"What of the one from the hidden grass," Tobirama asked.
"Reporting to Lord Second, The other one has been handled as well."
"Good!" Tobirama and Danzō said at the same time.
"…" The agent was silent.
"You may go now," Danzō said.
"Yes," The man accepted the order and left the place.
"Danzō," Tobirama called out,
"What is it sensei?" Danzō asked.
"The Root,"
"I plan to have it absorbed into the official ANBU unit as one," Tobirama said.
"WHAT?" Danzō wanted to argue.
"Danzō, I understand that the root is your blood and sweat; however, this separation is the same as how the Senju and the Uchiha were in the village," Tobirama said.
"…" Danzō was silent.
"As years passed, the Uchiha were ultimately eliminated by a boy under your orders," Tobirama said following which Danzō expression changed to that of unease.
"The Root and the Official division are just like these two clans right now,"
"Rather than having unforeseen circumstances in future, I would rather have them incorporated into a single division to ensure unity stands the test of time," Tobirama said.
Danzō frowned.
"Sensei, If you were the current Hokage, I wouldn't dare hesitate to follow your order,"
"However, Hiruzen is naive,"
"He is soft and forgiving,"
"He's not fit to be the Hokage," Danzō said.
"Are you questioning the order I gave before my death?" Tobirama asked.
"…"
"Danzō,"
"Hiruzen never hesitated when the moment came, but back then you did,"
"…" Danzō remained silent.
"You may think that you are doing good for this village by taking on its darkness,"
"However, I can see the truth as clear as day," Tobirama said.
Danzō looked at the ground as he thought back to his younger days.
("Is he truly thinking he is good?") Tobirama thought back to the Danzō from his memories.
("Honestly thinking about it, His actions though completely despicable, He never betrayed the village,")
("But at the same time, he also seemed to be greedy to the point that he was confused in helping himself or his village,")
("But can his actions truly be blamed?") Tobirama thought as he stared at Danzo who hid his right arm in the fake plaster he had put on.
"Sensei!"
"I may have hesitated,"
"But now,"
"I believe that I am more than capable for this position than Hiruzen," Danzō said.
Tobirama sighed in defeat.
"Danzō, It appears you don't understand," Tobirama said.
"huh?" Danzō stared at Tobirama.
"Until you understand, I will postpone this conversation,"
"Think about my request,"
"I would like to hear an answer in a few days," Tobirama said as he walked away.
Danzō, however, stared in confusion.
("What is it that I lack?") Danzō asked himself.
Tobirama walked towards the exit.
("Danzō,")
("This is just not about facing the darkness,")
("But the light as well,")
("If you continue to live in the shadows, How will you be able to face the light?")
("The enemies can be considered darkness, while the villagers and the people closest are the light,")
("Danzō, by living in the darkness, you have forgotten the meaning of the light itself,")
("One does not need to be a Hokage to protect the village,")
("As long as you have the thoughts and act upon it,")
("The people would recognize your efforts,")
("The boy Naruto knew this very well, and so did Itachi,")
("Its not about getting people to acknowledge you,")
("But it is those that are acknowledged that become Hokage…") Tobirama thought as he exited the building.
Back in the training field…
< Shadow clone switch! >
Naruto announced as he tried to execute it,
However, nothing happened.
("I have inscribed the Flying Thunder God mark on my body,")
("Then tried picturing the clone I want to transfer with…")
("What went wrong this time…") Naruto thought.
("Naruto!") Shū called out.
"What is it?" Naruto asked.
(" It is about time we leave,") Shū said.
"Got it!" Naruto nodded.
*Grrr!!!*
"Oops!"
"Didn't have lunch yet." Naruto laughed after hearing his stomach growl.
Naruto then gave the order to his clones to disperse and left for Ichiraku Ramen.
He ordered a few bowls of his choice of ramen and finished it.
"Thanks, Old Man!" Naruto said as he took off from the shop.
As he walked past the streets, he came by a small shop selling snacks.
("Now that I am going there, I might come across Gammakichi,")
("Better take something for him,") Naruto thought following which he bought some chips.
After having everything prepared, he then headed to a secluded spot outside the village.
("Now then, it's time to head over to that place,") Naruto thought as he brought his hands together without drawing blood.
< Boar > < Dog > < Bird > < Monkey > < Ram >
< Ninja Art - Reverse Summoning Jutsu! >
(Poof!)
Naruto disappeared.
(Poof!)
Naruto reappeared in Mount Myoboku!
"Ah!"
"Jiraiyboy's student!" Lord Fukasaku called out.
"Hi, Geezer-frog!" Naruto waved.
"You're just in time,"
"The Elder Sage has been expecting your arrival for a while now…" Lord Fukasaku said.
"He knew?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah,"
"He can predict the arrival of people as well," Lord Fukasaku said following which he pointed at Naruto.
"Before going, do you want to eat?" Lord Fukasaku asked.
"NO!" Naruto instantly shouted.
"huh…?" Lord Fukasaku stared at Naruto.
"Oh, It's just that I already ate before coming here…" Naruto smiled.
("There's no way in hell I am going to eat Granny Frog's cooking,")
("It's a good thing that I had ramen before coming here…") Naruto sighed in relief.
"I See…"
"However, if you ever have the chance sometime, you must stop by to taste ma's cooking," Lord Fukasaku said.
"Okay…" Naruto smiled awkwardly.
"Follow Me!" He said as he led Naruto to the Hall where the Elder Sage resided.
Soon the two stood in front of the Elder Sage.
"I've brought him here…" Lord Fukasaku said.
"Hmm…" The elder sage looked at Naruto from top to bottom.
"…" Naruto and Lord Fukasaku remained silent as the Elder Sage kept observing,
After a few moments passed.
"Who are you again?" The Elder Sage asked.
("Are you pulling my leg, elder sage?") Naruto's eyes twitched in disbelief.
"He's Jiraiyboy's student," Lord Fukasaku replied.
"Ah!"
"Now I remember…" The Elder Sage nodded as he looked at Naruto following which he thought back to the time he had made the first prediction.
——FlashBack——
(Chapter 50)
In the Elder Sage hall of Mount Myoboku.
"I sense a great change is about to begin."
"This storm is much more than just changing the world."
"The student of Jiraiyboy was supposed to bring either great destruction or great peace."
"That was the vision I had seen."
"The new vision now involves the otherworldly."
"Has Jiraiya boy come in contact with that fated student of his?" The Great Elder thought as he looked towards the sky from his seat in the hall.
—-End of FlashBack-—
However, that prediction was far off in the future.
He then thought back to the prediction he had made the previous day…
"Boy!" The Elder Sage called out.
"What is it, Elder Sage?" Naruto asked.
"The boy who calls the nine names, you are not to bring the tailed beasts together,"
"If you do, there will be a war between villages," The sage said.
"Eh?" Naruto froze as he stared at the Elder Sage.
Next Time on NRe - Decision; Training Continued
Author's Thoughts:
No interesting questions for an interview today.
Thanks!