Chapter 1: The Shadow of the Past
The beautiful Koyuki Kazahana, Daimyo of the Land of Spring, waited at the port. Her breath plumed in white clouds in the freezing air. She hugged herself, trying in vain to fight off the cold. Her restless gaze scanned the horizon. The ship from the Empire of the Rising Sun was late, and the wait was becoming unbearable, like a sharp needle of ice pricking at her patience. To say the woman was dying of nerves would be an understatement; she was at least three levels beyond nervous. Her heart hammered like a runaway drum in her chest, and her hands, hidden in leather gloves, trembled slightly, betraying her anxiety.
And for good reason. Shiori Todoroki, the manager of the White Lotus Trading House in her country, had assured her the tournament would feature the distinguished presence of the Emperor himself, at least one or two of his wives, and his favorite daughter. A mix of excitement, anticipation, and reverent fear shot through her like an electric shock as she recalled Shiori's words and the sheer scale of the upcoming event. And that was precisely why she was scared to death. Her usually serene and elegant face tightened into a worried grimace. Her eyes, normally bright and full of life, darted nervously from side to side, searching for a non-existent escape route.
Like everyone on the Elemental Continent, she knew that place, the outer world, was wild and inhospitable. Just thinking that a single man had managed not only to raise up a village of simple potters, conquer six other kingdoms to found a powerful nation, and on top of that, get involved in the mother of all wars and emerge victorious... and not just that, but he had achieved what was thought impossible: completely pacifying the vast outer world... An expression of astonishment, disbelief, and almost reverent respect washed over her face as she considered the Emperor's feat.
Imagining such a man... well, the closest thing she could picture was something straight out of her nightmares, no matter how much the manager assured her otherwise. An involuntary shiver ran down her spine, like a dark premonition, as she pictured the Emperor's imposing and powerful figure. Shiori had claimed he was generally quite a cold man, but not a monster, even if he was a mountain of muscle nearly two meters tall. In fact, he could even be considered gentle and noble in some ways, not to mention incredibly handsome... A faint smile, tinged with curiosity and a hint of fascination, touched Koyuki's lips as she recalled Shiori's description, though it quickly vanished, replaced by unease. Even if his way of dressing made it clear he had no fashion sense whatsoever. A flicker of amusement and bewilderment crossed her face thinking about the Emperor's potential bad taste, a small detail contrasting sharply with the imposing image she'd formed.
Besides the Daimyo herself, Tsunade stood beside her, arms crossed over her chest, tense and expectant, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if trying to will the ship's arrival; her assistant, Shizune, looking nervous and worried, fiddling with her fingers and biting her lower lip; and Shiori herself, who was currently the focus of stares from a good portion of those present... and the occasional passerby. Shiori stood tall, a professional, forced smile on her lips, though a slight blush from the constant attention colored her cheeks.
The woman in question, Shiori, was young, couldn't be more than about 25. She had heterochromatic eyes – one brown, the other cerulean blue – and hair that was half red, half white. Her striking, exotic appearance, like some otherworldly creature, drew curious and admiring glances from everyone around. While that alone would catch anyone's eye, her outfit was actually even more attention-grabbing. After all, she was wearing a short navy-blue skirt, matching sneakers, black stockings, and a black crop top that bared her flat stomach. Her slender, athletic body was surprisingly exposed to the cold, defying the freezing temperatures. She looked incredibly beautiful, don't get me wrong, but... it wasn't the kind of outfit anyone would wear in weather that was currently around minus twelve degrees Celsius [around 10F] in the middle of winter. Koyuki couldn't help but shiver for her, hugging herself tighter, feeling the harshness of winter on her own skin. In fact, it was the kind of outfit someone would wear for tropical weather... in the summer.
"—How can you dress like that in this weather?" Finally, unable to fight her curiosity any longer, Shizune voiced the question on everyone's mind. Her voice, full of astonishment and disbelief, rose above the whistling wind as she looked Shiori up and down, eyes wide.
"—Inheritance from my mother and father," answered the bi-colored haired girl in her usual monotone, shrugging as if discussing something trivial. "Half of my body can withstand temperatures even lower than this, thanks to my mother's side, while the other half is so hot that it always feels cool to me – that's from my father... I guess you could say I have a double Kekkei Genkai, in your terms, because the cold half of my body can generate ice and the right half generates burning flames, and I can use a cold fire if I use both halves at the same time... the Emperor calls it exotic." A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips at the end of her explanation.
That answer, honestly, really surprised both Shizune and her mentor. Both women's eyes widened in shock, and they exchanged disbelieving glances. Neither of them had expected Shiori to have a surprise like that.
Not long after her explanation, everyone heard the powerful engines of the imperial vehicle overhead. Heads snapped up in unison, eyes turning skyward, searching for the source of the sound. And sure enough, when they looked up, about a kilometer away, they noticed something suspended in the air. A huge, dark silhouette was stark against the winter sky. It was at least 400 meters up, maybe more, if perspective wasn't playing tricks on them.
According to the girl beside them, Shiori, it was a mobile operations and intelligence base designed never to stay in one place, both to avoid detection by pockets of insurrection and to help war-torn areas get back on their feet. They nodded, understanding the ship's purpose. To everyone's great relief, the fortress had apparently only been used for the latter purpose so far... Relief washed over their faces.
Conveniently, however, Shiori chose not to mention that this was because insurgent groups were destroyed almost as soon as they were discovered by one of the Sky Kings or any of the Empire's other warriors... They certainly didn't need to know about the Empire's internal problems, after all.
Finally, the gigantic ship descended and landed on the water with a gentle splash that barely disturbed the surface, despite its immense size. Yes, apparently it could travel by sea, air, and land. Who knew? Soon it began to navigate closer, coming to a stop just under two hundred meters from the port, along with its huge escort fleet. The fleet, imposing and menacing, stretched as far as the eye could see.
Once everything settled, the vehicle's enormous doors opened with a metallic clang that echoed across the port, revealing a small frigate carrying the Emperor, his two wives who had joined this expedition, and the tournament fighters. Expectation and nervousness heightened among those present as they awaited the Emperor's arrival.
The whole spectacle displayed for the Daimyo and her companions lasted ten minutes. Then, the Emperor stepped off the vessel. The monstrous level of strength the man possessed became evident the instant he set a single foot on the wooden pier. The wood groaned and cracked the instant his foot touched it. The sound of splintering wood echoed across the port. A shiver ran down the spines of those present. Shortly after, his family and the rest of the imperial entourage disembarked. Koyuki carefully watched each person who came down, trying to analyze their faces and posture. She could have sworn she heard one of them mutter, "I'm not paying for the pier repairs." A faint smile, tinged with disbelief and amusement, touched her lips hearing the comment.
But returning to the Emperor, she now understood why Shiori claimed he and fashion weren't friends. Amusement and bewilderment washed over her face as she observed the Emperor's attire. The man dressed rather strangely. She was sure the garment around his shoulders was definitely women's clothing. She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, trying to identify the item. In fact, the only accessory that actually suited him was the red and white blindfold tied around his eyes. Her gaze lingered on the blindfold, feeling a pang of curiosity.
As for his companions, they dressed relatively normally – except for the metal helmet topped with what she assumed was fur on the head of the youngest one, Mordred (N/A: a girl who looked like a teenager, with a defiant expression and proud stance). "Normal," at least, for figures like Queen Arturia, whose armor and elegant bearing radiated an imposing, majestic presence; or the prime minister, the black-haired Zeref, whose elegant suit and serene expression were offset by eyes denoting sharp intelligence and cunning; or Nealie, whose peculiar attire and intense gaze emanated an aura of power and mystery. She swore it was Zeref who'd muttered about not paying for the pier repairs.
"—Your Highness, it's an honor to be in your presence," Koyuki greeted. Her voice, full of respect and nervousness, was barely a whisper. She gave a slight bow to the man currently considered the most powerful in the world. Her body dipped with grace and elegance, but her hands trembled slightly, betraying her anxiety.
"—The honor is all mine," the man returned the gesture with a bow of his own. His deep, resonant voice carried a mix of courtesy and authority. She could have sworn she'd heard his voice before, but she chose not to dwell on it. A flicker of doubt and confusion crossed her face as she registered the voice's familiarity. After all, she'd met many people with similar vocal tones, and honestly, she couldn't possibly remember them all, even if she wanted to... Not to mention, she doubted this man was an acquaintance, considering his history. She shook her head, dismissing the thought as mere coincidence.
"—Allow me to introduce my friend and the director of our medical program, Tsunade Senju," Koyuki made the introductions, gesturing towards Tsunade. Unbeknownst to her, they were entirely unnecessary.
"—Tsunade Senju... a physician of such renown that the best doctors in my world are eager to meet her... though that's something that could perhaps be arranged." The Emperor's voice was soft but held genuine interest. It wasn't empty flattery, far from it. The doctors in his realm were impressed she'd achieved so much on a continent where electricity was considered a novelty, not the norm. A faint smile, full of admiration and respect, touched his lips.
Tsunade, frankly, had no idea how or why the people of the Empire knew of her, and honestly, she wasn't sure she wanted to find out. Surprise and confusion washed over her face, her eyes widening slightly, unable to hide her bewilderment. The fact that the Emperor had complimented her implied the woman was in his good graces. Which, unbeknownst to them... at least at that moment, caused a certain pervert, Jiraiya, to feel like his days were numbered. A dark premonition crossed Tsunade's mind, a bad feeling that made her shudder.
Getting back on track, the Emperor introduced his two wives and the "over-edited sugar ball" he took pleasure in calling his daughter, using those exact words. An amused and affectionate smile touched his lips as he introduced his daughter, even if his words sounded somewhat mocking and exaggerated.
He also introduced the man who was, in every sense, his brother in all but blood, Zeref. Zeref nodded, his expression serene but a knowing glint in his dark eyes as he acknowledged Naruto's introduction.
Likewise, he introduced each and every one of the Empire's fighters. While the Emperor headed to the feudal palace with firm, decisive steps, surrounded by his family and advisors, the fighters were led by Shiori to their lodgings. Shiori walked with a professional smile, guiding the group with kind, confident gestures, though a slight twitch in her eye betrayed her impatience.
And, of course, the ice-hearted beauty, Koyuki, couldn't help but feel pity for the fools from Konoha... or from any village, for that matter. A grimace of compassion and worry crossed her face as she thought about the future of the local competitors. This came from seeing the bloodlust most of them – the imperial fighters – radiated. Their intense gazes and tense stances, like predators ready to strike, didn't bode well.
At least they were lucky that Pickle had decided it was a good time to hibernate, or they would have had to deal with a primitive, cannibalistic beast. A shiver ran down her spine imagining Pickle, recalling the stories she'd heard of his brutality. Although, something inside told her they'd actually put the man to sleep to avoid a diplomatic incident. Most likely to the slight disappointment of the Emperor himself... An ironic, amused smile touched her lips thinking of Naruto's likely reaction – frustrated at not being able to unleash his warriors' full violence.
Sometimes she wondered if the man wasn't secretly a god of vengeance or something along those lines... He was considered the god of war by a certain Ghoul, so it wouldn't be far-fetched, given how gods worked, that he might actually be the god of vengeance too. She shook her head, dismissing the idea as fantasy, though a persistent doubt lingered, making her wonder if there was more behind the Emperor's facade.
—Two days later, tournament registration—
Many didn't know why it had been allowed, but thanks to the sponsor, the rules for this tournament had been significantly changed. Confusion and uncertainty spread across the faces of participants and spectators as they tried to understand the changes. Normally, the tournament featured 32 participants chosen in a preliminary elimination round.
This year, however, there were only 16 spots, as the other 16 had been directly allocated to the Empire's fighters. A mix of surprise, indignation, and resignation spread through the local participants, who saw their chances reduced.
Also, for some reason nobody understood, there was an age limit for contestants – set, much to the frustration of many from the elemental nations, between 15 and 27 years old. A wave of murmurs and complaints went through the crowd, voicing their displeasure. Curiously, just two years older than the Emperor himself was, or so many understood. A murmur of surprise and speculation rippled through the crowd as they recalled the Emperor's age and its possible connection to the limit.
However, that restriction alone excluded Konoha's top players, like Guy, Kushina, Hiashi, Tsume, Kakashi, and Minato himself. Frustration and disappointment showed on the faces of Minato and the others excluded, seeing their chances to participate vanish. The same went for Han and Roshi from Iwa, and A from Kumo along with his brother, the Jinchuriki. A murmur of disbelief and concern spread among the representatives from the other villages, aware of the disadvantage the restriction posed.
So, to Konoha's slight worry, its fate rested on the young shoulders of Menma, Shio, Hashirama, and Mito Namikaze – the Hokage's children. They looked at each other with determined yet nervous expressions, feeling the weight of responsibility.
There were also Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji Hyuga. The Hyuga clan members adopted fighting stances, their Byakugan eyes activated, ready to prove their worth.
And Rock Lee, an expression of intense concentration and fire in his eyes, burning with the flame of youth.
Kiba Inuzuka, flashing a feral grin, fangs bared, eager for action.
Sasuke Uchiha, with a cold, distant gaze and an arrogant expression, as if he considered himself superior to everyone else.
And Maru Sarutobi, formerly known as Konohamaru. With his mother's support, the now 20-year-old Jounin had legally changed his name, disgusted by having one associated with a nest of treacherous rats. Maru stood tall, determined and proud, ready to represent his clan and village.
"—It doesn't matter! Konoha will still take the victory!" Mito exclaimed. Her voice, full of enthusiasm and an almost desperate determination, echoed in the area. She punched the air with her fist, a confident, though slightly forced, smile on her face. She wanted to prove her skill and potential, burning with the desire to kick some imperial ass, at least enough to earn a little respect from Maru. An expression of longing and defiance took over her face, mixed with a hint of insecurity.
Things between the Namikaze family and what remained of the 'Konoha Twelve,' as they called themselves, weren't exactly pleasant. In fact, quite the opposite. A grimace of disgust and frustration crossed Minato's face as he thought about the tense relationships, the division and resentment eating away at the group.
Menma, Naruto's younger brother, was very persistent in asking Hinata out. She had rejected him in every way imaginable, and even invented a few new ones just to make it crystal clear. Hinata stood firm, an expression of determination and utter weariness on her face whenever Menma approached, as if dealing with a persistent pest.
To many, though they disliked the comparison, it was almost like remembering the constant rejections Sakura received when trying to woo the clanless Sasuke. (N/A: The author lets out a malicious chuckle here, enjoying the situation.)
Except with something a little worse mixed in. There were a couple of times Hinata had beaten the boy to within an inch of his life, and he still didn't get the message. A satisfied, approving smile touched the lips of some onlookers remembering those incidents – a small measure of revenge for Menma's persistence.
Unfortunately for the young man, and to Kushina and Shio's annoyance, this had happened during their match in the Chunin Exams the year after the banishment. Hinata had crushed the one called – by his parents and no one else – the 'Namikaze Prodigy'. An expression of triumph and defiance washed over Hinata's face remembering her victory, as if she'd proven her worth once and for all.
And in a certain degree of vindication for Neji... or perhaps not so much, given the very different circumstances of that particular fight, the young Hyuga prodigy had been the one to defeat her twin sister, Shio. Shio had become smitten with young Neji. Confusion and disappointment crossed Shio's face remembering her defeat, mixed with a hint of unrequited longing. Not that it was ever going to happen. For starters, Neji had his uncle's blessing to date his teammate, Tenten. Neji nodded slightly, a faint smile on his face, remembering his relationship with Tenten – a refuge amidst the chaos. Besides, the Hyuga prodigy couldn't even stand being in the same room as Shio for more than five minutes. A grimace of disgust and frustration crossed Neji's face at the thought of Shio, as if her mere presence irritated him.
That day, after crushing Menma, Hinata had looked up haughtily and defiantly – much like a certain black-haired young man had in the past – towards the Hokage box. Almost as if she were asking them, "Was this why you left him behind?" Her gaze, full of reproach, pain, and silent challenge, bored into Minato and Kushina, who lowered their heads, unable to bear its intensity.
Menma couldn't be more different from his brother even if he tried. He could dye his hair jet-black like Naruto had his whole life, he could hide his eyes behind his hitai-ate like his brother might have, and he still wouldn't be anywhere near being like his brother. Naruto was distant, true, but always polite; Menma was conceited. Naruto helped those who deserved it, even if he didn't like you; Menma was petulant. Naruto was tenacious, brave, and despite everything, would never give up on anything, willing to give his all; Menma was a coward, and if things didn't go 100% his way, he tended to give up. Contempt, disappointment, and deep sadness washed over the faces of those who knew both brothers, comparing their personalities and actions.
And the facts proved it: it only took Hinata hitting him twice, bringing him within an inch of his life, for Menma to surrender. A smirk of satisfaction and slight contempt touched Hinata's lips as she recalled her decisive victory, savoring the moment she silenced Menma. Especially sad and pathetic considering he had a much larger offensive arsenal than his brother, yet still couldn't do anything against a kunoichi from the very clan said to be unsurpassed in Taijutsu. Disgust and disappointment crossed the faces of those who witnessed the fight, feeling second-hand embarrassment for Menma's weakness.
Sad again, considering Naruto had surpassed Neji in a Taijutsu match, and Neji was superior to Hinata in every aspect. Incredulity, frustration, and a hint of admiration washed over the spectators' faces recalling Naruto's feat, comparing it to Menma's pathetic display. The only good thing that came out of that battle was that Hinata was able to take it all out on him. Every ounce of anger and frustration she felt was unleashed in that fight, like a dam breaking and releasing all the pent-up water. Relief, catharsis, and vengeful satisfaction washed over Hinata's face recalling the release of her repressed emotions.
Because, six months after his return, she and basically everyone else had found out that, of the triplets, only Naruto had even the minimal actual capacity to control the Kyubi's chakra, thanks to his body. His body replaced the special chakra Kushina had within her. Surprise, revelation, and bitter understanding spread across everyone's faces upon learning the truth, comprehending the magnitude of the mistake they'd made.
Meanwhile, his siblings, being half-breeds between an Uzumaki and a simple civilian – powerful, yes, but a civilian at the end of the day – lacked the special chakra Kushina possessed. Therefore, they couldn't access the Kyubi's chakra without completely losing themselves to rage, allowing the beast to take control of their bodies. Disgust, contempt, and profound disappointment washed over the faces of those who knew the situation, understanding the uselessness of Menma and Shio as vessels.
In other words, they abandoned Naruto for nothing. And because of that, following the village policy of 'take it out on whoever's handy, guilty or not,' Menma became Hinata's whipping boy. An ironic, bitter, sarcastic smile touched the lips of some observing the dynamic between Hinata and Menma – a twisted poetic justice amidst the tragedy.
Likewise, Shio was crushed without much trouble by Neji. Disappointment, frustration, and a hint of shame washed over Shio's face recalling her defeat, feeling the weight of her failure. And a couple of years later, Hanabi and, surprising many, Udon – who had gotten stronger than anyone expected – managed to humiliate the two younger Namikaze siblings. Surprise, satisfaction, and slight pride showed on Hanabi and Udon's faces recalling their victories, feeling they had vindicated the honor of their clan and village.
Thus showing the family they had backed the wrong horse. After all, while Naruto might have lost battles against better-prepared opponents, he at least wouldn't give up until – well, in his words to Zabuza back in the day: "I might die here today, but at least I'll drag you to hell with me!" Admiration, respect, and slight fear touched the lips of those remembering Naruto's words, his courage and unwavering determination. Then, the mercenary Gato broke his contract with that man, and the rest is history.
As for the rest, well, the relationship between Lee and his teammates was never the same again, and he found himself ostracized by them, despite Guy's many attempts to reconnect them. Sadness, disappointment, and resignation showed on the faces of those who knew the situation, lamenting the broken friendship.
A similar situation occurred on Teams Ten and Eight with Kiba and Ino, though it was a bit worse there, as the dissenters didn't forgive their sensei for their actions either. Disgust, disapproval, and bitterness crossed the dissenters' faces, remembering the betrayal and disappointment.
As for Sasuke and Sakura... well, Sasuke was a first-class idiot, and Sakura, his faithful lapdog... Contempt, annoyance, and deep aversion showed on the faces of those who knew Sasuke and Sakura, fed up with their arrogance and attitude. Besides, nobody wanted anything to do with a 'clanless' nobody, something Neji, especially, enjoyed reminding him of. A cruel, satisfied, malicious smile touched Neji's lips thinking about Sasuke's situation, enjoying his fall from grace. After all, most of Sasuke's ego came from being an Uchiha, which he no longer was.
"—Brave words, coming from a loser." Maru simply couldn't resist shattering the Namikaze girl's illusions. His voice, cold and sharp, echoed, full of contempt and mockery. His gaze, fixed on Mito, was icy and relentless, like the edge of a sword.
Even though he had no idea she was trying to score points with him with those words; he just wanted to knock her off her pedestal.
"—Konohamaru, that's no way to talk to the Hokage's daughter," Asuma reprimanded him. His voice, though trying for severity, lacked the necessary force. His face reflected a mix of disapproval and weariness.
"—You didn't bite your tongue, Uncle Asuma," Maru retorted, venom dripping from his voice, raising a sarcastic eyebrow and giving him a blood-chillingly defiant look. After all, it was well known Asuma had said far sharper and more hurtful things to Naruto back in the day. "Besides, unlike others, my words come from the truth. After all, she's never beaten Moegi, let alone Hanabi, so let's call a spade a spade." His voice was firm and full of conviction, his gaze fixed on Mito, defiant and unwavering.
Nobody could argue with that logic, or rather, they didn't want to. Since they didn't really need to make a scene, they simply left for the registration area.
They registered with as few incidents as possible. Only to then split up to look for lodging... without much luck for most of them, it must be said. The group members dispersed, faces etched with frustration, weariness, and resignation, seeking refuge amidst the surrounding hostility.
The next day, those registered for the tournament prepared to compete. They gathered at the designated place, faces showing anticipation, nervousness, and steely determination. Each carried their own hopes, dreams, and fears.
Everyone arrived early at the arena where the preliminaries would be held. Once inside, a very beautiful woman with black hair and amber eyes explained the rules. The woman stood before them, elegant posture, professional smile – though slightly forced.
However, her eyes weren't precisely what caught their attention, even though they were quite pretty. What really drew their eyes, besides her red cap and more-than-perfect body, were the black cat ears on her head and a sort of belt that, to many, looked more like two equally black tails wrapped around her waist. The participants watched her with a mix of astonishment, curiosity, and, in some cases, poorly concealed lust, wondering about the nature of this peculiar woman.
"—Alright, I'm told we have record attendance this year, and I want to go take a nap, so I'll make this quick." Her voice was surprisingly sultry for someone who clearly didn't want to be there. She spoke in a drawling, lazy, slightly irritated tone, as if fulfilling an annoying obligation and wishing to get the task over with as soon as possible. "Due to the number of participants, we're going to divide you into blocks." She sighed with resignation, as if the task were a heavy, undesirable burden.
Just as she said that, a beep sounded in her ear, and shortly after, she simply had to sigh again. She put a hand to her ear, an expression of annoyance and irritation on her face, as if dealing with an inopportune interruption.
"—I'm not going to see most of them again, why do I have to introduce myself?... Courtesy is for diplomats, Shiro-chan... Fine, fine, you win." A sweat drop appeared on many heads at the one-sided argument taking place between the woman and this 'Shiro'. The participants glanced at each other, confused, amused, and slightly bewildered by the scene, wondering what was going on. "Fine. Since my little sister thinks I should be formal, the name's Kuruka Toujo. I'll be the head judge for this part of the tournament to avoid controversies and that crap. Now, the damn rules." Her voice became more formal and authoritative, though tinged with sarcasm, reluctance, and a clear lack of enthusiasm.
Yep, clearly a woman who loved her job... An ironic, amused smile touched the lips of some spectators, catching Kuruka's sarcasm and attitude. Unbeknownst to them, the people in the Empire actually found that scene, broadcast worldwide, terribly funny. The audience in the Empire burst out laughing at Kuruka's disinterested, sarcastic attitude, enjoying her peculiar personality. Hence why her younger sister had reprimanded her. After all, audiences rarely like a host who's clearly bitter about being there.
"—Due to the number of people, there will be a ten-minute time limit. If there's no clear winner, you're both out." Kuruka's voice was monotone, disinterested, and slightly drawling, as if reciting a list of boring, unimportant rules without bothering to look at the participants.
Of course, the protests didn't take long to erupt. The participants stirred, exchanging looks of disbelief, frustration, and anger, and began murmuring among themselves, voicing their displeasure with the time limit.
However, one look from her glittering eyes was enough to silence them. Her eyes, flashing with an intense, cold, almost supernatural light, swept over the crowd, silencing any attempt at protest or complaint, as if they had the power to freeze the words in their throats.
"—Oh, you should be thanking us, crybabies. Many of the Imperials have family techniques that destroy things on an atomic level." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, contempt, and a hint of mockery as she looked down on the participants with an air of superiority.
And that was enough to shut them up. The participants paled, their faces tightening with fear and worry, imagining the destructive power of such techniques, a chill running down their spines. Certainly, given what was known about that hellish place, it was believable – and fortunate they wouldn't be allowed to use them.
"—Obviously, for similar reasons, the use of weapons or jutsu is forbidden. Also, while it's not penalized, we ask that you don't kill. This is being broadcast live, and there are kids watching... I don't know why this is legally rated R." She frowned, confused, putting a hand to her chin thoughtfully, as if pondering some deep philosophical question.
Another beep reached her ear.
"—What do you mean it's not R? It's guys beating each other up, for crying out loud, Shiro! People have lost eyes and ears in this before." She sighed in exasperation, rubbing her temples wearily, as if dealing with an absurd, incomprehensible situation.
And everyone chose to ignore the girl and her argument with Shiro, mainly because they didn't understand a damn thing she was saying right now. The participants glanced at each other, confused, slightly disturbed, and wondering what was going on in that peculiar woman's mind.
Ten minutes later, the discussion ended, and finally, Kuruka resumed the explanation.
"—Getting back on track, if your opponent surrenders, falls off the platform, is knocked unconscious, if their injuries prevent them from continuing, or if we detect cheating, you're out, period. And believe me, they chose me as judge because I can see things many others can't. And since I have the Emperor's backing, my decision is final... even though they're forcing me to be impartial." Her voice became firmer, more authoritative, and slightly threatening, though with a touch of annoyance and resignation at the end.
For some reason nobody understood, she'd said that last part while looking towards Konoha. The Konoha participants shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, feeling a pang of guilt and worry, as if the judge knew something they didn't.
Nevertheless, everyone else nodded in understanding, faces serious, respectful, and slightly tense. Everyone getting the idea it would be very, very difficult to earn a spot in this tournament.
"—Now, we'll draw lots based on registration order into one of eight blocks for the matches. Only the finalists from each block will advance to the final round, where, based on block order, they'll be assigned a number. The winners of block one become finalists one and two, and so on, up to the 16 spots. Once that's done, on the day of the tournament, you'll be paired up to fight against the fighters from the Empire of the Rising Sun who received the same number as you." With that, she finished her explanation, her voice monotone, disinterested, and slightly tired, as if reciting a shopping list for the umpteenth time without bothering to look at the crowd. "Any questions?" She glanced at the crowd, an expression of boredom, annoyance, and poorly concealed impatience on her face.
She ignored the arms that had shot up. She didn't even bother looking at them, as if the participants' questions didn't matter in the slightest, like they were an insignificant annoyance. She wasn't paid for this... okay, she was, she just didn't even want the job in the first place. They'd given it to her because 'you're pretty, and your dry comments will amuse the audience,' and her actually being in a bad mood helped those dry comments... her younger sister cutting her off mid-sentence several times also helped, of course.
There were more participants than Kuruka herself had thought – around 300, give or take a few dozen. But she didn't want to count them, and honestly, it wasn't her job to keep track of who was participating and who wasn't. She sighed in annoyance, shaking her head reluctantly, as if the very idea of counting participants was tedious.
But getting back to it, due to the frankly ridiculous number of participants, the ones from Konoha had a really, really bad time. They were the laughingstock of the judges in each block, the fighters... and generally the entire city. Disgust and contempt showed on the faces of the city's inhabitants and the judges when interacting with those from Konoha, treating them with a mix of mockery and disdain.
In fact, the situation got so bad that, at the inn where they were staying, their water and power were cut off. The Konoha group looked at each other, faces showing frustration, humiliation, and growing anger, feeling like victims of constant injustice.
Restaurants refused them service, and where they finally agreed to serve them, they charged triple. Claiming an 'idiot tax' or whatever other ridiculous tax they wanted to charge, which they couldn't refuse to pay. Because, oh surprise, there was a Sky King hanging around the city to make sure there were no problems. Said Sky King being none other than the damn Zeref Dragneel. A shiver ran down the Konoha members' spines remembering Zeref's presence, feeling a mix of fear and resentment.
And the man simply told them: "Pay up or leave. I really can't and won't do anything for you about the people's resentment, which hopefully, someday, they'll forget." Zeref shrugged, an expression of indifference, contempt, and subtle cruelty on his face, as if enjoying others' suffering. That stung, especially the Namikaze couple. After all, unbeknownst to the man, those were the exact same words the Hokage had said to his son many times. And thinking about that only made them sadder, as they had to consider how much he must have suffered and endured without going insane. Minato and Kushina lowered their heads, faces etched with guilt, pain, and regret, feeling the weight of their past actions. Which continued the vicious cycle, as it only made them sadder.
Fortunately for Konoha, they proved they were still one of the villages with the most powerful shinobi. And that they still excelled in Taijutsu above all. As they were the shinobi nation with the most contestants reaching the finals, the result was quite promising for Konoha. A spark of hope, pride, and renewed determination ignited in the hearts of the Konoha representatives, clinging to the possibility of redemption.
With Kiba, Neji, Menma, Maru, Shio, Lee, and Sasuke, they had a total of 7 fighters in the main tournament. Those named stood tall with pride, feeling a mix of nervousness and confidence, ready to face the challenge.
The Hyuga sisters and the two younger Namikazes had been knocked out narrowly... or by simple bad luck in the matchups. Frustration, disappointment, and resignation washed over the faces of those eliminated, lamenting their failure. Hinata simply had the bad luck of facing Neji in one of the early rounds. Hinata sighed, an expression of sadness and acceptance on her face, acknowledging Neji's superiority. And Hanabi faced, in Hinata's words, "that brute animal Lee." Hanabi grimaced with disgust and frustration recalling her fight with Lee, recognizing his brute strength but despising his lack of refinement.
Maru, actually, had luck on his side. After all, he had unknowingly beaten Hashirama like a punching bag, much to the amusement of a certain black-haired, blindfolded man. An amused, knowing, satisfied smile touched the lips of those aware of the situation, enjoying the spectacle.
Meanwhile, Mito had gotten overconfident in her abilities and lost early on against Shizuka. Whom she already hated for having called her brother Menma "pathetic"... Anger, resentment, and frustration washed over Mito's face recalling her defeat and Shizuka's words, feeling a pang of humiliation. It was simply unfair: everyone compared her brother to their other brother, who was, simply put, a true monster of power, even if his chakra was weird. She shook her head, a mix of resentment, frustration, and a hint of admiration for Naruto clouding her features, acknowledging his immense power.
Now, getting back to Shizuka. A few years ago, she and her bodyguard, Tokiwa, arrived in the village so the Toad Sannin would fulfill a certain promise from a bet he'd lost. And she challenged his apprentice, Menma, to a fight... which he lost, by the way. Disgust, frustration, and deep disappointment crossed Menma's face remembering his humiliating defeat, feeling the weight of his failure.
At the end of that fight, Shizuka had disdainfully demanded – her voice cold and authoritarian, her gaze full of superiority – to fight the prodigy trained by the Sannin... although 'training' was a very strong word for what Jiraiya had done for Naruto... calling it that was being very kind to the old pervert. Contempt, bitterness, and resentment showed on the faces of those who knew the truth about Naruto's supposed 'training,' feeling deep indignation at the injustice.
Getting back to it, if she didn't fight Naruto, then they had to pay a penalty. For obvious reasons, Konoha had grudgingly had to do just that... Minato clenched his fists tightly, feeling a surge of frustration, humiliation, and rage at the imposition. As for the promise the Sannin had made them, suffice it to say Kushina had nearly beaten him to death for making that promise without her consent. A shiver ran down Jiraiya's spine recalling Kushina's uncontrollable fury; his face paled and his hands trembled slightly. Although, to be fair, that promise was made before he became Minato's master, and he really couldn't have foreseen this whole situation would happen. Not to mention he'd genuinely forgotten about the promise. Jiraiya shrugged, an expression of resignation and a hint of guilt on his face, trying to justify himself.
Leaving that aside, that's why she, Mito, held a grudge against the beautiful amazon, Shizuka. Anger, resentment, and frustration washed over Mito's face remembering Shizuka, feeling a pang of jealousy and envy. Although something inside told her Shizuka would actually get along quite well with her brother Naruto. A faint smile, tinged with curiosity, anticipation, and a hint of hope, touched her lips thinking about that possibility, imagining a different future.
"—Virtually half the participants from the hidden nations are from our village," Kakashi smiled. His voice, full of pride and satisfaction, resonated. He watched the young Konoha representatives, a confident expression on his face. "It's a shame you had to face each other in the preliminary rounds." A grimace of disappointment and frustration crossed his face, lamenting the lost potential.
Little did they know that this, in reality, had been quite deliberate. After all, the Emperor didn't want his savage brutes hurting people who hadn't actually done anything to him. An ironic, bitter, sarcastic smile touched the lips of those who knew the truth, aware of the manipulation behind the apparent coincidence. Though Mito and Hashirama simply got lucky benefiting from this fact.
"—Even so, it worries me that we don't know who they'll fight in the first round." Shikamaru, being the pragmatic type, couldn't help but voice his perspective on the whole situation. His voice, full of worry and seriousness, resonated. He frowned, a troubled expression on his face, analyzing the potential threats. "Some of the other fighters have a reputation, like Darui from Kumo, or Raizo from Ame. Against them, we can devise ways to win, but the Empire... we only have rumors about their fighters and aren't sure who they are." His gaze, fixed on his companions, reflected his uncertainty and the need for more information.
"—True, true." However, Hashirama, the youngest Namikaze sibling, couldn't help but dismiss the Nara's concerns. His voice, full of arrogance and excessive confidence, resonated. A petulant, smug smile touched his lips. "But as long as my siblings fight, they'll win the tournament."
"—You know, making fun of you used to be fun, now it's just annoying and sad." Maru didn't even bother trying to mock him anymore. His voice, laden with annoyance, disappointment, and deep sadness, resonated. He shook his head resignedly, as if he'd lost all hope for Hashirama. "Even if we ignore the fact that 25 years gave some of them time to fight in the unification war, Shizuka is fighting in this tournament, and she already thrashed your brother years ago. I doubt she's just been sitting on her ass all this time, so I wouldn't count on them, frankly speaking." His gaze, fixed on Hashirama, was cold, full of contempt and silent reproach.
"—Maru, I'm starting to get fed up with that disdain for my children." And indeed, Kushina was quite fed up with Maru's behavior and his constant lack of respect towards her and her children. Her voice, laden with anger, frustration, and deep disappointment, resonated. Her face tightened into an angry grimace, and her eyes flashed dangerously. "I don't know what kind of manners your mother instilled in you, but I'll teach you some if you don't..."
"—If you're going to teach me how to abandon my child like trash, you can save your breath." Maru's voice was cold, sharp, and full of contempt, like a sharp dagger twisting in Kushina's heart. His gaze, fixed on the redhead, was defiant and unwavering. Unbeknownst to the boy, back in the Daimyo's palace, a certain black-haired man, Naruto, had actually felt the imperious urge to hit someone right at that moment. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling a surge of anger coursing through his body, but he restrained himself, taking a deep breath to calm down.
"—Again, so far I've limited myself to telling the truth; the fact that it hurts you isn't my problem." Maru's cold, calculating gaze swept over those present, daring them to contradict him. "And being honest, the ones with the best chance of winning are Neji, Rock Lee, and myself, since we specialize in Taijutsu."
That was a truth they couldn't really deny. Not that they could deny any of the boy's truths, since the reason they hurt was because they were always the absolute, rawest, hardest truth.
And although his clan, the Sarutobi, wasn't based on using that art, Taijutsu, he rejected basically each and every one of his clan's traditions, viewing them as hypocritical... After all, the true Will of Fire, the one the first two Hokage truly valued, would never allow an innocent to suffer the way the other two, Naruto and Hashirama, had. Determination, conviction, and deep contempt for his clan's hypocritical traditions washed over his face.
That's why, even though he knew elemental jutsu – it was simply stupid not to know them; hell, even Neji had a few in his repertoire for emergencies – he, Maru, simply refrained from using those created by his clan.
And he had been training in Taijutsu with Neji, managing to become a very good master of the Monkey style and Drunken Fist Taijutsu... A proud, satisfied smile touched his lips thinking of his skills and progress. The latter much to his mother's disapproval, but she calmed down when she learned that, unlike Lee, he could use it without needing to be drunk.
Faced with this new verbal jab, Kushina simply had to fall silent again. Her face paled, and her eyes filled with unshed tears, unable to respond to Maru's words. Something that, sadly, was becoming routine, especially when talking to those who had seen her son as a true friend, or in Maru's case, a mentor.
"—Well, well, I propose we celebrate that 7 of ours made it into the tournament!" Jiraiya was really just trying to diffuse the more-than-awkward moment left by Maru's attack on Kushina. He smiled nervously, rubbing his hands together and trying to lighten the mood, as if attempting to divert attention from the palpable tension in the air. "I just received this month's royalty payment, and even though there are many of us, there must be at least one food stall where we can celebrate." He scratched his head, an expression of doubt and hope on his face, looking for a solution that could calm everyone down.
It hurt his false pride quite a bit to say that, but given how they were being treated, he had no doubt the money wouldn't last long anywhere. Hence, if they wanted to save some money, they'd have to celebrate at one of the smaller stalls. He sighed resignedly, accepting the harsh reality of their financial situation.
And when he'd gone for an audience with the young Daimyo to complain about the abusive treatment they were receiving, not only did he have the bad luck that the Sky King Zeref Dragneel was there, ruining any chance of influencing her, (a grimace of frustration and defeat crossed his face remembering the failed meeting) but she herself had bluntly told him she was just making them feel at home, since that's how their village treats heroes. Incredulity, indignation, and bitterness washed over his face recalling the Daimyo's words. So they had no choice but to endure the mistreatment if they really wanted to take home the prize money. He gritted his teeth, containing his anger and frustration.
And speaking of audiences, thanks to his little foray into the palace, Jiraiya had found out – and through him, everyone else – that the Emperor had arrived a few days before the preliminaries began. To do some sightseeing with two of his wives and 'his firstborn,' as well as to check on the trading house's situation in the country. Curiosity and surprise crossed his face recalling the information.
Obviously, many had tried to get an audience with the man. But all were denied by his elder brother, Zeref. Frustration and disappointment crossed the faces of those who had tried to approach the Emperor, feeling the weight of the refusal. After all, if the man granted one audience, he'd have to grant them all. And according to the man himself, Zeref, this was a pleasure trip to see the sights and enjoy the tournament, not for business. Zeref stood firm, his expression serious and unwavering, rejecting all requests with cold, distant courtesy. And from what his few spies in the area had managed to tell him, even Koyuki hadn't spoken with him about anything beyond an insignificant trade matter between their two nations... And it didn't even refer to the Empire as a whole, but rather his country of origin, China, of which he was still king in addition to being Emperor of the known world. Awe and respect washed over his face thinking of the Emperor's power and influence. And Koyuki was the event's host.
However, given that the Emperor wasn't just indisputably the most powerful man in the world, and that his brother was known not only as 'the Dark Mage' but also as 'the Death Mage,' nobody really wanted to bother Zeref. A shiver ran down the spines of those present recalling Zeref's power and reputation, feeling a mix of fear and respect. Although, from what he'd heard, if someone wanted an audience, Zeref was more than willing to schedule an appointment for any time after the Unification Festival. Since before then, his younger brother's schedule was full. A faint smile, tinged with irony and sarcasm, touched Jiraiya's lips thinking of Zeref's excuse. He was sure the man was lying, but he wouldn't argue with death magic. He shook his head, resigned to the situation.
—Feudal Palace, Eight Days Ago—
The Daimyo invited the Emperor, along with the royal family and the tournament participants, to a gala dinner. Where everyone ate and had a grand time. Koyuki smiled with satisfaction, watching the guests enjoy the evening, feeling she had fulfilled her duty as host.
To said dinner, of course, the managers of the Trading House had also attended. Because obviously, besides Shiori herself, her older brother, Touya, had been designated as her bodyguard. A faint smile touched Koyuki's lips remembering Touya's imposing and protective presence.
Needless to say, like his sister, he wore clothes completely unsuited for the weather, only he showed less skin. A flicker of curiosity crossed her face thinking about the peculiar clothing of the Todoroki siblings. Apparently, his body was specifically designed to withstand the cold but was extremely weak to heat... particularly sad considering his offensive power was blue flame, an especially hot fire. Compassion and amazement washed over her face thinking about the irony of Touya's situation, his physical peculiarity.
Fortunately for the man, the Empire's medical technology allowed him to heal whenever these burns became bad enough to be noticeable. She nodded, approving of the imperial medicine's effectiveness and feeling relieved for Touya. That alone had put the man in her good books. After all, she genuinely cared about the health of all her subjects, even if some had special conditions, like the white-haired young man did. Who, according to his own sister, hadn't looked very good before that, whereas now he was quite handsome. A smile of satisfaction and joy touched her lips thinking about Touya's transformation, his new life.
When the dinner finally ended, the fighters left for their hotel to rest from the long journey. The fighters withdrew, faces showing weariness, satisfaction, and relief, grateful for the chance to rest. Meanwhile, the Emperor and his family went out – exclusively accompanied by the Sannin, her assistant, and the Daimyo – for a night stroll through the palace garden. Which was quite beautiful at night. The group walked in silence, enjoying the peace, tranquility, and beauty of the garden, illuminated by the soft light of the moon and stars.
"—May I ask you a question?" the Sannin began the conversation, a bit more timidly than she would have liked. Her slightly trembling voice broke the night's silence. Her gaze, full of uncertainty and deep curiosity, turned towards the Emperor.
"—We all have the right to ask them, and we all have the right not to answer." The Emperor's voice was calm, his tone neutral, soft, with a faint, enigmatic smile, as if he were playing with her. Making it clear she could ask whatever questions she wanted, but whether he answered or not depended entirely on his will.
"—Why are you always so ambiguous?" the first queen, a woman with beautiful golden hair and green eyes, Arturia, asked her husband. Her voice, full of curiosity and slight reproach, echoed in the garden's silence. Her gaze, fixed on Naruto, sought a sincere answer. He simply shrugged, a carefree smile and mysterious expression on his face, as if the question were unimportant.
He himself didn't know why he spoke that way.
"—Did you ever happen to run into a boy with blue eyes bright as stars?" Tsunade's voice was hopeful, yet tinged with deep anxiety and desperate longing. The question might be very specific; after all, eyes like that were unique, and she asked for two reasons.
Number one: black was one of the most common hair colors in the world, if not the most common, and distinguishing a single individual with those characteristics in a world thousands of times larger than the elemental nations was, frankly, impossible.
And two: she had been present when Jiraiya informed them Naruto had jumped the great wall, and since the Uchiha family tapestry still showed his name, she hoped the Emperor might have met him. Her gaze, full of hope, expectation, and a deep need to know, fixed on the Emperor, seeking an answer that could ease her pain and uncertainty. Hope that the Daimyo and Shizune also shared. Both women held their breath, eyes fixed on the Emperor, anxiously awaiting his response, as if their lives depended on it.
The Emperor, for his part, simply hummed thoughtfully for a few moments, putting a hand to his chin as if reflecting deeply. Meanwhile, he looked at his wives and his best friend, having a sort of silent conversation among them. Their gazes met, exchanging information, emotions, and secrets only they could understand, in a silent language transcending words.
"—Why do you wish to know about Naruto Uchiha?" Finally, Arturia chose to ask the first question. Her voice, full of suspicion, curiosity, and palpable caution, echoed in the garden's silence. Her penetrating, scrutinizing gaze fixed on Tsunade and Koyuki, as if trying to read their hidden intentions. "Certainly, we know where he is, but given how he was viewed in your village, I doubt you're looking for him for anything good." Her face tightened into a grimace of contempt, disgust, and deep resentment recalling the treatment Naruto received in Konoha, as if the mere mention of the village provoked a deep aversion in her.
Arturia had always been the closest to Naruto, the most stubborn about never leaving him alone. Affection, loyalty, and protective determination washed over her face thinking of Naruto, as if she were ready to defend him from any threat. And although he himself had told her Tsunade was always kind to him, Iruka Umino had done the same and turned out to be little more than a dirty, vile, miserable traitor. A grimace of disgust, contempt, and deep disappointment touched her lips remembering Iruka, feeling a surge of anger at his betrayal.
And that's why she wouldn't trust anyone from Konoha. Reason why she brought the 'nuclear bomb with boobs' on this mission, better known as Nealie De Uruk. An ironic, resigned smile touched Arturia's lips thinking about the choice of Nealie as a companion. Who, although it wounded her pride, was much more powerful than herself and had a bad temper, so her philosophy was: "Kill them first, finish them off later, and find out sometime in the future if you remember." It should be said that, so far, the third part had never happened. A faint smile, tinged with amusement and admiration, touched her lips thinking of Nealie's brutality and effectiveness.
"—Naruto Uchiha would have been treated like a hero had he come seeking refuge from that ungrateful village," Koyuki intervened. Her voice, full of sincerity, indignation, and deep respect for Naruto, echoed in the night's silence. A gleam of admiration and affection lit up her eyes as she spoke of him. "To me, he's my hero and a great friend; he is to several people. If he has the idea that's not the case, he's mistaken. I know Suna would have welcomed him with open arms, as would Wave, Birds, Tea, Moon, or Springs." Her face lit up with a warm smile, full of affection and gratitude speaking of Naruto and the friendship that bound them. "If you know where he is, if you know him, and he asked you not to say anything about where he lives, we understand and will never insist you tell us. But please, at least, could you tell us if he's okay?" Her voice broke slightly at the end, and her eyes, full of desperate pleading and deep worry, fixed on the Emperor, seeking an answer that could ease her anxiety and pain.
The Emperor showed no expression. His face remained impassive, like a mask of indifference and mystery, hiding his thoughts and emotions behind an impenetrable facade – something noted by both the Sannin and the Daimyo and her companions.
Of course, he knew deep down that during his exile, his friends from other villages and countries wouldn't abandon him, but he wouldn't endanger them for a selfish desire to belong. He had few friendships, and that's why he valued them more than his own life. Affection, loyalty, and deep gratitude washed over his face thinking of his friends, those who had never turned their backs on him.
That's why he had asked Fury – his director of the intelligence center with such a long name they'd shortened it to the acronym SHIELD – to infiltrate as the White Lotus Trading House, simply to keep watch over them and ensure they were cared for at all times. A faint smile, tinged with cunning and satisfaction, touched his lips thinking of his plan.
A king's strength lay in his people, and a friend used all their strength to protect their true friends. And Naruto was everyone's best friend, at least according to Zeref... and speaking of whom. A faint smile, tinged with amusement and complicity, touched his lips thinking of Zeref's words and their peculiar relationship.
"—Oh, he's fine. And he's the luckiest, unluckiest, most annoying bastard I know," Zeref said with a sigh, his voice a mix of exasperation, affection, amusement, and resignation, running a hand through his hair wearily, as if dealing with a mischievous, incorrigible child.
Filling the women with hope and drawing small smiles from them as they heard the affectionate way the Emperor's Hand referred to the now-grown man. Their faces lit up with relief, joy, and renewed hope, as if Zeref's words had lifted a weight from their hearts.
"—Love you too, you crazy immortal suicidal lolicon emo," the Emperor responded, a playful smile and a tone full of sarcasm and affection in his voice, giving Zeref a knowing look, as if sharing a private joke. His eyes twinkled mischievously.
Causing the women – Tsunade, Shizune, and Koyuki – to choke back gasps of surprise. Their eyes flew wide, faces reflecting a mix of disbelief, astonishment, and confusion, as if they couldn't process the words they'd just heard. They brought hands to their mouths, stifling exclamations. He didn't remove the blindfold; he didn't like doing that. He simply lifted the right side slightly to allow Tsunade herself to see that bright eye, blue as a star, that she had seen once ten years ago. His eye shone with a supernatural intensity, capturing the attention of everyone present, like a magnet drawing their gazes. An eye she could never forget in her life. Tsunade held her breath, a shiver running down her spine as she recognized that eye.
"—And why unlucky?" Naruto asked, tilting his head curiously, a look of genuine interest on his face, crossing his arms as he waited for Zeref's answer.
"—The Elfrieden incident," Zeref replied, grimacing with disgust and annoyance, as if the mere memory of the incident bothered him. He shook his head, as if to ward off bad memories, and his voice grew tense.
Naruto didn't have time to respond to that, to Zeref's previous comment.
"—Na... Naruto!" Because before he could, the Sannin practically tackled him in a fierce hug, tears of joy, relief, and unrestrained emotion streaming down her cheeks. She held him in that grip for a while, clutching him to her chest as if afraid he'd disappear, like a dream come true. Her body trembled slightly, and her voice broke as she uttered his name.
"—Should I be jealous?" the taller, longer-haired queen, Arturia, asked her shorter, golden-haired counterpart, Nealie. Her voice was soft, full of curiosity and a hint of amusement, as she raised an eyebrow questioningly, watching the scene with interest.
"—She's old enough to be his grandmother, so I don't think so," Nealie whispered back, a playful smile and slight shrug accompanying her head shake. After all, you should never mess with a woman's age. Besides, this scene was quite cute; it was a shame she didn't have a camera right now... Nostalgia, affection, and a hint of amusement washed over her face observing the reunion between Naruto and Tsunade, as if witnessing a touching moment.
Little did she know that, near the wall, a certain Ghoul Naruto-fanatic had been following them for several hours, taking photos of the man's best moments. The ghoul grinned with satisfaction, an expression of devotion and fanaticism on his face, capturing every precious moment with his camera like a hunter stalking his prey.
When Tsunade finally released him from the hug – sighing with relief, a radiant smile on her face, tears of happiness still glistening in her eyes as she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand – and after proper introductions... And after Mordred had befriended the now-dubbed Sir Tonton of Camelot, much to Arturia's consternation and the amusement of the other three Empire members, (Arturia rolled her eyes, sighing with resignation and a hint of affection at her daughter's friendship, while Zeref and Nealie burst out laughing, enjoying the situation and Arturia's expression,) the adults caught up on several matters.
To begin with, the matter of Naruto having, in a way, lied to them by revealing he actually had better training he didn't show anyone. Since they tried to kill him when they thought he was weak, and he didn't want to deal with the consequences if they found out he was stronger than even some low-level Konoha Jounin back then. Surprise, understanding, amazement, and a hint of admiration washed over the faces of Tsunade, Shizune, and Koyuki hearing Naruto's revelation, understanding his reasons and acknowledging his cunning.
None of them could really blame him for hiding his true strength. Even if Koyuki was a little annoyed knowing he could have actually solved her uncle's problem without much trouble. Koyuki grimaced in frustration, though she quickly resigned herself to the situation, accepting Naruto's past decisions.
They, in turn, told him about how Konoha had been suffering since his departure. Their faces darkened, and their voices filled with sadness, worry, bitterness, and deep resentment describing the village's situation, the decline and suffering they had experienced. Not that he seemed very affected by it. His face remained impassive, a mask of indifference and coldness, as if the news from Konoha didn't matter to him in the slightest, as if he had cut all ties with his former home. In fact, he only showed concern for the Ichiraku family. A faint smile, tinged with affection and gratitude, touched his lips thinking of them, remembering their kindness, support, and shared moments. But they were sure he would do something to help them if things got really bad.
Another thing they told him was how, with the Sannin's help, Koyuki had demanded payment for their week-long stay at her country's best spa. An amused, satisfied, approving smile spread across his lips remembering Koyuki's cunning, determination, and sense of justice. Something that left him quite bewildered.
At least until they explained that, besides the standard D to S-rank missions, there are some missions typically not covered in academy teachings: X-rank and R-rank missions. Surprise, interest, and curiosity washed over Naruto's face hearing the information, tilting his head as if processing something new.
Although Zeref told them very, very frankly that prostitution with a client wasn't a real mission. Even if it was authorized by the shinobi in question and a confidentiality agreement was signed... Zeref grimaced with disgust and disapproval, shaking his head incredulously at the idea of considering that a mission. Naruto had to agree with that. He nodded, his expression serious, brow slightly furrowed, sharing Zeref's opinion. In fact, he wondered if he wasn't the product of one of those missions. A shadow of doubt, speculation, and a hint of dark humor crossed his face. After all, there were rare cases of twins with different fathers, and he certainly didn't dye his hair, and was very different from his siblings.
R-rank missions, on the other hand, were more like a sort of reward... and Naruto had no qualms saying so. An ironic, slightly amused smile touched his lips thinking about the nature of R-rank missions. These basically consisted of a client being extremely satisfied with a mission and giving compensation to the shinobi who, in the past, carried out a mission for them.
And she, Koyuki, had sponsored an R-rank mission. Where she paid for all of Team 7 to spend a week relaxing at the country's best spa – expenses paid, of course. Satisfaction, generosity, and slight pride washed over Koyuki's face recalling her action, as if she had fulfilled an important duty.
However, Kakashi, Sakura, and the clanless Sasuke had vilely deceived Naruto. Anger, frustration, and disappointment washed over Naruto's face recalling his teammates' betrayal, clenching his fists tightly. Not that he had believed them. However, he preferred not to have much to do with them outside of missions, even if Tenzo, an ANBU captain and close friend of Kakashi's, was a good liar. Distrust, resentment, and deep disappointment washed over his face thinking about Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke.
They had tried to make him believe they were going on a specialized mission that required them and the ANBU themselves. Meanwhile, Tenzo had assigned another ANBU to keep Naruto busy with D-Rank missions under the pretext that he was lacking them in his mission log. Indignation, anger, and frustration washed over his face recalling the deception and manipulation.
Not that the boy had obeyed the ANBU in the slightest, telling him: "It's not my problem if the idiots can't cut their own damn lawn," his voice full of contempt, rebelliousness, and deep disrespect for authority. Which was virtually an annoyance for the single ANBU members, who intended to use him to do their household chores since they didn't want to do them themselves. And since Tsunade wasn't Hiruzen, they couldn't do anything to force him to work without pay. A smile of satisfaction, pride, and defiance touched Naruto's lips recalling his refusal to obey and his challenge to the ANBU.
They told the Daimyo that Naruto couldn't make it [to the spa] because he was attending a festival in the Land of Waves as a guest of honor because he had saved them too... and that he'd kindly offered his spot to Tenzo. Koyuki frowned, feeling a pang of suspicion, doubt, and disbelief at the explanation.
It wasn't a lie per se, since Naruto had told them that, as he wasn't planning to work for free for the ANBU, he had indeed gone to the Land of Waves to visit old man Tazuna and just happened to arrive during a festival purely by chance. An ironic, bitter smile touched Naruto's lips recalling the excuse he'd given and the real reason for his trip. Which is why the incident wasn't discovered until much later, since she, Koyuki, hadn't been foolish enough to blindly trust a ninja; they were liars by nature, after all.
However, when the Sannin arrived in the Land of Spring, both Tsunade and Koyuki realized, while talking – faces showing surprise, frustration, and growing indignation as they exchanged incredulous glances – that a deception had occurred. Since the main beneficiary, Naruto, hadn't gone because of a deceitful lie. They sighed resignedly, shaking their heads at the cunning and manipulation of Naruto's teammates.
Even if, ironically, Naruto had spent a rather pleasant week in another country purely by coincidence. An ironic, bitter, sarcastic smile touched Naruto's lips recalling the irony of the situation, how fate seemed to mock others' plans. Even so, Koyuki sent an invoice for the freeloaders' stay. Her face hardened with determination and a sense of justice, as if determined to make those responsible pay. And she went to Konoha to demand payment for the stay. She clenched her fists tightly, feeling a surge of anger and frustration at the injustice.
Of course, Sakura and the then-clanless Sasuke argued they deserved the vacation. Contempt, disgust, and deep aversion washed over Koyuki's face recalling Sakura and Sasuke's arrogance and shamelessness. But the Daimyo reminded them in painstaking detail that Sakura was more of a hindrance on that occasion and Sasuke did nothing significant. And Naruto had not only done most of the work, (pride, admiration, and gratitude washed over her face recalling Naruto's courage, skill, and sacrifice,) so, because they had excluded her country's true hero, they absolutely had to pay the bill for their stay... with interest, of course. A cunning, satisfied, determined smile touched Koyuki's lips recalling her demand, as if savoring a small revenge.
Interest she regretted not making compound when Naruto explained how it worked and how he used it to keep his biggest opponents, who were indebted to him or his associates, under control. Amazement, admiration, and slight fear washed over Koyuki's face hearing Naruto's explanation, realizing the young man's cunning and power. Koyuki had to hand it to him; the boy was a natural politician, even if he wasn't corrupt. She nodded, acknowledging Naruto's innate skill for strategy and manipulation.
As for the bill, of course Minato had forced those involved in the affair to pay. His face tightened with fury, disappointment, and deep sadness recalling the betrayal and injustice committed against his son. Seeing just one more of the many injustices done to Naruto in the village.
The list included everything: from withholding sixty percent of his mission payments because it was the 'demon tax,' (indignation, disgust, and deep rage washed over his face remembering that absurd and cruel excuse,) charging him to live in the miserable hole that was his home... not that he ever paid the rent. Once he told his supposed landlord that nobody would want to live where the demon child lived anyway. (A faint smile, tinged with bitterness, defiance, and small satisfaction, touched Naruto's lips recalling his act of rebellion.) Or the exorbitant prices they charged him for things... He gritted his teeth, feeling a surge of anger and frustration towards those who had taken advantage of Naruto's vulnerability.
For Minato, discovering his team had stabbed him [Naruto] in the back like that was a particularly hard blow. Pain, betrayal, guilt, and deep disappointment washed over his face, as if a wound had opened in his heart. For Naruto, not so much; it was something he had actually expected. Resignation, bitterness, and deep sadness washed over his face, as if disappointment were a constant companion in his life.
Getting back to it, they had divided the bill equally among everyone involved in the scam. It had taken them about four years to pay off their share due to the economic downturn from the drop in missions, plus the interest – which she now regretted having made simple and not compound – on the bill. Which had originally been two hundred fifty thousand Ryo, but had grown to two and a half million. Frustration, regret, and a hint of anger washed over Koyuki's face remembering the final amount and the missed opportunity. Oh, the thought that with compound interest it would have been at least double or even triple made her want to go back in time and tell her past self how it worked. She shook her head, lamenting her lack of financial knowledge at the time and feeling a pang of envy towards Naruto's shrewdness.
The fact that Naruto had to give Nealie a little nudge when she was about to speak made her [Koyuki] think that it [using compound interest] was actually possible, but would have consequences. Surprise, curiosity, and slight worry washed over her face recalling the interaction between Naruto and Nealie, wondering what she might have meant and what the possible consequences would be.
Regarding the debt issue, it had been quite bad for Tenzo, who wasn't close to anyone and still couldn't pay his share. Worry and compassion washed over Koyuki's face thinking about Tenzo's situation. Which led Naruto to suggest – innocently, of course – that she inform him that, due to non-payment, the debt would start accruing five percent annual compound interest, backed, naturally, by the White Lotus and, therefore, the Empire. A cunning, malicious smile touched Naruto's lips as he made the suggestion, as if enjoying the situation. If he weren't married, she might have kissed him right then and there. A faint smile, tinged with admiration and amusement, touched Koyuki's lips thinking of Naruto's shrewdness. Not that his wives would have stopped it.
Anyway, as for Kakashi, he was actually living off the charity of Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai... Disgust and contempt washed over Koyuki's face thinking about Kakashi's situation. The fact that Naruto whimpered at that last name, Kurenai, caught Koyuki's attention; she frowned, feeling a pang of curiosity and suspicion, and the "I knew there was a reason I didn't want that name," spoken by the man, only made her even more curious. She nodded, intrigued by Naruto's reaction.
Sakura, meanwhile, still lived with her parents because she didn't have the money to move out. Disdain and disapproval washed over her face thinking about Sakura's situation. And Sasuke... well, even though he didn't have access to the Uchiha clan funds – controlled by Itachi, no less – the village people kissed his ass, paid the debt for him, and let him sleep and eat wherever he wanted completely free. Disgust and frustration washed over her face thinking about the preferential treatment Sasuke received.
When the story ended, Naruto told them about his journey east... Quick summary: the wall is to keep Westerners out... back when they were weak and didn't have the technology to cross it like they do now, of course. And it wasn't designed with the intention of keeping shinobi from leaving. Surprise and disbelief washed over Tsunade, Shizune, and Koyuki's faces hearing Naruto's explanation. Meaning, he simply climbed the wall and then slid down it on a damn surfboard that some apparent extreme sports business had provided when they saw "a shinobi with balls climbing the damn wall for the first time in 20 years." An amused, amazed smile touched Naruto's lips remembering his audacious feat.
"—Wait... what did he mean by that?" Tsunade asked. Her voice, full of confusion and intrigue, echoed. She frowned, trying to understand Naruto's words. Of course, she believed the kid; damn it, he was a terrible liar. That's why she believed him when he said shinobi didn't cross the wall out of fear, and outsiders because they didn't give a damn about this continent until now, and only then because of their association with Naruto. But what was that about "in 20 years"? Her gaze, fixed on Naruto, sought an explanation.
"—That's a longer story," Naruto murmured, an enigmatic expression and faint smile on his face, as if guarding a secret, before telling them about one of his Sky Kings, nicknamed "the redhead."
End of Chapter.