Twilight666
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SHINOBI: The RPG - Act 2 (Naruto/Fallout SI)
- Thread starter Fulcon
- Start date
Fulcon
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You know, it could actually work!
I'll keep it in mind as a possibility.
I have learned something today. Thank you.
Have a cookie.
Thank you, I'm glad you thought so!
Yeah, Minato's pretty unflappable as part of his character, so I want to preserve that as much as possible
Yeah, I couldn't do that to you guys. This is supposed to be a happy, diabetes inducing chapter just to contrast Naruto and Daisuke's experience right now.
That...is a great point. Have a cookie.
The only people that Daisuke interacted with today was Anko, with whom they just got married, and Minato, whom he just brought back from the dead.
Yeah.
Spitballing - 5/16/2019
Fulcon
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So, since I've had some time to think about things and I kind of want to get my thoughts down on paper.
Daisuke and Anko
I'm actually pretty happy with how they turned out, even if they're diving into this whole marriage thing with both feet with only a cursory examination of the consequences.
Anko married Daisuke both out of love and...because she still wanted to do the whole 'Willing Slave' thing, even if she realizes that she's very much on equal terms with Daisuke. She admires him for the sheer amount of personal growth that he's gone through and everything that he's overcome (especially losing his entire old world) and honestly loves how chilled out he's become. He's not even a whole other person to her, just one that's not in pain anymore and sees things clearly. She loves how he, well, made her feel loved. Which was honestly more than most of the other people in her life, due to the facade that she put on.
To be honest, the fact that she didn't wake up that morning expecting to get married to one of the few people she considered herself emotionally close too is a minor concern; she's determined to be the best that she can in this marriage. First to treat it as a marriage (because Daisuke wants that instead of the Willing Slave) and second, to be the best mother their children could possibly have. Anko is so impossibly excited to have kids she can barely stand it. You know how she became the class mom? Now she gets to have her own. The wrinkle in this is that she feels that Daisuke's not ready for kids. Not because he's not mature in her eyes, but because the constant age shifting could be a problem for them psychologically and would rather that bit be smoothed out before she started bringing their progeny into the world.
The fact that he's from another world, one that had Naruto as a manga and that his bloodline is a game system from yet another world, is something that she's still processing. She did put it in the back of her mind since this was her wedding night, but now that they've made love for the first time, she is thinking about it. She's fascinated by the idea Daisuke's world, what it had, what it lacked, and she's wanting to pick his brain: Did Daisuke's bloodlust come from his old world's culture? Did they have jutsu? What was the adjustment from apparent civilian to Shinobi like? However, the fact that he came from another world, likely with completely different morals and worldview while getting trained as a Konoha nin is pretty frightening - it's essentially like their ranks got infiltrated flawlessly by a force they knew nothing about and while she isn't nearly as loyal to the Village as she once was, it's still freaky.
The last bit is that Anko knows her planned gift is probably going to result in an argument because while she believes Daisuke should have it...he's not going to like it. EDIT: At least, not at first.
Daisuke is over the moon, naturally.
He honestly didn't think or wasn't sure he'd ever actually get married because of how bad his reticence toward everything was. He thought that his issues with Hisako and Ino were never going to be resolved and that those issues were endemic and would poison any relationship he would ever possibly try to engage in. That he'd never stop being hesitant, that his age issue would always be a speedbump, even if he thought he was over that part of his life. But now, partially thanks to the game, partially thanks to how quickly relationships could bloom in the dangerous world of the Elemental Nations, Daisuke is married to a woman that he loves.
To be perfectly frank, Daisuke is aware, in the back of his mind, that he did rush this. Circumstances with Anko pledging herself to willing slavery might've necessitated the speed, but he's aware that it's going to be an adjustment. He's going to do his absolute best to make sure he never gets mad at Anko during the adjustment period and he knows there's things he doesn't know about Anko. Things like ex boyfriends, mission's she's had to take on, just how badly Orochimaru scarred her. Ironically, for someone who hated being a statue, he wants to be the rock that she can lean on during bad times. He also feels like he isn't ready to be a father; his experiences with his old family have left him some a great deal of anxiety about raising his children right, especially in the Elemental Nations.
Daisuke, as he is going to find out, is somewhat ambivalent about everything he told Anko. She's his wife, so she gets to know the whole story, but he was really hoping to let his past stay in the past. He told her out of obligation to her, first to sooth her anxiety about dating a thirteen year old, then simply because she's his wife and she should know, sooner rather than later, not necessarily because he wanted to tell her. He doesn't regret telling her, per se, he's just going to be really unsure of how their marriage is going to develop now that it's all out in the open. He knows that sometimes women leave their husbands or boyfriends because they told her something she just couldn't handle and he's afraid that Anko...might not be able to handle it all.
But he's committed, and it would take a very serious breech of trust to get him to even consider breaking things off.
As far as what other's in the village think of their union, neither of them care. Sure, it'll cause some difficulties down the line, but it's not going to threaten their marriage. They're gonna sing about it, and no one can stop them. Internally, though, I think that Daisuke and Anko have a long ways to go. Even looking at how far they've come and I'm actually excited for them, in a way. But it could be pretty bumpy for them - though if they get over those hurdles, they'll just be stronger for it.
Thoughts?
Daisuke and Anko
I'm actually pretty happy with how they turned out, even if they're diving into this whole marriage thing with both feet with only a cursory examination of the consequences.
Anko married Daisuke both out of love and...because she still wanted to do the whole 'Willing Slave' thing, even if she realizes that she's very much on equal terms with Daisuke. She admires him for the sheer amount of personal growth that he's gone through and everything that he's overcome (especially losing his entire old world) and honestly loves how chilled out he's become. He's not even a whole other person to her, just one that's not in pain anymore and sees things clearly. She loves how he, well, made her feel loved. Which was honestly more than most of the other people in her life, due to the facade that she put on.
To be honest, the fact that she didn't wake up that morning expecting to get married to one of the few people she considered herself emotionally close too is a minor concern; she's determined to be the best that she can in this marriage. First to treat it as a marriage (because Daisuke wants that instead of the Willing Slave) and second, to be the best mother their children could possibly have. Anko is so impossibly excited to have kids she can barely stand it. You know how she became the class mom? Now she gets to have her own. The wrinkle in this is that she feels that Daisuke's not ready for kids. Not because he's not mature in her eyes, but because the constant age shifting could be a problem for them psychologically and would rather that bit be smoothed out before she started bringing their progeny into the world.
The fact that he's from another world, one that had Naruto as a manga and that his bloodline is a game system from yet another world, is something that she's still processing. She did put it in the back of her mind since this was her wedding night, but now that they've made love for the first time, she is thinking about it. She's fascinated by the idea Daisuke's world, what it had, what it lacked, and she's wanting to pick his brain: Did Daisuke's bloodlust come from his old world's culture? Did they have jutsu? What was the adjustment from apparent civilian to Shinobi like? However, the fact that he came from another world, likely with completely different morals and worldview while getting trained as a Konoha nin is pretty frightening - it's essentially like their ranks got infiltrated flawlessly by a force they knew nothing about and while she isn't nearly as loyal to the Village as she once was, it's still freaky.
The last bit is that Anko knows her planned gift is probably going to result in an argument because while she believes Daisuke should have it...he's not going to like it. EDIT: At least, not at first.
Daisuke is over the moon, naturally.
He honestly didn't think or wasn't sure he'd ever actually get married because of how bad his reticence toward everything was. He thought that his issues with Hisako and Ino were never going to be resolved and that those issues were endemic and would poison any relationship he would ever possibly try to engage in. That he'd never stop being hesitant, that his age issue would always be a speedbump, even if he thought he was over that part of his life. But now, partially thanks to the game, partially thanks to how quickly relationships could bloom in the dangerous world of the Elemental Nations, Daisuke is married to a woman that he loves.
To be perfectly frank, Daisuke is aware, in the back of his mind, that he did rush this. Circumstances with Anko pledging herself to willing slavery might've necessitated the speed, but he's aware that it's going to be an adjustment. He's going to do his absolute best to make sure he never gets mad at Anko during the adjustment period and he knows there's things he doesn't know about Anko. Things like ex boyfriends, mission's she's had to take on, just how badly Orochimaru scarred her. Ironically, for someone who hated being a statue, he wants to be the rock that she can lean on during bad times. He also feels like he isn't ready to be a father; his experiences with his old family have left him some a great deal of anxiety about raising his children right, especially in the Elemental Nations.
Daisuke, as he is going to find out, is somewhat ambivalent about everything he told Anko. She's his wife, so she gets to know the whole story, but he was really hoping to let his past stay in the past. He told her out of obligation to her, first to sooth her anxiety about dating a thirteen year old, then simply because she's his wife and she should know, sooner rather than later, not necessarily because he wanted to tell her. He doesn't regret telling her, per se, he's just going to be really unsure of how their marriage is going to develop now that it's all out in the open. He knows that sometimes women leave their husbands or boyfriends because they told her something she just couldn't handle and he's afraid that Anko...might not be able to handle it all.
But he's committed, and it would take a very serious breech of trust to get him to even consider breaking things off.
As far as what other's in the village think of their union, neither of them care. Sure, it'll cause some difficulties down the line, but it's not going to threaten their marriage. They're gonna sing about it, and no one can stop them. Internally, though, I think that Daisuke and Anko have a long ways to go. Even looking at how far they've come and I'm actually excited for them, in a way. But it could be pretty bumpy for them - though if they get over those hurdles, they'll just be stronger for it.
Thoughts?
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Rechte
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Or make the kids want to be digimon like Daisuke is. Turning into an adult on demand is already exciting, can you imagine how eager they'd be turn themselves old for a fight?
Fulcon
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Exactly, thank you. This proves Anko's point perfectly.
Have a cookie.
...actually, that's another thing. Daisuke's battle hunger. She's honestly a mite scared that it's hereditary. What would happen if they weren't little godlings? What if they were? Just how destroyed would they accidentally leave the world in their lust for war?
Rechte
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Well, he can explain that as the game mechanics, which I think you said aren't hereditary. He has to kill for experience, he can't get better the old fashion way and he no longer needs that since he's mostly hit the level cap
GhostHaxStomp
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He can always pull an Odin and bind their powers, let them grow into it. I'd have a trickle system, with a maximum power of about 6-8 Kage, and a fully realized trigger that gives them full access once they become 'worthy' in some way.
Impatient_Quill
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I am a little wary.
Not because I don't think that Anko was the right girl for our lil godling, but because they rushed into it. Anko going from bingeing herself toward a medical discharge to wife via trying to swear herself into slavery to the person she feels she's wronged, while not having unpacked any of the issues of a new relationship or her PTSD, and then getting literally deified... Something tells me by the time Anko is mentally balanced, Daisuke's age won't be a barrier to them having kids. And randomly dumping the kids on Uncle Naruto so they can go shag.
Reader_as_a_Hobby
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Galacticplumber
Not too sore, are you?
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Most of this is actually really straight forward, reasonable questions raised by known factors of the relationship. The thing to remember is that everyone in Shinobi Land just IS neurosis incarnate. Most not as much as Daisuke, but also less perceptive on all fields with an active desire to look inward. It's as stable as usual in other words. The effects are just bigger as all. And now you're imagining village invasions as being equally mundane as taking out the trash.
"Hidden Stone invading? Got it honey."
"Hidden Stone invading? Got it honey."
Fulcon
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This is fantastic!
Daisuke and Anko are going to have a lot to talk about...actually, what are some of the issues you see with the new relationship just right off the top of your head?
(Aside from the whole willing slave, thing - I know Daisuke's going to have his hands full dealing with that).
I'm not sure that will be possible, since Naruto is going to get back before Daisuke and Anko do.
...but her glomping him will definitely happen.
*nods nods*
Makes sense.
...man I wish I actually knew what I was talking about instead of just writing the thing and relying on my intuition so I could answer and talk about all these questions with you guys...
Galacticplumber
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Very few people know exactly what they're talking about in situations this esoteric. It's about having experienced enough weird shit to be able to roll with it, and having a wide enough general knowledge base in relevant fields to sound smart while you do it. Congratulations Fulcon. I've just handed you the most powerful knowledge in internet discourse. I would even go so far as to call it the key to the castle.
Fulcon
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But I feel like I should know what I'm talking about, or at least be able to contribute more to the discussion than I do - normally I just say 'oh, good point, I agree' and hand out internet cookies.
I dunno, I just prefer to read what you guys have to say about my work than to discuss it.
...thanks for the advice, though. Have a cookie.
asdo
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Look if you really are lost and confused, just think to yourself "What would old penguin sage do?"
Rechte
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Sleep, obviously
ElLobo
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
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Eat a cookie and give good, healthy advice along with warm fuzzy grandfatherly huggies for the future shrink patients.
Fulcon
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Danjuro: So you feel like your first real foray into romance wasn't as good as it could have been. Don't worry about it, it's new territory for you. The fact that you're even willing to try in spite of your anxieties speaks well of you and your personal fortitude. When you first started this story, you had to start somewhere and with romance, it's the same deal. You have to start somewhere. It's not even that bad for your general skill level and the more you try, the better you'll be.
Also, this pairing is adorable and I hope it works out everywhere you want to take it.
Fulcon: ...thanks, Penguin sage.
Danjuro: You're welcome, now take this cookie and let me go back to bed.
doug89
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I get the feeling Anko is setting him up for a three-or-more-some.
Fulcon
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I've considered it. Not sure how I feel about it.
Galacticplumber
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There's the undeniable fact that Daisuke very deliberately isn't interested in most other females to have had contact with him for reasons Anko knows, and that Anko's only known adult female friend is already in a relationship. From a purely logistical standpoint I don't see it happening in the near future. Doubly so if the clans start pushing as previously indicated. Just because the couple won't let it bother them too much doesn't mean it wouldn't sour things with attempted new harem joiners from the clans.
The only slim chance would be Ayame, and I wouldn't bet on it. Not this quickly.
The only slim chance would be Ayame, and I wouldn't bet on it. Not this quickly.
Fulcon
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*nods nods*
This is good insight, thank you.
Of course, if Anko was going to give Daisuke a harem, she would try to get him to come around to Hisako and Ino being on it because he does care about them. Hisako's more a friend that he's physically attracted too, but Ino? He had something more for her.
Though whether or not she succeeds would depend on the conversation.
EDIT: That's not to say it would happen, but a harem is something Anko has considered before, in the chapter where she realized she liked Daisuke back as a 'he deserves a harem of willing slaves'. Again, whether it would happen, with Daisuke's own acceptance of his age contrasting with his dedication to monogamy, is up in the air.
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Chapter 16: Tea with Strangers
Fulcon
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The Following is a fanbased work of fiction: Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden are owned by Shueisha, Viz Entertainment and Masashi Kishimoto. Please support the official release.
---
Naruto stirred in his sleep, slowly sitting up on the bedroll that he was laid down on.
"Easy, easy," An unfamiliar voice said, reaching out a hand to steady him. "You trained yourself to exhaustion it seems."
He groaned, rubbing his eyes and coming face to face with the voice's owner. "Who are you?"
The man, who wore a dark green robe, simply smiled. His long black hair fell around his shoulders. Behind him, a campfire roared, casting him in shadow and making his red irises glow in the dark. "I'm simply a traveler. I saw you passed out on the ground and thought it would be a bad idea to just leave you there, so I brought you to my camp."
"Oh." Naruto blinked. Then he smiled. "Well, thank you, traveler-san, but I really need to be going."
He made to stand up, but his legs and arms failed him, pain spiking from his limbs. "Oh! Ow, never mind. Geeze, what is this?"
"You must be sore," The Traveler said. "You seemed to have trained especially hard, shinobi-san."
"That's weird," Naruto replied with a non-plussed expression. "I've never gotten sore a day in my life."
"Well, have you ever trained so hard you passed out before?" The Traveler asked with a pleasant smile.
Naruto moved to rub the back of his head, wincing at his sore shoulder while doing so. "No, not really. It was a first."
"Hm. Would you like some tea?" The Traveler poured out a cup of hot liquid into a bowl from a kettle that had been resting above the fire. "It might help with the soreness."
Naruto's eyes narrowed at the man, offering a cup with a genial smile, then down at the tea. The Traveler simply continued to hold the cup out, offering a simple, genuine smile. Naruto took the cup and took the smallest of sips.
No, it wasn't drugged, poisoned or anything else that his sharp ninja senses could tell, so he took a more generous sip. "Huh. This isn't bad."
"Thank you," The Traveler replied. "So, may I ask a question?"
"Sure!" Naruto said with a smile of his own.
"Why are you out here training yourself to exhaustion?" He asked with a concerned frown. "That's not something people just do unless they've got a very good reason."
"Well," Naruto started, debating internally. On the one hand, what he had been trying to work out was still bothering him. On the other hand, they had enemy Ninja around and this traveler, as well intentioned as he seemed, could be one of them. "I don't know if I should say…"
"You don't need to tell me if you don't want too," The Traveler simply shrugged. "I was merely hoping to help."
Then again, if he were an enemy ninja, this tea would be poisoned and he'd be tied to a tree. "I'm just having trouble with this mission we're on."
The Traveler hummed. "I was wondering if you were on a mission. You're from Konoha, if I'm not mistaken."
"That's right," Naruto nodded. "We were hired to do something that's going to hurt a lot of people here in Wave and I don't know how I feel about it."
The Traveler hummed. "Well, if you don't complete the mission, would people get hurt?"
Naruto stopped to take another sip. "I guess?"
"Who might that be?" The Traveler asked with a sympathetic frown.
"My Dad, who gave me this mission personally," Naruto began to list off. "The village, I guess, who'd have to refund Gombei-san's money. Then there's Gato Company's employees, who need the bridge gone so they can keep their jobs."
"That sounds like a lot of people," The Traveler said, slowly nodding. "It sounds like your dilemma is that, no matter what you do, you'll hurt people and you don't want that."
"Yeah, that's right," Naruto replied, nodding rapidly. "I wanted to become a Shinobi to protect the village and innocent people, not ruin the lives of an entire country."
"That sounds very noble of you." The Traveler smiled.
"Thank you," Naruto replied bashfully.
"May I offer you my perspective, as someone who has been all over the Elemental Nations?" The Traveler offered.
"Sure," Naruto replied with a nod, sipping up his tea. "I'm sure you've seen lots of things, right."
"Indeed, I have," The Traveler replied. "I once met a woman whose husband was a Shinobi. She had three children, two daughters and one son whom she had to look after alone. Her husband was gone."
"What happened to her husband?" Naruto asked with a frown. "He didn't leave her, did he?"
"No, actually," The Traveler shook his head. "She invited me into her home and she told me the story over tea. She explained that her husband was a Shinobi and had passed away in the most recent Shinobi war. Her husband had been holding the position for a retreat and had been impaled through the heart with a kunai."
"Oh," Naruto said with wide eyes. "I feel so sorry for her."
"I'm sure she would appreciate your pity," The Traveler nodded his head. "She told me how she feared her daughters growing up without having an example of a good man in the house, that they wouldn't know what to look for in a husband. She told me how she worried her son wouldn't learn how to be a man without his father there to teach him. The death of this man caused the whole family a lot of pain."
"That poor woman," Naruto's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because this woman was a native of the Land of Earth, and her husband was an Iwa Shinobi, killed by Konoha forces," The Traveler revealed, causing Naruto to spit out his tea. "Now, I ask you, if Konoha hadn't killed this man, what might have happened to your village?"
Naruto was speechless. "…well, um. He might've killed Ninja from Konoha. He'd have helped more enemy Ninja escape. It might've cost more Konoha nin their lives. But…"
He looked to the side, still confused and still unable to quite vocalize his struggle.
"Would you like some more tea?" The Traveler asked, grabbing the kettle.
Naruto looked at his cup, then at the Traveler, then nodded.
---
Kakashi could see the village gates in front of him, hopping from branch to branch.
Now we'll get you in bed and then we can start working on the bridge tomorrow, Kakashi thought in relief. And then it'll all be goo-
The clone popped.
He froze in midair, stumbling on his landing on the rooftop below him. He whirled around in a panic, un-covering his Sharingan and diving back into the forest.
---
"Hm," The Traveler said, as if something had just occurred to him. "From my example, I can tell you that I've seen many situations where there are, well, to put it bluntly, a winner and a loser."
"Why does it have to be that way?" Naruto asked with a frown.
The Traveler shrugged. "When two people have conflicting interests and are unwilling to cooperate, only one of them can have their way."
"But then what am I supposed to do?" Naruto barked in frustration. "I can't tear down this Country's hopes and dreams, but I can't betray the village, either!"
"Let me ask you this," The Traveler said, adjusting himself in his seat, not even remotely affected by the Konoha Nin's outburst. "If Konoha turned down a mission every time it hurt someone, could they help anyone?"
"Probably not," Naruto admitted with a sigh, taking a sip of his tea.
"I think it's very noble to want to help everyone," The Traveler started, taking a sip of his own tea. "But I'm afraid without the proper tools and resources, that is simply impossible. So, the best thing that you can do is help yourself so you can help other people later."
"You really think we can help the Land of Waves later?" Naruto asked with a deep frown. "We won't be allowed back here once our mission is done."
"Well, are you sure you can't think of some way to fix things?" The Traveler asked with a thoughtful frown. "Someone you can contact or some deal you can reach before you go home?"
Naruto simply grunted and pulled his knees up to rest his arms on. "If I could talk to Daisuke, maybe."
The Traveler tilted his head with an inquisitive expression on his face. "Who is Daisuke?"
"My brother," Naruto replied with a depressed expression on his face. "Not by blood, but we've known each other as long as we could remember. If I could talk to him, he could fix things up without a problem."
The Traveler hummed. "You know, you mentioned Gato Company before, yes?"
Naruto stopped for a moment. "…yes, I did. Why?"
"Well, that makes me think that you're here to destroy the bridge that just got finished," The Traveler started, putting the pieces together. "Because their company is threatened by it's existence. Is that right?"
"Yeah." Naruto slowly and hesitantly nodded.
"I heard, and I don't know if this is true, that it was built by a Shinobi," The Traveler continued, looking fairly excited. "Do you know if that's true? I've been on my way to see it, myself."
"Yeah, Daisuke built it," Naruto explained morosely.
"That is marvelous," The Traveler said with wide eyes and a smile. Then he frowned. "A shame that you were hired to destroy your brothers work."
"Well, that's the thing," Naruto began, grabbing his cup of tea from his side and sipping it. "He left the village not to long ago for reasons. I want to get him to come back, but I can't do that if I can't talk to him. So, if we destroy the bridge…"
"You think you might get Daisuke-san's attention," The Traveler finished with a thoughtful nod. "It might work. In truth, I hope it does. You seem to be a good person; it'd be a shame for you to be separated from your family."
"Thank you," Naruto said with a nod. He smiled. "This tea is really good."
"Thank you," The Traveler said with a grateful smile. "I learned the Tea Ceremony from a master in the Land of Lightning. I'm glad I retained some of his masterful craft, it's been many years since I've seen him."
"You really have been all over, haven't you?" Naruto asked with a surprised expression. "Are you a Ninja?"
"No," The Traveler said with an amused chuckle. "No, I am simply someone who walks quickly and seldom rests."
"What was your name again?" Naruto asked.
"I'm no one important," The Traveler replied. "Just a traveler. I find it easier to travel if my name isn't known across the continent. I hope you understand."
"Well, alright," Naruto just shrugged, folding his legs beneath him. "But that doesn't fix my problem."
The Traveler just hummed. "What would it take to get those who need the bridge and Gato Company to cooperate with each other?"
"I don't know," Naruto shrugged. "I'm not a business guy. I'm a Shinobi. Besides, if they could both get what they want, then Konoha wouldn't have been hired and I wouldn't be stuck in this mess."
"And Konoha wouldn't stand to gain quite a bit of money, am I right?" The Traveler asked pointedly.
Naruto just sighed. "Yeah. I just wish I didn't have to pick a side. Or, you know, I could pick a side with an obvious good guy and bad guy."
The Traveler hummed. "Who is the 'most' good guy in this situation?"
"Well, Konoha," Naruto said, shrugging. "Obviously."
The Traveler just nodded. "Does that then mean that those who oppose it are 'bad guys'?"
"I don't know," Naruto shook his head, taking another sip of his tea and looking into the green liquid. "Maybe? I know Gato Company was involved in Human Trafficking and Drugs."
"Both despicable trades," The Traveler agreed. "But are they still involved in those things?"
Naruto grunted in thought, looking up at the stars. "I don't think so. Daisuke kind of…cleaned house with them."
"Is that so?" The Traveler asked. "So then if those responsible for wrong doing within their company have been brought to justice, are they still the bad guys?"
Naruto thought for a minute. Remembering the terrified receptionist, hiding behind her desk from the angry mob. Hasimoto drowning himself in sake because he believed his days were very numbered. "Maybe not."
"So, in this particular case," The Traveler began. "If Konoha is the good guys, and Gato Company aren't the bad guys, who is left?"
"The villagers," Naruto replied, blinking rapidly. "But they don't deserve to have the bridge destroyed. That would crush them."
"Perhaps not," The Traveler replied. "But if your plan to attract, what was his name, Daisuke?"
Naruto nodded.
"If it works, then he'll simply rebuild it," The Traveler pointed out. "You may even convince him to wait a period of time if you need him too."
"But if it doesn't, the people will be out a bridge," Naruto pointed out.
"Well, remember what I said about needing to help yourself first," The Traveler pointed out. "It's terrible to say, I know, but unless you gain or have a third solution to make everyone happy, that is the reality of the situation."
---
"Captain, I've had no luck," Masato reported with a salute of his flipper.
"Keep up the patrol," Captain Shizo ordered. "With the target's team searching inland and us monitoring the ocean exports, we'll find him in no time."
"Are you sure about that, sir?" Masato asked, the muscles around his beak turning to a frown. "Someone or something snatched the target out from beneath our beaks."
"We have to keep trying," Shizo responded. "You want to be the one to tell Shimoda that we lost his friend because he got kidnapped?"
"No sir," Masato shook his head.
"Resume patrol pattern."
---
Naruto let out a frustrated grunt. "But I can't accept that."
"Do you have another way?" The Traveler asked. "I would really love to hear if you have solution."
"I don't!" Naruto barked angrily. "I don't know what to do and all this talking about it is making me frustrated!"
"I am simply trying to help," The Traveler replied.
"I don't even know who you are!" Naruto continued, pointing at him. "And you're trying to give me advice about my problems!"
The Traveler simply frowned. "Perhaps we should shelve the topic then. I apologize, I didn't mean to aggravate you."
Naruto let out a disappointed sigh. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted."
"Apology accepted," The Traveler replied with a smile. "Now, may I ask about Daisuke?"
"Sure," Naruto waved. "Not sure what there is to say, though?"
"Well, I'd like to know why he left," The Traveler said, getting a curious look on his face. "I can't imagine he'd leave for anything more than something very important."
"He got some bad blood with the…with someone in the village," Naruto pointed out with a frown. "He couldn't forgive him and the old man couldn't let what Daisuke did stand. So, he left."
"I won't ask what he did," The Traveler said. "But I will ask if that's the only reason?"
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked with a frown.
"Well, Ninja from Konoha are loyal," The Traveler began, noting the proud look on Naruto's face with a small smile. "They are big on never abandoning one's comrades. In my experience, it would take a very severe break in beliefs or comradery for them to even consider leaving the village."
Naruto got an uncomfortable look on his face, looking down at the fire.
"Do you need a refill?" The Traveler asked.
"No," Naruto shook his head. "It's just, well…Daisuke doesn't like the world. He doesn't like the villages. He wants everyone in the Elemental Nations to learn Jutsu. Everyone! Can you believe that?"
"I've met a few people like that, actually," The Traveler replied with a frown. "They were always dangers to themselves and others, never able to see the full consequences of their actions."
"Exactly!" Naruto replied, taking a sip of the tea. "Daisuke is exactly like that. He doesn't think through the consequences of his actions; he just does things because they seem like a good idea. He's letting his anger at the village cloud his thinking."
The Traveler hummed.
"I mean, sometimes he does good things," Naruto amended, looking into his cup, then sipping his tea. "Sometimes he does amazing things. But he's wrong on this. He thinks that the Hidden Villages are the reason everything is messed up, but that's just his anger at the village talking. And I'm afraid he's going to really hurt himself just because he can't be bothered to really think about the consequences of his actions before he tries to change the world."
"The world is a difficult place," The Traveler replied. "Many who are scarred try to change the world but are unable to see their contribution to the rot until it's too late."
"Yes, exactly," Naruto nodded. "That's why I have to bring Daisuke back to the village. That's why I have to get him to see what he's doing, before it's too late."
"Too late for what?"
"Before he succeeds," Naruto replied with a frown. "Before he teaches everyone on the planet jutsu. Before he causes the whole world to go up in flames because he took Jutsu out of the villages before the world was ready for it."
"What makes you think he's going to succeed?" The Traveler asked, blinking owlishly. "That sounds like lunacy."
"Because he's Daisuke," Naruto affirmed with a nod. "Daisuke does the impossible on a daily basis."
"Well, you know him better than I," The Traveler conceded. "But I must ask, do you really think that you can convince him of the error of his ways?"
Naruto looked into the fire, then at his tea. Then he sighed. "No. The only person who can convince Daisuke of anything is Daisuke."
"Really?"
"Uh huh."
"And why do you say that?" The Traveler asked.
"Because Daisuke is the most stubborn, willfully ignorant, determined idiot that I've ever met," Naruto pointed out bluntly. "And the only person who can lead him to the truth is him."
The Traveler's eyebrows furrowed together in concern as he sipped his tea. "You have some things to work through with him."
"Well, yeah," Naruto nodded.
"More than just him leaving," The Traveler pointed out.
Naruto tilted his head from side to side. "Maybe."
The Traveler hummed and said nothing, simply sipping his tea.
Naruto finished his cup, and accepted the refill The Traveler offered.
---
Come on, where are you? Kakashi's heart was pounding, desperate to find anything, any trace of where his charge had gone. Naruto, I'll find you! I promise!
He remembered the last time someone he cared about got abducted by Kiri nin, because that is the only explanation and he didn't see it happen.
That will never happen again! Kakashi thought, his thoughts filled with shame about how he got fooled by a simple Genjutsu. Never!
I swear it!
---
"He's been irritating you for a long time then, I suppose?" The Traveler asked.
"Not," Naruto paused to find the right word. "Necessarily. Just…"
The Traveler hummed inquisitively.
"He's known as the village miracle worker," Naruto began with a sad expression. "He did the impossible. He did so much for everyone. Especially me. But I wanted to be known by the village too, as more than the son of the Hokage."
The Traveler's eyebrows shot up like a rocket. "I'm not sure there's much better that you can do, Shinobi-san."
"But the only reason I'm known as that is because of Daisuke," Naruto frowned, angrily glaring into his cup. "Everyone is like 'oh, Naruto! You're so good at Taijutsu'. Because Daisuke trained me. 'Naruto, you can do clones now, that's amazing!'. Because Daisuke told my sensei I needed one-on-one training time. 'You can do a forbidden jutsu like it's nothing!' Yeah, because Daisuke taught me that. 'You're the son of the Hokage!' Because Daisuke brought him back from the dead."
"Back from the dead," The Traveler muttered to himself in surprise. "That's quite a list."
"Everything I am now, from my abilities as a Ninja, to my social status," Naruto started. He threw his empty hand in the air for emphasis. "Everything! Everything I am! Everything I can do! Is because of Daisuke. Everything!"
"It sounds like you have a lot to be grateful for," The Traveler replied kindly. "He's done so much for you."
"I'm grateful," Naruto hurriedly backtracked. "I just…I just want something that's mine. Something that I did, by myself, so I can stand apart from Daisuke. So, I can be known for my own achievement."
"So, you can step out from his shadow," The Traveler finished for him.
"Exactly," Naruto gestured to him like he had just said the most obvious thing in the world. "Thank you."
"I've seen many sibling rivalries play out similarly," The Traveler replied. "You should honestly just give your brother time. He'll come back to the village once he's resolved his anger."
"You think so?" Naruto asked with a frown.
"I know so," The Traveler replied with a smile.
"Great," Naruto sighed, looking unsurely into his cup. "That would be great."
"You don't sound sure," The Traveler pointed out.
"Well, it's not enough to just bring him back," Naruto replied. "I have to change his mind, too. If he doesn't change his mind, but he comes back to Konoha well, that would just mean that he's still going to try to spread jutsu everywhere."
"So, you're afraid that he'll simply have changed tactics if he comes back on his own," The Traveler had this odd smirk on his face as he said that, one that quickly changed to an inquisitive frown.
"That's right!" Naruto replied, not having noticed the smirk. "If he even can change tactics, that is. Thinking things through is not his forte."
"Is he really that bad?" The Traveler asked with an amused expression.
"Please. If he met a girl he actually liked back, he'd marry her instantly," Naruto pointed out with an unamused expression. "He does not think about the consequences of his actions. At all. He's allergic to the idea."
"My, my," The Traveler shook his head in amusement. "That is a stirring indictment if I ever saw one. Well, I hope things work out for you."
"Thank you," Naruto nodded. "I appreciate all the tea. It was good."
"I'm glad you liked it," The Traveler replied. "Now, if you don't mind me revisiting the bridge."
Naruto just sighed in defeat. "I…guess we need to destroy it, huh?"
"I suppose so," The Traveler gave him a sympathetic frown. "I apologize that you have to do such a hard thing. I know it's not easy."
"Well, it's like you said," Naruto shrugged his shoulders, drinking the last of the tea. "No point in trying to help others if you can't help yourself. Besides, the village isn't really good in this conflict anyway."
Naruto rolled his shoulders. "It's like my dad said, actually. We don't judge, we just do the work."
"I'm glad you've come to a decision," The Traveler replied with a smile.
"I just hope it's the right one," Naruto replied, making to stand up and doing so easily. "Hey, I'm not sore anymore! That tea really did help. Thank you, Traveller-san!"
The Traveler smiled wider. "I'm glad I was able to help. Now, can you help me pick up my camp? I'll be on my way north, there's something I forgot I grab in the town while I was there."
"Sure," Naruto said, looking a little confused. "Are you sure you can't grab it in the town south? You can see the bridge before we blow it up."
"I'm afraid not," The Traveler said, rolling up one of the bedrolls. "It's a special book order that I completely forgot. I was actually on my way to pick up my camp when I saw you."
The two working together made picking up the camp very simple. The fire was doused and everything was strapped to a pack on the Traveler's back.
"Well, thanks again," Naruto said with a bow.
"I hope we meet again someday," The Traveler replied. "Until then, be well."
The two turned and walked off. Naruto quickly found the trail he had made to head back to the village and he started to run back.
Then Kakashi descended from the branches with a frantic look in his eyes.
"Hey, Sensei!" Naruto greeted with a smile. Then he saw the look. "Uh…are you okay? I didn't scare you to bad, did I?"
"Is it really you?" Kakashi asked, poking Naruto sharply in the chest.
"Ow! Yes, it's me!" Naruto said, rubbing the spot where he was poked. "That hurt!"
"Good," He let out a long sigh of relief. "I've had to deal with two of your clones and I was scared someone managed to run off with you."
"You did?" Naruto asked, sounding perplexed. "I didn't get any memories from them. Huh."
"Were you asleep?" Kakashi asked with narrowed eyes.
"Yeah, I trained myself to exhaustion," Naruto nodded quickly. "But this traveler came along and pulled me to his camp and gave me tea. He was really nice."
Kakashi gave Naruto a hard look. "Can you show me where his camp was?"
"Sure!" Naruto said, pointing behind him. "It's just over there. I helped pack it up though, he said he had to pick something up from the town to the north."
"Naruto, the town to the north is miles away," Kakashi replied, shaking his head. "Did he have a wagon?"
"No, he just said he walked quickly and didn't rest a lot," Naruto just shrugged. "It's over here."
Naruto brought Kakashi to where the camp was, and Kakashi's eyes nearly came out of their sockets. "I went by the clearing four times and didn't see you."
"Wait, really?" Naruto asked with a frown. "That's weird, I didn't see you either."
"What did you and the stranger talk about?" Kakashi asked with a frown.
"About my issues with completing the mission," Naruto replied with a frown. "But he gave me some really good advice."
"What's the advice?" Kakashi asked, his eyes narrowing.
"That in order to help people, you need to help yourself," Naruto replied, getting a resolute expression. "I still don't like it, but I'm ready to destroy the bridge."
Kakashi looked deep into Naruto's eyes, the tomoe on his Sharingan spinning. After a minute of this, Naruto not daring or even being able to move, he sighed and covered his eye. "Alright, I believe you. You didn't tell him too much about the mission, did you?"
"Nope," Naruto replied. "He just encouraged me to complete the mission so that we can help people later. By the way, do you think we can get a mission to help Wave out later?"
"Maybe," Kakashi said, looking at the campsite once again with suspicion. "You might be able to ask your father for one."
"Wait, you're right!" Naruto hit himself on the head. "Duh, of course I can! Thanks, Sensei!"
"You're welcome," Kakashi said, scooping Naruto up for a piggy-back ride. "Now let's get you back to base before I have another heart attack."
I don't like it, Kakashi thought with a narrowed eye. I need to find out what happened. Who was that traveler?
---
Jashin just looked at the young Genin depart on his Sensei's back impassively. Then he hung his head and sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. "Again. That was far too simple."
The pack on his back was gone, having faded back into chakra. Instead, he held his scythe in his hand. "Should only be a few months before I can start the next layer and then Shimoda is going to realize that his re-writing the rules might have more consequences than he'd like."
"Who are you speaking too?" Shinigami appeared behind Jashin with an amused grin on his face.
"You, apparently," Jashin said with a small smile. "Are you hear to inform me of the good news?"
"Daisuke-dono has married and deified his wife," Shinigami confirmed with a nod. "We will have to go congratulate her in a few days. Do you have a gift in mind?"
"Oh, the same one I always give," Jashin replied, spinning his scythe on its end, causing the blade to rapidly rotate like hands on a clock. "My advice to learn Ninshū."
"I'd accuse you of not even trying if it wasn't such good advice." Shinigami gave a throaty laugh, the moonlight shining in his white hair. "I'm going to tell her Orochimaru's returned."
"Dear me, that seems like a great way to throw a wrench into the relationship," Jashin pointed out in mock horror. Then he grinned deviously. "I can't wait to see her face."
"If this causes them to separate, there is no way it was going to last anyway," Shinigami responded with a bored expression. "The fact that they never actually courted notwithstanding, they can make it work…with a lot of work."
"But still!" Jashin replied. "Should we wait until after their honeymoon or were you thinking of crashing their party at the vault?"
"Let's be nice and wait for after their Honeymoon," Shinigami answered. "You didn't appreciate having your own honeymoon crashed when you were mortal, if you recall."
"Oh, very well." Jashin just waved it off like it was nothing. "We'll give them this one courtesy. I suppose it's only fair since I set the wheels in motion to turn his brother against him."
---
Author's Notes: I'm really, really confused. I actually didn't expect to get the next chapter done so quickly, but here we are. I was entirely joking about Naruto redeeming Jashin when it came out that he kidnapped him, but I think some of you took me seriously. Some of you. If Naruto were to 'redeem' Jashin, it would take a long, long, long time to actually get that to happen because Jashin's seen his fair share of charismatic heroes.
I don't have much else to say about this chapter. I hope you all liked it. I know that last one was…odd for some of you. It was my first foray into romance, and I know I've got a long way to go before it's even comparable to 'good'. So, I thank you all for your patience and being willing to bear with me. But I will say that Daisuke's known Anko for six months prior to their wedding, so it's not like it was instant…but it was really, really fast.
Shout out goes out too Melden V, Anders Kronquist, Ray Tony Song, Volkogluk, Aaron Bjornson, iolande, Martin Auguado, Julio, Jiopaba, Hackerham, Tim Collins-Squire, Maben00, Sultan Saltlick, Ventari, PbookR, RichardWhereat, Seij, ChristobalAlvarez, Aenor Knight, Apperatus, EPiCJB19 and Seeking Raven. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter; you guys are making it possible for me to write it and I am eternally grateful for it.
Until the next time!
~Fulcon
---
Naruto stirred in his sleep, slowly sitting up on the bedroll that he was laid down on.
"Easy, easy," An unfamiliar voice said, reaching out a hand to steady him. "You trained yourself to exhaustion it seems."
He groaned, rubbing his eyes and coming face to face with the voice's owner. "Who are you?"
The man, who wore a dark green robe, simply smiled. His long black hair fell around his shoulders. Behind him, a campfire roared, casting him in shadow and making his red irises glow in the dark. "I'm simply a traveler. I saw you passed out on the ground and thought it would be a bad idea to just leave you there, so I brought you to my camp."
"Oh." Naruto blinked. Then he smiled. "Well, thank you, traveler-san, but I really need to be going."
He made to stand up, but his legs and arms failed him, pain spiking from his limbs. "Oh! Ow, never mind. Geeze, what is this?"
"You must be sore," The Traveler said. "You seemed to have trained especially hard, shinobi-san."
"That's weird," Naruto replied with a non-plussed expression. "I've never gotten sore a day in my life."
"Well, have you ever trained so hard you passed out before?" The Traveler asked with a pleasant smile.
Naruto moved to rub the back of his head, wincing at his sore shoulder while doing so. "No, not really. It was a first."
"Hm. Would you like some tea?" The Traveler poured out a cup of hot liquid into a bowl from a kettle that had been resting above the fire. "It might help with the soreness."
Naruto's eyes narrowed at the man, offering a cup with a genial smile, then down at the tea. The Traveler simply continued to hold the cup out, offering a simple, genuine smile. Naruto took the cup and took the smallest of sips.
No, it wasn't drugged, poisoned or anything else that his sharp ninja senses could tell, so he took a more generous sip. "Huh. This isn't bad."
"Thank you," The Traveler replied. "So, may I ask a question?"
"Sure!" Naruto said with a smile of his own.
"Why are you out here training yourself to exhaustion?" He asked with a concerned frown. "That's not something people just do unless they've got a very good reason."
"Well," Naruto started, debating internally. On the one hand, what he had been trying to work out was still bothering him. On the other hand, they had enemy Ninja around and this traveler, as well intentioned as he seemed, could be one of them. "I don't know if I should say…"
"You don't need to tell me if you don't want too," The Traveler simply shrugged. "I was merely hoping to help."
Then again, if he were an enemy ninja, this tea would be poisoned and he'd be tied to a tree. "I'm just having trouble with this mission we're on."
The Traveler hummed. "I was wondering if you were on a mission. You're from Konoha, if I'm not mistaken."
"That's right," Naruto nodded. "We were hired to do something that's going to hurt a lot of people here in Wave and I don't know how I feel about it."
The Traveler hummed. "Well, if you don't complete the mission, would people get hurt?"
Naruto stopped to take another sip. "I guess?"
"Who might that be?" The Traveler asked with a sympathetic frown.
"My Dad, who gave me this mission personally," Naruto began to list off. "The village, I guess, who'd have to refund Gombei-san's money. Then there's Gato Company's employees, who need the bridge gone so they can keep their jobs."
"That sounds like a lot of people," The Traveler said, slowly nodding. "It sounds like your dilemma is that, no matter what you do, you'll hurt people and you don't want that."
"Yeah, that's right," Naruto replied, nodding rapidly. "I wanted to become a Shinobi to protect the village and innocent people, not ruin the lives of an entire country."
"That sounds very noble of you." The Traveler smiled.
"Thank you," Naruto replied bashfully.
"May I offer you my perspective, as someone who has been all over the Elemental Nations?" The Traveler offered.
"Sure," Naruto replied with a nod, sipping up his tea. "I'm sure you've seen lots of things, right."
"Indeed, I have," The Traveler replied. "I once met a woman whose husband was a Shinobi. She had three children, two daughters and one son whom she had to look after alone. Her husband was gone."
"What happened to her husband?" Naruto asked with a frown. "He didn't leave her, did he?"
"No, actually," The Traveler shook his head. "She invited me into her home and she told me the story over tea. She explained that her husband was a Shinobi and had passed away in the most recent Shinobi war. Her husband had been holding the position for a retreat and had been impaled through the heart with a kunai."
"Oh," Naruto said with wide eyes. "I feel so sorry for her."
"I'm sure she would appreciate your pity," The Traveler nodded his head. "She told me how she feared her daughters growing up without having an example of a good man in the house, that they wouldn't know what to look for in a husband. She told me how she worried her son wouldn't learn how to be a man without his father there to teach him. The death of this man caused the whole family a lot of pain."
"That poor woman," Naruto's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because this woman was a native of the Land of Earth, and her husband was an Iwa Shinobi, killed by Konoha forces," The Traveler revealed, causing Naruto to spit out his tea. "Now, I ask you, if Konoha hadn't killed this man, what might have happened to your village?"
Naruto was speechless. "…well, um. He might've killed Ninja from Konoha. He'd have helped more enemy Ninja escape. It might've cost more Konoha nin their lives. But…"
He looked to the side, still confused and still unable to quite vocalize his struggle.
"Would you like some more tea?" The Traveler asked, grabbing the kettle.
Naruto looked at his cup, then at the Traveler, then nodded.
---
Kakashi could see the village gates in front of him, hopping from branch to branch.
Now we'll get you in bed and then we can start working on the bridge tomorrow, Kakashi thought in relief. And then it'll all be goo-
The clone popped.
He froze in midair, stumbling on his landing on the rooftop below him. He whirled around in a panic, un-covering his Sharingan and diving back into the forest.
---
"Hm," The Traveler said, as if something had just occurred to him. "From my example, I can tell you that I've seen many situations where there are, well, to put it bluntly, a winner and a loser."
"Why does it have to be that way?" Naruto asked with a frown.
The Traveler shrugged. "When two people have conflicting interests and are unwilling to cooperate, only one of them can have their way."
"But then what am I supposed to do?" Naruto barked in frustration. "I can't tear down this Country's hopes and dreams, but I can't betray the village, either!"
"Let me ask you this," The Traveler said, adjusting himself in his seat, not even remotely affected by the Konoha Nin's outburst. "If Konoha turned down a mission every time it hurt someone, could they help anyone?"
"Probably not," Naruto admitted with a sigh, taking a sip of his tea.
"I think it's very noble to want to help everyone," The Traveler started, taking a sip of his own tea. "But I'm afraid without the proper tools and resources, that is simply impossible. So, the best thing that you can do is help yourself so you can help other people later."
"You really think we can help the Land of Waves later?" Naruto asked with a deep frown. "We won't be allowed back here once our mission is done."
"Well, are you sure you can't think of some way to fix things?" The Traveler asked with a thoughtful frown. "Someone you can contact or some deal you can reach before you go home?"
Naruto simply grunted and pulled his knees up to rest his arms on. "If I could talk to Daisuke, maybe."
The Traveler tilted his head with an inquisitive expression on his face. "Who is Daisuke?"
"My brother," Naruto replied with a depressed expression on his face. "Not by blood, but we've known each other as long as we could remember. If I could talk to him, he could fix things up without a problem."
The Traveler hummed. "You know, you mentioned Gato Company before, yes?"
Naruto stopped for a moment. "…yes, I did. Why?"
"Well, that makes me think that you're here to destroy the bridge that just got finished," The Traveler started, putting the pieces together. "Because their company is threatened by it's existence. Is that right?"
"Yeah." Naruto slowly and hesitantly nodded.
"I heard, and I don't know if this is true, that it was built by a Shinobi," The Traveler continued, looking fairly excited. "Do you know if that's true? I've been on my way to see it, myself."
"Yeah, Daisuke built it," Naruto explained morosely.
"That is marvelous," The Traveler said with wide eyes and a smile. Then he frowned. "A shame that you were hired to destroy your brothers work."
"Well, that's the thing," Naruto began, grabbing his cup of tea from his side and sipping it. "He left the village not to long ago for reasons. I want to get him to come back, but I can't do that if I can't talk to him. So, if we destroy the bridge…"
"You think you might get Daisuke-san's attention," The Traveler finished with a thoughtful nod. "It might work. In truth, I hope it does. You seem to be a good person; it'd be a shame for you to be separated from your family."
"Thank you," Naruto said with a nod. He smiled. "This tea is really good."
"Thank you," The Traveler said with a grateful smile. "I learned the Tea Ceremony from a master in the Land of Lightning. I'm glad I retained some of his masterful craft, it's been many years since I've seen him."
"You really have been all over, haven't you?" Naruto asked with a surprised expression. "Are you a Ninja?"
"No," The Traveler said with an amused chuckle. "No, I am simply someone who walks quickly and seldom rests."
"What was your name again?" Naruto asked.
"I'm no one important," The Traveler replied. "Just a traveler. I find it easier to travel if my name isn't known across the continent. I hope you understand."
"Well, alright," Naruto just shrugged, folding his legs beneath him. "But that doesn't fix my problem."
The Traveler just hummed. "What would it take to get those who need the bridge and Gato Company to cooperate with each other?"
"I don't know," Naruto shrugged. "I'm not a business guy. I'm a Shinobi. Besides, if they could both get what they want, then Konoha wouldn't have been hired and I wouldn't be stuck in this mess."
"And Konoha wouldn't stand to gain quite a bit of money, am I right?" The Traveler asked pointedly.
Naruto just sighed. "Yeah. I just wish I didn't have to pick a side. Or, you know, I could pick a side with an obvious good guy and bad guy."
The Traveler hummed. "Who is the 'most' good guy in this situation?"
"Well, Konoha," Naruto said, shrugging. "Obviously."
The Traveler just nodded. "Does that then mean that those who oppose it are 'bad guys'?"
"I don't know," Naruto shook his head, taking another sip of his tea and looking into the green liquid. "Maybe? I know Gato Company was involved in Human Trafficking and Drugs."
"Both despicable trades," The Traveler agreed. "But are they still involved in those things?"
Naruto grunted in thought, looking up at the stars. "I don't think so. Daisuke kind of…cleaned house with them."
"Is that so?" The Traveler asked. "So then if those responsible for wrong doing within their company have been brought to justice, are they still the bad guys?"
Naruto thought for a minute. Remembering the terrified receptionist, hiding behind her desk from the angry mob. Hasimoto drowning himself in sake because he believed his days were very numbered. "Maybe not."
"So, in this particular case," The Traveler began. "If Konoha is the good guys, and Gato Company aren't the bad guys, who is left?"
"The villagers," Naruto replied, blinking rapidly. "But they don't deserve to have the bridge destroyed. That would crush them."
"Perhaps not," The Traveler replied. "But if your plan to attract, what was his name, Daisuke?"
Naruto nodded.
"If it works, then he'll simply rebuild it," The Traveler pointed out. "You may even convince him to wait a period of time if you need him too."
"But if it doesn't, the people will be out a bridge," Naruto pointed out.
"Well, remember what I said about needing to help yourself first," The Traveler pointed out. "It's terrible to say, I know, but unless you gain or have a third solution to make everyone happy, that is the reality of the situation."
---
"Captain, I've had no luck," Masato reported with a salute of his flipper.
"Keep up the patrol," Captain Shizo ordered. "With the target's team searching inland and us monitoring the ocean exports, we'll find him in no time."
"Are you sure about that, sir?" Masato asked, the muscles around his beak turning to a frown. "Someone or something snatched the target out from beneath our beaks."
"We have to keep trying," Shizo responded. "You want to be the one to tell Shimoda that we lost his friend because he got kidnapped?"
"No sir," Masato shook his head.
"Resume patrol pattern."
---
Naruto let out a frustrated grunt. "But I can't accept that."
"Do you have another way?" The Traveler asked. "I would really love to hear if you have solution."
"I don't!" Naruto barked angrily. "I don't know what to do and all this talking about it is making me frustrated!"
"I am simply trying to help," The Traveler replied.
"I don't even know who you are!" Naruto continued, pointing at him. "And you're trying to give me advice about my problems!"
The Traveler simply frowned. "Perhaps we should shelve the topic then. I apologize, I didn't mean to aggravate you."
Naruto let out a disappointed sigh. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted."
"Apology accepted," The Traveler replied with a smile. "Now, may I ask about Daisuke?"
"Sure," Naruto waved. "Not sure what there is to say, though?"
"Well, I'd like to know why he left," The Traveler said, getting a curious look on his face. "I can't imagine he'd leave for anything more than something very important."
"He got some bad blood with the…with someone in the village," Naruto pointed out with a frown. "He couldn't forgive him and the old man couldn't let what Daisuke did stand. So, he left."
"I won't ask what he did," The Traveler said. "But I will ask if that's the only reason?"
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked with a frown.
"Well, Ninja from Konoha are loyal," The Traveler began, noting the proud look on Naruto's face with a small smile. "They are big on never abandoning one's comrades. In my experience, it would take a very severe break in beliefs or comradery for them to even consider leaving the village."
Naruto got an uncomfortable look on his face, looking down at the fire.
"Do you need a refill?" The Traveler asked.
"No," Naruto shook his head. "It's just, well…Daisuke doesn't like the world. He doesn't like the villages. He wants everyone in the Elemental Nations to learn Jutsu. Everyone! Can you believe that?"
"I've met a few people like that, actually," The Traveler replied with a frown. "They were always dangers to themselves and others, never able to see the full consequences of their actions."
"Exactly!" Naruto replied, taking a sip of the tea. "Daisuke is exactly like that. He doesn't think through the consequences of his actions; he just does things because they seem like a good idea. He's letting his anger at the village cloud his thinking."
The Traveler hummed.
"I mean, sometimes he does good things," Naruto amended, looking into his cup, then sipping his tea. "Sometimes he does amazing things. But he's wrong on this. He thinks that the Hidden Villages are the reason everything is messed up, but that's just his anger at the village talking. And I'm afraid he's going to really hurt himself just because he can't be bothered to really think about the consequences of his actions before he tries to change the world."
"The world is a difficult place," The Traveler replied. "Many who are scarred try to change the world but are unable to see their contribution to the rot until it's too late."
"Yes, exactly," Naruto nodded. "That's why I have to bring Daisuke back to the village. That's why I have to get him to see what he's doing, before it's too late."
"Too late for what?"
"Before he succeeds," Naruto replied with a frown. "Before he teaches everyone on the planet jutsu. Before he causes the whole world to go up in flames because he took Jutsu out of the villages before the world was ready for it."
"What makes you think he's going to succeed?" The Traveler asked, blinking owlishly. "That sounds like lunacy."
"Because he's Daisuke," Naruto affirmed with a nod. "Daisuke does the impossible on a daily basis."
"Well, you know him better than I," The Traveler conceded. "But I must ask, do you really think that you can convince him of the error of his ways?"
Naruto looked into the fire, then at his tea. Then he sighed. "No. The only person who can convince Daisuke of anything is Daisuke."
"Really?"
"Uh huh."
"And why do you say that?" The Traveler asked.
"Because Daisuke is the most stubborn, willfully ignorant, determined idiot that I've ever met," Naruto pointed out bluntly. "And the only person who can lead him to the truth is him."
The Traveler's eyebrows furrowed together in concern as he sipped his tea. "You have some things to work through with him."
"Well, yeah," Naruto nodded.
"More than just him leaving," The Traveler pointed out.
Naruto tilted his head from side to side. "Maybe."
The Traveler hummed and said nothing, simply sipping his tea.
Naruto finished his cup, and accepted the refill The Traveler offered.
---
Come on, where are you? Kakashi's heart was pounding, desperate to find anything, any trace of where his charge had gone. Naruto, I'll find you! I promise!
He remembered the last time someone he cared about got abducted by Kiri nin, because that is the only explanation and he didn't see it happen.
That will never happen again! Kakashi thought, his thoughts filled with shame about how he got fooled by a simple Genjutsu. Never!
I swear it!
---
"He's been irritating you for a long time then, I suppose?" The Traveler asked.
"Not," Naruto paused to find the right word. "Necessarily. Just…"
The Traveler hummed inquisitively.
"He's known as the village miracle worker," Naruto began with a sad expression. "He did the impossible. He did so much for everyone. Especially me. But I wanted to be known by the village too, as more than the son of the Hokage."
The Traveler's eyebrows shot up like a rocket. "I'm not sure there's much better that you can do, Shinobi-san."
"But the only reason I'm known as that is because of Daisuke," Naruto frowned, angrily glaring into his cup. "Everyone is like 'oh, Naruto! You're so good at Taijutsu'. Because Daisuke trained me. 'Naruto, you can do clones now, that's amazing!'. Because Daisuke told my sensei I needed one-on-one training time. 'You can do a forbidden jutsu like it's nothing!' Yeah, because Daisuke taught me that. 'You're the son of the Hokage!' Because Daisuke brought him back from the dead."
"Back from the dead," The Traveler muttered to himself in surprise. "That's quite a list."
"Everything I am now, from my abilities as a Ninja, to my social status," Naruto started. He threw his empty hand in the air for emphasis. "Everything! Everything I am! Everything I can do! Is because of Daisuke. Everything!"
"It sounds like you have a lot to be grateful for," The Traveler replied kindly. "He's done so much for you."
"I'm grateful," Naruto hurriedly backtracked. "I just…I just want something that's mine. Something that I did, by myself, so I can stand apart from Daisuke. So, I can be known for my own achievement."
"So, you can step out from his shadow," The Traveler finished for him.
"Exactly," Naruto gestured to him like he had just said the most obvious thing in the world. "Thank you."
"I've seen many sibling rivalries play out similarly," The Traveler replied. "You should honestly just give your brother time. He'll come back to the village once he's resolved his anger."
"You think so?" Naruto asked with a frown.
"I know so," The Traveler replied with a smile.
"Great," Naruto sighed, looking unsurely into his cup. "That would be great."
"You don't sound sure," The Traveler pointed out.
"Well, it's not enough to just bring him back," Naruto replied. "I have to change his mind, too. If he doesn't change his mind, but he comes back to Konoha well, that would just mean that he's still going to try to spread jutsu everywhere."
"So, you're afraid that he'll simply have changed tactics if he comes back on his own," The Traveler had this odd smirk on his face as he said that, one that quickly changed to an inquisitive frown.
"That's right!" Naruto replied, not having noticed the smirk. "If he even can change tactics, that is. Thinking things through is not his forte."
"Is he really that bad?" The Traveler asked with an amused expression.
"Please. If he met a girl he actually liked back, he'd marry her instantly," Naruto pointed out with an unamused expression. "He does not think about the consequences of his actions. At all. He's allergic to the idea."
"My, my," The Traveler shook his head in amusement. "That is a stirring indictment if I ever saw one. Well, I hope things work out for you."
"Thank you," Naruto nodded. "I appreciate all the tea. It was good."
"I'm glad you liked it," The Traveler replied. "Now, if you don't mind me revisiting the bridge."
Naruto just sighed in defeat. "I…guess we need to destroy it, huh?"
"I suppose so," The Traveler gave him a sympathetic frown. "I apologize that you have to do such a hard thing. I know it's not easy."
"Well, it's like you said," Naruto shrugged his shoulders, drinking the last of the tea. "No point in trying to help others if you can't help yourself. Besides, the village isn't really good in this conflict anyway."
Naruto rolled his shoulders. "It's like my dad said, actually. We don't judge, we just do the work."
"I'm glad you've come to a decision," The Traveler replied with a smile.
"I just hope it's the right one," Naruto replied, making to stand up and doing so easily. "Hey, I'm not sore anymore! That tea really did help. Thank you, Traveller-san!"
The Traveler smiled wider. "I'm glad I was able to help. Now, can you help me pick up my camp? I'll be on my way north, there's something I forgot I grab in the town while I was there."
"Sure," Naruto said, looking a little confused. "Are you sure you can't grab it in the town south? You can see the bridge before we blow it up."
"I'm afraid not," The Traveler said, rolling up one of the bedrolls. "It's a special book order that I completely forgot. I was actually on my way to pick up my camp when I saw you."
The two working together made picking up the camp very simple. The fire was doused and everything was strapped to a pack on the Traveler's back.
"Well, thanks again," Naruto said with a bow.
"I hope we meet again someday," The Traveler replied. "Until then, be well."
The two turned and walked off. Naruto quickly found the trail he had made to head back to the village and he started to run back.
Then Kakashi descended from the branches with a frantic look in his eyes.
"Hey, Sensei!" Naruto greeted with a smile. Then he saw the look. "Uh…are you okay? I didn't scare you to bad, did I?"
"Is it really you?" Kakashi asked, poking Naruto sharply in the chest.
"Ow! Yes, it's me!" Naruto said, rubbing the spot where he was poked. "That hurt!"
"Good," He let out a long sigh of relief. "I've had to deal with two of your clones and I was scared someone managed to run off with you."
"You did?" Naruto asked, sounding perplexed. "I didn't get any memories from them. Huh."
"Were you asleep?" Kakashi asked with narrowed eyes.
"Yeah, I trained myself to exhaustion," Naruto nodded quickly. "But this traveler came along and pulled me to his camp and gave me tea. He was really nice."
Kakashi gave Naruto a hard look. "Can you show me where his camp was?"
"Sure!" Naruto said, pointing behind him. "It's just over there. I helped pack it up though, he said he had to pick something up from the town to the north."
"Naruto, the town to the north is miles away," Kakashi replied, shaking his head. "Did he have a wagon?"
"No, he just said he walked quickly and didn't rest a lot," Naruto just shrugged. "It's over here."
Naruto brought Kakashi to where the camp was, and Kakashi's eyes nearly came out of their sockets. "I went by the clearing four times and didn't see you."
"Wait, really?" Naruto asked with a frown. "That's weird, I didn't see you either."
"What did you and the stranger talk about?" Kakashi asked with a frown.
"About my issues with completing the mission," Naruto replied with a frown. "But he gave me some really good advice."
"What's the advice?" Kakashi asked, his eyes narrowing.
"That in order to help people, you need to help yourself," Naruto replied, getting a resolute expression. "I still don't like it, but I'm ready to destroy the bridge."
Kakashi looked deep into Naruto's eyes, the tomoe on his Sharingan spinning. After a minute of this, Naruto not daring or even being able to move, he sighed and covered his eye. "Alright, I believe you. You didn't tell him too much about the mission, did you?"
"Nope," Naruto replied. "He just encouraged me to complete the mission so that we can help people later. By the way, do you think we can get a mission to help Wave out later?"
"Maybe," Kakashi said, looking at the campsite once again with suspicion. "You might be able to ask your father for one."
"Wait, you're right!" Naruto hit himself on the head. "Duh, of course I can! Thanks, Sensei!"
"You're welcome," Kakashi said, scooping Naruto up for a piggy-back ride. "Now let's get you back to base before I have another heart attack."
I don't like it, Kakashi thought with a narrowed eye. I need to find out what happened. Who was that traveler?
---
Jashin just looked at the young Genin depart on his Sensei's back impassively. Then he hung his head and sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. "Again. That was far too simple."
The pack on his back was gone, having faded back into chakra. Instead, he held his scythe in his hand. "Should only be a few months before I can start the next layer and then Shimoda is going to realize that his re-writing the rules might have more consequences than he'd like."
"Who are you speaking too?" Shinigami appeared behind Jashin with an amused grin on his face.
"You, apparently," Jashin said with a small smile. "Are you hear to inform me of the good news?"
"Daisuke-dono has married and deified his wife," Shinigami confirmed with a nod. "We will have to go congratulate her in a few days. Do you have a gift in mind?"
"Oh, the same one I always give," Jashin replied, spinning his scythe on its end, causing the blade to rapidly rotate like hands on a clock. "My advice to learn Ninshū."
"I'd accuse you of not even trying if it wasn't such good advice." Shinigami gave a throaty laugh, the moonlight shining in his white hair. "I'm going to tell her Orochimaru's returned."
"Dear me, that seems like a great way to throw a wrench into the relationship," Jashin pointed out in mock horror. Then he grinned deviously. "I can't wait to see her face."
"If this causes them to separate, there is no way it was going to last anyway," Shinigami responded with a bored expression. "The fact that they never actually courted notwithstanding, they can make it work…with a lot of work."
"But still!" Jashin replied. "Should we wait until after their honeymoon or were you thinking of crashing their party at the vault?"
"Let's be nice and wait for after their Honeymoon," Shinigami answered. "You didn't appreciate having your own honeymoon crashed when you were mortal, if you recall."
"Oh, very well." Jashin just waved it off like it was nothing. "We'll give them this one courtesy. I suppose it's only fair since I set the wheels in motion to turn his brother against him."
---
Author's Notes: I'm really, really confused. I actually didn't expect to get the next chapter done so quickly, but here we are. I was entirely joking about Naruto redeeming Jashin when it came out that he kidnapped him, but I think some of you took me seriously. Some of you. If Naruto were to 'redeem' Jashin, it would take a long, long, long time to actually get that to happen because Jashin's seen his fair share of charismatic heroes.
I don't have much else to say about this chapter. I hope you all liked it. I know that last one was…odd for some of you. It was my first foray into romance, and I know I've got a long way to go before it's even comparable to 'good'. So, I thank you all for your patience and being willing to bear with me. But I will say that Daisuke's known Anko for six months prior to their wedding, so it's not like it was instant…but it was really, really fast.
Shout out goes out too Melden V, Anders Kronquist, Ray Tony Song, Volkogluk, Aaron Bjornson, iolande, Martin Auguado, Julio, Jiopaba, Hackerham, Tim Collins-Squire, Maben00, Sultan Saltlick, Ventari, PbookR, RichardWhereat, Seij, ChristobalAlvarez, Aenor Knight, Apperatus, EPiCJB19 and Seeking Raven. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter; you guys are making it possible for me to write it and I am eternally grateful for it.
Until the next time!
~Fulcon
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Rechte
Know what you're doing yet?
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I get the feeling this sort of introduction is gonna be a thing
Fulcon
Working on a new project.
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It might just be a thing.
Reader_as_a_Hobby
Versed in the lewd.
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Hmmm.... This doesn't surprise me, actually. Naruto does have a darker side and this Naruto hasn't dealt with it yet. And in canon, he dealt with it on the jinchuriki training arc on the turtle island, which isn't set to happen for a while, if at all.
But... At the same time... The a large part of the dark side that your trying to pull on is centered around resentment and hatred of the village and it's people for how they treated him (compounded by how they just flipped their opinion so easily after he saved the village (in canon) or was revealed to be Minato's son in this story) and that would actually be a source Daisuke and him can come together on, so....
But... At the same time... The a large part of the dark side that your trying to pull on is centered around resentment and hatred of the village and it's people for how they treated him (compounded by how they just flipped their opinion so easily after he saved the village (in canon) or was revealed to be Minato's son in this story) and that would actually be a source Daisuke and him can come together on, so....
Fulcon
Working on a new project.
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*Woot!*
I'm so glad this didn't come out of left field!
...now I'm curious as to what happened on turtle island...
SALADBAR
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
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Now I have the image of Jashin and Shinigami disturbing them mid-sex.
llat-2
Verified Smooth Criminal
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Fulcon would have to shift this over to the NSFW for that to be allowed in the fic I think.
Reader_as_a_Hobby
Versed in the lewd.
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Sorry, I edited in more in my last post that I think you should see.
Alipheese
Not too sore, are you?
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Personally, I'm just really hoping that Naruto's good nature will overcome it all in the end. I do like Jashin as a character, but I feel like Daisuke should actually just sit down with him and Shinigami to just talk about what rules they want to have and such. I mean, I feel like Jashin and Shinigami might agree to let Daisuke alone a little if he compromises in some ways. Like, maybe they won't mess with the people closest to him (like Naruto and his peers), but in return he'll stop interfering so much himself. After all, Shinigami seems like a reasonable guy, and Jashin appears like the kind of evil guy that will abide by contracts and agreements, simply because he's above such petty betrayals.