And so the training went, Naruko had made another resistance seal the next day, this one was for Sasuke. She had put it on a red ribbon she had stored in her scroll. She handed it to him once she was done with the sealing, not having seen the reason to consult Kurenai-sensei after it worked the first time. The boy had taken it and tied it around his arm. She had told him he can find something he likes better once they're back in Konoha. He nodded his thanks. Even if it was suddenly a bitch to move around. Hinata had run fifty laps like this yesterday? And Naruko walked around with a higher level version of this all the time? He felt his respect for her insane physical abilities rising.
Three days later Naruko and Hinata were escorting Tsunami through town, she had shopping to do. And the two girls wanted to see the town, Naruko because she had never been outside of Konoha (Though Hinata hadn't either) and Hinata because she had wanted to see the damage wrought by Gato, and to protect the clueless redhead. They had come across a group of bandits who were busy terrorizing towns folk. Tsunami tore her eyes away in disgust while Naruko looked on in curiosity. Hinata was eyeing them for trouble.
The bandits had noticed them and seemed to want something, Naruko wouldn't learn it was sexual until Hinata explained it later, from the three girls. They had sauntered right up to the three women. Most of them seemed intent on the older woman, not having an interest in children, but one of them seemed intent on Naruko and Hinata. More specifically on Naruko. Hinata narrowed her eyes at the man. "You two are pretty cute, especially the little redhead. I bet we could have lots of fun. So why not just come with me peacefully and I can show you a good time. Of course it'd be even more—" The man is cut off as a Jyuken strike connects with his throat. His windpipe was forcefully closed by the strike. He was slowly choking to death.
"Are you gonna kill him Hina-chan? You haven't killed anyone before." Naruko had only killed when she had saved Hina-chan all those years ago and she wasn't even conscious for it. But from how she understands it most people are supposed to freak out when this happens.
"That man was scum Naru-chan. As are these men." She said turning towards them with her Byakugan activated. The other men abandon the man choking on the ground and run. This child was a monster and they wanted nothing to do with her. Hinata would show no mercy to those who came onto Naru-chan like this. The other girl didn't seem to understand the meaning of the bandits words, but Hinata was not so naive.
"Okay, if you're sure." Tsunami looks at them with a weirdly but they continue on their way, leaving the man to slowly choke from his own chakra network strangling him. Hinata would always protect Naruko, that's what she resolved.
The group found themselves at dinner once more. The group was generally making casual and lighthearted conversation. It seemed to be enraging the eight year old child as finally he bursts out angrily. "Why do you guys bother to try so hard?! No matter how hard you train, you're still no match for Gato's men! No matter what glorious claims you make or how hard you work, the weak will only end up getting killed!"
Naruko speaks up, "You're right, the weak will die and the strong will live."
"But some times the strong die too." Sasuke continues.
"And some times you get weak pigs like Gato who rise to the top." Hinata picked up next.
"But we're not weak like you Inari, we're strong because we have no other choice." Naruko spoke again, followed by Hinata.
"And that's why Gato will die, because we are stronger than him, and that is our duty."
"We're going to save wave, not because we're heroes. But because we're ninja. And above all else."
Kurenai finally speaks up, "Ninja endure."
The boy didn't seem content with that and runs off. Kaiza had been the strongest and he'd been killed because of Gato, how could these people possibly be any different?
"I'm sorry about him, he used to be so cheerful."
"It's okay, we understand Tsunami-san." Kurenai turns to Hinata. "I heard you killed a bandit earlier."
"Yes, he was trying to come on to us."
"Was that what he was doing?"
"Naru-chan, he had basically told us he would force himself on us if we don't let him do it peacefully."
"Oh, I guess your reaction makes more sense now." Hinata sighs, she loved the girl but the redhead would be hopeless without her.
"So then Hinata how do you feel about your first kill?"
"Fine." That worried Kurenai, not because she thought the girl was closing up. No, she was worried that the girl didn't feel any kind of remorse for killing. It's abnormal for most genin. But then, there is nothing normal about this team.
***
Finally the day had arrived, the group was gathered on the bridge, Tazuna was there just because the others were supposed to be after him, so it's better if he's with them. They had told none of the builders to come today because they were expecting the confrontation. They were proven right when two people casually walked onto the bridge. The first figure was a dark skinned woman (though not as dark skinned as someone from Kumo) with light green hair. She had orange eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief. She was only a little taller than Naruko but her face seemed to peg her as being older, maybe 15 or 16. She wore a white midriff shirt. Actually now that Naruko thought about it she wore a lot of white. The second figure was a pale skinned man with a pipe that seemed to be blowing bubbles instead of smoke. He had golden eyes and shoulder length brown hair. He was also fairly thin. He was dressed in a light blue kimono with an orange sash.
They both looked at Naruko and seemed to say something to one another before looking at Tazuna. Then the green haired girl seemed to disappear and reappear in front of Naruko. Only Sasuke was able to see her move. "Hi! I'm Fuu! You know you're red hair is very beautiful." The girl leaned in closely to the redhead, Hinata was ready to lunge at her.
"Um, Thank you."
"You know what would make it even better?"
"What?"
"If it was wrapped up in my hands while you moan." Before anyone can say anything else the green haired girl leans in and locks Naruko in a searing kiss. She's forced to leap away as an angry Hyuuga sends a hand straight for the woman's heart. "Woah, you have serious anger problems. You have a problem with girls liking girls?"
"No, I have problem with other girls kissing my girlfriend."
"Oh, that would make sense, well when she comes to Ame then she can just be my girlfriend."
Kurenai was looking carefully at the green haired girl, Fuu, she had a forehead protector from Takigakure, though it also marked her as a missing nin. Looking over she sees the man is a missing nin from Kiri. So Ame was recruiting missing nin as well then?
"No! Naruko is mine!"
"Fuu, stop being stupid. We agreed I'd fight the genin so stop provoking them."
She pouts and returns to the man. "You're no fun Utakata, there's a cute girl just waiting for me to seduce and you want to take that away from me? If I had known Naruko was so cute I never would have agreed to let you fight the genin."
"We both know my skills are better at fighting groups, you're practically born to be a duelist."
Fuu sighs over dramatically. "You're right, I can always just seduce her later I guess."
"Naru-chan don't think for even a second I'm going to let that hussie sway you away from me." She had already staked her claim on the redhead and she didn't need to mention it. They both knew.
"Don't worry Hina-chan I like kissing you better anyways." The two are distracted from their conversation as a bubble floats between them.
"Dodge!" The bubble explodes violently just as the two girls jump away. They see a green blur rush through the new gap and lodge a fist in their sensei, blowing her away from them. Sasuke didn't hesitate to rush forward to the man and blow out a stream of fire. The man simply blows bubbles their way that when connecting with the fire splash out in a wave of water. Their side of the bridge gets covered in steam. The man starts to blow more bubbles, a few of them a sickly green while others seemed normal. The only one who could tell the difference between the latter bubbles was Hinata, who could see the difference in chakra. Some of them were the water bubbles while others were explosive. And they were all spreading throughout the steam, like a floating minefield.
Sasuke retreats out the steam with Hinata directing him. On the other side of the bridge Kurenai had already drawn her sword and found herself facing off against another person who could match her. This time it was a sword made of water. It used a technique made in Takigakure the Mizukiri no Yaiba (The Watercutting sword). But Kurenai had subtly been weaving a Genjutsu with each break in their clashes. It would slowly but surely make the woman think she was slightly more to the left than she really was. In a fight like this it would be an instant loss for her once she is fully shifted. The green haired woman seemed to be happily swinging away. The girl seemed to be doing something odd though. She was occasionally clicking her teeth.
Back with the genin they were slowly finding themselves getting singed by these explosive bubbles. They hadn't seen the effects of the green bubbles yet though. That was about to prove untrue as one of them finally popped, though it missed the genin, and melted everything it came in contact with. They were instantly wary, they couldn't let that touch them. They were all shocked when Utakata nimbly weaved between the bubbles and landed a devastating punch to Sasuke, who could see it coming but wasn't fast enough to dodge completely. He did manage to make his arm take the brunt of the hit. It was instantly dislocated but at least he didn't break any ribs. He only barely bit back the cry of pain.
In return for his effort Utakata received a powerful kick to the temple that sent him tumbling back, and staggering unsteadily. His brain was feeling rattled and he found it harder to think straight. With a deep inhale he blows more bubbles, most of them green.
Naruko had moved to fast and slipped on the wet ground and fell over. The bubbles were all headed her way.
Kurenai had realized her genjutsu wasn't working, not because the girl broke through it, but because that clicking of hers seemed to be helping her track Kurenai. Something seemed to happen with the girl though because she suddenly became distracted and Kurenai was able to stab her through the stomach.
The bubbles were all heading straight for Naruko, much faster than the previous bubbles. The girl managed to get up to dodge most of them, but one had escaped her notice and was floating behind her. It hadn't escaped Hinata's however and she rushes forward pushing her girlfriend down just in time as the bubble pops. She had protected Naruko just like she said she would and then the pain hits. She lets out a blood curdling scream as the acid lands on her hand and starts to eat through it. She had to force herself not to cradle her injured hand as the acid continues to corrode it. And then she felt it.
Naruko was watching in horror as her girlfriend protected her. She could barely comprehend it, she failed, she needed to be saved and her girlfriend was losing her right hand for it. The world was consumed in a haze of red.
Everyone gasps as an intense feeling of dread washes through the bridge, Tazuna had even passed out. Naruko's hair had turned white and she was faster. So fast that Utakata could barely blink before he found one of his arms being ripped off. He backs away terrified. This was the power they wanted to control? This was awful! He can't escape as he finds himself being drained of his chakra. The girl had a hand stuck out towards him and he could feel himself rapidly becoming exhausted. And then he feels an intense pain erupt from his chest as a hand tears straight through it. The light fades from his eyes and he falls over, dead.
Sasuke was horrified, was this his teammates secret? And why did she have some kind of Sharingan? Is that the Mangekyo? Is she actually an Uchiha? He had so many questions but the terror being inflicted upon him is to much and he has to put them off. He's not even sure if she's aware.
His attention is snapped to the side as Hinata winces again, he quickly tears off his shirt and wraps the arm up. He has to get the acid off before he starts the healing process. It doesn't take long but once he unveils the hand he winces. It's gone, corroded to a mutilated stump. The best he can do is just close up the wound at her wrist. But if he does then any medical jutsu that might be able to restore her hand will be unusable. Kurenai arrives next to him and he looks at her hopefully. She shakes her head understanding his train of thought. "The hand is gone, we have to close the wound or she'll bleed out." He nods and they perform the Shōsen Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique). The wound closes quickly but the hand is truly gone. He looks up ahead and sees Naruko approaching them, her hair was slowly becoming red again and just as she arrived she collapses. She was out cold. Hinata was not however and was still groaning in pain, doing her best not to scream their ears off.
His thoughts are interrupted as a slow clap rings through the bridge. A short man in a suit and tie saunters onto the bridge. He looks at the various downed ninja and smiles. "My plan couldn't have gone better, I have my hostages, I don't have to pay these shitty ninjas, and you're all going to die here today and Wave will lose all hope." He said, gesturing to a battered Tsunami and Inari.
Kurenai narrows her eyes and faster than any of the thugs can see she weaves two Genjutsu. One to make it look like she's still there and the other to turn herself invisible. She reappears when she cuts the heads off both thugs holding the hostages. She sends the civilians towards the others while she massacres the bandits. It doesn't take long for the last man standing to be Gato himself. The pig pleads for his life. "Wait! I can give you anything you want! Money, Power, anything! Just don't kill me!"
She pauses and asks, "Do you know what I really want?"
"I-I…"
He's unable to come up with anything as she looks down at him coldly and said, "I want your head." And so his head rolls as she ends his life with a flick of her sword. She looks back at her genin and sees Sasuke still focusing on Hinata. She also notices the green haired girl is gone. She must have fled when she felt Naruko's power. Kurenai had been busier focusing on Hinata. Out of the corner of her eye she sees Tazuna being shaken awake by his family.
"K-Kurenai-sensei, is Naru-chan alright?" Of course Hinata would be focused on Naruko after having just lost a hand.
"She'll be fine, get some rest Hinata. You deserve it."
"I-I'm glad she's okay, I did it, I protected her. And that rest sounds pretty good right now." The girl was paler than usual but Sasuke had stopped her bleeding and she would likely live. But she might not be able to continue as a ninja. She should have just had them turn back at the beginning of this mission. Her genin could have lost her career because of this.
With the two female genin passed out Sasuke turns to Kurenai and asks. "What was that?"
"Naruko will tell you as promised when we get back to Konoha." Sasuke didn't seem satisfied with that answer, he wanted to know what the Sharingan is about. But he would have to wait. It's Naruko's secret to tell and he'd have to deal with that.
Tazuna was looking sadly at the group of ninja. They had freed the country but it cost these kids their innocence, and the white eyed girl her right hand. They said there's no such thing as heroes but they seemed to embody that perfectly.