Chapter 26
Ryo covers his nose at the stench of blood that permeates the very air and he feels the other ANBU members Rejoice at the sight of dozens of enemies bodies lined up in piles.
Ryo does not care much for these people but he hates the stench of blood. It brings back too many memories he wants to remain hidden and locked up in his mind.
He stops midway in the Monkey Leap and lands on the ground. His eyes widen as he stares at the body of the small little babe and all he can see is Naruto and Sasuke, dead and cold and covered in red.
As the rest of ANBU were busy with their respective assignments, Ryo jumps down below and gather the little bundle into his arm. So light and heavy, so cold and warm, and the stench of death clung to the newborn from the village near the war area. No one usually notices these things these small villages that become involved in the battle of two giants they usually die without anyone knowing about them. (Same happened with Nagato)
He digs a grave with his bare hands because it would be an insult to do so with a jutsu. A life that hasn't been lived to the fullest, a tiny flame snuffed out, a future erased and shattered. Ryo wraps the bloody bundle in a cloth and gently places it into the hole. He prays deep in his mind as he pours dirt upon the bundle.
"O merciful God, take pity on the soul of this forgotten child, lead this child to the Kingdom above.",
Someone weeps for these people for the first time in his life. These worthless sacrificial lambs in the war...He weeps for a child, a baby, whom he has never known. A life, so precious and fragile, snuffed out.
He could see countless villagers that were hidden before coming out
"T-Thank you O great sir", said One of the elderly man who looks like the leader of the village
They spoke nicely to him, but he could see the contempt in their eyes, the hatred, the desire to kill, the unfairness towards their weakness it was all there to see to Ryo
One woman covered in tears with fist clenched came out of the crowd
"Why...Why", asked the woman
"He is...was just a child", said Ryo
"How can you SAY IT WITH YOUR DAMN MOUTH...YOU FILTHY MONSTER...YOU MURDERER...YOU KILLED HIM." after the woman said it rest of the villagers just looked away...all have lost, it was not just the newborn the villagers lost their siblings, their parents, their children...all of the villager were in pain and despite that they had to come out and thank the one who did it in the first place where was the justice and fairness in that
He just stands there and he listened to all the grievances the woman had towards him
"I am sorry...I know these words can not bring the dead back, I know because of us fighting for our own selfish reasons you people lost your loved ones...but this is all I can say because this is all I have"
He bowed down with tears in his eyes...they deserved a life the child deserved the chance at life and yet they all lost because of the damn war
The villagers were in shock they had endured war before but never did anyone apologizes to them for what they had to go through not to mention with tears in the eyes...this elevate the status of the man in front of them...the man who was a bad person to them suddenly becomes a great person even the woman who had been cursing all the time has her eyes softened
-------
Ryo rubbed the head of Shishui and Itachi, "You guys must be pretty ashamed to have a weakling sensei like me", he laughed awkwardly and started moving back to join rest of the shinobis
"Commander...Commander...SENSEI", shouted Shishui
Ryo stopped
"I never was ashamed of you...My sensei is the strongest, the kindest, the smartest and he taught us how to love everyone despite the profession we are in", finally said Shishui
Itachi nodded his head to the side blushing to say to something cheesy
"What are you a tsundere?", asked Shishui
"I got nothing to say", said Itachi looking at the side
Ryo chuckled...he comes back and rubbed their head
"Just like your mother in her young age aren't you?"
"You know how mother was at a young age?", asked Itachi
"Of course"
"How was she back then?", asked Itachi
"Well...she was apparently known as the cold beauty of our Academy, a haughty princess whose proudness knew no bound...she was the first ever person who approached your father despite his flaws"
"she knew father since academy days? I thought their marriage was an Arranged one"
"You remember the history lesson that I gave you right? about the third second and first Hokage theory of Uchihas"
They nodded
"Well, then you should know that Uchiha feels deeper emotions than any other person out there... whether it's love, hatred, friendship and once their emotions surpassed a certain level they awaken Sharingan...Your mother fell in love with your Stupid father and like all Uchiha, she fell too much in love with him", he looked down trying to hide his pained face, "Your father love for your mother was not lesser than hers by any means"
"That's amazing I didn't know that...Then how did she awaken her Sharingan?", asked Itachi
"Well...your mother and father love only grow deeper during the Third Great war...During one of the mission, your father was on the verge of dying...Nobody treasure love as much as the Uchiha. That's why they sealed that off by themselves. That's what Sharingan eyes of the Uchiha mean to convey: The eye that reflects feelings...By seeing your father dying figure in her arm she awakens the Sharingan that day, It was to save your father and that mission gave her Bingo Nickname 'The Black Charcol of Konoha Uchiha Mikoto'..."
"Itachi please take good care of Izumi she is a good child...and remember to enjoy your time with her...you never know when you will lose it"
"She and I have nothing going on", he huffed and walked away in fast pace
"Aww come on don't be so cheeky Heehee", Shishui Grinning ran after Itachi
Ryo smiled and looked at the sky remembering her tears were falling from his closed smiling eyes
"You are sad", came the voice of Son-Goku (4-Tails)
"Yea, telling my past to my child, well, let's just say it has some effect on me"
"Why not tell the kid the truth", asked Kurama (9-tails)
"Because he won't be able to take it...enough of that though are you three well"
"Asked the guy who never used our power", said Isobu
"Well you guys said you hate when human use you to help them in dealing their war...and since I am strong enough to take care of myself why not letting you guys stay inside of me as a safe place"
"You have our thanks Human", said Kurama
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Kumo founded and captured 3 tail Matatabi they even prepared a sacrifice to be the Jinchiruki a little 6-year-old girl
Kumo lost the war and is on great disadvantage they need to strengthen themselves before Konoha retaliation starts, not to mention they lost 80% of their army with more than required Sensors...Once Konoha comes for after battle they will be able to give a good fight with Killer 'B' Raikage 'A' and new bijju
Suddenly a single black feather gently made its way towards the sealing ceremony
*Caw*
!!!
The little 6-year-Old girl Disappeared and appeared at some distance away in the hand of a shadow
"Hello Lord Raikage", came the voice of an Old man in his official robes not battle robes but official robes
"Lord Hokage...Good that you came here let's end this now...ATTACK HIM"
Dozens of Enemies made a move at the old man...Hokage did not move from his position but a smile was plaster on his face since the beginning
Suddenly countless bugs came out of nowhere and take away their chakra leaving them at the mercy of terrifying bugs
While on the other hand, 5 dogs come as well with Tsume doing her Inuzuma taijutsu and Dojutsu to deal with her enemies
"Hokage never walks alone", came the voice of Kakashi who slay down 3 Kumo shinobi by jumping down on them
Hokage was just standing and smoking with a smile when from behind him came Hyuuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku
Suddenly 5 Kumo shinobis were paralyzed with Shadow as a giant golem crushed them underneath as Shikaku Choza and Inoichi came
"DAMN YOU", yelled A the Raikage
*Tap*Tap*
He came out from the crowd in a hood and with a face that could melt any girl on his hand was an Old looking sword, he was walking towards Raikage and with each step, his chakra and energy only grows higher
Raikage blinked and when he opened his eyes after the blinking Ryo was standing at an extremely close range
!!!
Covered in lightning armor Raikage jumped back
But Ryo was still standing in front of him at zero range
!!!
"Lightning Oppression Horizontal Chop"
Covered in the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, A leaps from a high vantage point and performs a simple yet powerful horizontal chop on Ryo from above, In the event the attack isn't powerful enough to penetrate Ryo's defense, the attack can be used to push Ryo well into the ground to prevent them from escaping from another incoming attack.
Ryo didn't even block or dodge it. He let it come, and it connected.
But it hardly did any effect. He simply stood there and took it. Raikage's eyes widened in shock as he saw this.
Ryo body seemed to flicker briefly as Raikage went flying into a cliff face. Ryo casually walked towards the now-half beaten enemy.
"What just happened?", Raikage muttered in shock to himself.
"Oh nothing much, I just punched you ten times," Renji said shrugging.
Raikage grinded his teeth and slammed his fist at the ground below, "Dammit!! he is too fast"
"Too fast? Fine then, I'll slow it down for you!" His arm was a blur as it went through Raikage's torso and came out.
Raikage throws blood and kneel down at the ground looking pale
Killer B tried to help but before he could a knife from Shishui was on his back neck stopping him from moving
"You Sick the kid that you tried to capture was just 3 year old how dare you trying to turn her into a whore Into a breeding machine...YOU WORTHLESS EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING SHE IS JUST 3 YEAR OLD"
*Bang*
Raikage flew off with a bloody face
"She is such a pure heart angel...she is the kindest child I ever met and yet you tried to make her see such a horrible sight HOW DARE YOU!!!
"Ryo Stop", came the voice of Hokage
"Tch", with that Ryo stood back towards
"Now Lord Raikage for such a thing let's talk about compensation shall we?", asked Hokage from start to finish he didn't even once move a Muscle
And the compensation was 2 tail beast along with 1 million Ryo (Currency)
-------
When Ryo and his team return to Konoha, they carry the stench of blood and death back with them. They are ANBU, they have done things, seen things, that was gruesome, disgusting, immoral and utterly unhuman – they were used to all the slaughters of war, but it did not mean that it haunted them any less.
Ryo returns to the apartment and the ANBU members stationed there disappear. Tiredly, he walks through the room and gazes upon Naruto and Sasuke's sleeping form. He pressed his hand against their tiny chest and feels the rising and falling and sighs with relief.
He would protect the boys even if it would cost his life.
On a different bed was a tired looking Mikoto...he smiled hold her hand and slept kneeling down beside her bed truly nothing beats holding the hands with her...He wishes that he could forever hold her hands in his never letting go ever
Sadly they are nothing but mere wish that is impossible to be fulfilled
-------
Naruto and Sasuke wakes up and when they see Ryo, They burst out in tears and reaches their arms towards his. Ryo smiled and picks them up as Naruto and Sasuke wraps there small arms around his neck. They cry and weeps and leaves snot on his shirt, but Ryo simply smiles as he gently rubs both backs.
"They missed you", came the voice of Mikoto
"Mama!", both Naruto and Sasuke got free from Ryo grip and ran towards Mikoto who kissed them on their head
"Mama?"
"Naruto is small and is confused about his relationship with me since I always take care of him...He thinks that Sasuke and Itachi are his brothers", said Mikoto smiling
"Does Sasuke too?", asked Ryo hopefully
"Sasuke is not that big either so yea he too thinks that Naruto is actually his brother...though they fight on daily basis and they are quite hard to calm down", said Mikoto sighing
After like hesitating a thousand times...he hesitantly moved forward and kissed her...She was stunned but intinctly received his kiss...even if she doesn't do anything her body remembers him
Before she could say anything he already spoke
"It doesn't count as anything...I still didn't forgive you", with that he moved back to his room and closed the door
-------
He slid down the door with a face full of red his heart was beating too fast
Unknown to him she had the similar feelings they didn't kiss for years already...How the hell can he just came and kiss her like that...a small blushing smile formed on her lips
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Kakashi comes more often, along with Kai, whom Ryo meets one day in one of the isolated training ground. Kai is grown, more old, more mature, more worn and tired, not the same boy whom he and Shouji once protected. He was the third edition in the team after Hotari's death...Inuzuka Kai was his name
The Inuzuka teen laughs and smiles with Naruto and Ryo watches as his eyes grow bright. Kai is no longer a child; he is a shinobi of Konoha, entrenched in the bitterness of war and murder. Covered in blood, he is no longer someone whom he can protect when he is already gone so deep.
-------
"Nii-san, when Shouji-Nii-san died… he… did he die happy?"
Ryo strokes the hair of the teen and smiles bitterly, "He died for what he believed in Kai."
'Yes, he died for me, lived for me, and yet I am the one who killed him.'
Kai weeps as he kneels before the Memorial Stone.
Ryo cried silently in front of the graves of his bonds, of his frineds of his sensei
It's been years and yet he still feels the pain of losing
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"Nii-chan!" Naruto squealed as he rushed towards Kakashi with still wobbly legs. Since Naruto's meeting with Kai and his ninken – Touma, he has taken to calling Kai as "Doggie-jii-chan!" and redubbed Kakashi as "Nii-chan." Kakashi looked pained when Naruto first addressed him as that and Ryo almost feared that the teen would distance himself from Naruto. But he didn't, instead, Kakashi humored the blonde toddler and allowed Naruto the illusion of a family.
As he filled the table with dishes, Ryo is reminded of another life in which he once did the same thing and laughed with her, they were supposed to be everything for each other and yet she had to go away clearly she knew that the love both felt was too much for them and yet... It is as though both worlds have become one at that moment as Kakashi smiles behind his mask, Kai trying to feed Naruto, and the blonde toddler smiling as bright as the sun.
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On Naruto's forth birthday, it is celebrated by his, Kakashi, Kai and the Third Itachi Mikoto Sasuke and Sishui who has decided to come for a visit. "Jii-jii!" Naruto said happily as he reached with grabby hands towards the colourful orange bundle in the Third's hand.
"Froggie," Naruto yelled as he squished the bright orange frog in his hands.
"Jiraiya had that sent, here is my present for him," the Third stated, handing his a kunai and shuriken set for children – both wood and dulled metal ones. It is a clearer statement than any words –
Naruto is a weapon, to be trained as soon as possible. Ryo frowned as Third Looked at Ryo guiltily before walking away
Naruto was a jinchiruki he was supposed to be a weapon but it would require Naruto's own wish and If for any reason Naruto refuses to be a Shinobi he will use Hokage decree and cancel Hokage and council decision...He is a general of Konoha his prestige and clearance level is the same level as that of Hokage and with Hokage decree, none can challenge his authority...and that means none
They went to Minato and Kushina's grave at naruto's birthday like usual and before saying anything Naruto bowed sincerely to his parent's graves before dragging his uncle to
All in all, it was a very happy and peaceful day till night time arrived.
Ryo gathers the weeping Naruto in his arms and Kakashi and Kai leave to deal with the mob of angry drunken civilians gathering around the apartment complex. He hummed a song as he gently rubbed Naruto's back.
"Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound"
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Naruto is four and some months when Ryo is sent back into Kiri and he has no choice but to leave
Naruto sobs as he clutches at his arm, "Uncle, do't go! Nawuto be good, no go!"
He feels his heart clench painful but carefully removes Naruto's hands from his arm and presses a kiss at his forehead.
"I'll be back, I promise Naruto, So just stay with Mama and Sasuke for few months alright"
Naruto stays with Sasuke and Mikoto while he along with his disciples Shisui and Itachi went to Kiri
Naruto and Sasuke were happy to be able to spend time together again but Ryo is leaving-
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Kirigakure is worse than the last time he has been here, blood clings to the air they breathe and the chakra as well. Ryo grows sick as he goes further into Kiri's territory. He feels auspicious But He would go back to Naruto no matter what!! Definitely.
-------
An ambush.
The information they received was a lie and Ryo and his team are charged at from all sides by Kiri shinobi. Ryo knows that he could defeat them but he was attacked by the orange mask man who suddenly appeared out of no where...Now He is sure that they would die. But he would not allow them to satisfaction of gaining his life. The life that Hotaru and Shouji have given for his.
Despite being critically damaged from the sneak attack from the orange mask man he still fought with everything he got
I promise Naruto, I promises to come back. I want to see my kids grow up...I want to see my family...He cried and his reaching out towards his family in the air Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi, Mikoto all were there
-------
Ryo collapses against the thick trunk of the tree and he tends to the stomach wound he received. Pushing soothing medical chakra into the wound, he bites back a scream of pain as the poison counteracts the chakra. Ryo peels up his shirt and winces at the bluish bruise surrounding his wound.
Snap.
Ryo twists his attention towards the intruder with a kunai held in his hands. He freezes a child with long white hair and a pale lavender kimono walks from the bush. The child stares at him with lonely brown eyes with no fear at a man who would probably be able to kill him.
The child slowly walks towards his carrying a large leaf with water in his hands. Ryo watches the child cautiously as they bend down beside Ryo and offer him the leaf. Gingerly, Ryo reaches into the pouch at his side and pull out a protein bar and places it beside the child and takes the water. With a small katon jutsu he heats the water till it becomes flame and places it right beside his poisoned wound and slowly introduces healing chakra to stick onto the evaporated water molecules and puhes it to enter his system and cleanse the wound. Ryo bites his mouth in pain as the chakra burns at the wound and by the end, he is pale and covered in cold sweat.
"Thank You Child Now Go, leave before anyone comes! Leave the village as soon as possible" He snaps at the child who is startled by his out burst before running back into the bush.
-------
Ryo counts the days as the sun rises and the moon fades, the skies turning red, orange, black and then back into a pale blue with white clouds. The child comes back every day carrying fruits, fish or water. The child always smiles at his and places the food down and watches him eat. Ryo offers the meal with the child who smiles happily all the time
Ryo has never bothised to ask for the child's name because what was the point when he would be leaving soon.
Checking his wounds one last time, Ryo secures the remainder of his weapons and walks slowly on wobbly legs. It was a miracle that no Kiri shinobi has found him yet. Ryo is still too weak to use chakra for long periods of time but had just enough to mute his steps while he walked on the ground.
The child sees his with wide eyes and walks beside him.
And as Ryo reaches near the border between Kiri and Konoha, he presses a small pouch of weapons into the child's hand.
"Goodbye, thank you for helping me."
-------
.
It is on his way back to Konoha when he encounters Kiri-nin who have sneaked beyond Konoha's borders. Ryo crunches down into a soldier pill and steadies himself as he feels the rush of chakra in his veins.
He slaughters the Kiri-nin with jutsus. Ryo turns around to see the white-haired child manipulating His bones into a long whip. He feels his heart constrict as the child turns around covered with blood and meets his eyes with their own – so cold and cruel – so very much like his own.
And Ryo remembers this child will die and he makes a decision.
-------
"My name is Ryo, what is your name child?"
He holds out a hand and smiles.
"Kaguya Kimimaro," the reply back is hesitant.
He gave the boy blessing...and he brought him to Tsunade so that the boy could heal from what ever disease he is going through
He even made sure that she accept Kimimaro as her personal disciple...she owes him that much