Chapter 192: Leaving the village (Part 1)

After the meeting with the bridge maker Tazuna, Kakashi instructed the team to prepare for travel and rendezvous at the village gate in an hour.

Homura: (panicking) Why me?! I'm not ready to fight Zabuza or even Haku! There were also like 30 bandits too, I could seriously die! (Sh*t, for my bravado about being stronger than before I have no idea how strong people are in general, most of my opponents were kids at the academy or fake dudes...This is not good. I am starting to panic... )

Homura's hands were shaking as he realized that he could be forced to fight to the death, difference in level between ninjas was something that could not be explained. Bigger number logic was a thing as far as he knew but a wrong hit to a sensitive area, or poison could drastically scale down one's ability to fight back. 

Still he had no other choice but to do what his superior told him to do, such was the way of the ninja. So packing he'd have to do. 

Boxes filled with weapons and other types of equipment. 

It was such a hard work to plan out one's arsenal, Kunais and shurikens had different shapes and weights, and even paper bombs had different ranges or fire power.

A ninja's gear was not something that could take lightly. It was what could make the difference between life and death. So packing was more or less a formality, all was already prepared in advance, thus ninjas when they went on a mission simply took what they thought would be necessary. 

All in all, it wasn't much time to pack for a trip that might last weeks, but as trained shinobi, they knew the essentials.

Homura thought that he should just hurt himself, but he'd have to do it somewhere in public. If the injury wasn't serious enough, the doctors might become suspicious of foul play, and worse, he might never be able to work as a ninja again.

What kind of a shinobi hurts themselves to not go on a mission? A coward and untrustworthy one, that's who.

Homura did not quite fit in those labels, he wasn't a total coward and he wasn't exactly untrustworthy.

He'd lay down his life if the need came to be, at least that much was true…in whatever version of himself he believed himself to be,

Plus, he didn't want to get himself stabbed on a fake accident, he would be a laughing stock to the entire village, it was social "unliving" himself.

No matter how hard he thought he had to bite the metaphorical bullet, or in this case kunai.

Another options would be giving up… but doing it out of nowhere… would be strange.

Also, people would probably talk about it.

Homura had another name for Konohagakure, the village hidden in gossip. People talked, really talked.

Once you were labelled something it would take a very long time to wash the rumors away, if ever. For a world under constant wars, it was surprising that gossip was so prevalent.

These things didn't truly bother Homura but with him joining team 7 he had to adhere now much more to the original plot.

Before it was just get sure Naruto and Sasuke to graduate the academy more or less the same as their different selves portrayed in the manga, and that was more or less a success.

It had been nothing short of a nightmare, but it was more or less accomplished it, thanks to cadets' relationships being nothing short of pretending to get along while competing for the top spot.

Even today, besides the people he knew before entering the academy, he cared almost nothing about most of his other classmates who managed to graduate. If it wasn't for his memory being quite good, he'd have forgotten them all already, especially those who could be erased from it but it would be a bad move.

What kind of shinobi can't remember their classmates, if he ever was under investigation for being a spy or under genjutsu?

Homura: (sighs)

He looked around his small, new apartment. Not working as a ninja was feasible, but all of his plans would end there. Child care wasn't a priority of the village, and a dishonorable discharge of a ninja was worse than the terrible package as a cadet. Though he hadn't been a ninja for very long, he doubted he could just be allowed to leave the village if he decided to leave. He might never be allowed to come back, and he still had so many people there and so much more to do.

Homura: (frustrated) Why is everything so complicated?

He started to pull his hair in frustration before simply saying in a monotone way and dead eyes that it was simply life and he had bills to pay; otherwise, he would become homeless. He had a new apartment now and no money to go with it. Since he was no longer a student, most of the benefits were being cut, and they weren't that many to begin with. So he continued to pack up.

Homura: (to himself) My creditors aren't going to forgive me that easily… What kind of a mess have I being digging myself in?

Everything, was screwed over.

Homura thought it was all the hokage's fault.

Now he had to continue to let the main plot play out even if he didn't want to…so nothing had changed since the days wasted at the academy.

As he packed, his mind raced with thoughts of Naruto and Sasuke, who were clearly eager for their next mission.

He couldn't explain to the Hokage or anyone else that Tazuna lied about the current mission, that rogue ninjas were after him, and that one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was the one behind those rogue ninjas. The whole affair was too unbelievable, and it would bring forth too many suspicions onto Homura.

Homura: (muttering to himself) Just gotta keep it together. Gotta keep it together.

he kept saying that as he broke the handle of a kunai due to pure pressure on the part as he tried to control his anger. After throwing it away he moved to pack the next set of essential items he would more likely need in the future as well.

He shoved his belongings into boxes, his mind swirling with anxiety about the uncertain future ahead.

 

Homura: (to himself) Wait a second…This is the time to meet Haku. (I planned todo some grave robbing before Kabuto could get his dirty paws on their corpses…but this is better, fresh blood and body parts…minus the guilt…I mean I have performed on dead bodies at the clinic before…these ones will simply be humans…former humans… I have no problem with it.)

As a professional kekkei genkai thief, Homura had to be extremely prepared. This was a great opportunity but his plans were being continuously being derailed but this change was certainly for good.

Homura: (thinking) Ice release is good, but I've been dying to learn a water release jutsu from the Second Hokage.

Zabusa was a powerful water user, Homura was able to use 3 elements, only 2 more or less well, but adding water element by using Zabusa was an opportunity that he could pass on. Madara was able to use wood release with a tiny piece of the first hokage's flesh.

Though it wasn't certain that Zabuza's DNA would be as effective as the first hokage's he was born with a constitution that allowed to integrate any genetic material perfectly, he would just have to proceed with the process over and over again. The only problem was Kakashi…but if he got exhausted and unable to move after using the sharingan…then it was worth a shot.

Not only that but Haku was also there as well…

This opportunity came at a good time.

It could be what would give him the boost he craved before the start of the chunin exams.

Homura: (pondering) Lately, I've been trying more complex lightning release ninjutsu, but hit a dead end. Maybe I need more training, or is it my lack of chakra? (Since Zabusa is so strong…If I incorporate his dna and my chakra pool becomes larger after a week or a month than it will make things so much easier on how to proceed in the future. that also includes Naruto… Maybe I shouldn't be hating on the hokage anymore…He might be…no,)

He realized that as part of Naruto's team now, he didn't need to wait until the Valley of the End fight to obtain some of his DNA.

Homura: (calculating) If my plan proceeds correctly, I could take it during this trip or whenever the Chunin Exams are held. However, it's safer to wait for Sasuke to meet up with Karin.

Homura pondered as he remembered Karin's supposed backstory. He knew that deep down Sasuke was a big softy. You'd have to be blind or Naruto to not realize it after spending so much time with the guy.

Even when he had the chance during the training bell test he never truly used Homura and Naruto as bait, he took advantage of them; but it was nothing that would be seen as excessive.

For a ninja it was quite tame.

But Homura had moved on from analyzing Sasuke, in fact, he barely registered in his radar. Because Karin was an Uzumaki, not only was an Uzumaki but a special breed of Uzumaki that could heal others and had great sensory capabilities among other capabilities. It was strange that she was so different from other Uzumakis, which was made Homura think that he really did not know much of that clan.

The only Uzumaki he knew was a dead end and completely clueless.

He had been studying Naruto for years, from his habits down to the calories intakes he took on a regular basis, but besides being a very (terrifying) healthy young man and a bit challenged in academics there were nothing extraordinary about him. 

He wasn't exceptional in anyway. 

Homura: (strategizing) DNA integration is complex. Better to be cautious.

He decided to bring more weapons, hoping to have a better chance to obtain drops of Zabuza's blood if things went differently from canon.

Homura: (worried) I know if I fight Zabuza, I'll die... no matter what.

But canceling the mission would only make Zabuza and Haku stronger in the future; which was dangerous. The duo had to die even if it was by his hand, which didn't sit too well with him because for one he wasn't strong enough, and on another hand he could not simply hope things would play out the same; but a ninja gotta do what a ninja gotta do.

Homura: (regretful) This is all my fault. I showed off too much to get a good jonin, and now I have the bes-! Well Guy-san is the best the leaf has to offer by far...but even for me, the guy is too weird.

As he caught sight of the armor-filled jacket, that had been re-tweaked after he'd bought the armor parts from Tenten's father, though now things were different. He knew it wouldn't do much against Zabuza's giant sword, it would go through it like butter, but it was better than nothing.

Homura: (resigned) No need for regrets now. It's too late to go back.

He hoped his first trip outside the village wouldn't become his last.

Homura's mind buzzed with a sudden realization as he packed for the upcoming mission.

"Sh*t! I forgot about the morons. I don't exactly know what they are doing right now, or if they have completed some of the chores I assigned them to…but at this point I don't think it matters any more…"he muttered to himself, a hint of frustration evident in his voice.

He remembered that he had something else to do before leaving.

Taking out a small antenna linked to a device, he made his way to the balcony. Placing the antenna in a contraption that extended into the sky, he pulled a few levers before donning a pair of headphones and typing something in what appeared to be Morse code.

Renamed Homura code, because he was not self conscious enough.

Though, some variant of the technology already existed and was considered outdated; though it was a somewhat of a bother since he could not roll in cash from his discovery, but he was still somewhat content because at least he didn't have to invent so complex from scratch.

Procuring the materials was already a pain, inventing the technology for this obsolete machine was a feat that may have require ten to 15 years by C's evaluation from Homura's competence.

"I need to find a better way to do this soon…"

He repeated the same melody several times, sending the signal bouncing off the antenna to relay points in the woods. Finally, in a dark but illuminated room, a young man who was the spitting image of Homura sat writing on a notepad. A small box-like device began beeping.

However, the young man failed to notice as his worries lied somewhere else. Frustrated by the lack of progress, the man sighed heavily.

"I can't believe how hard this is without C… The original has it easy."

Turning his attention back to the task at hand, the man approached an animal carcass, meticulously recording details of its condition. Despite his efforts to revive the creature using various devices and fluids, his attempts proved futile. "Cause of death: blood loss and severe trauma," he muttered, disappointment evident in his voice.

Suddenly, the box beeped, surprising the man. It had only been a few hours since the real Homura had left on a mission. Normally, the original would take 8 to 9 hours to complete a mission and undergo training. This message came far too soon.

Nonetheless, the clone began typing a response to his real counterpart. Once finished, Homura untied the tubes on the dead animal and set the sterile box it was in on fire. He then took a small ball-like contraption.

"There's no way the original would have come in time to study the body… I wonder what kind of mission he got to make him cancel today's activities? sigh I will know it soon enough, but I have to tell the other one first."

The scene shifted to another version of Homura deep underwater, seemingly attempting to hold his breath. With each passing second, he pushed himself to hold his breath longer, his determination unwavering. As the water grew increasingly turbulent, he fought to maintain his composure, striving to surpass his previous record.

"(2 more minutes, and if I can last 5 seconds more I will have broken yesterday's record.)"

Meanwhile, a shadow clone of Homura stood watch by the riverbank, awaiting the arrival of his counterpart. Frustration gnawed at him as he glanced at the water's surface, his impatience growing with each passing moment. "How long is that guy going to take? He should be here by now," he grumbled, his annoyance evident.

"Well, this should help him," he said as he threw some kind orb like object into the water and soon proceeded to perform a one-hand seal.

Soon after, the current became more violent.

"Hm…it is still much weaker than I thought…killing something with this product is going to be difficult" he murmured.

Despite his impatience, the clone remained wary of the challenges ahead. With the real Homura able to create four clones using the shadow technique, the demands on his clones were increasing. While Homura currently used only two clones for side projects, he anticipated needing at least five in the future. However, the strain on his chakra reserves was significant, complicating the situation.

"Well, that won't be 'my' problem anyway… tch!"

As he contemplated, the head of a figure emerged from the water, coughing and spluttering.

"*cough* cough You couldn't have jumped in, instead of throwing a bomb?!"

His fellow shadow clone asked with annoyance.

"Shut up, and release yourself."

"What?!" asked the drenched shadow clone.

"Seems the original is up to something, or Naruto is up to no good once more. You and I have to go, now!" said the annoyed clone.

His fellow clone just looked at him with a blank stare not fully understanding the situation though he considered to be stupid and inconsequential.

"Sure, whatever,"

As soon as the clone spoke, it disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"Hmm… Great...Now, I hate myself… If I had just disappeared, I could have let him know that I have to make to erase all our tracks first…but having to explain or justify things to myself is the weirdest thing I've ever experienced,"

The clone sighed wearily, surveying the scattered debris around him. Despite the challenges, he knew that his actions were crucial to ensuring the success of their mission.

Homura, the real one, who was locking his apartment's front door was immediately assaulted with some strange but also vague memories of being blown away by strong currents...due to an explosion. 

As if he suddenly remembered something that happened to him in the past.

"! What the F*ck?!…(Those guys…maybe 5 of them would be too much),"