Let´s make a deal
Kane was tired. No, he was bone deep exhausted.
His clan head, his closest friend and the man who assigned him as his advisor was gone. Vanished from the face of earth with no trace left. Not even their best tracking team had found Shirogane yet.
The moral in the clan was dwindling amongst few and Senjuro was a good example of that. There was a fraction in the Hatake clan that believed the best course of action being someone else taking the place of the clan head instead of using their man power to search for Shirogane, but if you were to ask Kane, the men and women who believed so were fools. His Lord was alive and if Kane didn´t give his damn best to save him, then he would quit being a shinobi.
What good would he be as an advisor, if the man he was supposed to advise was not there?
He sighed and leaned back against the tree he was standing in front of, allowing his eyes to close for a single moment.
A feeling of unease has been creeping in him ever since they arrived in this place, and his guts told him that this was not because of the obvious dilemma they were in, nor because of his team fighting like children, but because of something else. Something that rattled him deep in his bones and forced him to be aware of his surroundings more than usual.
However, even when he focused, there was nothing out of the ordinary to be found. Not even his summon, Akame, had smelled or heard something.
That didn´t mean Kane would be caught off guard should something occur anyway.
He kept his ears open and his senses outstretched, observing his team as they each sat down and tended to their minor wounds, helping one another out. Despite the falling out they just had, Senjuro still helped Kozume rewrapping the bandages on his arm, because that´s what pack did. No matter how much they fight, they can rely on each other when it counts. And no matter how pessimistic Senjuro seemed to be at the moment, he was not a bad man.
Yona had sat down on a severed tree trunk and started to sort out her weapons that she kept in the storage scroll. A nervous habit of hers. Instead of fidgeting, Yona was the type to sort things out, sharpen her weapons, or even write letter. Kozume was more skittish than her in that aspect.
Of all the things Kane was prepared for, he did not expect a voice to call out directly behind him.
“So, your clan head is missing? Would you like some help?”
The speed at which he snapped his head around and jumped back with alerted the other three, and as he even pulled out the sword, Kozume, Senjuro and Yona shunshinned to his side, weapons drawn and eyes fixated on the shadows in front of him.
Kane´s heart rate shot high so fast that it was a wonder his body was still functioning correctly.
“Nothing. Whoever that was, they had no presence, no scent, no sound. Where did they come from?” His brows furrowed as he tried to find out how he missed someone sneaking up on him, but he did not dwell on it for too long. He could feel Kozume – and dear god, Kozume was still young, a mere seventeen years old. Kane would never forgive himself if this boy died like the many other kids they had already lost to the senseless war – tensing behind him, and as one, the three adults shifted closer, taking on a four-point formation with Kozume in the rear, Kane at the front and Yona and Senjuro at the sides.
“Captain, what´s going on?” Yona whispered, leaning her head forward and sharpening her eyes. Out of all of them, she might just have the best sight and precision.
However Kane had no time to answer. Instead, he turned to the hidden stranger. “Who is there? Reveal yourself this instant!” His voice held authority and he gripped his sword just a tinge tighter.
None of them could see what the person in the shadows looked like, until they heard the leaves under his feet crunch, showing that he was taking a step forward. Slowly but surely a figure came into view.
They were wearing regular shinobi pants with a small weapon pouch attached to the hip. Instead of the usual armor however, they were wearing nothing more than a mesh shirt and a simple short-sleeved undershirt underneath. There were no weapons strapped to his back whatsoever, meaning that this person was incredibly bare on weapons. The stranger´s face was obscured by a mask – a fox mask – and bright blonde hair peeked out from behind it, tied down into a low ponytail in similar fashion to his, but a little messier.
Behind him, Kane heard Senjuro suck in a sharp breath and privately shared the sentiment.
If what they heard was true, then this mysterious person was Kitsune, the rumored lone shinobi with the fox mask that has appeared out of seemingly nowhere and became a thorn in the side for most clans.
He grit his teeth and narrowed his eyes, almost pulling into a snarl like his summons had taught him. “Out of all the times and places to meet him, this one has to be the most inconvenient.”
Not much was known about him, not as a shinobi, nor as a person. No one had yet seen him, and if they did, then they hadn´t lived long enough to tell about the encounter. So the best course of action was to lie in wait for the man to make the first move. One did not senselessly attack the enemy without knowing of their capabilities, and he was glad that the rest of his team was thinking along the same lines right now.
Kitsune was standing in front of them now with reasonable distance to their four man cell. His hands were pushed into the pockets of his pants and he tilted his head to the side in a curious, animal-like manner, very much fitting for his name.
“Yo. I couldn´t help but get curious over what a group of Hatake shinobi was doing in my territory, so I might have just heard about your problem. Apologies for that.”
Kitsune´s voice was smooth and steady, like a stream of water that flowed along in the river. His appearance and his presence however felt like a crushing tidal wave, now that he had decided to stop suppressing his chakra completely – and wasn’t that a horrifying thought. Kane was not a super sensor, but for someone to be able to completely suppress their chakra, scent, sound and overall presence was a special type of skill that he had yet to see someone acquire. Kane knows that if Kitsune had decided to attack him without revealing his location, he might have just suffered horrible injuries.
Despite his thoughts, Kane regains his composure, straightening himself to make himself appear taller. "Your territory? I have not heard of such.” Because he was pretty sure that if Kitsune had an official territory, like clans had one, he would have heard. People would have known.
Kitsune only shrugged and somehow Kane could tell that there was a grin under that fox mask. “It´s not like I went around and announced it to the public. I´m not too possessive of it either, since it´s basically self-proclaimed. You four,” he nodded his head towards them and all of them steadied their stance, “Just happened to run into me here. Or, well, rather the other way around.”
His posture loosened a little and for a few seconds the sound of blood rushing in their ears and the anticipation for what might be an oncoming battle against an unknown enemy was all that filled the next few moments.
Surprisingly, it was Kozume who broke the tension by hesitantly speaking up. “You´re… You´re Kitsune, aren´t you? The shinobi everyone has been talking about?”
Silence.
Well, Kane mused, while he thought it was obvious, they did actually never get a confirmation. He suppressed an exasperated sigh when Senjuro snapped at the younger to keep his mouth shut when there were more important things than a question that already had a very obvious answer.
Suddenly, cheery bright laughter filled the air and the four turned their heads to see Kitsune holding a hand against his stomach while waving the other around.
“I thought the mask made it pretty obvious to be honest, but I guess you´re right, Hatake-san. How rude of me not to introduce myself first.”
Much to their surprise, what Kitsune did next had them startled. He bowed his head forward ever so slightly in greeting, before raising it again, and despite the fact that they could not see his face, his body language suggested a genuine smile was plastered on his face.
“I´m Kitsune. I would say it´s nice to meet you, but I probably scared you lot, didn´t I?” He looked sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck in an apologetic way. “Sorry, sorry. I was told the mask is rather intimidating, but I didn´t think I had that scary of a reputation. Man, rumors really do exaggerate over time.” He sighed and his shoulders drooped a little as he scratched the whiskered marks on the mask. Kane found it surprisingly easy to read his body language, but something told him that the masked man paraded his movements on purpose, to make it easier for them.
The blonde raised his arms in the universal sign of surrender, baffling them all once more, before he spoke again. “Either way, I´m not here to cause any harm. I just wanted to talk.”
That…
That was something.
Kane loosened his stance a little as well, but did not yet allow himself to relax in the presence of this man, no matter how genuine he sounded. This could all be a ploy to catch him off guard, to catch his clansmen off guard, and he would not allow that.
Also, the thought of the mysterious Kitsune actually, genuinely being like this was…
Well. The difference to what he heard of him was jarring.
“Talk you say?” And he made no effort in hiding the suspicion in his voice, but the stranger seemed as unbothered as one could possibly be. Instead, his chakra seemed to brighten in happiness and he nodded enthusiastically. Kane found himself stunned when he actually felt the heavy and genuine emotion in someone´s chakra. Something like that was unheard of. Or rather, there was only one person who was rumored to be able to feel emotions through chakra, and that was Senju Tobirama. But now that he felt it himself, with how incredibly lively and expressive this man´s chakra was when it had been reduced to nothing mere minutes ago…
“Exactly! I wanted to offer my help!”
.
Naruto had no idea if what he was doing was right, or if he was currently digging his own grave, but that didn´t matter.
While they were not relaxed around him, they didn´t look like they wanted to gut him on the spot either. He had purposefully raised his hands in surrender, showing off that he had no weapons on him other than the few kunai in his pouch. The seals on his arm were invisible unless in use, so that wasn´t something that would make them wary either.
In fact, the chakra of the young man who had asked for his identity had considerably calmed down a little at the face of his demeanor. Despite the crackling chakra, there was a soft note to it. Something that told Naruto that this boy was a pacifist at heart, even if he was a battle hardened soldier. His chakra had similar traits to that of Choji, in the way it softened around those he cared for and pained for those he stood up against.
The chakra of the woman was still sharp as ever. A lighting affinity as well. She was wary, if nothing else, but Naruto could feel the full trust she had put in their squad leader, allowing him to lead the conversation how he thought it to be best without doubting him. A fierce loyalty burned deep down in her coils, making Naruto smile softly under his mask.
The other man, Senjuro, was cackling with chakra, not because of his affinity, but rather because of the anger and frustration in it, which seemed to be a constant in there. His chakra itself however was sturdy and somewhat cold, yet very grounding. An earth affinity. The way he leaned towards his comrades showed Naruto that despite their argument and his annoyance at them, he would fight for them to their last breath.
Then finally the chakra of the squad leader in front of him. The very first thing Naruto noticed, was that it was surging in protectiveness. This man had the responsibility of keeping his team alive and Naruto could feel that within every fiber of his body, that he would do everything in his power to make sure that was the case. Lighting crackled through his chakra as well, it being his main affinity, but the gentle flow and steadiness deeper buried within the system showed that his secondary affinity was water.
Naruto took a look around and let his eyes rest on the four of them. They were tense, obviously, but were smarter than to blindly attack. It might have been because Naruto did everything to make himself less a threat, but it also might have been because Naruto offered them something that could be of interest to them.
Finding their clan head.
This time it was Yona who spoke up, backing up Kane. “How can you expect us to blindly believe what you say, simply because you tell us you wish to help? What kind of fools to you take us for-“
Blinking in surprise, Naruto interrupted her. “Ah, no, that wasn´t what I was implying. I wanted to propose a deal.”
Silence, this time tense.
Naruto had thought of this while he had been observing the team from the shadows. Genuine and unexpected kindness would only be met with suspicion. Saying that he only wanted to help him because he was trying to be kind, Naruto would end up getting laughed at or killed. Possibly both at the same time – Not that they could kill him, but he would definitely have them try to pierce him with their swords.
If he were to propose them a deal on the other hand, his reasoning for helping would at least be believable. And in reality, the deal would also help Naruto.
“A deal? What sort of deal could you possibly offer us in this kind of situation?” Senjuro looked at him through furrowed eyebrows, chakra swirling in confusion and wariness.
Naruto hummed. “You want to find your clan head, correct? I like to think my sensing skills are much more advanced than those of the average shinobi. If I have something to identify your clan heads chakra by, then I will be able to find him, I swear to that. I would also, if what the boy in the back said was true,” he nodded towards Kozume, immediately making Yona shift and put herself in front of him to block his view, as if he were to attack their youngest any second,” then I will also do my best to bring him back alive and well.”
The suspicion in their chakra rose drastically, but Naruto didn´t falter. He patiently waited for the next person to speak up.
Kane was the one to take the lead in the conversation again. “And what would you wish for in return?”
Shrugging, Naruto simply answered, “All I want is to talk to your clan head. I have ambitions and hopes for the future and I hoped that he could help me with them. Nothing more.”
A bitter laugh was let out and Senjuro took a step forward, snarling at him. Kane didn´t hold him back, even if his gaze showed his clear hesitation. Since he could understand his comrade´s reaction, he let it play out.
“A talk? Don´t make me laugh! What kind moron does one have to be to offer helping a clan head of an enemy clan in exchange for a talk! Are you mocking the Hatake?!” In a blink, Naruto found himself with a sword at his throat, digging ever so slightly into his skin. He hadn´t moved an inch from where he stood, nor had he done anything to deflect the blow. He just stood there, waiting for the man to finish his rant.
Yona scowled and stepped forward, hand reaching out to the two of them. “Senjuro-“
“Don´t stop me, Yona! This bastard thinks he can toy with us like this?” his head whipped back around to him and dull blue eyes stared at him, a wild look in them. “Do you think this is some sort of game?!”
With a pinched look on his face, Kozume also stepped forward from behind Yona, concern for his comrade bleeding into his chakra. Naruto could feel the way he was trying to diffuse the situation without making it escalate even further.
He ignored the blood starting to drip down on his clothes, knowing that this wound would heal within seconds anyways.
“You really shouldn´t act rashly now, Senjuro” the teen berated worriedly, however it all went on deaf ears as the brunette just kept his sword still at the blondes throat.
Naruto took a deep breath to steady himself, reminding himself what exactly he does this for. This is for his first step into a better future. His first step into fulfilling his promise to his friends. Of saving the world.
He would not ruin it by snapping at a short-tempered Hatake.
“First off,” he started, making Senjuro twitch, “I don´t wish for us to be enemies. Second, the ambitions I have are no mere goals that could be achieved within a short amount of time. What I am talking about is of great importance, and I believe your clan head can help me. I just want to do a favor to get one in return. Is that not how that works?” The last question was directly aimed at Senjuro and the man stayed silent, almost choking, when intense blue eyes met his.
Eyes with much more resolve and certainty than his own. Eyes so deep that the man felt like he was being pulled under the depths of an ocean, threatening to drown him if he were to swim against the waves. He felt his hand twitch and his grip on his sword weaken. Naruto purposefully let some chakra flow out of him, coating the Hatake in front of him with it. A cold wave that made a shiver run down his spine and lose focus for just a second.
“What kind of ambitions?” Kane spoke up this time again, and Naruto let his eyes break contact with Senjuro´s, instead looking at him. He tilted his head to the side, not minding how the sword nicked a little deeper into his skin because of that.
“That is only for the clan head to know. If he on the other hand shares what I told him with you, then so be it.”
Once again, silence fell over the group. The only thing that could be heard was the wind rushing through the leaves and the birds hanging in the tress. Somewhere in the distance, Naruto could hear the sound of water running, meaning there might be a small river somewhere. Were it not for this situation, the nature around them would have a peaceful atmosphere.
After a while where no one said anything, the silence was broken when Kane spoke up. “Stand down, Senjuro.”
The brunette´s head snapped around in lighting speed as he looked at his squad leader with an incredulous look on his face. “You can´t seriously consider-“
“Stand down. I will not repeat myself again.”
Naruto watched as Senjuro slowly lowered his sword and stepped back at the undeniable command Kane had given. He´s aware that if Kane hadn´t been in such a desperate situation right now, he might have not given that order. Naruto felt a stab of guilt bloom in his chest for using their vulnerability against them like this, but even if he did gain something out of his, he truly wanted to help.
Thinking about the Hatake made him remember that Kakashi had been the only one left, and if their misery had started with their clan head vanishing, then he would do everything in his might to stop it from happening. After all, Naruto wasn´t simply back in time to stop Zetsu from resurrecting Kaguya. He was back because he could help many more people. He could help the Uchiha clan from becoming extinct, maybe even do something against the Senju dying. He could save the Hatake and maybe even stop Kakashi´s father from killing himself. He could stop Obito from going rouge and the Akatsuki being reformed into a terrorist organization. It was all rooted during this time, ad Naruto swore to fix it all.
Kane redirected his attention to him again. Their eyes met in a battle of will and Naruto didn´t have to be a genius to know that what would follow was undoubtedly a threat.
“Kitsune,” he spoke, voice laced heavy with warning and chakra leaking out, forming killing intent and aiming directly at him. Naruto was surprised with how heavy it was. “We will accept your offer. However, if you are deceiving us and intend to harm my kin, I will not hesitate to cut you down.” To emphasize the treat, Naruto found himself with a blade to his neck the second time in a short amount of time, but yet again he did not react.
He only smiled beneath his mask and raised his hands in a placating manner, ignoring the cackling of lighting against his skin. Kane´s gaze was fierce and unyielding as he looked at him, and Naruto found that this man was someone he could respect greatly.
Naruto chuckled. “For all it´s worth to you, I give you my word to uphold my end of the deal. And I don´t go back on my word, ever. Call it a fox´s honor.”
A few more seconds of tense silence passed, where Kane seemed to contemplate his sincerity, before the blade was removed from his neck.
With a grin, Naruto clapped his hands together, startling the four ever so slightly. “Alright. Let´s begin the search then, shall we?”