Naruto Naruto Genkyouien 22
- Thread starter Daneel Rush
- Start date
1) Yuyuko's neither a Matriarch nor a former Matriarch, so she was never allowed to sign the contract.
2) Vassals like Kotonoha have specific, separate contracts binding her to the Matriarch.
3) Technically the Kyuubi can use Kuchiyose to summon any other non-Kyuubi Kitsune, yes. But you cannot "force-summon" anyone with that jutsu, so it doesn't work as a kidnapping tool, or at least that's how it works in this setting.
***************************************
***************************************
There was a weird, tickling feeling in his stomach, but only for a moment, accompanied by a just-as-brief spell of dizziness, most likely due to the sudden change of location. As he turned around to take a look at the battlefield, Naruto made a mental note to apologize to Yurine. Taken by surprise by the summoning, he accepted the call before letting the five-tails know he would be leaving. That was just not cool.
ôShoumon, kai!ö Gai howled as he opened the fourth Heavenly Gate, the Gate of Pain.
ôHah!ö The Third Hokage roared as well as he sunk his right hand on the ground, using Earth-nature chakra to compact the soil and then effortlessly pulling up a perfectly smooth block of hardened soil.
NarutoÆs attention was then drawn to Jiraiya, whose appearance had taken a turn to the freaky. He was not sure just what was more awkward: the bulbous nose pocked with tiny warts or the two wrinkly toads perched on his shoulders. All thoughts on that were dispersed when the palm thrust that by all logic should have broken apart the man-sized block of soil instead launched it at dizzying speed towards the Emissary. The Void beast, whose attempts at getting back on its feet had been foiled by the efforts of KonohaÆs forces, opened its mouth to release a stream of Void tendrils like lashes which sliced and diced apart the incoming projectile effortlesslyàbut failed to do the same to Maito Gai, who had leapt after the block of earth and used it to hide his approach.
With a ferocious roar, the green-clad man struck the Emissary right on the face with a tremendous punch that blasted the air away in all directions, blowing leaves off nearby trees and forcing those nearby to avert their eyes or have them stuffed with blown dust and sand. More Void whips surged out of the monsterÆs body, and Gai reacted by leaping away with abnormal speed, an amazing feat that allowed him to outpace the fearsome Void-type attacks. When one of the EmissaryÆs huge hands lashed at Gai, attempting to achieve with sheer size what speed failed to accomplish, an elegant and voluptuous vulpine figure stepped in; meeting the massive arm with the flat of her trusty hatchet, Kotonoha awed all the present by deflecting the armÆs trajectory with sheer friction. It was a truly awesome feat of Reinforcement. When blade separated from arm, inertia drove Kotonoha into a reckless spin, but the experienced swordswoman used the momentum as fuel for another powerful attack.
ôHamon!ö
Rather than a ôRippleö, it was a shockwave; a powerful pressure wave created by the flat of KotonohaÆs blade pushing the air around her, striking what should be called the EmissaryÆs armpit. When the Emissary released that artificial humming sounds everyone had already identified as a complaint, the soldiers cheered and Kotonoha exchanged firm nods with Gai. The blitzkrieg continued with groups of shinobi jumping at the colossal beast, striking with fists and kicks enhanced with chakra and leaping away from the prompt retaliation.
It was a very heated battle, but NarutoÆs attention had inevitably landed on one person.
She was there and, for a short, enlightening moment, they looked at each other as if the world comprised only them and nothing else.
She was there.
He was alive and well.
The feeling that inflamed their hearts defied comprehension.
The magical moment ended.
ôMistressà!ö Naruto greeted elatedly, his voice brimming with joy, relief and, of course, gratitude. There would not be a time he addressed her or even look at her without letting her know just how grateful he was to her, the person who gave him hope and turned him into a winner.
No heartbeats were skipped. However, SetsunaÆs heartbeat became so intense it hurt.
She, too, was bursting with emotion; it could not be denied. To see him standing there, healthy, filled her with more relief than she could have possibly imagined. Her lips trembled, her eyes moistened and her cheeks flushed vividly. Instinctively, she dropped her gaze to prevent her blush from being discovered. When his shadow merged with hers as he approached, her body went stiff.
She did not know what to do! She did not know what to say! She could not control her emotions! Her thoughts were fuzzy; her mind was lost in delirium beyond understanding!
She wasàjustàso happyà!
ôMistress, you areà!ö Naruto was experiencing problems finding words and assembling proper sentences. ôàyou are; I mean, IÆm so glad you areà!ö He blinked hard and fast; tears of joy were eager to leak, but that would not be cool in the middle of a battlefield. ôI mean, are you alright?ö
ôUm.ö Setsuna nodded, stubbornly refusing to raise her head. If she looked at him now, sheàsheàshe had no idea what would happen, butà!
The quiet response bothered Naruto a bit, but he knew she would not lie to him.
ôThatÆsàthatÆs goodàö he said, softly, and those were his earnest thoughts. ôReally, IÆm gladà!ö Shaking his head and not minding who might be watching, Naruto wiped his face with the sleeve of his ruined orange jacket. Really, he would not be able to wear those clothes again after that day.
ôIÆm so glad youÆre here, Setsunaà!ö
Her body shuddered in bliss. While she liked being called æMistressÆ, there was something about the elation with which he said her name that drowned her in a stream of delight.
Shyly, hesitantly, her hand reached for his jacket, a single finger tracing the long tear MakotoÆs deadly attack had made. With only the tips of her fingers she held to the piece of ruined cloth. Her head remained low; eyes on the ground.
ôYouàare you okayà?ö She asked. Her voice tremulous, hesitant and feeble like cotton spores in the wind, full of urgent worry and sweet longing.
ôUm, yeah,ö Naruto replied calmingly, eager to please and ease the one he acknowledged as teacher. ôA bit tired from all the fighting, but IÆm okay. Ready to keep going, Mistress.ö
Normally, this would have been enough.
ôàreally?ö Setsuna insisted. She needed this: reassurance. ôàreally, really?ö
NarutoÆs cheeks tickled. The part of him that lacks prudency wanted to stroke SetsunaÆs head. ôYup.ö
His simple words became her strength. Setsuna took a deep breath, and regained her bearings.
ôHmm. Good.ö
She finally looked up; meeting NarutoÆs smile with confidence and sternness.
ôI wonÆt have you getting yourself killed today, boya.ö
ôEverybody step back!ö the Hokage shouted before busying his hands with a scary sequence of dozens of hand seals. The fireball released from his mouth flew like an arrow, becoming a huge explosion that entirely swallowed the Emissary of Oblivion, allowing a few moments of respite for the troubled shinobi.
ôYes, that works as well,ö Hiruzen spoke with satisfaction, as the concussive force from the explosion elicited a complaint from the giant Void abomination.
Some distance away from the action, Higashiyama Yurisa, who lacked the martial skill to engage in combat with that monster, acted as a chakra battery providing power for dozens of explosive tags crafted on the spot by a group of Chuunin.
Kotonoha appeared next to Setsuna.
ôAra, donÆt you two look happy indeed.ö
It was Naruto who turned deep red at the suggestion, while Setsuna clicked her tongue and tried (and failed) to hit the busty woman with her right elbow.
ôYou are annoying, udder woman.ö
Naruto turned around the moment he felt a much taller figure looming over him.
ôAh, yes, yes, thank you for the summonùö
One of YuriÆs tails poked NarutoÆs forehead.
ôReiton û Reijouzou no Jutsu.ö
NarutoÆs body went mightily stiff, his muscles suffering awkward spasms as he felt somethingàgooey and cold entering his body. No such thing could be seen; it was merely a perceptive artifact. Still, it was like freezing cold syrup flowing through his veins; an extremely unsettling feeling.
ôBuagh!ö He deeply exhaled the moment the tail ceased contact, not having realized he had been holding his breath the whole time. ôWhaùwhat theùyou crazy womanà!ö
Yuri held back on rolling her eyes this time, but the disdain in her face was remarkable.
ôHow do you feel, boy?ö
ôHow do you think Iùhuh? Waitàö
Indeed, what lingered was nothing but a most refreshing feeling, like a mint candy infusing his body with coolness. Furthermore, all traces of exhaustion were goneà!
ôWhaàö
ôI have replenished your chakra,ö Yuri succinctly explained. ôNow, I mustàö
Her breath stubbornly stuck to her throat, as the words refused to come up. Naruto felt a little grossed out as the seven-tailed Kitsune made all sorts of disturbing facial gestures, yet no sound would allow itself to escape her mouth. He also happened to notice SayokoÆs situation.
ôUhh, Sayoko-san, whatà?ö
ôPlease donÆt mind me, Naruto-kun. I will deal with this issue myself.ö
ôAhàum, sure.ö
ôIàughàurkàö Yuri was still struggling in her own way.
Behind the strange chakra prison, Yurimi and Mayuri watched the former Matriarch like they could not believe it.
ôItàit cannot possibly be that hard, Motheràö the current Matriarch opinioned. Mayuri just sighed and planted her forehead on her right palm.
Like a child who really, really doesnÆt want to eat her vegetables, Yuri turned her head to glance at Sayoko, whose face eloquently urged her to speak further.
ôUghàö Yuri was not enjoying this at all. ôDo I reallyà?ö
Finally, Sayoko gave up on the Kitsune she raised and said the words herself.
ôYuri-sama would hope for Naruto-kun to summon her.ö
Naruto promptly frowned.
ôSummon? Why would I need to summon her, sheÆs right theùoh hell no.ö
Yuri nodded with unreasonable satisfaction. ôThat is indeed what I said.ö
No, it wasnÆt.
ôWha-wha-why would I even want toàwith this crazy and evil woman!?ö
ItÆs not really a matter of wanting it, you know.
ôExactly!ö Yuri insisted, and then she paused. ôWait, what?ö
ôYes, you!ö Naruto confirmed, facing the seven-tails with the reckless assertiveness of an idiot. ôOnly a masochist would want to get close to the likes of you!ö
ôOh, hooo~?ö An scandalized Higashiyama Yuri retorted with a mocking yet musical tone while planting her hands on her hips. ôWell you are not precisely the godsÆ gift to women, boy. Why would you think IÆd want my wondrous self to be wielded by a little brute, hmm?ö
ôYu-Yuri-samaàö Sayoko uttered in dismay.
ôHuuuh?ö Naruto was rudely poking his right ear with a pinky finger, as if trying to clean it. ôSorry, but I donÆt speak jerkass!ö
ôMa-Masteràö YurimiÆs turn to be dismayed by the utterly childish scene developing before her.
ôWell thatÆs just sad,ö Yuri retorted. ôJust what kind of education did you receive from your parents, boyùö A mock gasp. Yuri curtly covered her mouth with her right hand. ôOh, IÆm so sorry!ö
Her voice made it awfully clear how not sorry she was.
Of course, the fact remains that NarutoÆs parents would not be dead if Yuri could properly control her own children. Then again, keeping a Kyuubi from doing as it pleases might be asking too much from this woman.
ôYouuuuuuuuà!ö Naruto growled, gritting his teeth in simmering anger.
ôWaaaahàö Setsuna uttered; her voice a mixture of awe and disgust at the sheer pettiness. Her feet instinctively took a step back.
ôHmph!ö Naruto crossed his arms stubbornly. ôSpeaks the one who doesnÆt have a clue about being a proper mother!ö
ôOoooh, low blowàö Setsuna commented, eliciting an odd look from Kotonoha next to her. A distance away, the Monkey King was engaged in a close-quarters scuffle with the many Void tendrils unleashed from the EmissaryÆs body. He was being aided by supporting fire from the ANBU. Of course, he was only a distraction for Jiraiya to land a few solid blows from the giantÆs blind spot.
ôWhat would an ignorant brat know, huh!?ö
Naruto immediately pointed at the sleeping foxgirl in the distance. Sayuri remained surprisingly deaf to the battle raging not particularly far from her.
ôExhibit A!ö Naruto shouted. ôI rest my goddamn case!ö
ôUuuurghàö Yuri growled in a far more restrained matter than Naruto just before. She hastily turned to Sayoko while rudely pointing at the boy in orange. ôAnd you want me to become this boyÆs weapon?ö
ôYes,ö Sayoko immediately responded.
ôMuuuàö Yuri fell to her knees in defeat. ôSayoko-saaaaaaaan~ö
ôYuri-sama!ö Sayoko wished she did not have to use her stern voice as often. ôThis is not time for such petty squabbling. Please act your age.ö
ôWait, wait, wait!ö Naruto interrupted. ôWhy are you talking as if IÆm going to go along with this!?ö
ôNaruto-sama,ö Kotonoha intervened. ôYuri-samaÆs Reiton does not work against the Emissary of Oblivion, but we cannot put aside Yuri-samaÆs great power and chakra capacity just for that reason. If there is a way Yuri-sama can contribute to this difficult battle, it is our responsibility to take it without hesitation.ö
ôBu-butà!ö Naruto weakly insisted. ôWe donÆt even know sheÆll transform into something usefulà!ö
ôExcuse me!?ö Yuri took that as a personal insult. ôThere should be no doubt IÆd become nothing but the strongest weapon!ö
ôWell arenÆt you confidentàö Naruto flatly pointed out. ôAah, mou, whatever! Yurine and Yuria are not here, so youÆll have to do.ö
ôNow whatÆs that supposed toùö Yuri suddenly paused. ôNow that you mentioned it, I made a rookie mistake, trying to summon Yuriaàö
NarutoÆs face revealed his wish for an explanation, which Sayoko provided.
ôWhen Yuria-sama was expelled from the Clan, she renounced to her Crest, thus separating herself from the ClanÆs general summoning contract.ö
ôYeah, now that you bring it up,ö Naruto pointed out, while dismissingly pointing at the tall seven-tails nearby with a thumb. Yuri felt insulted by the off-handed gesture and made her feelings visible with a pointed glare. ôWhy can this woman summon me, anyway?ö
ôThis womanàö Yuri muttered darkly.
ôNaruto-sama signed a contract with the entire Kitsune race,ö Kotonoha explained, stealing the words from Setsuna, who seemed eager to reassume her role as instructor. It became the loliÆs turn to heatedly glare at her so-called rival. ôThus any Kitsune who is aware of the contractÆs existence and knows the Summoning Technique can summon Naruto-sama as well.ö
Since family equaled Clan for the longest time, there was never a need to make separate contracts, which explains why Yuri can no longer summon Yuria, neither as a Clan member nor as her biological daughter. The Higashiyama Clan contract was protected two layers of security beyond the traditional offer of blood: the unique calligraphy of the name of each lilyùincluding their picks for kana or kanjiùand the artificial construct that was the Crest, acting as a ôsecond signatureö. Without any of these three elements, using or even participating in the contract was not possible.
ôAaaah, thatÆs enough rambling, you people!ö Setsuna claimed, although a knowing look from Kotonoha made clear that the four-tailed swordswoman knew why exactly Setsuna wanted to put an end to the exchange. ôThose guys over there will run out of tags and chakra at this rate.ö
ôIt would become a massacre, yes,ö Yuri added. ôLet us return to the battlefield, then.ö
ôAlright!ö The ever-eager Naruto for once agreed with the Silver Lily of the Netherworld.
ôYurimi-sama.ö
The new Matriarch looked behind her. She had, admittedly, forgotten about these two, what with her half-sisters being wounded and everything else.
ôKasukabe sisters.ö
The two tigresses, however, were not looking at their new liege. Their eyes were on the hulking black beast from the Labyrinth. Their irises glimmered with something resembling awe and hunger.
ôAre you afraid?ö
Those words inevitably pulled their eyes in YurimiÆs direction. They were now glowering, their brows furrowed at the disrespectful taunt.
ôWe are tigers!ö The older sister, Sei, declared fiercely. Because those words indeed should have explained everything.
ôCan you hurt it?ö
ôWe will hurt it,ö Sei stated with utmost confidence. ôJust give the order, milady.ö
Yurimi thought about that. They carried themselves with the pride of tigers, yet they could no longer act without the command from a lord. Just how broken were these girls? Just what did Yumemigahara do to them?
ôGo.ö
The word was enough. After exchanging glances, the tiger sisters stepped around Yurimi and waked towards the battlefield, followed by the eyes of those around them.
ôI shall join them as well, Naruto-sama,ö Kotonoha said. She smiled at her dear boy before following after the blonde sisters.
With the others gone, Naruto exhaled loudly, emptying his lungs to then take a good chunk of oxygen. Planting his hands on his sides, he glanced at the much taller person to his left. Yuri was looking down at him with a bored, unfriendly expression that annoyed Naruto to no end.
ôHmph!ö The two uttered as their turned away from each other. Sayoko sighed.
ôWell, at least their compatibility should not be that bad, if they can do thatàö
ôAaargh, letÆs do this already! Kuchiyose no Jutsu!ö
Yuri immediately jumped from NarutoÆs left to his right side via the Summoning Technique. It was rather silly.
ôWell, here goes nothing,ö Yuri said.
ôFamous last words.ö
Naruto found himself the target of a rather cute glare.
ôHmph, Henge.ö
2) Vassals like Kotonoha have specific, separate contracts binding her to the Matriarch.
3) Technically the Kyuubi can use Kuchiyose to summon any other non-Kyuubi Kitsune, yes. But you cannot "force-summon" anyone with that jutsu, so it doesn't work as a kidnapping tool, or at least that's how it works in this setting.
***************************************
***************************************
There was a weird, tickling feeling in his stomach, but only for a moment, accompanied by a just-as-brief spell of dizziness, most likely due to the sudden change of location. As he turned around to take a look at the battlefield, Naruto made a mental note to apologize to Yurine. Taken by surprise by the summoning, he accepted the call before letting the five-tails know he would be leaving. That was just not cool.
ôShoumon, kai!ö Gai howled as he opened the fourth Heavenly Gate, the Gate of Pain.
ôHah!ö The Third Hokage roared as well as he sunk his right hand on the ground, using Earth-nature chakra to compact the soil and then effortlessly pulling up a perfectly smooth block of hardened soil.
NarutoÆs attention was then drawn to Jiraiya, whose appearance had taken a turn to the freaky. He was not sure just what was more awkward: the bulbous nose pocked with tiny warts or the two wrinkly toads perched on his shoulders. All thoughts on that were dispersed when the palm thrust that by all logic should have broken apart the man-sized block of soil instead launched it at dizzying speed towards the Emissary. The Void beast, whose attempts at getting back on its feet had been foiled by the efforts of KonohaÆs forces, opened its mouth to release a stream of Void tendrils like lashes which sliced and diced apart the incoming projectile effortlesslyàbut failed to do the same to Maito Gai, who had leapt after the block of earth and used it to hide his approach.
With a ferocious roar, the green-clad man struck the Emissary right on the face with a tremendous punch that blasted the air away in all directions, blowing leaves off nearby trees and forcing those nearby to avert their eyes or have them stuffed with blown dust and sand. More Void whips surged out of the monsterÆs body, and Gai reacted by leaping away with abnormal speed, an amazing feat that allowed him to outpace the fearsome Void-type attacks. When one of the EmissaryÆs huge hands lashed at Gai, attempting to achieve with sheer size what speed failed to accomplish, an elegant and voluptuous vulpine figure stepped in; meeting the massive arm with the flat of her trusty hatchet, Kotonoha awed all the present by deflecting the armÆs trajectory with sheer friction. It was a truly awesome feat of Reinforcement. When blade separated from arm, inertia drove Kotonoha into a reckless spin, but the experienced swordswoman used the momentum as fuel for another powerful attack.
ôHamon!ö
Rather than a ôRippleö, it was a shockwave; a powerful pressure wave created by the flat of KotonohaÆs blade pushing the air around her, striking what should be called the EmissaryÆs armpit. When the Emissary released that artificial humming sounds everyone had already identified as a complaint, the soldiers cheered and Kotonoha exchanged firm nods with Gai. The blitzkrieg continued with groups of shinobi jumping at the colossal beast, striking with fists and kicks enhanced with chakra and leaping away from the prompt retaliation.
It was a very heated battle, but NarutoÆs attention had inevitably landed on one person.
She was there and, for a short, enlightening moment, they looked at each other as if the world comprised only them and nothing else.
She was there.
He was alive and well.
The feeling that inflamed their hearts defied comprehension.
The magical moment ended.
ôMistressà!ö Naruto greeted elatedly, his voice brimming with joy, relief and, of course, gratitude. There would not be a time he addressed her or even look at her without letting her know just how grateful he was to her, the person who gave him hope and turned him into a winner.
No heartbeats were skipped. However, SetsunaÆs heartbeat became so intense it hurt.
She, too, was bursting with emotion; it could not be denied. To see him standing there, healthy, filled her with more relief than she could have possibly imagined. Her lips trembled, her eyes moistened and her cheeks flushed vividly. Instinctively, she dropped her gaze to prevent her blush from being discovered. When his shadow merged with hers as he approached, her body went stiff.
She did not know what to do! She did not know what to say! She could not control her emotions! Her thoughts were fuzzy; her mind was lost in delirium beyond understanding!
She wasàjustàso happyà!
ôMistress, you areà!ö Naruto was experiencing problems finding words and assembling proper sentences. ôàyou are; I mean, IÆm so glad you areà!ö He blinked hard and fast; tears of joy were eager to leak, but that would not be cool in the middle of a battlefield. ôI mean, are you alright?ö
ôUm.ö Setsuna nodded, stubbornly refusing to raise her head. If she looked at him now, sheàsheàshe had no idea what would happen, butà!
The quiet response bothered Naruto a bit, but he knew she would not lie to him.
ôThatÆsàthatÆs goodàö he said, softly, and those were his earnest thoughts. ôReally, IÆm gladà!ö Shaking his head and not minding who might be watching, Naruto wiped his face with the sleeve of his ruined orange jacket. Really, he would not be able to wear those clothes again after that day.
ôIÆm so glad youÆre here, Setsunaà!ö
Her body shuddered in bliss. While she liked being called æMistressÆ, there was something about the elation with which he said her name that drowned her in a stream of delight.
Shyly, hesitantly, her hand reached for his jacket, a single finger tracing the long tear MakotoÆs deadly attack had made. With only the tips of her fingers she held to the piece of ruined cloth. Her head remained low; eyes on the ground.
ôYouàare you okayà?ö She asked. Her voice tremulous, hesitant and feeble like cotton spores in the wind, full of urgent worry and sweet longing.
ôUm, yeah,ö Naruto replied calmingly, eager to please and ease the one he acknowledged as teacher. ôA bit tired from all the fighting, but IÆm okay. Ready to keep going, Mistress.ö
Normally, this would have been enough.
ôàreally?ö Setsuna insisted. She needed this: reassurance. ôàreally, really?ö
NarutoÆs cheeks tickled. The part of him that lacks prudency wanted to stroke SetsunaÆs head. ôYup.ö
His simple words became her strength. Setsuna took a deep breath, and regained her bearings.
ôHmm. Good.ö
She finally looked up; meeting NarutoÆs smile with confidence and sternness.
ôI wonÆt have you getting yourself killed today, boya.ö
ôEverybody step back!ö the Hokage shouted before busying his hands with a scary sequence of dozens of hand seals. The fireball released from his mouth flew like an arrow, becoming a huge explosion that entirely swallowed the Emissary of Oblivion, allowing a few moments of respite for the troubled shinobi.
ôYes, that works as well,ö Hiruzen spoke with satisfaction, as the concussive force from the explosion elicited a complaint from the giant Void abomination.
Some distance away from the action, Higashiyama Yurisa, who lacked the martial skill to engage in combat with that monster, acted as a chakra battery providing power for dozens of explosive tags crafted on the spot by a group of Chuunin.
Kotonoha appeared next to Setsuna.
ôAra, donÆt you two look happy indeed.ö
It was Naruto who turned deep red at the suggestion, while Setsuna clicked her tongue and tried (and failed) to hit the busty woman with her right elbow.
ôYou are annoying, udder woman.ö
Naruto turned around the moment he felt a much taller figure looming over him.
ôAh, yes, yes, thank you for the summonùö
One of YuriÆs tails poked NarutoÆs forehead.
ôReiton û Reijouzou no Jutsu.ö
NarutoÆs body went mightily stiff, his muscles suffering awkward spasms as he felt somethingàgooey and cold entering his body. No such thing could be seen; it was merely a perceptive artifact. Still, it was like freezing cold syrup flowing through his veins; an extremely unsettling feeling.
ôBuagh!ö He deeply exhaled the moment the tail ceased contact, not having realized he had been holding his breath the whole time. ôWhaùwhat theùyou crazy womanà!ö
Yuri held back on rolling her eyes this time, but the disdain in her face was remarkable.
ôHow do you feel, boy?ö
ôHow do you think Iùhuh? Waitàö
Indeed, what lingered was nothing but a most refreshing feeling, like a mint candy infusing his body with coolness. Furthermore, all traces of exhaustion were goneà!
ôWhaàö
ôI have replenished your chakra,ö Yuri succinctly explained. ôNow, I mustàö
Her breath stubbornly stuck to her throat, as the words refused to come up. Naruto felt a little grossed out as the seven-tailed Kitsune made all sorts of disturbing facial gestures, yet no sound would allow itself to escape her mouth. He also happened to notice SayokoÆs situation.
ôUhh, Sayoko-san, whatà?ö
ôPlease donÆt mind me, Naruto-kun. I will deal with this issue myself.ö
ôAhàum, sure.ö
ôIàughàurkàö Yuri was still struggling in her own way.
Behind the strange chakra prison, Yurimi and Mayuri watched the former Matriarch like they could not believe it.
ôItàit cannot possibly be that hard, Motheràö the current Matriarch opinioned. Mayuri just sighed and planted her forehead on her right palm.
Like a child who really, really doesnÆt want to eat her vegetables, Yuri turned her head to glance at Sayoko, whose face eloquently urged her to speak further.
ôUghàö Yuri was not enjoying this at all. ôDo I reallyà?ö
Finally, Sayoko gave up on the Kitsune she raised and said the words herself.
ôYuri-sama would hope for Naruto-kun to summon her.ö
Naruto promptly frowned.
ôSummon? Why would I need to summon her, sheÆs right theùoh hell no.ö
Yuri nodded with unreasonable satisfaction. ôThat is indeed what I said.ö
No, it wasnÆt.
ôWha-wha-why would I even want toàwith this crazy and evil woman!?ö
ItÆs not really a matter of wanting it, you know.
ôExactly!ö Yuri insisted, and then she paused. ôWait, what?ö
ôYes, you!ö Naruto confirmed, facing the seven-tails with the reckless assertiveness of an idiot. ôOnly a masochist would want to get close to the likes of you!ö
ôOh, hooo~?ö An scandalized Higashiyama Yuri retorted with a mocking yet musical tone while planting her hands on her hips. ôWell you are not precisely the godsÆ gift to women, boy. Why would you think IÆd want my wondrous self to be wielded by a little brute, hmm?ö
ôYu-Yuri-samaàö Sayoko uttered in dismay.
ôHuuuh?ö Naruto was rudely poking his right ear with a pinky finger, as if trying to clean it. ôSorry, but I donÆt speak jerkass!ö
ôMa-Masteràö YurimiÆs turn to be dismayed by the utterly childish scene developing before her.
ôWell thatÆs just sad,ö Yuri retorted. ôJust what kind of education did you receive from your parents, boyùö A mock gasp. Yuri curtly covered her mouth with her right hand. ôOh, IÆm so sorry!ö
Her voice made it awfully clear how not sorry she was.
Of course, the fact remains that NarutoÆs parents would not be dead if Yuri could properly control her own children. Then again, keeping a Kyuubi from doing as it pleases might be asking too much from this woman.
ôYouuuuuuuuà!ö Naruto growled, gritting his teeth in simmering anger.
ôWaaaahàö Setsuna uttered; her voice a mixture of awe and disgust at the sheer pettiness. Her feet instinctively took a step back.
ôHmph!ö Naruto crossed his arms stubbornly. ôSpeaks the one who doesnÆt have a clue about being a proper mother!ö
ôOoooh, low blowàö Setsuna commented, eliciting an odd look from Kotonoha next to her. A distance away, the Monkey King was engaged in a close-quarters scuffle with the many Void tendrils unleashed from the EmissaryÆs body. He was being aided by supporting fire from the ANBU. Of course, he was only a distraction for Jiraiya to land a few solid blows from the giantÆs blind spot.
ôWhat would an ignorant brat know, huh!?ö
Naruto immediately pointed at the sleeping foxgirl in the distance. Sayuri remained surprisingly deaf to the battle raging not particularly far from her.
ôExhibit A!ö Naruto shouted. ôI rest my goddamn case!ö
ôUuuurghàö Yuri growled in a far more restrained matter than Naruto just before. She hastily turned to Sayoko while rudely pointing at the boy in orange. ôAnd you want me to become this boyÆs weapon?ö
ôYes,ö Sayoko immediately responded.
ôMuuuàö Yuri fell to her knees in defeat. ôSayoko-saaaaaaaan~ö
ôYuri-sama!ö Sayoko wished she did not have to use her stern voice as often. ôThis is not time for such petty squabbling. Please act your age.ö
ôWait, wait, wait!ö Naruto interrupted. ôWhy are you talking as if IÆm going to go along with this!?ö
ôNaruto-sama,ö Kotonoha intervened. ôYuri-samaÆs Reiton does not work against the Emissary of Oblivion, but we cannot put aside Yuri-samaÆs great power and chakra capacity just for that reason. If there is a way Yuri-sama can contribute to this difficult battle, it is our responsibility to take it without hesitation.ö
ôBu-butà!ö Naruto weakly insisted. ôWe donÆt even know sheÆll transform into something usefulà!ö
ôExcuse me!?ö Yuri took that as a personal insult. ôThere should be no doubt IÆd become nothing but the strongest weapon!ö
ôWell arenÆt you confidentàö Naruto flatly pointed out. ôAah, mou, whatever! Yurine and Yuria are not here, so youÆll have to do.ö
ôNow whatÆs that supposed toùö Yuri suddenly paused. ôNow that you mentioned it, I made a rookie mistake, trying to summon Yuriaàö
NarutoÆs face revealed his wish for an explanation, which Sayoko provided.
ôWhen Yuria-sama was expelled from the Clan, she renounced to her Crest, thus separating herself from the ClanÆs general summoning contract.ö
ôYeah, now that you bring it up,ö Naruto pointed out, while dismissingly pointing at the tall seven-tails nearby with a thumb. Yuri felt insulted by the off-handed gesture and made her feelings visible with a pointed glare. ôWhy can this woman summon me, anyway?ö
ôThis womanàö Yuri muttered darkly.
ôNaruto-sama signed a contract with the entire Kitsune race,ö Kotonoha explained, stealing the words from Setsuna, who seemed eager to reassume her role as instructor. It became the loliÆs turn to heatedly glare at her so-called rival. ôThus any Kitsune who is aware of the contractÆs existence and knows the Summoning Technique can summon Naruto-sama as well.ö
Since family equaled Clan for the longest time, there was never a need to make separate contracts, which explains why Yuri can no longer summon Yuria, neither as a Clan member nor as her biological daughter. The Higashiyama Clan contract was protected two layers of security beyond the traditional offer of blood: the unique calligraphy of the name of each lilyùincluding their picks for kana or kanjiùand the artificial construct that was the Crest, acting as a ôsecond signatureö. Without any of these three elements, using or even participating in the contract was not possible.
ôAaaah, thatÆs enough rambling, you people!ö Setsuna claimed, although a knowing look from Kotonoha made clear that the four-tailed swordswoman knew why exactly Setsuna wanted to put an end to the exchange. ôThose guys over there will run out of tags and chakra at this rate.ö
ôIt would become a massacre, yes,ö Yuri added. ôLet us return to the battlefield, then.ö
ôAlright!ö The ever-eager Naruto for once agreed with the Silver Lily of the Netherworld.
ôYurimi-sama.ö
The new Matriarch looked behind her. She had, admittedly, forgotten about these two, what with her half-sisters being wounded and everything else.
ôKasukabe sisters.ö
The two tigresses, however, were not looking at their new liege. Their eyes were on the hulking black beast from the Labyrinth. Their irises glimmered with something resembling awe and hunger.
ôAre you afraid?ö
Those words inevitably pulled their eyes in YurimiÆs direction. They were now glowering, their brows furrowed at the disrespectful taunt.
ôWe are tigers!ö The older sister, Sei, declared fiercely. Because those words indeed should have explained everything.
ôCan you hurt it?ö
ôWe will hurt it,ö Sei stated with utmost confidence. ôJust give the order, milady.ö
Yurimi thought about that. They carried themselves with the pride of tigers, yet they could no longer act without the command from a lord. Just how broken were these girls? Just what did Yumemigahara do to them?
ôGo.ö
The word was enough. After exchanging glances, the tiger sisters stepped around Yurimi and waked towards the battlefield, followed by the eyes of those around them.
ôI shall join them as well, Naruto-sama,ö Kotonoha said. She smiled at her dear boy before following after the blonde sisters.
With the others gone, Naruto exhaled loudly, emptying his lungs to then take a good chunk of oxygen. Planting his hands on his sides, he glanced at the much taller person to his left. Yuri was looking down at him with a bored, unfriendly expression that annoyed Naruto to no end.
ôHmph!ö The two uttered as their turned away from each other. Sayoko sighed.
ôWell, at least their compatibility should not be that bad, if they can do thatàö
ôAaargh, letÆs do this already! Kuchiyose no Jutsu!ö
Yuri immediately jumped from NarutoÆs left to his right side via the Summoning Technique. It was rather silly.
ôWell, here goes nothing,ö Yuri said.
ôFamous last words.ö
Naruto found himself the target of a rather cute glare.
ôHmph, Henge.ö
I'll give him a pass on the stone for two reasons, One both Naruto and Sayoko are a little more worried about the Avatar literally beating down on them right now, and Two, he really shouldn't give it back to her unless they are alone. The key is really one of those things you don't want ANYONE to know about, and for those who know of it, it's really quite better that as few people as possible knows who has it, or worst, that those who knew Sayoko possessed it find out about someone else having even HAD possession of it. Remember, this is dealing with thoughts and beings that can drive you insane just from the knowledge of their existance.
