The movement of everyone is fast and concise, Yūji had a somewhat tense face moving toward seriousness, he was thinking about the fact of influencing more on his own origin really, if he had a clan he wants to discover why they were exterminated, and if they have jutsus that only they can perform. Although it may seem insignificant, for him anything that dates from his origin is important and to increase his power, so no one will have to trample him as they have been doing, finally practising the combination of his energies and so that his body does not collapse at every moment.
Upon arriving at the grass village, Mui blinked in surprise to see that the destruction or the flattening that left only a deep dome in the centre of the castle almost reached Kusagakure, if it weren't for very little, it really is a surprise to see, swallowing some saliva, even cold sweat passed down his forehead due to scepticism.
" we have arrived, come on, follow me to my home... I will give you that and I will have to notify the daimyo about the death of the superiors " he spoke calmly, after all, what happened less than an hour ago were moments of tension that burdened them.
Yūji followed the man in silence, Daigo looked at everything calmly, it seems that the living conditions in the grass village have improved, while Genshō seemed very excited to see the outside he had missed many years in Hōzuki castle, even if it was only a village he had visited some time ago, seeing it again in his long-desired freedom is... refreshing " this place here has really changed... even if we don't realise it the world goes on, huh? " the boy's voice came out surprised, his dark-sclera eyes looking at everyone smiling.
The redhead let out a small laugh " yes, I guess that's how it is, at least... I can notice it now " he still carried the reflection Chouko made to him, with his mouth closed showing tranquility, no longer so effusive, no longer so depressive, a radiant calm.
This time the boys arrived at what seems to be Mui's estate, the man when he arrived spoke in a low voice " I'm home " that dead expression shows a slight hidden glow, since the steps he knew perfectly and was used to were heard.
" ah, Father! You arrived earlier today, the daimyo was very agitated and all the villagers were frightened, everyone saw how the sky lost its clouds and it trembled, I was helping build several houses from the beginning, do you know what happened? Did something serious happen? It came from the direction of Hōzuki castle " a well-built and quite handsome boy came out of the kitchen with a forehead protector bearing the grass-village symbol, although he seemed Genshō's age.
Yūji opened his eyes wide in surprise, that boy... is a copy of Mui if he didn't have depression and was truly happy.
" yes... things happened... it will be notified soon to everyone, don't worry son, I present these people to you, be cordial and kind, they are now an important part of the village " presented Mui now moving a little to show Yūji, since his son had seen the other two but not the shining redhead
Yūji smiles calmly " hello, nice to meet you, I ' m Yūji... Uzumaki Yūji "
" you didn't ask but I'm Genshō Ryūdōin! " Genshō introduced himself very happily.
Muku smiled nervously to look at the tallest of the three, the dark man only smiled sideways, raised his hand forming the peace sign " Daigo "
" a pleasure to meet you, if my father says you are important people for Kusagakure, I will firmly believe it, my name is Muku, son of Mui " he gave a small bow, showing his manners in front of them.
Mui smiled very shortly but visibly, thinking deeply that if the box had not been opened, it was possible that the superiors would do everything possible to try to open it.
Even to give their own son...
Just thinking about it caused him pain from the pit of his stomach, seriously thinking that he would have been capable of giving his son just for that damned box, the good thing in all this is that it was made clear that the box did not grant wishes, instead it harboured a powerful being for them, that could cause damage and instead of benefiting the grass village would have led it to collapse.
Luckily above all it did not reach such extremes, and his son was there in front of him.
He still doesn't know what to do with that box, now exposed, but it is possible it will no longer function as he'd glimpsed
" well, Yūji, follow me, here I have the map that can help you on your journey " the man walked to where he kept his ninja things and everything he had managed to obtain through his own efforts, walking away from the area, leaving the two men with Mui's son.
Muku seeing the boy leave blinked in surprise " so... is that boy the one in charge of you? " he touched some of his long hair showing a crooked smile, Daigo held back his laughter at that question, if he thought about it, that was funny, due to the size difference or resemblance it could be that Daigo was in charge of those two.
But this time Genshō seemed to answer, pushing the man " he's my boss! I'll follow him to the end because he freed me and he's very powerful! Don't judge him just because he's a child... he's so powerful he could easily beat your father " he smiled proudly exhibiting the one who would be his mentor soon, not ashamed that he was younger than him.
Muku blinked in surprise, that child who looked six years old, beating an almost elite Jōnin who is his father? Is this boy delusional? He looked at the man who hadn't said anything for answers, maybe an adult has a more sensible mind...
Daigo just sighed with amusement after the laughter inside him calmed down, raising his shoulders with arms crossed " what can I say, I can't deny it because it's true, that kid is very strong, that's why I'll start following him, he'll show me the fun of life " he heard how Genshō seemed happy with that explanation. Daigo finally let out that laugh he held back.
Muku didn't know how to react, his eyes blinked sceptically at what they said. So the two were crazy...
When he wanted to say something, he saw the boy come out with a large scroll, but his smile was happy " look! Here I have the map, I finally know where the land of the whirlpools is, I think we could find something there " the boy spoke with great joy, excited to feel he was making progress.
Mui just sighed in that dead gesture giving a smile " you just have to be careful... don't always try to sneak into areas you shouldn't, especially if they are in the five great villages, that is very dangerous since the Kages are not just any ninja, and it's possible you won't be able to enter since you have two ex-convicts with you, plus Daigo " the man spoke calmly, seeing how the boy showed a hard look.
" of course I will "
Muku didn't understand what was happening, he blinked in surprise, but who was he to judge the people his own father brought home.
Yūji looked at the small group he had formed " we leave today, although we have to buy food, I don't think we can eat from the little I have " he smiled embarrassed since he only had food for himself, but now there are two more people.
He didn't say it, but Mui gave them a reward, a lot of ryō with which they can live well for a few weeks. The man really had money.
The red-haired boy's group went out to buy supplies to eat at least until they recover, Muku stood next to his father who watched those boys leave " father, are you sure they were people who benefited Kusagakure? "
Mui, arms crossed, leaning in his doorway's corner, feeling that the years he had spent bound to that box were finally freed " more than you imagine, son, at least to me he is a true hero " in the end, the man gave a sincere smile, relieved. Watching the young boy and those convicts leave... who knows what awaits them in future? He is interested to know
Remembering a bit about what he spoke with the boy when he led him directly for that map, when they met, all fell into a sepulchral silence, Mui stood still in position, turning his back on the boy.
" tell me, Yūji, why are you so set on finding that land? Why did you infiltrate Hōzuki castle in the first place? " Mui analysed everything about the boy, especially his behaviour.
Slowly he revealed his face, and saw the boy had a crushed gaze, that frown he showed earlier.
" I was scared, and I ran away from my family... I... was afraid of hurting those I loved, all because I'm weak " Yūji clenched his hands, which turned white from the exertion " but... I know with this journey I'm determined to make... I won't be a weak person anymore, I will become someone strong and powerful, I just... want to protect my own " he whispered, his childish voice emerging, for Yūji, the most important in his life are all the people of Amegakure, remembering those civilians who barely showed a true smile, his companions who smile for him, those he already considered father figures, Konan, Pain,... his sister.
That afflicted gaze looked determined, lifting his face to the man " just as you have people you love, I do too, that's why I'm travelling, because I want to become strong, someone who can't be trodden on, someone fragile and foolish... I will make everyone respect me, and when I say everyone, that includes the Kages... this world is full of death and pain, I... will be someone powerful so that everything ends, and true peace returns, one where nobody has to fight, and we can... live in peace " remembering how Konan cried for peace, how despite those weak smiles, everyone lived in a suffering that seemed never-ending, and seeing what Mui did and his wish for the box, made clear everyone wants to be the greatest source of power.
So... he will be that source of power, it won't be a village, it won't be a Kage.
It will be him.
Mui looked at him with wide eyes in surprise at his sincerity, in the end, he sighed to smile solemnly " I can't wait to see what you become, and you really... live up to what you said " Mui mentioned calmly, extending the map he already had ready " you have noble values, and you don't covet, on the contrary, you want to end an era of suffering... I will be waiting for that, I will, Uzumaki Yūji, if you ever need anything, you can trust me "
With that light conversation, the boy smiled taking the map, at least it seems he has earned a companion at the cost of everything that happened.
" him? Father? "
Mui came out of his thoughts by how his son spoke, he simply stroked Muku's hair seeing the questionable group had gone and entered, he had to hold a direct meeting with the grass village and possibly, he will now rise to command as a counsellor, since most of them were exterminated by Satori.
A new grass-village ruler is forming now.
And while all that happened with Mui and Kusagakure, the group bought all the provisions and left immediately, walking calmly, only their steps and the sound of wild animals heard, the light dimmed until it turned orange with lilac touches, it was late, during that time Genshō hasn't stopped expressing excitement at feeling his freedom and telling Yūji his life and all he had to suffer, how he fought ninjas from the leaf village for vengeance, how they were thieves and his brothers are lost, but Yūji despite listening felt curious about Daigo and his chakra, he had seen him emit lightning so his nature must clearly be lightning.
The man didn't say anything on the whole way, listening to the pale-blond's entire story.
" Daigo " when he spoke directly to the man, he saw him stop giving him a calm smile " I want you to teach me your fighting style... at least, I want you to fight me " the child's gaze was firm saying it, causing the man to open his eyes in surprise, Genshō on hearing it was the same, wouldn't this be a peaceful journey?
" are you sure? "
" of course, I won't use techniques as powerful as what... I used with that monster, we'll fight fairly, please, I feel your way of fighting will be something I couldn't even expect "
Genshō blinked holding some of the things the three bought, but hearing those words gave him a boost to climb a tree canopy holding on with chakra along the trees, feeling so free using his chakra was the best, but he felt the atmosphere would be dangerous, on his face a nervous smile already showing.
But the excitement is palpable, he will see fight again the one who is his little self-made boss.
Daigo analysed the boy, noting he seemed to be preparing himself, he had removed his ninja sandals and wrapped his feet, he had always noticed that before any fight or if it's unexpected he wraps them, this time the dark man narrowed his eyes to analyse him " do you really want to fight? A few hours ago you fought that bijū-like monster, don't you want to rest? "
" I can't rest, I want to become strong, I want to be powerful, and if you manage to teach me, I know I will become strong... that's how I do it " hearing that explanation stirred a fervour in Daigo he hadn't felt in a long time.
Even though he hated fights and killings, it's strange that a boy can ignite the flame that neither his father nor brother could, Daigo began to smile slightly " I'll tell you once more, Yūji, are you sure? "
He saw in surprise how dark vibrant flames appeared in the boy's hands, seeing his tense gaze and marked smile made clear he no longer needed to ask.
Yūji felt his chest beat, now that his soul is one with Sukuna, he can feel the emotion, the fervent emotion of battle, his hands even tingled from the sensation.
Daigo just sighed, took off his shirt he always wore, that calm gesture began to harden, his eyes now looked sharp, Yūji saw in surprise Daigo's body, a body as he had imagined, it was muscular, but had scars he couldn't count as there were many, scars he himself could almost feel.
He saw Daigo get into a stance he didn't recognise, and to his surprise, his body was wreathed in chakra, is he really surrounded by chakra? Unlike conventional chakra, this is aggressive, he always knew pure chakra is malleable, but this feels like electricity, so of the five natures, raiton chakra can be the most lethal.
" well then, I won't be gentle with you, if you want to learn from me, I will teach you as my father trained me, movement by movement, bone by bone breaking " Daigo's hands spread, unleashing all his chakra finally felt so good though a bit rusty, his body has muscle memory as it feels as if he had always done it in all the years he didn't use it, feeling adrenaline in his muscles and how they began to tense.
Yūji saw in surprise how Daigo's eyes vanished, leaving a penetrating white, how his long hair began to rise and move with too much agitation, that release looked violent and overflowing making him dig his legs into the grass from the pressure, his smile became more noticeable on his face, Yūji was ecstatic.
No words were needed, just seeing the man vanish before him made his whole scalp tingle ' it's so fast! ' his eyes seemed to open in slow motion.
It's very fast, but he barely reacted to the powerful blow Daigo launched at his side, his body twisted unnaturally, that chakra-infused body as he blocked the blow felt his hand burn, he let out a groan of pain from the burning, and with a resounding destructive-speed sound, the forest they had walked through where the boy struck made many trees collapse and dragged the surrounding area in depth, a single blow was enough to destroy most of the forest, smelling burnt.
Daigo now looked serious, no longer had that characteristic charisma-filled smile, for the first time he resembled his brother with that irritable, egocentric, proud face, though he denied the resemblance, if any Kumo ninja saw him they would think the Raikage was angry beyond recognition.
Yūji managed to stop his strikes at last with his legs, the blood from his mouth was from how a slight touch of Daigo's heavy hand broke his lip, he smiled with composure, his thumb wiping the bloodstain from his lip.
He will really learn perfectly with Daigo, he felt Daigo had hidden his power even if he denied it, but it's possible the man revealed his strength just to show he himself is not useless. Yūji with his cursed energy began to run with speed, Daigo witnessed how the boy from kilometres away from his position appeared before him, he tried to block him but didn't expect the boy's agility and flexibility, he changed his pivot painfully, the blow that seemed aimed at his abdomen hit the side of his head, surprising him.
The lightning armour should protect him from any chakra blow or taijutsu itself, no wonder his father, his brother and he were feared for so long, it's such powerful armour that even an S-rank jutsu can't harm them
But the boy with that substance protruding from his arms and legs managed to strike him directly in the head, he bled profusely as he bit himself with that blow, being thrown through the air, doing several somersaults in the sky before crashing three times on the ground, destroying it and surrounding trees in the process, kicking up dust and hurling chunks of earth in all directions uncontrollably, on the last flip he landed on his feet to dash at the boy, now living up to his armour's name, now he looked like lightning, his speed left only a flicker and an incandescent line moving back and forth, a very admirable and professional speed, something even Yūji might lose track of.
Yūji tried to follow but it was impossible, his eyes couldn't track him, he formed a hand seal and saying his jutsu's name executed it " Jutsu: Body Replacement " although he didn't shout it, now by Sukuna's binding vow he had to say it, when the man struck him he vanished in smoke and the log fell before Daigo, the man tried to find him but it seems Yūji can hide well.
Yūji appeared emerging from the ground before him making rapid gestures launching another jutsu shouting before performing it " Wind Style: Violent Whirlwind! "
Daigo appreciates how the boy shouted his jutsu, something that though inevitable makes him smile and almost laugh, is he kidding that he has to shout his jutsus? A child will be a child after all, it's the only thing he can think when the boy released the jutsu, when he said its name he already knows what type of jutsu he's using, no need to move, it's just a basic chūnin-level jutsu.
His lightning armour won't let a basic jutsu harm him. Daigo calmly watches the whirlwinds emerge from the boy's mouth, he smiled ready to strike and dispel them ready to unleash one of his powerful techniques, but when he was about to, he saw in surprise those decent-sized whirlwinds begin to grow abyssal, so large he had to back off for his own good, he felt threatened by that whirlwind that intimidated him.
" it's impossible! " he couldn't believe those whirlwinds now looked like tornadoes, he had to bury his legs to prevent them carrying him into the skies, despite his lightning armour protecting him, it was too violent and suffocating making him growl just to stay steady, Genshō though in a distant spot could barely hold himself, being dragged equally by the jutsu's pressure, those tornadoes were about to carry him away. Genshō was surprised by that jutsu's efficacy, which he also knew, it's fast, it's lethal, it no longer seems a basic jutsu, it's too terrifying.
Yūji saw perfectly how the binding vow enhanced his jutsu, feeling happy, he doesn't mind losing his dignity just shouting his jutsus, it's fine, now that Daigo is protecting himself from the tornadoes, the red-haired boy ran among the debris flying around, stepping on them with extreme lightness despite the speed he'd taken just to reach the man, he channelled his fist full of CE, ready to strike directly to knockout, he noticed that with chakra it was impossible to harm him, otherwise those tornadoes would already have damaged or passed through him, but there he still stood firm.
Daigo had his arms crossed trying to stay put, growling at the force, the ground cracked from him digging in with his feet, however, he didn't notice the boy had already appeared before him, his white eyes opened in surprise, seeing that what was new on his fists wasn't condensed chakra, it was different, very different, and just for that he felt threatened again.
It's incredible that that boy can make him feel threatened.
Yūji shouted, his face with a great marked smile, his eyes wide, and struck directly at the man's chest, which despite stopping it in time with one hand, he was thrown forcefully, he gritted his teeth upon impact ' this really hurts! ' Daigo says gripping his legs in the earth, but he couldn't withstand it, he was thrown at terrifying, impressive speeds, but Daigo stabilised, gritting his now blood-stained teeth.
Yūji sighed between breaths, to be fair, he wasn't using RCT, his body felt all the blows Daigo gave him, he broke several points and damaged organs, seeing how his hand despite covering it with CE, the man's oppressive chakra burned his whole arm, from which smoke still rose " it's powerful, oppressive... and it's coming again " he saw in surprise as Daigo barely stabilised ran straight at him.
But this time he felt the threat, something that made him ready and brace himself.
Daigo ultimately hadn't used his armour's greatest potential, but the boy feels he deserves to see it, his technique is based on taijutsu and nintaijutsu, so despite everything, he enhanced his attack, the mass of his armour around him shone, illuminating the area around him, night had fallen, but just by boosting his armour a little, it looked lit as if it were daytime " you're going to feel this pressure, Yūji! " Daigo shouted, on his fists you couldn't tell, the white covered his body, rising to impressive levels, something that surprised Yūji and made him activate RCT
' that's too much chakra! ' was all Yūji could think receiving the frontal blow, the moment he got it, he was sent flying, his bones shattered instantly, Yūji's eyes turned white spewing a lot of blood, the blow opened parts of his body, and he felt a leg and an arm detach, but RCT healed his entire body at incredible speed before the man noticed. He said he wouldn't use RCT but was forced to if he didn't want him to see that literally, Daigo could kill him.
' this force... no doubt, Daigo is so powerful, and so terrifying with that active ' Yūji saw as he fell how Daigo's aspect had changed, his chakra seemed almost alive, its colour shown from blue to an incandescent white glow, such aggressive chakra it made him shiver, without RCT his body would have exploded into multiple parts the moment he hit him. ' if I hadn't used RCT, he might have killed me so easily... '
Seeing he was about to fall, the man who now couldn't be seen, only a white stain, had a big, quite sadistic smile " I will teach you a technique that even made my brother tremble! " he shouted forcefully, when the boy fell, all the chakra of his armour concentrated at a single point, his arms, his chakra began to condense, Yūji as he fell opened his eyes at the terrifying display, Daigo was only playing with him.
Above them, because of the night no one saw that clouds gathered around them, Daigo by his own lightning manifestation drew the atmosphere to him, the clouds charged with an electric storm, the man smiled confidently, because by raising his chakra to a point where he can attract and form electric storm clouds, it's a very dangerous ability that could even injure him, a figure made from his abundant chakra appeared, it looked like a man with a beast's face, seeming to hold a drum in his arms, an enraged gaze, his hair billowed like the clouds, but all emanated from Daigo himself " SHŌRAI! " he shouted as lightning struck his direction, hitting the ground swiftly, Yūji didn't hesitate, used RCT the moment he was struck.
But the entire ground lit up and exploded, Genshō was lucky to move away earlier, seeing in terror how the area where those boys had been no longer existed, it was as if day had broken in that moment, so bright it made him exhale " it can't be... "
Lightning lines shone like pillars in the sky momentarily, and when it ended, Daigo deactivated his power, the clouds vanished, he expelled large amounts of blood just to see how the boy's clothing disappeared and his body was darkened, steam rose from his body, that technique consumed much, and is one of his most powerful... no wonder he helped in the war and was greatly feared, killing six thousand ninjas in an instant. He was as renowned as his own father.
Daigo thought that was a sufficient demonstration, it was only a moment he used his armour's maximum potential, unintentionally he worried about the boy, was it too much? He's only a six-year-old child, but that same child fought like a bijū, he approached the boy hearing the earth hiss and the trees that were there had exploded " Yūji, are you okay? "
To his surprise the boy raised his face, he had a dazed expression, Daigo found it funny " it's incredible you withstood one of my most powerful techniques, you have a very strong body " undoubtedly for the man it was a surprise, especially that the boy was only burned, and his respect as admiration for the boy grew.
But Yūji only cried internally ' raiton is so scary... I never thought I'd hide such incredible force, yes, without RCT I would have died before he hit me with that final attack, how weak I am ' he lamented a little
" it was incredible, really incredible! Daigo, you are... very strong " he got up with the man's help, but was ashamed that the attack left him naked, the man smiled amused " so strong he destroyed my clothes "
" well, you wanted to know, right? Don't worry, Genshō has everything, when we return you can get dressed " he waved his hand releasing hearty laughs " now you're much higher on my admiration list, Yūji, that attack easily kills six to seven thousand people in an instant, I'm glad I followed my instinct! " he punched Yūji's shoulder strongly laughing, while the boy looked at him with glazed eyes
But this fight served to show him that Daigo could easily fight alone and win. " by the way, is that the only powerful technique you have? " asked the boy curiously, the man wiped debris seeing the severe burns on his body
" no, it's one of many "
" please be my teacher! " shouted the boy excitedly " it was incredible, you're so strong! " he clasped his hands pleading for Daigo to teach him, raiton... it's more powerful than the other chakra natures, the man only fought with taijutsu! He needed nothing else.
Daigo was surprised " really? Well... it's the only chakra nature we all Kumo ninjas have, but I'm glad I've come this far... I thought it impenetrable but one of your techniques that looked like dark flames hitting me really hurt " he rubbed his goatee-beard slowly smiling, upon hearing that Yūji stopped him from speaking further
" wait, black flames? You saw black flames on my fists and feet? " the boy looked surprised at what the man said
" yes, I don't know what that technique is, but it's strong "
The boy thought Daigo could not see his CE, Suiren and Satori could since both have chakra, but CE is different, it's pure cursed energy... Mui also had cursed energy and chakra in his techniques, what could that mean?
" by any chance... have you seen anything else like what I've expelled? " he covered his fist with CE again, making Daigo stroke his goatee slowly
" I've seen that all people emit a very strange aura, just like you, unlike this technique, I only see mists around people, it's very faint, I only thought I had a gift to see those things but they're harmless... does it have to do with your jutsu? " Daigo thought those flames were a jutsu, Yūji was slightly puzzled, blinking
" ah... well... " he felt odd, the man could see cursed energy, he has talent, could it mean something?
" hey! we have to flee right now! Ninjas from Konoha, some from the rain and from the grass village are coming here, Kusagakure doesn't worry them but Konoha and Amegakure do! we have– ah you're naked! why are you naked and have an active jutsu!? " Genshō had arrived, worried because the commotion his fight caused attracted attention from one great and two smaller villages, they can explain to Kusagakure but not to the other two.
Yūji didn't worry about being naked then, showed his fist to Genshō in surprise " also... can you see this too? " it's incredible, he thought Genshō was useless, but he can see cursed energy.
Why?
They're the first people he's seen who don't need anything to perceive it.
" never mind! Here, get dressed, we have to go! They'll arrive any second at the speed they move " his nerves were clear, he threw clothes at Yūji, the boy finally pressed his lips, for now he shouldn't worry, he dispelled the jutsu and dressed quickly
" let's go right now " his face serious before running off, Daigo analysed the boy's sample, frowning slightly, why was he worried they'd see when he used his technique?
He has doubts, and Yūji will answer them when they're far from the other ninjas, the only nervous one looking around is Genshō.
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[ Illustration in today's comments! ]
[I think it's already very clear that Yūji's appearance altered Naruto's original storyline, and characters that literally don't exist are showing up and yes, that does mean something.]
[I've seen a lot of comments hating the fact that Yūji is fragile and, across these 60 chapters, at least the last ten not so much, he's suffered an identity crisis. It's normal; I already explained why he doubted his ideals. And although he retains some important memories from his life as Itadori Yūji, most of them are blocked. He also has the soul of an eight-year-old child and the body of an eight-year-old, so it's natural that he's weak and not at his best. Be patient, I don't want to make a protagonist who suddenly can defeat Kaguya with one punch. Don't forget that Naruto's power system is far superior to JJK; remember that even Gege said Kakashi could beat Gojo. Patience, patience.]
[Daigo is a new character, but he's as powerful as the Third Raikage, perhaps even more, so Yūji is bound to become incredible, hehe.]