Naruto: Legacy Undone

Orochimaru wasted no time before walking to stand infront of his three students and began speaking.

"Remember, there can be only one winner in this fight." He drawled. "You are allies with Kiri due to convenience. Do not turn your back on them. Do not assume they will not do their utmost to win just as you will. Once you feel the tide against Iwa has irrevocably turned in your favor, they are your next greatest threat. The Yuki and Kaguya bloodlines are strong forces that beat back many challengers in the time of unending war. Do not underestimate them, but more importantly do not be caught off guard by them, he who strikes first, strikes twice."

He saw Naruto frown, even as the other two girls nodded in understanding. Whatever infatuation the boy had with the Yuki girl he could only hope it wouldn't cost the team once push came to shove.

If it did...well...it'd be enough of an embarrassment for the boy to serve as a good enough lesson.

"You've trained yourselves well." It was as close to open, unabashed praise as they were going to get from him. "Now go out there and show these Iwa fools that even without the Yondaime they're only fit to serve as our boot-licks."

And without another word he turned and marched after the Daimyo and his guards.

-0-

Magojiro finished climbing the last step, grunting as he did. He was getting old already. His joints and muscles aching even if his heart was still beating normally.

He found Onoki already waiting there, beside him was another man he'd never met but could recognize easily enough. A hulking mountain of muscle, white hair framing a scowling face as he stared down at the hissing mass of people below.

Onoki turned, facing him as he heard his approach. Nodding. No bow this time; no, he wouldn't be getting any of those today without offering some of his own first. "Magojiro-dono."

The Daimyo nodded. "Tsuchikage-dono." He turned to the other man who turned to face him. "Raikage-dono."

'A' looked at him, offering little more.

Koutou made his way closer to his designated seat, trailing his eyes down towards the widening ring of people in order to give the gennin plenty of room to fight. Jounin could easily defend against any attack a gennin could pull off. But there were always some outliers that could pull off some crazy stunts every once in a blue moon.

"So its true." The Raikage looked back to him again. "You actually had the nerve to show up yourself."

Koutou smiled. It was as close to an open threat as had been offered during his stay, not counting Onoki's granddaughter of course.

"Of course I did. In my shoes, you'd like to see your gennin win as well."

A's lip curled. Koutou found his candor to be a pleasant breath of fresh air.

"So much posturing already." A feminine voice replied, drawing their eyes towards a copper haired female.

She was younger than any of them had been expecting. Early twenties at best. Rumors had been flying over a dispute for the position of Yondaime Mizukage that had threatened to break into all out civil war. If she'd managed to oust her competitor or competitors then she must be more powerful than her age warranted.

"Mizukage-dono." Onoki greeted, watching as the woman was soon flanked by two monstrously tall men wielding massive blades.

The Demon of the Bloody mist and the Monster of Kiri. Besides himself, Mei had brought the greatest escort. A had brought none, the only other Kumo nin here were the sensei of the two participating teams. Koutou had-

"It looks like we're all here then."

The serpent slithered out of the floor, his body melting out of the wooden panels at their feet with that smirk plastered over his face, hair falling over one eye as the other glinted in a practiced look that was meant to inspire unease.

Onoki's lip curled at the sight of him. What he wouldn't give to wipe that smug little smile permanently off his face.

"I assume your respective teams are ready." He addressed them as he turned away and stepped onto the edge of the platform. With no words of protest emerging from any he decided to proceed. "Alright...lets get this started then."

-0-

"Ryoko-san!" The silver haired girl's head snapped up at the sound of Haku calling her name, swiveling her eyes this way and that way, she found the dark haired girl waving over the heads of the crowd to get their attention.

"Hey." She spoke towards Kyofu and Naruto. "This way."

Pushing through the thin crowds near the front lines the three students made their way closer towards their de-facto allies.

Once they did, it was easy to find the Iwa teams.

"That them?" Naruto asked, squinting to try and get a better look.

It was Kimimaro that nodded. "It is. There is at least one bloodline user in Iwa's team, though we've not been informed of who it is, or what bloodline it is."

"Well that's helpful. Took a load off my mind right there." Ryoko muttered.

The bone wielder scowled at the sarcasm while Haku giggled.

Still squinting Naruto decided to offer a bit of sagely advice. "Look for the weird looking one." He nodded to himself. "Bloodline users always look weird."

"Excuse me."

His "Sakura-angry-danger-senses" were going off at Haku'd deathly sweet tone.

"Uhhh...I mean...that is all of them except for pretty Yuki clan members." He ventured with one foot poised to run away.

Haku patted him on the head, a sprinkle of frost glimmering there, sending a shiver down his spine. "Nice try."

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