Naruto: Seiryu's Aether

Konoha Village Gate

Danzo Shimura stood by the gate, arms crossed, his brow furrowed with impatience. He'd been there since dawn, silently fuming at the empty stretch of road before him, eyes constantly scanning for any sign of movement.

An hour passed. Then another. The morning rolled around, his mood had soured into barely contained irritation.

At last, two figures approached... Kūga and Kenta, strolling casually, Kūga looking as relaxed as ever, while Kenta was bright-eyed, clearly excited. Danzo's jaw clenched as he watched them, crossing his arms tighter.

Kūga greeted him with a wave, offering a light grin. "Morning, Danzo. Ready for the journey?"

Danzo's eyes narrowed. "You're late," he replied coldly, his tone controlled but unmistakably annoyed.

Kūga only chuckled, unbothered. "Couldn't rush it this morning. Had a few things to settle." He glanced around, noticing the absence of a certain someone. "By the way, Reifū won't be joining us. She had… 'important things' to take care of."

Kenta snorted, a knowing smile crossing his face. "Right… 'important things.'" He and Kūga exchanged a look, and Kūga nodded in amusement. Danzo, however, just sighed and shook his head, muttering something under his breath as he looked off into the distance.

*Flashback*

Inside the Hokage Tower, Kūga stood before Hashirama and Tobirama as they went over the final details of his mission. Hashirama glanced between the two, his tone light.

"So, Kūga, any special stops planned?" he asked.

Kūga grinned. "Actually, yeah. Kenta's been wanting a custom gauntlet for a while now. Figured we'd make a stop at the Land of Iron so he can finally get it done."

Kenta, who had been listening nearby, practically beamed at the mention, excitement lighting up his face.

Tobirama nodded, acknowledging the detour. "The Land of Iron's a good choice for that kind of work," he replied. "But while we're on the topic, Kūga, I could use your advice on ANBU."

Kūga tilted his head, intrigued. "Alright. ANBU is meant to handle the village's more… delicate tasks, right? So, start with a few trusted shinobi who share the same vision. Strength's important, but loyalty and belief in your mission are what'll keep them steady."

Tobirama listened intently, nodding as he absorbed the suggestions.

"Oh, and one more thing," Hashirama added, a letter in hand. "Could you make a stop in the capital of the Land of Hot Springs and deliver this to the daimyo? It's a request to arrange a visit for me soon."

Kūga took the letter, tucking it away. "No problem. I'll make sure it gets delivered."

The meeting finished, Kūga turned to leave the tower but was stopped by Hashirama's call. "And hey," he said with a grin, "no turning the mission into another party."

Kūga just laughed, raising a hand in farewell. "No promises."

.

As Kūga walked home after the meeting, he spotted Reifū up ahead, her familiar figure moving gracefully as she strolled toward the gate.

"Hey, Reifū!" he called out, catching her attention.

She turned, a warm smile lighting up her face as he approached. "Finished with the meeting?" she asked.

"Yeah," Kūga replied, matching her pace. "So… figured I'd ask one last time. You coming along?"

Reifū's smile wavered slightly, and she glanced off to the side, avoiding his eyes. "Well… I'd love to, but the girls and I have some things planned. Important stuff."

Kūga chuckled, clearly amused. "Oh, really? 'Important stuff,' huh?"

She bit her lip, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Yes," she replied defensively, though there was a slight grin tugging at her lips. "Important things that require… girl time."

He gave her a knowing look but didn't press, merely nodding with a grin. "Fair enough. I'll be back before you know it."

She relaxed, relief evident in her smile. "Take care out there, alright?"

"Always," he replied, giving her a quick hug before heading off to prepare for the journey.

*Flashback End*

Kūga stretched, looking at the three of them before continuing, "Alright, before we head out, let's go over our route. We'll be passing through the Land of Iron first, where Kenta has a special errand. Then we'll go to the Land of Rice, the Land of Hot Springs, the Land of Frost, and finally reach the Land of Lightning."

Danzo gave a slight nod, but there was a glint of skepticism in his eyes. "Why the detours?"

Kūga raised an eyebrow, shrugging. "We've got orders to fulfill at each stop. If you're worried about efficiency, you'll just have to trust me."

Danzo's eyes narrowed but he said nothing, choosing instead to glare out at the road ahead.

.

Land of Iron, Three Days Later

After the long journey, Kūga, Kenta, and Danzo arrived at the Land of Iron, the cold mountain air bracing yet familiar to Kūga. Snowflakes drifted down in the early morning light, and the ancient forges of the iron workshops emitted a low hum, filling the air with the scent of metal and embers.

As they walked through the village, Kūga's eyes landed on a familiar figure, standing a distance away, training a group of samurai.

It was Kojiro Sasaki, the head trainer of the Land of Iron's samurai forces, his stance as disciplined as ever.

Kūga raised a hand in greeting. "Sasaki-san."

Sasaki looked over, his gaze sharp but warm as he saw Kūga approaching. A faint smile crossed his face as he dismissed his students, walking over to greet his old friend. "Kūga-san, it's been a while."

"It has," Kūga replied with a grin, his eyes glinting with familiarity. "Still doing samurai things, I see?"

Sasaki chuckled lightly. "As usual. Training and discipline, always the way of the samurai."

He then gave Kūga an assessing look. "And you? What brings you here?"

Kūga shrugged. "Running a few errands before heading off for a mission," he said. "Thought I'd get something made for my student here."

He motioned to Kenta and Danzo, who stepped forward with respectful nods.

Kenta was the first to speak, a grin spreading across his face. "Hello, Sasaki-san. I'm Kenta. Kūga-sensei's… well, his only student, I guess."

Danzo gave a polite nod, his expression guarded but curious. "I'm Danzo Shimura," he said simply, his tone reserved.

Sasaki returned the nods, his gaze shifting between the two young men. "It's good to meet you both," he replied. He then looked back at Kūga, a glint of humor in his eyes.

"You're collecting quite the group, Kūga-san."

Kūga laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Guess so. Keeps things interesting."

The small talk continued for a while, with Sasaki and Kūga catching up on recent events. They discussed the Land of Iron's latest changes, the ongoing training of new samurai, and Konoha's current affairs. After a few more moments, Kūga straightened, giving Sasaki a respectful nod.

"Well, Sasaki-san, we've got to get moving. Got an appointment with a certain grumpy blacksmith."

Sasaki chuckled knowingly. "Ah, Master Genji. He'll be glad to see you—though I doubt he'll admit it." With a final nod, Sasaki bid them farewell, and Kūga led the others to the forge.

.

The forge was massive, a building carved into the mountain itself, with intricate designs and armor lining the walls. As they approached, Kūga felt the air thicken with heat, the sound of hammering echoing from inside. They stepped in, and the smell of iron and coals hit them immediately.

Inside, the blacksmith Master Genji was hunched over his worktable, his thick arms and scowl making him look both focused and intimidating. Kūga stepped forward, and as soon as Genji looked up and saw him, a flicker of happiness broke through the blacksmith's usual grumpiness.

"Well, well, if it isn't Kūga," Genji greeted, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble. "You've finally decided to show up. Let me see that katana of yours, it's been ages."

Kūga grinned and, with a casual wave of his hand, pulled the Infinite Severer from thin air. The katana seemed to materialize, the air shimmering as it appeared. Kenta, used to Kūga's disregard for the rules of physics, simply watched with mild amusement, but Danzo's eyes widened in surprise.

The sight of the katana made Genji's eyes light up with an almost childlike wonder. "That's still as fine a blade as I've ever seen," he said, admiration clear in his tone. "You've taken good care of it, I see."

Kūga nodded, giving the weapon a small flourish before allowing it to vanish back into nothingness. "Always, master Genji."

As they continued speaking, Kūga's tone grew slightly more serious. "Actually, master Genji, I have a favor to ask. I need you to craft something for this kid." He motioned to Kenta. "A special gauntlet. And yes, he has the same 'mysterious power' I do."

Genji's brows shot up, his usual gruff demeanor fading into excitement. "Another one with your power, huh?" He eyed Kenta, his gaze turning appraising. "Well, kid, I hope you're ready for something great. This could turn out to be a legendary piece."

Kenta nodded eagerly. "I am, master Genji. I'll do whatever it takes."

Genji gave a satisfied grunt, cracking his knuckles as he moved toward the workbench. "Fine then. Three days' all I need," he muttered. "And I'll want you infusing your power into it like Kūga did previously as I work. Let's see if we can make a gauntlet worth its name."

.

The three days passed quickly. Kenta had spent every day beside Genji, focusing his Aether into the metal as it was being crafted, the forge's heat seeming to ignite the energy within him. Kūga and Danzo would drop by occasionally, but for the most part, they let Kenta and Genji work in peace.

Finally, the gauntlet was complete. Genji held it up, examining the gleaming, intricately designed piece with pride. The gauntlet was a blend of iron and Aether-infused steel, and a faint glow seemed to emanate from it as Kenta slipped it onto his arm, a perfect fit.

Genji crossed his arms, a rare smile breaking through his grumpy exterior.

"There it is. I'd say Kūga-san's got quite an influence on my craftsmanship these days," he grumbled with a hint of pride. "This gauntlet's worthy of a name. I'll call it Nexus Mauler."

Kenta's eyes sparkled with awe as he looked at the gauntlet, clenching his fist and feeling the power course through it. He looked up at Genji, giving a deep bow. "Thank you, master Genji. It's perfect."

Kūga stepped forward with a grin, creating an envelope from thin air and discreetly filling it with stacks of ryo. He handed it to Genji, who blinked in surprise, his eyes widening as he saw the amount.

Genji opened his mouth to protest, "Kūga, this is too mu—" but before he could finish, Kūga, Kenta, and Danzo were already making their way out of the forge.

"See you next time, master Genji!" Kūga called out, waving over his shoulder, his laughter echoing through the forge as Genji watched them go, a rare look of gratitude on his face.

.

By the time Kūga, Kenta, and Danzo reached the Land of Hot Springs, the sun was setting behind the mountains, casting a golden glow over the picturesque village.

As they walked down the streets, warm steam drifted from open-air bathhouses, and the familiar scent of mineral-rich water filled the air.

The village buzzed with activity as locals greeted them, some even bowing in respect.

News of Konoha's diplomatic strength had spread quickly, and the people were grateful for the stability Kūga and his allies had brought to the region.

Kūga's carefree smile drew warm smiles in return from the villagers, who waved to him and his team as they approached the central hall where the Daimyo awaited.

As they entered the hall, the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Springs rose to greet them, his expression one of clear respect and warmth. "Welcome, Kūga-dono," he greeted, bowing slightly. "You honor us with your visit."

Kūga returned the bow with a slight nod and an easy smile. "No need for all the formality, Daimyo-sama," he replied in his usual laid-back tone.

"I'm just here running a little errand. I thought I'd drop by with the boys and hand off a message." He pulled out a scroll, holding it up with a casual flair. "From the Hokage himself."

The Daimyo's eyes lit up with curiosity as he took the scroll from Kūga's hand, inspecting the seal before tucking it away carefully. "Your presence is deeply appreciated, Kūga-dono. Thanks to Konoha's strength, we can walk these streets with peace of mind." He cast a grateful glance at Danzo and Kenta, nodding to each in turn. "And these young shinobi… they must be under your guidance?"

Kenta beamed, pride clear in his expression. "Yes, Daimyo-sama! Kūga-sensei is the best teacher I could ask for."

Danzo gave a respectful nod, remaining his usual stoic self. "It's an honor to serve," he replied formally, his demeanor ever-serious.

Kūga chuckled, glancing between his two students. "They've both got a lot of potential," he said, his tone light yet sincere. "I'm just along to make sure they don't set anything on fire by accident."

The Daimyo chuckled as well, clearly enjoying Kūga's relaxed approach. "Please, stay as long as you like," he offered warmly. "The village's hot springs are open to you and your students. Consider it a humble token of our gratitude."

Kūga's face lit up at the mention of the hot springs. "Now that," he said, grinning, "sounds like an offer we'd be foolish to turn down."

Later That Evening

Steam rose from the natural springs, swirling around Kūga and his students as they settled into the warm, mineral-rich waters. The stars were just beginning to dot the night sky, and the gentle rustling of trees filled the otherwise quiet air.

Kūga leaned back, letting out a satisfied sigh as he settled deeper into the spring.

Kenta looked around, his eyes wide with awe. "This place is amazing, Kūga-sensei. I don't think I've ever seen a hot spring this… big."

"Enjoy it while it lasts," Kūga said, giving him a lazy grin. "Moments like these don't come around often. Especially when you're a shinobi."

Danzo, though slightly uncomfortable at first, finally began to relax, letting out a long sigh. "I'll admit, this is… nice. Not exactly a shinobi's usual training ground, though."

Kūga chuckled, stretching his arms over the rocks behind him. "Training isn't just about strength, Danzo. It's also about knowing when to relax. Besides," he added with a wink, "you never know when you'll have to fight in conditions like this."

Kenta laughed, splashing a little water in Danzo's direction. "Yeah, Danzo! Imagine an ambush while you're soaking in a hot spring."

Danzo dodged the splash, casting Kenta an unamused look. "If there were an ambush, you'd be the first one caught."

Kūga raised a brow, amused. "You both would be caught. But," he added, "that's why you've got me around."

The three of them settled into a comfortable silence, the warmth of the springs melting away the tension from their journey.

As the evening wore on, Kūga occasionally closed his eyes, enjoying the tranquility.

Kenta and Danzo occasionally whispered among themselves, making plans for their next stop or discussing the things they'd seen on the journey so far.

Finally, as the moon rose high in the sky, Kūga gave a stretch and yawned, patting Kenta on the shoulder. "Alright, time to call it a night. We'll leave at dawn, so make sure you're packed and ready."

Kenta and Danzo nodded, their faces reluctantly leaving the comfort of the hot springs. Kūga watched them, his expression a mix of amusement and satisfaction.

This journey was about more than just completing missions, it was a chance to shape these two into skilled, well-rounded shinobi.

The Next Morning

True to their word, they were packed and ready to go by dawn. As they made their way out of the village, the Daimyo himself came to see them off, a warm smile on his face.

"Thank you again, Kūga-dono," he said, bowing respectfully. "Please pass our regards to the Hokage. Konoha's actions have not gone unnoticed, and the people of the Land of Hot Springs are grateful."

Kūga waved a hand, his smile easygoing as usual. "It was a pleasure, Daimyo-san. Be sure to keep that hot spring warm for the next time we're here."

With a final farewell, they set off, the warm memories of the hot springs and the Daimyo's hospitality carrying them forward toward their next destination.

.

Land of Frost, during Nightfall

Far from the capital of the Land of Frost, Kūga, Kenta, and Danzo made camp under the shadow of tall, frost-covered trees after a few days.

The air was biting, each breath forming clouds in the chilly night. Despite the cold, a small campfire crackled, casting a warm glow over their camp.

As they settled in, Kūga stretched, looking at Danzo with a thoughtful expression. "Danzo, come here for a moment. Tonight, we'll do a bit of training."

Danzo's eyes lit up with ambition, while Kenta perked up, clearly interested in any opportunity to spar. Kūga looked between them and motioned for them to step a bit further from the fire.

"Kenta, Danzo," Kūga began, "a strong shinobi isn't just about power, it's about strategy and knowing your strengths. Out here, in the open cold, you both need to learn to adjust quickly. So, let's see what you've got. Kenta, don't use your gauntlet yet, you're still familiarizing yourself with it."

Kenta nodded, loosening his shoulders. "Understood, Kūga-sensei."

Danzo gave a curt nod as well, a flicker of competitiveness in his gaze as he took a fighting stance. "I'm ready."

Kenta and Danzo circled each other, their eyes locked. Without warning, Danzo leapt forward, performing a set of hand signs. "Wind Style: Gale Burst!"

A strong gust of wind shot towards Kenta, aiming to knock him off balance.

Kenta sidestepped, a grin spreading across his face. "That all you've got?"

"I learnt this from Reifū," He clasped his hands together, channeling energy. "Aether: Gale Slash!"

A burst of Aether-enhanced wind sliced through Danzo's attack, forcing him to leap back.

Danzo scowled, quickly countering with another jutsu. "Fire Style: Dragon's Breath!" Flames roared from his mouth, surging towards Kenta, casting an intense light in the cold night air.

Unfazed, Kenta performed handsigns to mock Danzo, activating another technique. "Aether: Frost Guard!"

An icy, shimmering shield materialized in front of him, neutralizing the flames as they clashed with the frozen Aether barrier. This made Kenta smirk, satisfied with his defense. "I also learned that from Reifū!"

Danzo's jaw clenched as he shifted tactics, closing the distance with a swift dash. He threw a punch, which Kenta blocked with ease. Danzo followed up with a low kick, but Kenta dodged, countering with an elbow strike to Danzo's shoulder making him grunt in pain.

Realizing he was at a disadvantage in close-quarters combat, Danzo jumped back, landing a considerable distance away.

He flashed through a series of hand signs, eyes narrowed in determination. "Earth Style: Rock Barrage!"

Large chunks of earth shot toward Kenta, each boulder aimed with precision.

Kenta dodged the first few, blocking others with his arms, though they barely slowed him. "Not bad, but try to keep up!."

He leaped forward, closing the distance quickly as he initiated another attack. "Aether: Tempest Sweep!"

A swirling wave of wind and energy surrounded Kenta as he charged, forcing Danzo on the defensive as the technique threatened to engulf him.

With gritted teeth, Danzo unleashed another jutsu. "Water Style: Torrent Crash!"

A powerful stream of water burst from his hands, clashing with Kenta's Tempest Sweep, sending water and wind flying in all directions.

As the water dispersed, Kenta appeared right in front of Danzo, a fierce glint in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, his hand charging with concentrated Aether as he declared the technique he has been working on.

"Aether: Void Stab!"

He formed his hand into a stabbing formation and drove it towards Danzo, landing a precise hit on Danzo's ribs. (Think of the Raikage's Hell Stab but with all four fingers)

Danzo's eyes widened as the strike hit home, knocking the air out of his lungs. He staggered back, gasping for breath, his face red with frustration. His earlier confidence had all but vanished, replaced by a simmering resentment.

Kūga watched the entire fight with calm eyes, stepping forward as Danzo clutched his side.

"Danzo," he said, his tone gentle but firm, "I hope you understand now, it's not just power that defines a shinobi. Your mindset matters. Hatred or envy of others' talent won't lead you to greatness."

Danzo's gaze hardened, though he was too out of breath to respond. Without another word, he turned and walked off into the cold night, muttering that he needed some time alone.

Kūga watched him go, sighing softly as he made a mental note to talk to Tobirama about it when they returned. Kenta walked back to the camp with Kūga, his breathing steady as he shrugged off the fight's intensity.

Kūga gave him an approving nod as they reached the warmth of the campfire. "I noticed you held back on that last move, Kenta. You didn't use the full strength of your Void Stab."

Kenta gave a casual shrug, though a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes. "Didn't want to go all out on a fellow shinobi. I'm not trying to kill him, Kūga-sensei."

Kūga's lips curved into a smile. "Good instincts, Kenta. But don't discount your own skill. That Void Stab, it's got potential. If you'd be able to cast and stab it faster, it could be one of your most powerful techniques."

Kenta's face lit up with pride. "Thanks, Kūga-sensei! Think you could handle the full power?"

Kūga chuckled, gesturing for Kenta to try. "Let's see what you've got."

Kenta grinned, gathering Aether into his fist, charging up with everything he had. "Aether: Void Stab!" He drove his fist forward with precision, aiming right at Kūga's forehead.

But upon hitting Kūga, or it looked like it but it was Kūga's barrier that seemed to be so thin, didn't even flinch, his protection was so absolute that the Void Stab barely registered.

Kenta pulled back, his face falling with disappointment. "Seriously? Not even a scratch?"

Kūga chuckled, giving Kenta a firm clap on the shoulder. "Trust me, that's one hell of a stab, Kenta. Just speed it up and sharpen it, you're on the right path."

They shared a comfortable silence, listening to the crackling fire as they both caught their breath. Kūga leaned back, looking up at the stars, the cold night air invigorating.

After a while, Kenta glanced at Kūga, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "Sensei, do you think Danzo will be alright? He seemed… angry."

Kūga sighed, stirring the fire with a stick. "Danzo's got potential, but he's also got some things to work through. Not everyone can find balance as easily. We just have to show him the right path when the time comes. Or maybe Tobirama could do it, he's got more responsibility to the kid than I do."

Kenta nodded, understanding. He reached for his bag, pulling out a small cloth-wrapped bundle. "Well, here. I saved a bit of that bread from the Land of Hot Springs. Couldn't hurt to have some with the last of our tea."

Kūga's face lit up at the sight, chuckling as he took a piece. "Look at you, Kenta. Already thinking ahead."

They sat by the fire, munching on the last of the bread and sipping the warm tea as the fire crackled.

The quiet of the night settled around them, and they both relaxed, feeling at ease as they enjoyed the night.