Naruto: Seiryu's Aether

Night time.

Miles north of the Fire Country's capital.

Kūga and Madara set up their camp. The forest around them was quiet, the only sounds coming from distant birds and the occasional rustle of leaves as the evening breeze swept through.

Madara scanned the forest, his Sharingan alert as he hunted for something edible. In no time, he spotted a large rabbit.

With a flick of his wrist, he sent a small kunai whistling through the air, striking the rabbit cleanly. He retrieved it and returned to the campsite where Kūga was waiting, already stoking a small fire with carefully placed logs and dried leaves.

Madara tossed the rabbit to Kūga, who caught it with a nod of thanks.

"Nicely done," Kūga said, setting the rabbit down beside him.

He produced a small knife, its blade gleaming as he expertly cleaned and skinned the rabbit with practiced ease, ensuring that the meat was ready for cooking.

He set the rabbit meat aside on a smooth stone, dusted with a blend of herbs he'd brought with him. The fragrant aroma of dried thyme, wild garlic, and a hint of pepper filled the air as Kūga rubbed the seasonings into the meat, infusing it with flavor.

Madara observed silently, watching Kūga's hands move with precision, his motions methodical yet graceful. Kūga skewered the seasoned meat on a branch, angling it just above the open flames.

As the fire crackled, a delicious smell began to fill the clearing, and Kūga occasionally turned the skewer, allowing the flames to roast each side evenly.

The silence between them was companionable.

Kūga, ever calm and laid-back, tended to the meat with care, and Madara took in the forest's quiet.

After a while, Madara broke the silence. "So, what's the plan?"

Kūga glanced at Madara, a slight smile on his lips.

"We've got two routes," he replied, adjusting the skewer over the fire. "First route: pass by the Fire Capital, then go through the Land of Waves, then make a final pass at the Whirlpool Capital before we reach Uzushio."

Madara's eyes narrowed, listening intently as he took in each option. "And the second?"

"The second is faster," Kūga continued, casually rotating the skewer again, the sizzling aroma intensifying. "We take a more direct path: through the Hot Springs Capital, then head straight for Uzushio."

Madara nodded thoughtfully. "Then we'll take the Hot Springs route," he said without hesitation, his gaze flicking to the fire. "No need to delay."

"Understood," Kūga agreed.

A few more minutes passed, and the rabbit was golden brown, the skin crisped from the flames, juices seeping from the tender meat.

Kūga removed it from the skewer and sliced it, placing the portions on a pair of flat stones he'd prepared as makeshift plates.

He passed one to Madara and took a piece for himself, blowing on it to cool it slightly.

Madara tasted the meat, nodding in approval. "Damn..."

Kūga chuckled, taking a bite himself. "Thanks..."

They ate in silence for a while, both savoring the meal.

The quiet of the forest wrapped around them, broken only by the soft crackle of the fire and their occasional movements.

Finally, Madara spoke again, his tone contemplative.

"Kūga… how did you get so strong?" he asked, his gaze distant, fixed somewhere beyond the darkened trees. "I mean, even back then during the time when we always trained at the valley, you were always stronger than us."

Kūga leaned back, chewing thoughtfully before answering. "I dedicated myself to understanding my power, to becoming more attuned with it every day."

Madara's eyes sharpened slightly as he looked at Kūga. "Aether… it's because of that, isn't it?"

Kūga shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "Not entirely. Look at Reifū and Kenta. Their growth is exceptional, faster than most shinobi—faster than yours or mine was at that age. And yet, they can't compare to you or Hashirama."

Madara's gaze turned upward, following the stars barely visible through the leafy canopy.

Kūga's words rang with a strange clarity.

Kūga wasn't his rival, he realized. Kūga was more like a guide, a mentor, someone whose strength was so profound it couldn't be challenged in the way Madara and Hashirama clashed.

The realization was grounding, and for the first time in a while, he felt a strange calmness.

Kūga, sensing Madara's change in mood through the subtle vibrations in the air, smiled. He could feel Madara's focus sharpen, his heart steady, his mind at ease.

With a small yawn, Kūga stretched out, his head resting on his hands as he looked up at the sky. Sleep wasn't necessary for him, but there was a pleasure in resting under the stars, especially in the peaceful silence of the forest.

As he closed his eyes, he could sense Madara was calm, his presence less tense than usual.

'A peaceful night,' Kūga thought, just what they both needed.

.

Morning.

Under the warm morning, Kūga and Madara strolled into the capital of the Land of Hot Springs.

The city, located in the misty, peaceful valley, was well-known for its famous natural springs and luxurious onsens.

Despite its beauty, Kūga couldn't help but notice that the guards stationed near the entrance seemed to be fresh-faced genin, likely due to the land's neutrality. This place, after all, rarely had to deal with more than bandits and petty thieves.

As they approached the gates, one guard stepped forward, eyes narrowed, prepared to challenge them, but before he could speak, his fellow guard nudged him, bowing slightly toward Kūga.

"Good day, Seiryu-sama," the guard greeted him with clear respect. "I will escort you to the Daimyo-sama's estate."

Kūga raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Madara, whose expression mirrored his surprise.

Neither had been expecting an escort, but Kūga just shrugged.

"Sure," he said with a polite nod, smiling at the guard. "Let me bother you for a bit."

The guard led them through the winding streets, where merchants and villagers greeted them with nods and curious glances.

Kūga noticed Madara's gaze linger on a nearby sign boasting one of the many famous onsens in town. He caught Madara's eye and grinned.

"I tried the hot springs here before," Kūga said, nodding toward the sign. "Best in the world, no doubt about it."

Madara grunted, his poker face unflinching, but his interest was clearly piqued.

Kūga chuckled as they continued through the vibrant streets until they finally reached the Daimyo's grand estate.

The gates to the estate were tall and imposing, flanked by a couple of guards who stepped forward to halt them.

"Stop!" one of the guards commanded. "No one is permitted to enter without Daimyo-sama's permission."

The guard who had escorted Kūga and Madara quickly interjected, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Please, inform Daimyo-sama that Seiryu-sama is here."

The first guard's brows knitted in confusion, his eyes darting between Kūga and his escort.

"Seiryu-sama?" he echoed, not fully understanding the significance.

The escort sighed, leaning in as if sharing a dire warning. "Just do it. Daimyo-sama will have your head if he finds out you made Seiryu-sama wait."

At that, the guard blinked and quickly rushed inside, leaving Kūga and Madara to stand and admire the estate's lush gardens and serene koi ponds.

In moments, the guard reappeared, motioning them inside with an eager bow.

As they entered the estate's grand hall, a small figure, robed in lavish silks and adorned with countless jewels, came running toward them.

"Seiryu-dono!" the Daimyo called out, his voice bubbling with delight as he neared.

His robes trailed behind him, shimmering with each step, and a broad grin spread across his face. "It's an honor to have you here, my friend! What brings you to this old man's humble estate? Could it be the onsens? Yohohoho!"

Kūga chuckled at the Daimyo's infectious laughter, keeping his polite smile as he replied, "It's always a pleasure, but we're actually here on a mission. Your shinobi at the gates were kind enough to guide us."

The Daimyo's eyes sparkled with interest as he nodded, motioning for Kūga and Madara to follow him further into the estate.

"Of course, of course! This is a great honor," he said as his gaze shifted to Madara, his eyes widened in recognition.

"Ah! And you must be the Ghost of the Uchiha! Two of the most renowned shinobi in the entire Elemental Nations visiting my humble abode... truly, this is a day to remember!"

He led them through a series of halls filled with ornate decorations, walls lined with exquisite paintings, and alcoves adorned with statues and ancient pottery.

Each piece seemed to carry a story, a glimpse into the history and wealth of the Land of Hot Springs.

Kūga couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship of the artifacts as they continued onward.

When they reached a grand chamber, Kūga stopped, and with a subtle gesture of his hand, thin threads of Aether began to weave through the air.

The Daimyo watched in awe as silk fabric materialized from the faint light, adorned with patterns of gold and rich blues, the threads swirling in intricate designs that seemed to dance across the fabric.

The Daimyo's eyes grew wide as he took in the shimmering silk. He reached out, running his fingers along the smooth material.

"Beautiful..." he murmured, almost reverently. "The detail, the quality… My finest garment makers could never replicate something like this. I'll have a robe fashioned from it immediately, for my most prestigious events."

"You're welcome," Kūga said with a smile, pleased by the Daimyo's enthusiasm. However, the Daimyo shook his head, a determined look in his eyes.

"No, no, this won't do. I must give you something in return." He clapped his hands, summoning one of his attendants, who brought over an ancient tome, its leather cover cracked and worn with age.

The Daimyo gently placed it in Kūga's hands.

"This tome has been passed down in my family for generations," the Daimyo explained. "It's written in a language we've never been able to understand. If you are curious, Seiryu-dono, perhaps you can find someone to translate it for you."

Kūga's fingers traced the cover of the book, its foreign symbols etched deep into the leather.

He looked at the title, and for a brief moment, his eyes widened in surprise, though he quickly masked it.

Only Madara noticed the subtle shift in Kūga's expression, his ever-watchful Sharingan catching the surprise in Kūga's usually calm demeanor.

Kūga bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Daimyo-sama. This is indeed a gift."

"It's the least I could do," the Daimyo replied with a chuckle. "Now, I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time. Safe travels to you both."

Kūga and Madara gave a final nod of respect before stepping out of the estate, the tome held carefully in Kūga's hands. Once they were outside, Madara raised an eyebrow, his eyes lingering on the book.

"So, what is it?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Kūga glanced at him, then back at the tome. "It's strange," he said thoughtfully. "I didn't expect to understand it, but I do. The language… it's... nevermind, I'll read it if I have the time."

Kūga's mind raced, wondering how a tome in English... a language from his previous world, could have found its way here.

It led to questions he didn't yet have answers to. 'Could there have been another like me? Someone who came to this world before me?' He pondered, glancing at the tome again.

'If so, when… and where?'

For a while, the two of them walked in silence, Kūga lost in thought, and Madara respecting his friend's contemplation.

Finally, Kūga slid the tome into his coat, locking the mysteries within it away, at least for now.

They continued their journey in silence, Kūga's thoughts lingering on the tome and what its existence might mean.

As they passed through the quiet streets of the Hot Springs Capital, Kūga couldn't shake the feeling that the feeling of weird excitement yet unsettlement, the book took him off-guard.

'Interesting...'