Naruto Karyuden

Chapter 26: Hidden Stone Secrets IV

HIDDEN STONE SECRETS IV

In a very familiar sight, Onoki is slumped over his desk, staring at a scroll. He's holding his head with both hands in disbelief.

"So you're telling me you were transported to the past, met Mito Uzumaki who told you about the Great Beasts, fought against Lord Mu..."

Naruto corrects him. "We didn't actually fight him ourselves, we more just avoided him."

Onoki continues as if Naruto hadn't just spoken. "... and THEN, it turns out the Temple of Stone's Song, which has been a place of great importance and reverence to the land, is actually one of these Great Beasts."

"Was." This time Hinata corrects him. "It was destroyed and any remnants of its chakra were gone, although we've no experience and no history with them, so we can't be certain it's dead for good."

Onoki nods. "Tailed Beasts reform after several years if they're ever killed. The same could be said of these creatures."

Naruto chimes in. "But Mito said the Great Beasts are people who mutated 'cause of Tailed Beast chakra. So maybe 'cause it's not their own chakra, they can't reform, and when they die, they die for good."

"An astute observation, my boy, and definitely a possibility. But the fact still remains we can't be certain. Either option is possible, so we can simply prepare for the worst and hope of the best. We'll keep watch over that Beast's remains."

They both nod.

"There's also something else that happened. Before it died, I... saw a woman. In a place that looked real similar to where jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts talk. I think it was the person that thing used to be, before she took in too much Tailed Beast chakra. So it might be possible to delve deeper into our minds and talk to each other, if they really were created that way."

Onoki scratches his chin. "I see. And did she say something? Anything that might help us?"

Naruto pauses for a moment. Throughout the entire battle, Kurama was acting weird but that one meeting pretty much confirmed what it was about. That woman from an age gone knew Kurama by name, and one big issue the fox had had with people is that they never cared whether they had names. Whoever that woman was, Kurama knew her well. The reason he knew how to activate the seals, and the reason he wasn't his usual self during the fight... But that's a story for another time.

"No. She just... said 'thank you' and disappeared before she could say anything."

"That's certainly unfortunate that we couldn't gain any more insight." Onoki leans back in his chair and grumbles, going over all the details in his head.

Hinata looks at him expectantly, if there's anything else he'd want to ask but when he doesn't, she speaks up instead. "Then we shall take out leave, if there's nothing else to discuss."

"Ah, well, there IS one thing." Onoki makes a gesture to a Hidden Stone ninja by his side, who takes out 2 small cases from a scroll and places them on the desk in front of Naruto and Hinata. "Your payment for the mission."

Naruto and Hinata both share a confused look at the need for cases. When Naruto opens one, his eyes bulge and he shuts it closed. "Uhh... you sure this is right?"

Onoki nods. "You uncovered the age-old secret of the Temple of Stone's Song, and while it's a shame it was destroyed, you prevented a powerful being from rampaging these lands. That's easily an S-rank mission. You've earned it." He offers them a smile.

"Thank you kindly, Lord Tsuchikage." Hinata bows again, and Naruto follows suit.

"For now, rest. We'll send someone to contact you for your next missions in a couple days' time."