Nikko is your average boy. Average if you consider being caught at the center of an eternal battle between two brothers average, that is. How could anyone handle it all? I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. Oh, and I promise this isn't anot...
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Pic above is Ukimora.
"He didn't kill a single one?" Nikko asked.
"No," Guy said, "I went back and checked. Not a single one of the swordsmen were dead."
"Damn," said Nikko.
"Thank you, Guy," Ukimora said, "I'm sure this was hard for you."
The pair of ANBU left Guy to train his team. They went back to the ANBU HQ and gathered provisions for their mission. Nikko took his mask off and took a food pill. He downed it and sighed.
"Ukimora," Nikko said, "If an ANBU is killed in action, does their family get informed?"
Ukimora looked to Nikko. "You're worried you'll die and Sasuke won't know, right?" he asked. Nikko nodded. Ukimora took his mask off and locked eyes wit Nikko. "Nikko, I promise no matter what happens, I won't let you die."
Nikko smiled and put his mask on. "Thank you," he said.
Ukimora put his mask back on. "Come," he said, "We've got work to do."
Nikko and Ukimora headed out to leave the village. They stepped through the gate and for the first time in his life, Nikko left the village.
It took the pair several days to reach the Land of Water. Ukimora got off the boat and offered a hand to Nikko. Nikko too it and Ukimora helped him onto the slippery ground.
"This is hostile territory," Ukimora said, "From here on out, we've got to travel cautiously."
Nikko nodded and jumped to a tree. "The birds," he said, "Where are they?"
"The wildlife is afraid to reveal itself here," Ukimora said, "Especially after what happened with the Fourth Mizukage."
"What happened?" Nikko asked.
"Juzo Biwa and Itachi Uchiha engaged him in battle," Ukimora said, "He was the jinchuriki of the three-tails and during the battle, it took over his body."
"So we're close, are we?" Nikko asked, "I suppose we-" He stopped. He sensed a powerful chakra nearby.
"You sense it too?" Ukimora whispered.
Nikko nodded. "One of the swordsmen?" he asked.
"Doubtful," said Ukimora as he took cover behind a tree, "A rogue ninja probably."
This chakra, Nikko thought, It feels familiar. He poked his head out from behind the tree and looked in the direction of the chakra.
Hagoromo floated above the ground. "Come on out," he said, "I have no intention of harming you, Nikko Otsutsuki. Nor you, Ukimora Aki."
Otsutsuki? Nikko thought, I'm Uchiha, what is he talking about?
Ukimora looked to Nikko and shook his head. He pulled a smoke bomb from his cloak. He threw it to the ground to mask his approach.
However, the attack passed right through Hagoromo. "It's pointless to try and kill me," the sage said, "I'm already dead."
Ukimora backed up and readied two kunai. Those eyes, he thought, That rippling pattern. That's the Rinnegan. No doubt about it. Lord Hokage must be informed of this when we return.
Nikko stepped out from his cover. "You called me Otsutsuki," he said, "Why?"
"Because you belong neither to the Uzumaki nor the Uchiha. Neither Indra nor Asura," Hagoromo said, "You don't have a single name; and your chakra. . . I just couldn't help myself."
"Who are you?" Ukimora asked.
"I am he who stopped the ten-tails. I am Hagoromo," said the sage.
"You're the Sage of the Six Paths?" Ukimora asked.
Hagoromo nodded.
"Why have you come before us?" Nikko asked.
"I have a question I want to ask you," Hagoromo said.
"And that is?" Nikko asked.
"In this shinobi world there is conflict no matter what era," Hagoromo said, "My question is, how would you bring peace to the shinobi world?"
Nikko didn't answer for a moment. "I don't know," he said, "At least, not yet."
A faint smile played at Hagoromo's lips. "I suppose that's to be expected," he said, "It is a tough question and the word is a grand scale to think of. Think on it, will you?"
"Yes, Lord Six Paths," Nikko said, "I will."
Hagoromo nodded, satisfied with Nikko's answer. "Call yourself whatever you wish, Otsutsuki or not," he said as he began to fade, "Until next time, Nikko."
Ukimora lowered his Kunai. "The Sage of the Six Paths took a personal interest in you, huh?" he said, "Lucky you. Let's go complete our mission. The place where Juzo died is a few kilometers northeast."
Nikko followed Ukimora toward where Juzo had died. What did he mean I don't belong to Uchiha? he thought, And what did he mean when he said that thing about the Uzumaki?
The duo happened upon the scene where Juzo died soon enough. Nikko winced at the smell.
"They've been dead for years," Ukimora said, "Let's hurry up and find out what we can."
Nikko looked around at the sight. The corpses of many tracker ninja lay strewn about the forest. He approached one and fought past the smell as he rummaged through the corpse's pockets. He found a small scroll and slipped it from the corpse's pocket. He opened the scroll and read it.
"Ukimora," Nikko said, "It seems Fuguki Suikazan is dead."
"That leaves us with five," Ukimora said, "I've got a lead on Ameyuri Ringo. Let's go."
