Beneath the Military Academy
Ming Dai feels the fatigue of his lengthy journey hit him as he descends the final step into the underground area. He is rewarded by the damp, the cold and the dark, along with the sounds of his newfound comrades training for the conflict in which they will partake. This is not a rewarding task that they have been given. This won't be the end of his exhaustion either, it will continue until either he or Furst Jonas is gone. This is the same exhaustion the shinobi have already tolerated for months on end.
Dai leans against a wall, uncaring about the moisture that transfers onto his clothes. He rests his dark hair against the stony surface and allows himself to relax. This period of relaxation lasts a total of three seconds before he is approached by a trio who want his attention. Hinata, Kushina and Himawari, the three generations of the Uzumaki family.
"Hello Dai," Kushina greets him, "We were hoping to have a few quick words with you."
Dai quickly discerns the grave expression on their faces. He looks over Kushina's shoulder into the darkness beyond, his eyesight isn't on the same level as a shinobi's, but he's had some basic training in enhancing his senses. Naruto is training with Juan. Minato is helping Naruto with that training. Sarada is training with Nina. The three of them have deliberately been left out of this conversation.
"Is there a reason why your Hokage relatives have been kept from overhearing us?" Dai asks.
"Don't you think the three of them have enough to worry about already?"
Dai resists the temptation to burst out in laughter, is it any different for him. "You are right of course, forgive me. How may I help the three of you?"
"Headmaster Sora has gone," Hinata says. "He hasn't just taken temporary leave to his quarters, he has left the military academy. Where could he have gone at such a crucial time?"
"Who knows?"
"You do, I saw you leave with him. You just returned from a short journey did you not?"
"Oh you saw that?"
Dai cringes internally. Hinata is the wife his sibling disciple. In his life of isolation and solitude, he has never had a reason to become attached to someone. The few people he has bonded with are his family. His teacher Muto Sora has become like a father to him, and he considers that Uzumaki Naruto will be like a brother to him. Is it really OK to lie to her? Is there anything to lie about?
"Of all times, why now?" Hinata asks, "Surely it is vital that he is here to oversee Naruto's training. What could possibly so important that he would leave now?"
"I wish I could tell you," Dai shrugs. "I honestly don't know myself, not beyond a general direction anyway. I only know that if my master thinks it's more important he be elsewhere, then he is probably right?"
This is accepted with some frustration. There is nobody in this entire building, in fact, there is no enemy of Furst Jonas who could argue with Muto Sora. The man's wisdom knows no bounds, his knowledge is endless and his experience is on par with the emperor's. If he says something is wise, then it almost certainly is.
"Does he know what Hinata's power is?" Kushina asks.
"Yes, I believe he does."
"Then what is it?"
"I don't know, he hasn't told me."
"Does he tell you anything? Aren't you his direct student?"
Dai knows that Kushina is right. For several years, Ming Dai has been the direct student of Muto Sora. For years, he has had the ear of the academy's headmaster. For years, he has had his confidence. However, Muto Sora has many secrets, secrets that he doesn't share with anybody, even his direct students. It is physically impossible for Headmaster Sora to reach the same level as Furst Jonas as things stand, that is why he has had to fight him in the darkest shadows where even Queen Nadia and King Swen couldn't see him.
It is because Headmaster Sora has been so secretive that no resistance against Furst has ever formed. All Furst's enemies contain their aggression within their hearts and look to him for the first sign of a rebellion. No rebellion has ever come though, because the truth is that the academy's headmaster is too weak. That's why years have passed where Furst's enemies have searched for somewhere who could honestly stand up and declare war against the emperor. That's why hope has finally started to return to the land, because although he may not know it, Uzumaki Naruto is that man.
"If he is refusing to tell even Naruto and I then it may well be something terrible or dangerous, whatever your power is, it's better we don't know," Dai declares resolutely, "I'm sorry that I can't tell you more, I would if I could, but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about," Himawari gasps, "How dare you!"
"Himawari" Hinata begins, only for her daughter to cut her off.
"Since coming to the f to this place, do you know what my mother has had to endure. She's endured than most of our Kage can imagine, more than your generals in any of your armies. She was thrust into a world she was unfamiliar with, forced into inaction as my father fought General Clyde in a life and death battle. She lost control to a power from your world that was hidden within her and it almost cost her life when she used it against someone she thought was an ally. Since she came to this place the danger has only gotten worse, and now someone knows what it is that's consuming her and they won't even tell her. How is that supposed to be right? How is that fair?"
Dai says nothing. How can he possibly justify it when he doesn't know the full story?
"It's alright Himawari," Hinata says gently, "If this is what"
"It's not alright!" Himawari snaps back. "You're not the only one who is afraid of that power within you. Most of these shinobi consider you a second mother, an advisor to the village that they grew up with. The soldiers consider you the wise and gentle wife of Uzumaki Naruto who saved their lives. You are a mother to me and a wife to dad. We are all terrified of that power within you. Imagine what it's like having to worry every time you go into battle that you will collapse, that you won't be able to defend yourself. It's scary mother, it's scary."
Hinata pauses. "I'm sorry, Himawari."
Himawari holds her head in one hand. "No, I'm sorry, that was out of order. I've just felt so lost since Boruto left us. He was always there when I was young, even when dad couldn't be."
"Boruto?" Dai asks.
"Uzumaki Boruto, he's my son." Hinata explains, "He's still alive, but he's on a different path to us right now."
"What happened?"
Between the three of them, Boruto's sister, mother and grandmother are able to explain his story to Ming Dai. They explain details of his birth, of his becoming Sasuke's pupil and the shadow Hokage. They explain his role in the war against Clyde's subordinates, of his subsequent proposal to Sarada. They explain how he was taken from them, turned against them, and how he has fought against them. They explain the full story of the shadow Hokage.
Dai listens to the description with an agitated expression. "You may not believe this Himawari, but I think I just encountered your brother in a nearby outpost."
"What?!"
"Did he try to attack you?" Hinata asks.
"I was with my master at the time, he would have been stupid to try."
"Could you take me to him?"
Dai gives the three of them an incredulous look. Did they not listen to their own story, the young man is dangerous.
"I'm not sure it would be safe enough," Dai says apologetically, "Besides, shouldn't we tell Naruto if his son-"
"Please don't tell Naruto, we don't need to put him through that again," Hinata begs, "But Boruto is my son, and I deserve a chance to reason with him. He is not a monster I swear. Just take me to him."
Dai hesitates, looking at his sibling disciple training in the distance. If this goes wrong, won't he have lost a friend forever. He next looks back at Hinata, if he doesn't do this won't he lose both friends forever?
"Alright Hinata," he eventually gives in, "I'll take you to him, all of you, but if I say run, we run. Safety first in all circumstances, is that fair enough?"
Hinata nods. "Let's go before Naruto notices we're missing."
"Then follow me."
Nearby
Minato was reluctant at first, but for over an hour now he has been throwing kunai towards his son as fast as he can. Since his breakthrough, the 4th Hokage has been able to use his miraculous speed to keep pace with Naruto. However, the 'wind' user's strength cannot compare to his 'life' using counterpart, even if he were to hit him it would be inconsequential. He still hesitates though, throwing a weapon at one's family never feels natural.
Naruto stands about five meters away, performing a series of movements Minato is struggling to describe. Is it some sort of ceremonial dance, a pattern, some sort of exercise or the crazy fluctuations of a madman? Minato notices Naruto's reddened face and is sympathetic with him, glad that it is the 7th Hokage who is being made to look stupid and not him. Naruto's only consolation is that throughout this whole routine he needs to keep his eyes shut.
Unfortunately, his teacher Juan is not making it any easier.
"That was awful," Juan says having taken another drink, "I could practically see your nostrils moving, how are you going to master the one true sense if you don't do what I say?"
Indeed, this is Naruto's training to master the one true sense. He's training not to enhance his senses but to change them so completely and utterly that they become something else altogether. He yearns for senses with many more strengths and far fewer weaknesses.
"I didn't do it on purpose fool!"
"Anyone who tries to teach you must be a complete fool!"
Minato and the nearby aristocrats drag the student and teacher apart, trying to prevent further arguments. The 4th Hokage tries to use humour to diffuse his son's temper which seems unwavering in the face of his harsh teacher. The aristocrats try to convince Juan to be a bit politer, but this seems to have no effect either.
"You all want me to be polite?" Juan asks with raised eyebrows, "How dare you! Do you think that I may simply change my teaching style of a hundred years just like that?"
"If you're going to be so impatient, why doesn't Nina teach me instead?"
"Really?" a loud voice comes from nearby.
Nina immediately comes running, a taunting smile on her face as she mocks Juan's lack of popularity amongst his pupils. This has always been something that separates the two of them.
"Did you student just ask me to teach them instead?" Nina asks despite already knowing the answer.
"Don't be too impressed with yourself, it's just because the boy is an idiot."
"Are you sure it's not because of my superior people skills?"
"I don't think I would refer to what you have as skills."
Naruto leans forward, interrupting the two feuding teachers. "Is that OK then, Nina?"
Nina turns back towards Naruto with a grin that could best be called menacing. She rushes towards him instantly, like a giddy child whose parent has just come home from work. The 7th Hokage tries to work out what she's thinking but he cannot. Nina may have superior 'people skills' as she puts it, but she's definitely harder to read than her counterpart.
"I can take over your training for the day, but I want another 'life' massage in exchange," Nina says happily.
"What do I really have to?" Naruto asks.
"Yes, it's my one demand, and I'll even throw in a please just for you moral support, that way we can show Juan that good manners are possible."
Juan frowns at Nina. Nina smiles back, as petulant as a child.
"Can I do that after we finish training?" Naruto asks.
"Eh! You sure are picky about your tuition aren't you, you're getting all this for free you know! Well I'm denying your request moral support, I want my massage now if you want to swap teachers."
Naruto looks to his father. Minato simply shrugs his shoulders back. Naruto has done stranger things in return for training before, but never when the stakes have supposedly been so high. There are thousands of aristocrats who would surely want to train Naruto, there are thousands more who want to kill him, the entire imperial guard is on red-alert due to his mere existence, and this one teacher is demanding such demeaning favours from him.
"Fine," Naruto sighs as he gather's 'life' energy on his hands and approaches Nina.
"I guess that leaves me training the little disciple," Juan says, "Future sight isn't it?"
"Yep, one true sense I believe?"
"Yep."
With that quick exchange of words, Juan departs and leaves Naruto's 'tuition' in Nina's capable hands.
"Why do I have to give you a massage anyway?" Naruto grumbles, "Aren't you supposed to be teaching me because you want me to beat Furst. Won't freeing your world from him be enough payment for the lessons?"
"I want you to defeat Furst and give me a massage," Nina grins, "but not in that order."
"Do all your students have to do this?"
"They all have to do some sort of favour. It depends on their circumstances really, you get to do this because 'life' is great for my back. I'm getting on a bit you know."
Getting on a bit is how Nina puts it, this only infuriates Naruto further though. When you break through in your element, you will cease to experience the effects of ageing within the next few years. He doesn't know an exact number, but it's quite clear that Nina hasn't aged a day since she was in her thirties. Unless she hasn't seen a medic since she last injured her back, there shouldn't be any sort of pain there at all.
"What did Sarada do?" Naruto asks, "Surely 'creation' wouldn't be good for your back."
"It's not, but now I have the comfiest bed of anyone in homeworld."
Minato rubs his head, just this moment realising how useful Sarada's power surely is. Currency here is solid isn't it? Sarada can make almost any solid object with high levels of precision, surely she could have turned Nina into the single richest person in the history of homeworld. Is physical comfort the only thing this teacher cares about? For that matter, why are they all sleeping on the floor if Sarada can so easily grant them such comfort?
"Do you only teach people because they do favours for you?" Naruto asks.
"I like making people do favours for me, especially when it makes them all flustered and panicked. It's so funny watching all you kids getting flustered."
"Aren't there any normal teachers in this world?"
"Nope."
Minato watches on, not knowing what to do in the meantime. He's certain that he would be a lot more flustered than his son is about the whole situation. Despite the peculiarity of the situation, Naruto's 'do your best' attitude really seems to be helping him to get through this.
"Nina, we heard about what Juan did during the war, what did you do, I've never heard you mention it," Naruto says.
"I was a criminal."
"Really?"
"Yep, and I'm not saying that just to fluster you, I really was a criminal," Nina says quite seriously. "I'm not like the others, I'm not going to praise the previous emperor as some kind of hero. I hated Endou Akashi and everything he stood for."
"Clyde thinks I'm just like him."
"You are."
Naruto hesitates. "Don't you have me then?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Endou Akashi was a pain the backside," Nina explains, "But you have to do what I ask you, and you do it with such an amusing look on your face, I like that. I get to embarrass you all day long, oh, it's just like the old times."
"But we stand for the same things he did; don't you dislike us?"
Nina ignores the question, sighing. "You know, 'life' energy feels great."
"Nina"
"I'll tell you about it some other time, right now it's time to do some training," Nina says, leaping to her feet. She turns around to see Naruto still kneeling in the same spot, "Come on you silly boy, I thought you would be more eager to start training?"
"But you were just making me-"
"Come on, hop to it, its time to start dodging those things again," Nina claps patronisingly, "Hokage number four, please resume with the throwing."
"Uh, right," Minato begins, "But don't you have any new advice for Naruto?"
"Advice, let's see," Nina scratches her chin, "You only need to avoid the sharp bits, the rest of it doesn't hurt so bad."
Naruto nods his head sarcastically, "Thanks Nina."
The Outpost
Dai finishes his approach, three comrades in tow and stops outside the entrance to the outpost. This had been a military outpost days previously, now it is host to Boruto, Hashirama and their pocket-worlder allies. Without Sora accompanying him, this group is far more threatening, especially given what Hinata told him a short while ago.
"OK, this is it, but remember if I tell you to run then run, run without delay," Dai says quietly, "I am not confident in beating either of these men, but I can buy us enough time to get away if you let me."
"Don't worry Dai," Himawari replies with a smile, "We won't take any chances with your life on the line."
"OK."
Ming Dai stands right in front of the entrance, an average sized door made out of a strong variety of stone. He gathers energy onto his hand and kicks the door in, watching it sail down the corridor beyond.
Ming Dai's violent action draws a curious look from his three guests.
"I thought it would be a bit louder than knocking, let's just wait here for them."
They do just that. Around one minute passes before Boruto and Hashirama arrive. Evidently they decided the best course of action before moving, for two people with such power it would take less than five seconds to move from one end of the outpost to the other. Boruto must have seen them, regardless of where he was in the base, they must know that a homeworlder has come here with his relations.
"Lady Hinata," Hashirama nods, "I see that you have come here with another of our oppressors, but where is Naruto."
"He's not here," Kushina answers, "We didn't want him to embarrass you again."
"I'm not here to speak with you Hashirama, I'm here to speak with my son," Hinata explains. "Boruto, I want you to know that it's not too late to change your mind, to make up for all the pain you've caused. All you have to do is come back with us. Your father will forgive you in a heartbeat, everything will be alright again."
Boruto shakes his head. "I'm sorry mother, but it won't just be alright if I come back with you. The screams in my head won't just stop, the will of the dead won't change just because I want it to. My comrades wanted the people of this world dead, they wanted the pocket worlds to be free, and its my responsibility to see their dying wishes through."
Ming Dai watches wide eyed as Boruto preaches to his mother. "I believed what you told me about him, but I had no idea that he was so delusional as to-"
"You keep quiet!" Boruto shouts.
Ming Dai's muscles tense, Kushina and Himawari each get ready to run. All homeworlders are Boruto's enemy, even one as innocent and friendly as Ming Dai. If he loses his temper completely, then a battle could break out at any second, and they need to be ready to run, just as Dai said.
"Mother," Boruto says, "You should stay here with me, that may help father to see the truth about what matters. I can't get through to him, he's too stubborn, but if you encouraged him, he may see the light."
Himawari laughs, "Brother, you're being delusional. You know dad won't change his mind, especially when he's right."
"He isn't right!"
"You've become blind."
"Hinata!" Hashirama shouts over the top of the arguing siblings, "Have you never been wronged by the people of this world. Haven't you lost anything at their hands, haven't they betrayed you, attacked you, or kept secrets from you?"
Dai intervenes, "We aren't all the same-"
"Shut up!" Boruto barks at Dai once again.
Ming Dai looks to Hinata, unfortunately, Boruto and Hashirama are probably right. Hinata is also a powerful warrior, if she were to be persuaded by their arguments and turn against him, Dai would probably have no way of escaping. Did he make a mistake coming here and leaving his fate in her hands?
"Have they betrayed me? Have they attacked me? Have they kept secrets from me? Lord 1st, you are right about all three, frankly they have done terrible things to me. You've done that too though. You betrayed me when you fought against Naruto and Sarada. You attacked me when I tried to defend Naruto against you. You kept secrets from me when you watched the battle against Lara without revealing your true intentions.
"It looks like the two of you have completely forgotten about what is right and what is wrong. Himawari is right, you are blind. I should have known really, if Naruto hasn't been able to reach the two of you, it was stupid to ever think that I could. You two are beyond reason, a place that only he can pull you back from."
Dai breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you Hinata."
Hinata nods, "Let's return."
"I'm afraid that I'm not just going to let you leave with a homeworlder," Hashirama says, "You've had your turn at changing our minds, now it is our turn to speak to Naruto once again. I won't harm the three of you, but I will keep you here until Naruto arrives."
Himawari looks from Lord 1st to Boruto. She thought that she knew her brother, is he really going to endorse the use of hostages? Even if they are free to go afterwards, even if no harm is going to come to them, it is a low strategy that he would never have used in the past. Have his powers over 'death' really corrupted him so far?
"You want to keep me here?" Hinata asks, her tone surprisingly calm, "I'm not just going to let you do that."
"I'm sorry Hinata, but you can't stop me."
Hashirama brings 'death' energy to the surface of his body and leaps at Hinata. He feels confident now that he knows just how much power he needs to use in order to knock her out without doing any permanent damage. Stage one of his plan is to incapacitate the three shinobi, then he and Boruto can worry about the homeworlder.
But, Hashirama's plan never reaches the second stage.
Hinata spins on the spot, the mysterious power welling from within her. She strikes Hashirama in the chest, launching him back into the outpost behind him. The sheer force shakes the building to the core, the stone and wood fall to the ground leaving only the foundations in place.
Hinata defeats Hashirama with a single blow.
Boruto starts, 'What on earth did she just do?'
"Don't lose focus Boruto, I may have come here impulsively, but I'm not stupid," Hinata says, "When I asked Ming Dai to bring me here, I considered what would happen if you tried to capture us."
"Mother"
Hinata walks towards Boruto, an unusual display of power from his mother.
"When I came here, I was absolutely certain that if we fought, I would defeat you."