Throughout heaven and earth, I Otsutsuki Toneri am the honored one.
A/N: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto.
Comment or review to keep me motivated enough to write.
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[Konohagakure: A few nights before the Uchiha massacre]
Three cloaked figures dashed towards a location deep in the outskirts of konoha. Under their hoods, each had a pair of crimson sharingans activated. Their eyes scan their path, seeing details only their eyes could capture.
Sprinting through the densely grown woods with only so much as a rustle of the leafs as evidence that they have pasted through. Arriving at a clearing bathed in moonlight, the three halted their advance facing three white robed figures waiting for their arrival.
"Greetings, descendants of indra. it seems that you have made your decision I assume." the waiting white clad figure in the middle opposite from the Uchihas bowed slightly out of courtesy.
The group leader of the Uchiha lifted his hood revealing none other than the patriarch of the Uchiha clan fugaku Uchiha.
"What you promised us Uchiha clan is a tempting offer, but even if all of the content in the dreams are true, there is no mention of what your people will get out of it." Fugaku said sternly.
"An alliance that is trustworthy and also a step to correct the standing of Haguromo's descendants in this world. if you have doubts in our motive, then see our actions as an act of investing into your clan's survival." the cloaked figure took out a bundle of tube-like scrolls. "These are the tickets to your clan's survival." One of the cloaked figures handed the scrolls to one of the Uchihas.
The other Uchiha clansmen took out a thick briefcase with a dozen of smaller scrolls neatly placed.
without much fanfare the exchange of goods had gone through without a hitch. Afterwards both parties went their separate ways as if nothing happened.
[Sometime later: Naka shrine]
Within the ancestral shrine of the Uchiha clan fugaku Uchiha had gathered all the clan elders. All the Uchiha elders wore a grim expression, knowing that for the clan to survive, the sacrifice that must be made.
From the bundle of scrolls fugaku received from their "benefactor", one of the scrolls is currently unsealed. Inside the shrine were various items placed neatly in boxes. Such as explosive tags, bottles of medicine and flammable substances.
"I am truly sorry, clan elders. But this is the only way for our clan to survive." Fugaku bowed in front of the Uchiha elders, his forehead touching the tatami mat.
At first the elders said nothing. The weight of what's going to come weighs heavy on their hearts.
"Many of us already feared that such a day will come." one of the elders said. "Konoha has turned against us."
"This had been going on for decades." another elder nodded. "It's like a silent poison slowly choking the life out of us."
"Our decision is clear, there is nothing you need to apologize fugaku. The future of our clan lies in your hands." The elders said resolutely. "It is our duty to ensure our clan's survival."
[Meanwhile in the Hyuga clan compound.]
Hiyashi Hyuga sat together with the five elders of the Hyuga clan. All six had an uneasy expression on their faces. Because, just a day ago they received a message from their distant ancestors from the moon. Only a few including the hyuga elders know about their enigmatic ancestors living on the moon.
For decades there had been no contact between them and their distant relatives. Until now that is. It was a simple message written neatly stamped with the old seal of the Otsutsuki clan.
{We are willing to provide you, the hyuga clan with the knowledge and techniques of our ancestor in the form that the hyuga clan provides us with one young talented member of your clan as an apprentice to receive our teachings. We the Otsutsuki clan would prefer our interaction to be confidential. This is a trial for the Hyuga clan. Depending on your cooperation, we might provide further boons to you in the future.}
The message was clear and the reactions of the Hyuga elders were varied. Some were sceptical other had ambition or greed in their gaze.
"This is quite a dilemma." the most calmest of the Hyuga elders spoke up and continued. "The offer is tempting, yet sending just anyone of the branch children could be seen as an insult."
Another elder proposed. "We could just send Hinata, since it's already set a few years ago that she would be marrying the young prince of the moon clan."
Hiyashi outwardly didn't show much displeasure, but was inwardly gritting his teeth. " I don't think that would be appropriate, her talents are mediocre at best. I doubt that she will be able to learn any advanced techniques pasted down from our ancestors." Hiyashi criticized, yet inwardly he is trying to protect his daughter by underplaying her value.
Even though the Hyuga clan is a clan that Strictly upheld tradition, as a father Hiyashi couldn't bare to send his eldest daughter away.
After some more back and forth, they decided to send Neji with some bit of reluctance.
[On the moon]
Orochimaru was honestly impressed and delighted to know that there had been a clan descended from the "source" of chakra living on the moon all along. It caused his mood to uplift to a certain extent, despite the unknown method that bonded him to the pale skinned brat that seems to look at him with an exaggerated amount of dramatic fondness, like a child receiving a new pet and gushing over it.
This all is made much more bearable since his new master(handler) is generous when it comes to providing knowledge went it comes to chakra and the history of the elemental nations. As a clan of passive observers the otsutsuki clan had a very detailed record of history on the elemental nations spanning back to the era of the sage of six paths.
In return, the self proclaimed young master Toneri asks for Shinobi training. Despite being not so enthusiastic about training this brat, another part of orochimaru is curious about the potential of Toneri.
[line break: Toneri PoV]
After another session of training I had a few puppet servants prepare a bath for me. Orochimaru's teaching methods were straight forward and adequately taxing on my developing body, I can still feel the pain from the intensive Taijutsu exercises.
Although the progress isn't noticeable after these few sessions, I find myself appreciating the fact that I now have a personal coach.
On a different topic, I could ask Karen if she wants to learn sealing arts. Orochimaru might not be the best in this field, but good enough to teach her the basics.
Now that I have a household retainer(Orochimaru) and a future seal master in training (Karen). I still lack a physician, an alchemist, information specialist, finance manager and more talents to fill the ranks. I guess I would need to ask the most glorious Orochimaru to help me scout a few talents across the elemental nations. But all that is after my first great operation.
I sighed. There is still so much to do and three debts I need to repay eventually. As for now a warm bath is preferable.
Entering the bathroom I was greeted by the usual maid puppet, .....and Karen in a set of black and white plain clothes standing next to it, greeting me with a bow.
I blinked and was a little bit bewildered by her presence in the bathroom at this point in time. Remembering correctly, I only gave her a book about the basics of sealing art and told her to study with her mother, while she is free to explore the palace. I mostly left her to her own devices, since I was busy having a lot of things to do and plans to make.
I mentally patted myself on the shoulder for still being in my robes and not embarrassing myself like some kind of clueless protagonist that walked into this scene naked. That would have been cringe.
I asked simply. "Little Karen, why are you here?"
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AN: This great one has returned.
Comments are my motivation and the bread and butter.