Celestial Path Chapter 21

Seeing the introspective look on Toga... Who was clearly considering Sesshomaru's words and pride. I looked back at Jiraiya, who nodded silently.

And with neither shame, nor a single fucking moment of hesitation. I yelled out while pointing to the sky. "Look out! A meteor is coming for us!" 

Then, as obviously everyone looked into the night sky to find said meteor, a rumble rang out as Jirayia and I both dived into the ground using the Hiding like a Mole Jutsu to tunnel into the earth.

"Split up Akari!" Jiraiya yelled out as we both knew were to actually meet up. And I dove deep into the ground as I heard Sesshomaru yell in fury and smash into the ground above me as I sank deep into the earth.

Knowing Toga being a wolf Daiyoukai, I knew he had extremely strong senses, so I just dug deep into the earth as I began heading south away from the Daiyoukai.

Then, after I made some distance, I surrounded myself in a large wooden arrow that then began pushing itself much quicker through the ground with large roots as I used the Hiding like a Mole jutsu around the entire construct to make myself as fast as possible.

As I knew that Jiryaiya was able to use his toad oil jutsu's to make himself shoot through the earth at high speed if he really wanted it... And knowing Toga was thinking about snatching himself up a son-in-law. 

Jiraiya was going to be going VERY fast indeed.

"Gods dammit, I need to stop meeting with overpowered leaders with troublesome daughters." I muttered quietly before sighing in relief at the reminder that at least all the Kage were men so I didn't need to worry about my own village selling me out.

At worst, Konoha would sell me off to the Daiymo to keep strong ties to said royal family, but even then I couldn't see them being too forceful.

As for Suna, Kumo, Iwa, and Mist? Well Suna had Temari that could be put up for a marriage alliance, Kumo no females of the Kage bloodline, Iwa had Kurotsuchi but that was highly unlikely.

As for Mist... Their kage was Kyokou Seiri who was an extremely powerful half human and Yuki Onna hybrid who reportedly didn't have any kids. But it was a half yuki-onna. It was perfectly possible that she had dozens of kids in reality, hiding in the mountains that made up the dead volcanoes that formed the Land of Water.

While I was traveling underground now more to the east to head back towards the Land of Fire especially, I could... Feel the wolves tracking my scent. But after like an hour, I knew down in my heart that Toga had pulled the wolves back as I traveled further into the Land of Fire.

Once I knew I was 'safe' for a given word. I tunneled up from my underground tunnel as I was more than fifty meters under the ground and in the bedrock. I then groaned as I was welcomed by the sight of the full moon above my head.

"Fucking hell... I won't be able to survive a three-year training trip with Jirayia if two marriage events happen in just as many months." I muttered as I stretched a bit and then looked up into the star's I found the north star.

And I headed with purpose back to the meet-up point with Jiraiya. As it was time for me to head on home and see what my future had in store for myself.

-

Back in Konoha, Kaori and Kiyome Uchiha who were training in the Uchiha training grounds were stopped rather abruptly as a male Anbu with a Weasel-style mask appeared before them.

"May we help you?" Kaori, the older sister spoke first as she knew this anbu was a Uchiha anbu as non-Uchiha's even Anbu weren't allowed on clan grounds unless the village was literally being attacked by a Daiyoukai, enemy god or something else outlandish.

So she wasn't too servile even if she spoke with some respect.

The weasel mask-wearing anbu spoke quietly but clearly, even if his voice was muffled and changed by his mask. "Kiyome and Kaori Uchiha. You are both summoned at the behest of your clan head and the Hokage at their office. Report to the Hokage building within the next fifteen minutes for an important debriefing."

Both girls nodded in understanding with Kiyome saying firmly. "Understood." And with that, the weasel mask wearing anbu zipped away with a Shunshin that made Kaori snort at the sight.

"Hmph, being all mysterious, but only one person can use a Shunshin like that and be a Uchiha." Kaori said with an eyeroll as she knew how goofy Shisui Uchiha was despite being one of the clan's most favored ninja with the best talents.

Kiyome however, pulled at her jacket and said quickly. "I know Kaori, but we were given fifteen minutes for a reason, so let's get cleaned up first."

Both girls knew that making a good impression on their kage was important, especially if their clan head in Fugaku Uchiha was going to be there.

Both ladies quickly got themselves cleaned up in but a couple of minutes and then used their own shunshin's to enter the village and quickly reach the Hokage building with just a couple of minutes to spare.

"Both of you may enter the Hokage's office and your Clan Head is already with him." The secretary told the two Uchiha's who nodded.

After knocking on the door which then opened at the behest of an unseen Anbu who was hidden in the Hokage's office both Kaori and Kiyome strode into the Hokage's office and blinked as they saw not only the blond figure of Minato Namikaze and their clan head in Fugaku.

But they were clearly suprised to see Akari Sadra kicked up on the couch and drinking from a large jug that looked like it was made from a giant gem?

"Kiyome, and Kaori Uchiha I am glad you both are here." Minato's smooth male voice rang out as he looked up from the stack of paperwork on his desk and then he leaned back in his chair and continued to speak.

"So, I have heard Akari and you both have spent a good deal of time training together and have already formed a rapport?" He asked with him folding his hands together on the table.

Kaori a bit suprised with the question obviously but still she spoke firmly knowing the question was an order she needed to answer to. "Yes sir. I taught some taijutsu and other things to Akari. While also spending at least two to three hours daily training with him and my sister when he was still in the Academy."

The fourth Hokage nodded with a genial smile before he said calmly. "Good, that is indeed a fairly solid rapport. Pretty much the same amount of time newly formed Genin have with their team to get used to one actually before they start taking missions with their Jonin teacher."

Both Kaori and Kiyome blinked at the mention of a Jonin teacher as Kaori was stuck in the Genin corps without any teacher along with Kiyome likely getting the same treatment due to their mediocre talent.

And most importantly the subtle suppression they faced within their own clan for being a 'dirty blood' who had no future to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Then the Hokage coughed and nodded his head to Fugaku whose stern face soured as Akari smiled coldly and he said with a cold expression. "Kyome and Kaori Uchiha... Akari Sadra has requested both of you to be his teammates for the Genin team he is being made part of."

There was a ringing silence in the room as Kaori realized all to quickly that this was much more political at Akari's cold smile and knowing she NEEDED to test the water she spoke humbly.

"I- We are humbled by this order, but being on a team with Akari would put us at the forefront of attention. I am sure that the heiress Satsuki would make a great teammate or even your daughter Lord Hokage." 

The Hokage's expression twitched before Akari spoke out with a bland tone. "Naruko would be a great teammate for sure. We both are heavy hitter's and would make part of a great heavy combat team."

He took a breath and then added. "As for Satsuki... I would rather not work with her if I can help it, with how she has tried on several occasions even to the detriment of a mission or assignment, to force a fight between us."

Kiyome could literally see the vein that popped up on Fugaku's head and she despite being a year younger than her older sister knew exactly what Akari was doing.

He was playing dumb to Satsuki's attempts with the blessing of the Uchiha clan to suppress him who had the Mokuton and could be a sign of the Senju clan's rise back up the village's totem pole with how depleted their clan was.

And instead just made Satsuki out to be a rabid dog who had some unspeakable vendetta against him who attacked and insulted him at every turn.

Normally the Hokage woudn't give a damn in such a situation, and would just tell the ninja's to suck it up and work it out with a sparring match. But with the situation between the two of them.

And Satsuki clearly being the aggressor and Akari just not wanting to put up with her...

"Anyway, I have good chemistry and I know I can work with you two." Akari said with a small smile that made Kiyome flush a bit as she knew that chemistry he was talking about. Was the casual flirting they occasionally shared between sparring matches.

Kaori though on the other hand, was more focused on the more important bit in having a Jonin teacher. As having one as a Genin was a sign that the village was considering you, yourself as a shoe-in for having the potential to be a Jonin at the very least.

"I am honored for your recommendation, Lord Hokage." She started before taking a breath and continuing. "My sister and I will give it our all in this team we are forming. But may I ask as to who will be our Jonin teacher, though?" Kaori asked curiously.

The Hokage gave a wry smile before he said a bit sheepishly. "Akari just arrived back in Konoha half an hour ago. So while putting you three in a team is easily done. I still need to find a Jonin who is both free of missions and can teach you three appropriately." 

The two sisters shared a look before they both nodded with Kiyome saying firmly. "Akari, I would love to be on a team with you."

Likewise, Kaori said a bit more expressively. "We will not let you down. And we both appreciate our clan head, and the Hokage accepting this team."

Fugaku's face a sculpted mask broke as he slowly nodded and said cooly. "See that you do... Now I must be leaving, the clan has affairs that require my attention."

After Fugaku left the room. Both Uchiha's jolted as Akari literally snorted and sat up more properly. "What a blowhard. Lord Hokage, will be debriefing my teammates as to your goal or-"

The Hokage held up a hand with a small smile before he said more easily. "You can speak with your new teammates after you leave... Ahem, in either case, I hope your training trip was fruitful, but I myself still have this stack of paperwork to finish before I can go home." 

Both Kaori and Kiyome knew the Hokage's words were a polite dismissal, and so did Akari, who hopped to his feet with an easy smile, and as he gave a short bow, he said. "Then I wish you an easy night Lord Hokage, I am going to pick up some ramen, though haha."

-

It was funny as hell seeing Kushina Uzumaki's face twist into a hateful scowl at my words of going straight for the Uzumaki 'bowl of heaven' so to speak.

But with that illusion that covered her up with what was obviously Minato's form, I knew that Kaori and Kiyome were unable to see past the illusion.

Unless they like used their Sharingan, but flashing such a bloodline limit at the Hokage was a good way to spend a couple of nights in Torture and Interrogation getting worked over.

We both left the hokage's office and without a word, as we all knew we were currently being listened to. We left the Hokage building, and the two followed me to a civilian restaurant so we wouldn't need to worry about being spied on.

As we three got some tea and a small platter of rice cakes, I finally got to relax after Jiraiya dumped me back off and ran off to go peek into the ladies bath before news of his return spread.

"So, how was your training trip?" Kaori asked clearly trying to get conversation started.

My lips twitched as I imagined saying something along the lines of. 'My teacher decided to sell me off to two different lord's daughters.' But actually Kaori and Kiyome looked rather concerned for some reason.

So I avoided the joking and said more seriously. "I went to the capital, killed some youkai, met the royal family. And then we dealt with a large tribe of man eating Oni, before we met with some wolf youkai."

I shrugged and added. "I did a lot of training with Jiraiya who ironed out a lot of my taijutsu issues and gave me a better guide to where I belong in this world. But yeah it was certainly an adventure." I finished a bit ruefully.

I took a small drink, and then as Kiyome spoke, seriously with some clear worry. I had to hold in a choke on the drink as she asked. "Did... We got to ask, did Jirayia corrupt you?" 

"Haaa?" I asked as I put down my drink and covered up a cough with my hand.

Yet Kaori continued with a wry smile. "Jiraiya has a very strong reputation Akari, and here in Konoha ,less of it is about his strength and wisdom."

Left unsaid was half of Konoha's opinion in the female population labeling him as a hopeless pervert and scum to some.

But I just smiled ruefully at that as I couldn't help but be honest as I sold Jiraiya out in a fucking instant. "Yeah... I am not corrupted, but it was a close one. We rushed to the capital, and the very first place we went. It was literally a high-end brothel that Jiraiya owned."

Both ladies looked rightfully rather disgusted, but I shrugged and continued. "Beyond their lifestyle, Jirayia showed how they were spies with how many of them knew some genjutsu and other things that could pry information out of people."

"And how has your training been going for the last couple of weeks?" I asked.

Kiyome and Kaori both shrugged with Kaori saying calmly but firmly. "We have both been training hard, I can say that for sure, though we haven't had any real guidance in our training, admittedly."

Then Kiyome, with more energy said fiercely. "You don't need to worry about us Akari! We won't hold you back."

My lips twitched, and I raised an eyebrow before I asked with a rueful smile. "You both haven't even considered why the Hokage made this team. It's not just to have me locked with a Jonin teacher after all."

Both Uchiha's paused at the realization that I was right. Especially Kaori who knew that although the village was far more 'caring' and lenient with it's ninja's compared to the other villages.

It still was very strictly merit based and both Kaori and Kiyome to be frank... Weren't talented kunoichi's to be fair.

But I did have something for that. A cheat that I had gotten before even my training trip or Quelaag herself. The perk/power I got from Solo Leveling in Norma Selner's boosting ability that could make someone's powers fifty percent stronger four to five times a year.

And I haven't used that power once yet... And I combined with my super hug's I had an idea of how to spin it so that I could use it without people thinking I could give the power boost to just anyone.

As both girls already knew that I could transfer more power and potential to them the more we hugged. So rightfully, if we did more. Obviously, they would gain more power.

Anyway that was my hope to keep something like the Hokage from pimping me out or something in an endless hug-a-thon.

"Then... What does the Hokage want us to do?" Kaori asked the most important question.

I only had to say two words for them to understand. "Chunin Exams."

Kiyome almost face-palmed as she said past her hand covering her face. "She wants us. No, you're to smash the exams before the war truly heats up so Konoha can get a bunch of business, huh?" 

I nodded as I added with a wry smile. "This upcoming Chunin Exam is happening in Suna, the quote on quote safest place outside of Konoha itself for us to show off our strength."

"It's going to be a crazy event obviously... But yeah if you two don't want this trouble, I can see about having other people. I just know and trust you two." I said firmly as I looked the two Uchiha girls in the eyes.

There was a moment of silence, then the two looked at each other, and my lips twitched as their eyes flared with their Sharingan's making me realize that they were speaking through genjutsu or something.

Then they shut off their Sharingan with Kiyome flushing as Kaori smiled softly and said quietly. "I see. Then that trust will be rewarded with our own. Actually, do you mind if we head over to your place? I am sure you wish to take off your genjutsu covering up your tails and such?"

"Yeah, that would be nice," I said easily, though I was honestly looking forward to seeing Eleanor again... It had been a couple of months, and I missed her a good deal.