Conversations and Cultivation

"Ow! What the hell did you do to me?" Naruto asked with a deep snarl. He had just been slapped on the back by a hard hand from Uzumei. The morning sun watched this scene along with Sasuke and Yugao.

"Sasuke told me he didn't see you when he woke up at the campsite. I don't know what you were doing, and I don't care. Until you can be trusted, or make an informed decision regarding this matter, you will have a tracing seal placed on you. Get too far out of range of either me or Yugao and there will be consequences," Uzumei said. The blonde in question sent the Uchiha a murderous glare which made Sasuke smirk to himself.

In actuality, Uzumei had done nothing to her blonde master short of making his back a tad itchy from the sting of the blow. There was no tracing seal. It was just an excuse to allow Narto free reign that didn't have him being constantly monitored by either Uzumei or Yugao. Now that this was done, he could do as he pleased.

"You really a damn prick, Sasuke!" Naruto replied. The Uchiha scowled back at the young Uzumaki before releasing a pent up huff. It was too early in the morning for him to get angry over Naruto's stupidity.

Uzumei quickly brought the group back to order. "Enough! We will be entering Kusagakure before the sun reaches the center of the sky! I will book us a hotel for the coming days. Yugao, you will stay with Naruto to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," Uzumei said, a glare at the blonde for emphasis. Inwardly, Naruto decided something. He would definitely cast his red-haired servant in a movie or two. He would have to jot that down in his notebook for later.

"Tch, whatever," Naruto said, folding his arms with a pout. Perhaps he should go into movies as well. He was willing to create profit wherever it could be made. Anything would be used to further his own ends.

Once everyone took their share of breakfast, the group began to settle down the road. They were currently about an hour's walk away from seeing Kusagakure. Naruto based this one the time it had taken him, Yugao, and Uzumei to arrive last night, as well as infiltrate the Grass Fruit Group. Unfortunately, Naruto hadn't been able to get as much out of Akari as he wished. Well, he didn't mind. She gave him the basics of what this...Box of Ultimate Bliss was. Once he found a safe place to cultivate the memories of those elders, chunin, and jonin that he had killed, then he was sure he would find what he was looking for. Besides that, he also had plenty of information and strengthening techniques to learn.

Then, there was the question of what to do with Akari. Truth be told, Naruto was planning to kill Akari after she killed the elder for him, but he had swiftly changed his mind. He didn't know why. Was it her various forms of entertainment? Was it her swift decisiveness to preserve her own survival over that of her former teammates? Perhaps it was all of those things. Who was to say?

Now, don't mistake Naruto. He wasn't stupid. He knew what her...entertainment meant. Hmm, given all of the blood and memories from people he had...and hadn't cultivated at the moment, he had at least seen a cumulative of 400+ years of memories. He had lived the lives of hundreds of people, gaining their experiences, their knowledge, and their abilities. It all seemed to be rushing into his brain. So naturally, he had seen so much sex it nearly made him rather numb to the sensation. Sure he would love to try it himself, but...perhaps when his body caught up with his mind.

Anyway, along with these new techniques...came a stronger image of new abilities for his blood powers at his disposal. However, the most important thing, once again...his life force had been increased exponentially.

The hour's trip was met with silence save for one of the Uchiha's questions regarding his training. Naruto had made a childishly snide remark about the Uchiha, but other than that kept to himself. His thoughts did drift back to Konoha from time to time, and what the others were doing there. He honestly wondered if Izumi had completed her little hunt. He had given her the tools to take her revenge. The main step for her...would be what came after. That would be the final text that would show him...that she would indeed follow after him.

Soon, the village of Kusagakure came over the horizon. Perhaps given his previous demeanor, Naruto should have done some over the top exasperation upon seeing another village, but he wasn't in the mood. He had too many things to work out in his head. "Now remember the plan. We're foreign traders looking to sell herbal spices in the village. Here are your trading licenses. It took a lot of effort into creating these so don't lose them. Let's go," Uzumei said.

Thankfully, the walk into Kusagakure wasn't as tedious as the group had found it to be. It was easy to announce Naruto and Sasuke as junior traders in training. They were quickly ushered into the village to keep the line of visitors moving. Around them, people walked towards their own destinations. Some were Kusagakure shinobi wearing the standard headband signifying their allegiance to their village, others were a bit more discreet in where they placed it.

The four checked into their hotel rooms. As soon as Yugao placed her pack on the bed, she felt a chill run through her body. "Go," Naruto said, his voice cold. The purple-haired Anbu reached for her mask. She placed it under her clothes. As loathe as she was to do it, she then bowed to him before turning for the door and leaving without another word.

As soon as she was gone, another presence came into the room. Naruto turned around and he noticed the newest individual to be taken under his care. Akari knelt before him, her head never raising until he fully acknowledged her.

Naruto took this time to close the blinds. He then locked his door. Once he took as many security measures as he felt he needed, he took a seat on the floor. "You weren't there to greet me into Kusagakure, Akari-chan. I'm hurt," Naruto said.

Akari raised her head. "I won't make excuses, Naruto-sama, but the remaining members of the Grass Fruit Group that you spared...needed...encouragement to perform their tasks. It...took some time," Akari replied.

Naruto took a deep breath and exhaled. If it wasn't one thing, then it was another. However, he had already been expecting the backlash. After all, he had effectively stamped down the military might of the Fruit Group by combining the blood of the leader, the elders, and most of the shinobi into his own being. This naturally left most of the civilians under his rule and...Akari was the main force keeping them in line. It turned out to be good that he left her alive.

"I see. Well, I'll excuse it. I wasn't expecting them to readily agree anyway. Their cooperation is merely a courtesy. Not a need. Be sure to inform them of that. Also, tell me, when was the last time the Box of Ultimate Bliss was opened?" Naruto asked. He began weaving the handsigns for his cultivation. Once he started scanning through the memories of those whom he had consumed then he would plot his next move.

"Yes, Naruto-sama. The box itself hasn't been opened for a number of years. Some say it hasn't been opened since Kusagakure nearly took over the world the first time, but there have been attempts of opening it. The most recent attempt was a couple of months ago. It was a genin named Muku. His father, Mui, and the elders tried to use, what they perceived to be, his prodigal chakra to open the box. Instead the box took him and he has rested there for all this time. Lord Mui grieves for his son," Akari said.

"Hmmm, interesting. You did well, Akari-chan. I will join you either today or tomorrow once I'm done with my cultivation," Naruto said. Just before he finished his meditation, the Kyuubi jinchuuriki felt the Kusa chunin kiss him once again. Her's was a rather delicate push, but a very welcome one.

This did not last for long before she pulled back. "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" Naruto asked.

"You ordered me to give you one kiss post every successful assignment you've given me. I try to take my responsibilities seriously. Farewell, my Lord," she said. a sly smirk on her face. She then vanished away without a sound thus leaving Naruto truly alone. The blonde chuckled and licked his lips. Yes, he was beginning to understand as well, watching people do it in memories was no replacement for an actual experience. He found he rather enjoyed these semi-intimate acts. How odd he found himself reminded of Hana as well.

A cough, Naruto finished his handsigns and felt the surge of blood begin to rush through his body. Such was the strain on him that his sweat took the color of the red liquid within him. Yet, in his room, his cultivation of these memories began. Not even long into the memory did he see something, or rather...someone, interesting. A sea of beautiful white hair like the snow which covers a lake. A smile appeared on his face. Such an angry expression. Such a visage of coldness. A blank canvas...just waiting to be painted.

He had to have her!

....

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