Hero's Water

They headed toward Feng's village at ninja speed.

"Feng, what is your village like?" Naruto asked.

"It's very beautiful," Feng replied. "What I like most is that you can see the most beautiful sunsets in the village."

"Also, because of the waterfall, the air in our village always carries a bit of moisture, which is perfect for discovering new insects," she concluded.

"Insects?" Shino asked, raising an eyebrow.

"As the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki, I can communicate with insects and even use them as weapons."

"Speaking of which, how is the Seven-Tails?" Naruto asked.

Kurama opened a passage, and they were pulled into what looked like a dark room with a beam of light in the middle.

A few seconds later, two figures appeared in the room. The first seemed to be a giant insect with horns and wings, with Feng standing on its head.

"Chōmei, it's been a long time," Kurama said.

"It certainly has been a while, Kurama. I never expected you to be so friendly toward a jinchūriki," Chōmei said mockingly.

"Go ahead and laugh. After being sealed for over a hundred years, I need some entertainment to pass the time, and this little guy isn't too bad either," Kurama replied.

"You dare say I'm not good?" Naruto retorted. Kurama smacked Naruto with one of its tails, knocking him off its head.

"You're still just a brat," Kurama said.

Feng laughed, and Naruto stuck out his tongue.

"Damn furball."

"It was good seeing you. We'll talk again next time," Kurama said, and the two of them left the mental space.

"I can sense three jonin rapidly approaching us," Naruto said, and everyone prepared themselves.

"Feng, what rank are you?" Naruto asked.

"I'm a genin, but if I use the Seven-Tails' chakra, I can reach chunin level."

Naruto nodded.

"They might not be enemies, but we should still be careful."

"There are three jonin. We need to split up. Naruto, can you handle one by yourself?" Kurenai Yuhi asked. Naruto nodded.

"Naruto, you take one. Hinata and Shino will handle another. Feng and I will take the last one," Kurenai Yuhi ordered.

A moment later, three figures burst out of the forest and landed in front of them.

The figure in the middle appeared to be the leader, dressed in a sleeveless bodysuit. His face was completely covered by a black mask, leaving only his eyes exposed. All three wore forehead protectors bearing musical note designs.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Kurenai Yuhi asked warily.

"My name is Aoi Rokusho. We're here to take her away," he said, pointing at Feng. (Here, Aoi Rokusho had joined the Hidden Sound Village instead of the Hidden Rain Village.)

"What do you want with me? I don't recognize the symbol on your foreheads," Feng asked.

"We are from the Hidden Sound Village. We want you because you are the guardian of Hero's Water," Aoi Rokusho said, prepared to take her by force if necessary.

"Hero's Water?" Naruto asked.

Feng was somewhat reluctant, but she decided to tell them anyway.

"Hero's Water is a special water that exists in our village and is considered a forbidden drink. It can increase the chakra output of whoever drinks it tenfold, but it shortens the drinker's lifespan. Our ancestors used it to defend the village in emergencies. They want me because I am its guardian."

Everyone's eyes widened.

"You won't be taking her," Naruto said, stepping forward.

"A brave little genin?" Aoi Rokusho mocked as he drew his sword.

Naruto's eyes widened.

"That's the Sword of the Thunder God," Naruto said.

Kurenai Yuhi wondered how the Second Hokage's sword had ended up in the hands of a Sound ninja.

"Enough. If you don't hand over that girl, we'll have to use force," Aoi Rokusho said.

"We won't let her go. Kurenai Yuhi-sensei, I'll deal with Aoi Rokusho. My lightning nature should be well suited to fighting him," Naruto said. He sent chakra into his storage seal, and after a puff of smoke, a blade appeared in his right hand. He let lightning chakra flow through it, and the blade began to shine with a faint blue aura.

Before making a move, they sized each other up.

"You've got some nerve challenging me. With this sword, I am invincible," Aoi Rokusho said confidently, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

Naruto shook his head and replied.

"That's not true. There is no invincible ninja. There will always be a weakness or an opening."

Aoi Rokusho charged forward and swung his sword vertically.

Naruto blocked the Sword of the Thunder God with his own blade. The two struggled for the upper hand, but eventually reached a stalemate.

"How is this possible? How can you block this sword like that?" Aoi Rokusho grew increasingly irritated. The sword in his hand was supposed to be the strongest in the world.

"Jōrō Senbon!" Aoi Rokusho said as he raised an umbrella and threw it into the air.

The umbrella began spinning and fired a large number of needles at Naruto.

Naruto realized he could not dodge them all.

"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!" Naruto said, and an earthen wall rose from the ground to block the needles.

"For a genin, you really do have some skill," Aoi Rokusho remarked.

"Only in name," Naruto said with a smile as he formed several more hand seals.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Naruto fired a fireball at Aoi Rokusho. He merely raised his sword and slashed downward, cutting the fireball apart and making it vanish.

Aoi Rokusho rushed at Naruto. This time, he channeled chakra into his sword, intending to electrocute Naruto. The sword released a shockwave that slashed toward him.

Aoi Rokusho smiled, thinking he had killed Naruto, but his laughter soon stopped when he saw Naruto still standing there despite being struck by lightning, as though nothing had happened.

"You... how are you still standing?" Aoi Rokusho asked.

"I have a high affinity for lightning. Any lightning attack I take is ineffective. Basically, I'm immune to anything below S-rank ninjutsu."

Aoi Rokusho gritted his teeth.

"It doesn't matter. I will kill you eventually," Aoi Rokusho said, slashing at Naruto once more.