Uzumaki Survival 007

Walking behind a dozen or so big boned Fuyukuma clansmen, Oden & Suzuki were at the back of the group, whilst Nozomi was at the very front. 

At first, he had tried to strike up a conversation with the large mature-looking teen, but Doiyo was a man of very few words. Built like refrigerators, and standing on average 6'5ft tall, with the tallest being 7’1, these polar bear people were extremely robust! Possessing dark black hair, and all black, coal-like eyes, they were very intimidating. From what he could tell, this entire group were Chunin, whereas Doiyo was surprisingly, likely a Special Jonin! 

Back during the fight with the Yukinyudos, he had thought all three of the clan heirs were Chunin, but after speaking with Nozomi, apparently the big guy had been holding back. Something about conserving his strength against the little ones, in preparation for a fight with the Boss Monster. 

This little tidbit of information was eye opening. For one, it told him that despite his quiet nature, brutish appearance, and broken dialect, there was a mind capable of cunning scheming beneath all that muscle. 

Koga was very clearly on the ropes when they had arrived. The arrogant white haired Kakuyoku clansman possessed incredibly powerful ninjutsu, and according to Saiu, was a kekkei genkai user. However, he couldn't complete his handsigns in time, and was about to be crushed, if not for Oden's intervention. From his understanding, Doiyo could have brute forced his way into support at any time, yet had held back. 

This information further solidified his need for power, and to remain cautious around these newfound ‘allies.’ It was clear as day that the Hidden Snow was not on that kumbaya Will of Fire propaganda that Konoha was so fond of prothelitizing. In the cold, brutal north, cunning and strength seemed to be the most important currencies for survival. Friendship could only go so far compared to the food in ones belly, or the shelter above your head. 

“I'm with you.” Suzuki reassured, noticing that Oden was walking with tense, stress fueled steps. 

“Mn. Keep your eyes peeled, you never know if we'll encounter more enemies.” Oden tiredly smiled back. 

The sleepless night from the other day, and constant fighting was beginning to take a toll on his spirit. Although he possessed the legendary Uzumaki chakra, he had engaged in several fights, and had nearly died several times. Sleep may not be necessary for his body to recover, but anyone who had traveled for 24hrs+ without rest could tell you how Oden's mental state felt at the moment. 

Meanwhile, at the front of the pack, Nozomi had been yawning, and had her head loll to the side several times. At some point, Doiyo had offered her a ride on his shoulder, and the tiny waif of a girl had slipped on the ice, trying to run ahead in embarrassment. As a result, the big man had caught her, and plopped her down on his chair-sized shoulderblade. 

Oden didn't comment on this development, but hoped that this wasn't some deep seated calculation, and only a gesture of goodwill. Having seen through Saiu’s flirtations-how many guys had fallen for that seductress only to catch a kunai in the back?-he hoped that Doiyo was genuine in his appreciation. 

Remaining silent, they walked past giant igloo after giant igloo, before coming across a second giant wall of snow & ice. Once they passed through the gate, the buildings on the other side were constructed of stone, wood, and iron. The change in architecture was markedly different, and even began to somewhat resemble construction techniques from the early 1800's. People over here were better dressed, well fed, and there were many shops of all sorts. 

Two sets of train tracks led to a station, and he even saw a factory with smoke stacks near a river. Although it was technically nighttime, the northern light wasn't particularly dark, and there were still plenty of people hard at work.

Wherever the Fuyukuma trudged, anyone who saw them quickly dodged to the side. Although there wasn't fear in the townspeople's eyes, they weren't stupid. Oden likened it to someone moving aside for a car, any rational person knew that if they blocked traffic, there was a chance they could be run over. To him, this was a good sign. It showed that the polar bear people were respected, but not because they were particularly malicious or evil.

Eventually they were taken towards a structure that looked like a giant viking lodge. Crafted from wood, the building sort of resembled a giant, upside down boat. Polar bears carved into totems lined the entire walkway, and a large stream was nearby, connecting this area to the main river, exiting out into the ocean. 

In front of the massive wooden house was a courtyard about as big as a football field. Dozens of bulky, shirtless Fuyukuma youths were running into one another, beating each other up, and practicing their Transformation jutsu. Seeing these kids training, it felt like watching a nature documentary, where polar bear clubs wrestle, and fool around. 

Noticing Suzuki’s steps slow, it was now his time to be strong for her. Just a day ago, this innocence had been stolen from the Uzumaki, to see so many kids having fun was a stark contrast to their current reality. Taking her hand, Oden silently squeezed down, and gave her the barest hint of a smile. 

Instead of responding boisterously, as was her norm, she leaned into him, and rested her head on his shoulder. 

Once they arrived at the field, the children stopped playing, and started running around Doiyo happily screaming, and trying to get his attention. 

“Who this? Girlfriend?”

“How pretty?”

“Is she strong?” 

Several snot nosed kids-among them, children who had biceps larger than Oden's head-called out all at once. 

Nozomi's face had turned beet red, and she covered her face with both her hands. 

“Begone. Mother awaits.” Doiyo growled, the deep timbre of his voice quelled the kids, who all ran away in fear. He then turned to Nozomi, and lowered his head. “Sorry.” 

“Don't worry about it.” 

“No. Doiyo means it. Doiyo had. Ulterior motive in bringing you here.” Doiyo let the girl down, and stared at her in apology. 

Oden squeezed Suzuki’s hand, and then let go, preparing himself for battle. 

“Say that again.” Suzuki had already wrapped her arms in chains, and took a threatening step forward. 

However, Doiyo was faster! 

With a woosh, his knees his the snow, and a flurry of white powder gushed into the air, obscuring Oden's vision. 

‘!!!’ Oden's brain went into shock at the somewhat unexpected betrayal. 

Suzuki had lunged forward, intent on rescuing Nozomi, however, as the snow blocking their sight drifted to the ground, she halted in her tracks! 

What met their eyes was a truly bizarre scene. Doiyo, and the dozen or so Chunin he had been leading were all on the ground, with their foreheads pressed down to the snow! They were in the kneeling position known as dogeza, this was a Japanese cultural bow that was meant to convey submission, extreme apology, gratitude, or for someone making an important request. It was possibly one of the most humiliating things a person from this culture could do. For a prideful people who considered reputation to be paramount, only those who truly meant it, would engage in dogeza! 

“W-what are you doing! Doiyo, stand up…I scouted ahead, and I know what you are asking. The answer is yes, of course I will help!” Nozomi stuttered at first, but then threw her balled fists to the side, and practically shouted at the big man in her high pitched voice. 

Tears streamed down Doiyo's mature-looking face, and he silently dug his forehead deeper into the snow. 

“Doiyo thanks little girl.” The polar bear man grunted between sobs. 

“What's going on?” Suzuki asked in confusion. 

“Those are tears of manliness, I think I can guess what this is about.” Oden sighed, and looked off into the distance, as he felt a pang of sorrow in his heart as he felt a similar pain. 

“Let's go.” Nozomi huffed, and tried to lift the living refrigerator, but he was too heavy for her. “I said, get up you want to save your mother, don't you?! Then stand up, she needs you!” Nozomi snapped, and crisply slapped Doiyo across the face. 

The sound rang out in the empty courtyard, and the dozen other Chunin quickly got to their feet, seemingly ready to engage in a brawl. Doiyo got up on one knee, and looked Nozomi in the eyes, now that they were at the same height. A red handprint was slowly forming on his face, and Nozomi suddenly took a step back, uncertainty, and nervousness once more appearing across her face. 

“Bah hah hah hah!” Doiyo laughed uproariously, and was joined by the other Fuyukuma. “Doiyo has faith! Come, friend Nozomi, no! Please, honored one, let us see mother.” 

The big man then pushed his way into the massive inverted boat, and was followed by Nozomi. Oden shared a look with Suzuki, and the big breasted Uzumaki girl found herself grinning, much to his confusion. “I like them. Much more honest than that Roga bitch.” 

“They said it was a deception, no?” Oden coughed into his hand, and raised an eyebrow, perplexed by this ‘honesty.’ 

“Idiot ink-stain.” Suzuki flicked his nose good naturedly, much to his chagrin.

“Don't tell me, for a ninja, this is what passes for good faith negotiations?” Oden sarcastically remarked, not liking where this was going. 

Suzuki stuck her tongue into his mouth as answer, being just as abrupt as Doiyo was. Feeling a tingling sensation down below, he quickly pulled back, and shook his head at her. “Later.” His whisper promised. 

Entering the wooden building, he felt warmth all around, and quickly turned off the Heat seals on his clothes, lest he start to sweat. Inside, it was very bright, and there were dozens of long tables that stretched for about half a mile. On the edges, there were about a hundred sleeping rolls, and not one private room to be seen. This was terrible for privacy, but great for shared warmth, and defense. Although he spotted several spots where hatches went underground, it looked like some stairs went up, further into the ‘decks’ of the upside down boat. At the very end of the hall was a single throne, it was covered in animal pelts, and sitting atop it was an absolute mountain of a woman. 

Probably standing at around 8ft tall, she couldn't be older than 40 years old, and had the characteristic coal-like eyes, and black hair of the Fuyukuma. Dressed in furs that made her look like a ‘Barbarian Queen’ a ginormous stone maul, like the kind a fantasy giant would be seen with, was resting to her left. She radiated a threatening aura, one that made Oden realize he could be insta killed by just a finger flick. 

Internally he complained-what the hell does this brute have to do with stealth or ninjas-but then he recalled that Choji could transform into a giant, and turned into a giant screaming bowling ball…Naruto also screamed every time he attacked, and the Chidori made a screeching sound effect that put construction sites to shame…truly, only Shikamaru or Shino were actual ninjas. Everyone else was just a muscle wizard! 

Sighing to himself, Oden then took a sniff, and barely kept himself from grimacing. Taking a closer look at the-presumable-Clan Leader, he realized that she had a large patch beneath her ribs oozing green-black sludge. Despite her overwhelming constitution, and mighty aura, it was clear as day: she was dying. 

“Mother! I brought. Healer!” Doiyo exclaimed, drawing the attention of several youth, and elderly. 

Oden noted that there weren't any regular aged adults present, presumably, they were out on missions…or were dead. 

“This is mother. Hanakuma.” Doiyo introduced. 

“Uzumaki brats? How much did it cost?” Hanakuma frowned, seemingly berating Doiyo for squandering funds. 

“My name is Nozomi! I am Doiyo's friend, ma'am.” Nozomi declared, and took a proud step forward. 

“Friends? Ha.” Hanakuma coughed up some green sludge, and smiled. “You are lucky.” Mamma polar bear said, addressing Doiyo. 

“Yes.” The big man hung his head in response. 

“Come. Girl. The Fuyukuma do not treat their friends poorly. What do you say? Marry my son, and this seat can be yours.” Hanakuma laugh chuckled as both Doiyo & Nozomi began to turn beet red, and stutter. “Is joke. Please, little one. Thank you for coming.” 

The large woman then glanced at Oden. The two of them stared at one another, and he slightly inclined his head, all but saying ‘we'll talk later.’ Hanakuma was shrewd, and scoffed, yet she also silently agreed. 

Nozomi glanced back at Oden, only for him to give a thumbs up. 

Saving some civilians earlier was good for general support, but if they could rescue this Elite Jonin, then their place in this city would all but be assured. 

The little girl beamed a bright smile at him, and then turned back, starting her diagnosis. 

Oden silently observed, his mind began to calculate all sorts of plots. The Uzumaki couldn't fall here. Their rise was only just beginning.