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Naruto's POV (Southern Swamps of Irminsul - Terra)
"It may sound odd to you," Ichumi said with a shrug. "However, back then, food and water were commodities in any amount. Not to mention, our ancestors had never encountered the drink; no one had. The birds of the soon-to-be Blechumi Clan were quickly enthralled by the fruity liquid and its effect. Over time the man's seeming odd and useful behavior became popular in our clan. As such, they welcomed Blechumi not only as a guest, but an honored one. However, war was still a problem we faced; Blechumi stayed out of it for the most part; however, each and every blood-filled day, he would appeal to the former leadership to end it. To not fight and kill and waste life but to enjoy it to the fullest. But our ancestors did not heed his plea until Blechumi single-handedly ended the war in the swamp for years to come. The man somehow managed to convince each clan to settle for peace in the swamp. To live a more civilized life. The Blechumi Clan, having been his sponsor, benefited, and soon our Clan was chosen to run over the swamps. Our people were so grateful and enamored with the odd human that they used him as a role model. They began to speak and act like him and asked him to teach them his sophisticated ways. His lessons and guidance lead to the Blechumi Clan you see before you."
"That makes perfect sense! You were all mentored by a human. Of course, you would mimic our societal ways!" Yuno concluded with a smile. She then looked over to Naruto. "You get all that Blondie?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Of course, it's interesting that someone hundreds of years ago came here. Wonder if that is connected to the masters or the disappearances."
"I doubt Blechumi would be involved in such," Ichamu said somewhat defensively. "The legends always described him as a free spirit and kind soul. I doubt he would align with such tasteless ideals. Not to mention he died an incredible amount of years ago."
"The timeline and the actions don't match. However, I do have to wonder who Blechumi was, how he arrived here, and, even more strangely, why he never returned to his own world. I agree, though it seems unlikely he or anyone associated with him would have a motivation to be the master." Yuno chimed in.
"But it does prove that? Or prove Terra or at least Irminsul, has had multiple humans arrived before, they may have affected this world. Perhaps this master is a human…" Naruto reasoned. "Do you remember anything that could be useful from them?"
"Barely anything at all. I remember me and Choji being attacked by wolves in the exams before suddenly I appeared in their home. Quickly, I was surged and overwhelmed… I think I remember a female voice, impossible to know whether it was a human or not… but she said something to me, and when I raised my head to look at her… it all went blank there. I remember bits and pieces but nothing particularly informative or helpful." Yuno apologized with a shrug.
"Well, we do have some info," Naruto sighed. "Not like it's your fault; at the very least, we have a lead to follow now. We can assume the master is a woman or has a woman as their right hand man, well woman in this case, We also know the wolves are either the clan responsible or working for an unknown third party, and they have at least Kiba."
"That's not all. We can also start to build a profile on this master. For one, we can assume this master isn't much of a combatant. At all points, they had sent either wolves or even our brainwashed friends to do his dirty work. Even when I was transported to their home, they counted on his underlings to subdue me with pure numbers. Not to mention, targeting Shinobi not as summoners but as soldiers suggests a strength issue they are attempting to compensate for." Yuno explained with a smirk. "And when it comes to brainwashing, it seems like there's ways around it. For one, it seems strong emotions allow some level of resistance, and if you're knocked out while under control…"
"Ah, that is why you were down and out when I arrived. You had subdued her to free her from these mysterious foes control. A simple but shockingly effective solution. As I said earlier, many of you are welcome to spend the night here to be safe and use this as a base. We of the Blechumi Clan are not fighters." Ichumi declared before throwing back his glass of wine.
"Okay, so there's one last thing bothering me, though," Naruto interjected between a sip of wine, grimacing at its tart flavor before speaking. "Why are you so worried about us traveling at night?"
"My dear husband here tends to forget smaller details. Forgive him. Allow me to explain. I see there is a reason Irminsul is often described as the wildlands. For at night, the true "wildlife" comes out of hiding. None of the clans are certain of their origin, species, or wants, even if they are as sentient as you and I are. These creatures are truly savage and travel in wholly overwhelming numbers. They are somewhat visually similar to humans, though much more terrifying. These odd four-armed creatures hunt at night with reckless abandonment. Upon finding anything living and moving, they will surge around it, tearing it to pieces and eating it alive. They rule the night, and most that deemed to travel at night never return, only scraps of their carcass ever being found. They first appeared nearly a hundred years ago and have terrorized the lands of Irminsul since then. Their demonic behavior and strange crawling movement have led to them getting dubbed "The Crawling Demons of the Dark." Ichamu explained.
"When they first appeared, and it became clear they were a threat to us, all the summoned clans assembled a large platoon of strong animals to engage with the Demons. However, even the mightiest and largest army in all of Terra was unable to stop them. It was a slaughter. Hundreds of warriors were lost, and the demons seemed mostly unaffected by their own losses. Since then, all clans have avoided the nighttime, hiding within their homes, where it's safe." Ichumi finished for his wife, the two looking grim.
"So we have a mysterious master who has it out for us with an army of wolves at their command. A land full of potentially dangerous and hostile clans. And also have to be careful not to be torn apart by literal demons." Yuno summarized with a smile. "I'd call this interesting if it wasn't so concerning. How can you be so certain the demons won't find us? Shouldn't we be trying to lay low instead of partying if they are such a threat? Surely we're drawing attention to ourselves."
"I don't know. I'm kinda enjoying the music. Besides, everyone else seems unconcerned." It was impressive to Naruto how smooth and angelic peacocks could sound. They were indeed more talented than the average singer back home.
"It is not a true concern for us. The summoned clans recognized the chaos the demons would bring, and as such, the Okama Clan created these odd symbols that seemed to repel the demons from each clan's home. So much so they rarely even attempt to bother us. They also seem to have some sort of sense of those who are isolated which unfortunately aids as well. Such a selfless act from the Okama's earned the favor of most clans, and now we all live in relative peace, well, despite clan wars, but that depends on the clan in question. There will always be two groups who find a reason to go to war after all." Ichumi assured the two. "Enough grim conversation for the night! You must wait to travel, and due to you returning us to our home, we must entertain you for the night! It's time for the play of the great Gentleman Blechumi!"
"You all do plays?!" Yuno asked in joy.
"A play…" Naruto said with a grimace. His mother had taken him to one, and while it had been shockingly lovely to spend time with her. He hadn't remembered enjoying the play… he had nearly fallen asleep.