A quiet knock echoed against the reinforced threshold of Hajime's hidden underground lab. The psychic locks that sealed the entrance shimmered faintly, sensing the visitor's intent. With a low hum, the seals momentarily released, allowing the stone door to slide open.
An ANBU in regulation mask descended the stone steps with practiced calm. The gleaming light of chakra crystals reflected off obsidian walls etched with patterns of discipline and geometry. The lab felt more like a sanctified forge-temple than a laboratory.
Hajime stood at a long, rune-lined worktable. Scrolls, chakra constructs, and psychic interface tools were spread across the surface. His silver eyes lifted from a floating projection, and he turned without a word.
The ANBU gave a brief bow. "Hajime-sama, the Hokage requests your presence. She said… if you're not busy."
There was no delay. Hajime simply nodded. "Understood."
And in a blink, he vanished. No seals. No smoke. Just a shimmer of warped space.
A heartbeat later, he materialized just outside Tsunade's office in the Hokage Tower. The guards flinched only slightly, Hajime's sudden appearances had become familiar, even if still unnerving.
Without knocking, he pushed open the doors and entered.
Inside the office, Tsunade stood near her desk, arms folded. Shizune was to her right, clipboard in hand. Near the back, Naruto paced like a caged animal, his brow furrowed. Sakura stood with her arms crossed, though she straightened when she saw Hajime arrive.
"Hajime," Tsunade greeted, her voice a mix of urgency and welcome. "You came quickly."
"You said if I wasn't busy," he replied, stepping into the room. Without his armor, he was still an imposing figure, taller than anyone in the room, with black hair slightly tousled, and silver eyes that saw too much.
Tsunade gestured to the others. "We have a situation. We received word from Sunagakure. Their Kazekage, Gaara, has been kidnapped."
Naruto froze mid-step. "Wait, Gaara became Kazekage before me?!"
He paused, then balled his fists. "And now he's been taken?! That's it, just tell me where."
"Sit down," Tsunade cut in, sharp. "You'll get your chance."
Naruto backed off, grumbling but obedient.
Tsunade continued, more serious now. "They were attacked by members of the Akatsuki."
Hajime's eyes narrowed slightly.
So it begins, he thought. Sasori and Deidara… this is when they took Gaara. Perfect timing. I was planning on starting my purge with them anyway.
Tsunade looked directly at Hajime. "We're sending help. I want a fast response team on the ground. You, Naruto, and Sakura."
Hajime gave a curt nod. "I'm available. I'll go."
Tsunade's gaze lingered on him for a second. "Good. Sakura and Naruto have already been briefed. I'm counting on you."
She turned to the others. "Gear up. Hajime will teleport you once you're ready."
Hajime glanced between Naruto and Sakura. "Ten minutes. Meet me back here."
With that, he vanished again.
Deep beneath the tower, Hajime reappeared in the center of his forge-lab. The obsidian floor rippled faintly as his boots touched down. Along one side of the chamber, his armor stood ready, tall, gleaming, and imposing.
The Tacticus-inspired warplate bore his modifications. Silver trim, heavy pauldrons etched with flame sigils, and chest engravings inspired by Grey Knight iconography. The wings and skulls were tributes, memories from a different life.
He raised a hand, and the armor responded.
Piece by piece, the plates flew toward him, locking into place with solid, weighted sounds.
CLUNK – the chestplate.
SNAP – the greaves.
CLICK – the gauntlets.
THUMP – the pauldrons.
Finally, the helmet lowered, sealing with a sharp hisssss. The red lenses lit up with a low glow, as his systems powered on. Psychic link stabilized. HUD activated. Targeting relays synced.
He turned toward the weapon rack.
The bolter, forged with chakra-hardened metal, accepted his grip. It wasn't gunpowder-fueled but ran on his psychic energy, each shot a precision bolt of destruction.
The chainsword clicked to life in his hand. Its blade could be infused with any elemental chakra, lightning for cutting power, fire for burn damage, wind for acceleration, water for fluid carving, or earth for brutal crushing strikes.
And finally, his halberd, tall and elegant, brimming with still power, rested across his back.
With one last glance across the lab, Hajime disappeared.
He rematerialized inside Tsunade's office once again.
Naruto and Sakura arrived seconds later. Naruto's gear was slightly mismatched, but his energy was solid. Sakura, on the other hand, had refined her setup, light and practical, medic tools and combat scrolls in place.
Tsunade stepped forward. For a moment, she was just a woman worried for someone she cared about.
She touched Hajime's armored forearm. "Be careful."
He looked at her through the red lenses and gave a small nod. "Always."
There was silence between them for a second too long. Sakura noticed but said nothing.
Naruto cleared his throat. "So, uh… are we ready?"
"Yes," Hajime said, extending a gauntleted hand toward them. "Stay close."
They stepped in.
The world twisted.
In a flash of white-blue light, they emerged into a vast open expanse.
Sand.
Blistering heat.
The winds of the desert lashed against them as Sunagakure's walls loomed in the distance.
Naruto whistled. "That was insane…"
Sakura shielded her eyes. "So this is the Land of Wind…"
Hajime stepped forward, scanning the horizon.
"This is the start," he said quietly.
"The Akatsuki won't be prepared for me."
(Sorry for the delay and the fewer chapters lately. I've been busy helping with freshman orientation as a student officer. Things are settling down now, and I'll make it up to you all soon. Thanks so much for your patience and support!
– Zander)