Thanks a bunch for the support, everyone! Glad you like this story!
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Also, I'm fortunate enough to have fairy tail dragon slayer as a contributor for this story! His help has been greatly appreciated and I'm happy to have him aboard!
Disclaimer: Raymond Smith, known as pain17ification, owns nothing
Mugen
Chapter Two: Moving Out
Floating above the snowy woodlands of Mt. Fuji was Ophis, staring down at what she knew was coming. It had been seven years since she had decided to take a more active role in Naruto's growth, and much had unexpectedly happened during that time.
Her gray eyes darted to the side when she heard the sound of trees being felled, accompanied by an echoing roar. She saw a yellow blur move through the treetops before a large black mass followed, breaking apart and toppling trees in its wake.
Down below, the yellow blur stopped for a moment on a high branch, blue eyes looking back without an ounce of fear. They locked on the rage-filled brown eyes of a black bear that was abnormally massive. Turning in place, he instantly targeted the bear and released an arrow that struck it in the shoulder, doing nothing more than anger it further.
As soon as he had fired the arrow, Naruto kicked off the tree he was on just as the bear barreled through it. Reaching out, he grabbed another branch and used it to swing his body upwards, evading the bear again and free to attack from midair. Floating in place and nocking back two arrows, he fired at the bear's back before quickly holstering his bow and pulling his spear from the harness on his back.
Using chakra to solidify the falling snow in midair, he kicked off and dived towards the enraged mammal, infusing chakra into the spear tip just as it pierced the flesh. Digging in a few inches, he had one hand hold onto the spear while the other clenched itself into a fist and reared back.
With barely a grunt of effort, he struck the bear's back and unloaded a burst of chakra, sending an explosive force of pure energy that snapped the bear's spine. The pain-filled roar it gave echoed across the mountains and it didn't have the strength to stay on its feet; falling with enough force to cause a tremor for half a mile.
Pulling out his spear, the young man leapt off the back of his downed target and walked across the snow-covered earth towards its head. It weakly growled at him, but he ignored it in favor of taking a glance at the Ouroboros mark that it had in its eyes. He said nothing, maintaining a level expression as he lifted the spear to the bear's face, making it growl louder. Without any hesitation, he lunged forward and drove the spear through the bear's head, piercing the brain with ease and making it give a weak exhale before it stopped moving entirely.
The young man let go of his weapon, leaving it inside of the dead animal as Ophis landed on the snow beside him; her feet making a crunching sound against the frozen ground. "A clean kill," she noted. "I'm impressed."
"You enhanced it," he accused stoically, his voice deeper now that he had matured into a young adult.
"I did, and it was a useful way to test you. Though, I doubt much else here will be too difficult for you to handle." She took a look at him, having to raise her gaze since he was much taller than her childlike form. "…How is your arm?"
He turned back to her for a moment before looking to his right arm. Unlike the rest of his peach tinted skin, his right arm was considerably pale; with a scar that separated the two skin tones from one another. He flexed it a couple of times as he answered, "It feels natural."
"And no more recoils?"
"Not since the first time, no."
What they were talking about was when Naruto had tried to first use chakra bursts through his limbs. He had succeeded, sure; but the first "success" backlashed on his arm and it had exploded from the force of his chakra. From the elbow down, it was just gone and his body had gone into shock at the sudden trauma.
The Kyuubi had been especially annoyed at the boy's recklessness; blaming the Infinity Dragoness for putting the idea into his head. The Bijuu would've left the Uzumaki crippled to teach him a lesson, but it had been surprised when Ophis presented an alternative solution.
With almost frightening casualness, she had ripped off her own right arm and held it in place, using her power to coax Naruto's chakra and natural healing to connect them together. The Kyuubi had helped after getting over its initial surprise; intrigued at what the new DNA would do for its host.
Turns out, it did more than the fox had anticipated. Aside from the different skin coloration, the boy had gained several new abilities that he shared with Ophis.
Like her, he had an immunity to the negative effects of the Void and grew stronger when he was inside for extended periods. He was also able to shapeshift like she could; though he rarely ever did so. The most he did was make his ears pointed like hers while his eyes held slitted pupils.
Telepathy was something that Ophis could perform; but they weren't sure if Naruto had gained the same ability since they stayed on the mountain in solitude. There was no rush, though. He was able to fly as well; something he took to with some difficulty, but had down pat.
Lastly, he could manifest his chakra and magical energies in the form of snakes and use them just like the Infinity Dragoness; blessing others with immense power or corrupting them with his chakra acting as a poison.
The seven years did more than just give him dragon's blood, though. It provided him with an intense physical regiment that Ophis put him through; one that put him well at his physical peak and beyond. He was also made aware of many different facts concerning the Three Religious Factions (Angels, Fallen, and Devils), Yōkai species, different mythos, and even some of the Human groups like the Hero Faction.
Another subject Naruto devoted much of his time to was his chakra usage. The Kyuubi had informed him over the years that his chakra pool was massive, and it was only growing larger as he aged and trained. That meant that he needed to focus on controlling it and maintaining control; though his new dragon blood did nothing to help in that regard. In fact, it only made it more difficult for the Uzumaki.
In terms of techniques with chakra, he had no jutsu that the ninjas of his home world were known for. He could augment his body with chakra, could send it out in explosive bursts of raw power, create solid spheres that he could thrust or fire for concussive blasts, and – on an accidental discovery – could create extendable arms or chakra that had clawed hands at the ends.
The Kyuubi was surprisingly helpful as well; though it defended its help by saying it had "no use for a weak container". It offered Naruto the option to use its chakra if needed; though the Uzumaki didn't have a need to do so.
"What was the lesson today, Ophis?" Naruto asked. "Or was this just a test of my physical ability?"
"The latter. Your lesson will actually be conducted by someone else." Raising a curious brow, the blonde gave her a silent query. "The two of us will be going to see a true Kyuubi that has resided in the Japanese city of Kyoto for quite some time. She is known as the leader of the Yōkai Faction."
"Yasaka," Naruto deduced. "You told me of her years ago." Ophis nodded in confirmation. "What is it that you wish her to teach me?"
"In due time, Naruto. For now, take a moment to clean off the bear blood you have on you. We'll be leaving when you're freshened up."
Nodding, the Uzumaki head back to their cabin, leaving the Void Dragoness alone with the deceased bear. Placing her hand on its head, she removed the power that she had instilled into the creature; the power itself taking on the manifestation of a black ethereal snake. Without any effort, she reabsorbed the snake and headed off after her charge.
As she walked away, the bear fizzled away into nothingness, not leaving anything behind except for the arrows and spear that Naruto had hit it with. The ammunition and weapon would be left in the snowy woodlands for some would-be traveler to discover in the future.
For the Yōkai Faction's leader, the sight of a dragon and a human arriving unannounced into her home merely caused her to raise a brow. She had known of Ophis for many years, having spoken with her during the past near two decades to discuss the many Yōkai species.
When asked why such discussion was needed, the Infinity Dragoness only said that it was necessary. The answer confused the kitsune woman, but she didn't dwell on it; knowing that Ophis had no interest in dealing with mortal beings. The dragoness had stated on multiple occasions that she preferred solitude, after all.
However, seeing the human standing beside Ophis brought back that previous confusion; especially when she could smell a healthy mix of dragon scent mixed with his natural human one. She absently noted that his ears and eyes were also like that of a dragon taking human form.
"Ophis," greeted the woman, giving a bow. "This is unexpected. Are you here to discuss more about Yōkai?"
Shaking her head, the goddess turned to her charge briefly before turning back to Yasaka. "I'm here to have my charge get acquainted on certain things that he'll need to know for the future."
"Your charge?" repeated Yasaka, looking to her fellow blonde's impassive face; an expression she had seen many times on Ophis's face. "I was unaware that you had taken a human under your care."
"Not by initial choice," confessed Ophis. "However, for these past seven years, I've taken a more active approach to this role. Yasaka, this is Naruto Uzumaki, a human that is capable of using chakra." This made the kitsune woman raise a brow in interest. "He also has a construct of pure chakra and consciousness sealed within him; one that has taken the form of your race and holds immense power."
"A Kyuubi based chakra construct?" the Yōkai leader mused, turning her gaze back to Naruto.
Taking time to get a better look at him, she started to mentally note his features. He had blonde hair that seemed to be kissed by the sun and spiked outward like its solar rays. His blue eyes were deeply colored like the vast oceans, the slit pupils acting as metaphorical abysses. Marking his cheeks were whisker markings similar to that of a kitsune; more than likely due to the fox-based entity sealed within him.
For clothes, he wore fur and hide leather; bear being the source based on the scent. His feet were bare, he wore furred shorts that reached his knees, and a leather vest that looked to be cured acceptably. Finishing off his look was his discolored right forearm, the bow strapped to his back, and the quiver tied to his right leg; showing he either preferred or was right-handed.
And just like the Ouroboros Dragon, he held a blank expression on his face.
"Intriguing," she finally stated. "Young man, would you mind displaying your chakra and that of the beast within you? I'm curious as to how your natural and borrowed powers express themselves."
Giving a side glance to his caretaker and seeing her nod faintly, he called on his chakra. In an instant, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy as his chakra began to pressurize the very air with its density. His form gained a faint blue outline that had flame-like wisps flicker in random intervals. The Uzumaki kept it up for a few moments and showed no strain in his continuous output of power.
"Enough," commanded Ophis, and he complied in an instant. A couple of seconds later, and the chakra in the air was brought back into the blonde hybrid. "Yasaka, you will need to brace yourself for this."
"She has no idea what I'm capable of," the Kyuubi commented in Naruto's mind, sounding amused.
Raising a brow, she complied and waited for the inevitable. When it came, she felt the space within the chamber become corroded as red aura surrounded the Jinchūriki, forming a single tail and a pair of fox ears made of pure Bijuu chakra. She also noted that his blue eyes had turned bloody crimson and that the slit pupils elongated, sharpening to a more kitsune based look than a dragon.
"The chakra of the beast eats away at organic matter, corroding whatever it comes into contact with. It takes incredible resistance to negate that damaging effect," Ophis explained, silently telling Naruto to pull back the chakra. "While Naruto has decent control over his power and that of the Kyuubi, he needs an instructor to help him get a better understanding of it."
"So, why come to me?" the nine-tailed vixen queried. "I'm familiar with demonic power; not chakra."
"Did you not offer sanctuary to a nekoshō survivor recently?" the petite goddess asked back rhetorically. "It was my understanding that she also had knowledge of senjutsu, correct?"
"Why ask what you already know?"
"I wish to relieve you of her so that she may instruct Naruto."
Yasaka was silent at this, thinking over the pros and cons of introducing the young Yōkai to her two guests. After a few moments, she formed an illusionary double of herself that went off to fetch the woman in question.
While they waited, Yasaka directed a question to the hybrid. "Tell me, Naruto-san, what is it that you wish to use your natural gifts for?"
He was silent, prompting her to continue.
"Do you wish to use them for selfish means?"
No response.
"To protect others?"
Nothing.
"Or…do you not even know what you're building yourself up for?" she finally finished, staring him dead in the eye.
For the first time since meeting him, she saw Naruto's face show an expression of thoughtfulness. His brows slowly furrowed as he thought up a response.
When he found one, he replied, "I'm doing what I can so that Ophis can have her home back."
"And after?" Yasaka immediately asked, making him fall short. "Your whole life has been spent in dedication to Ophis; but what will you do when she returns to the Void? Will you stay with her until you finally pass? It will be a very uneventful existence; not to mention a wasted one."
"What are you getting at?" he cut in, making her smile.
"So, you can think for yourself. Good, I was honestly worried." She shot Ophis a quick look before continuing, "You're doing all of this for a goal that isn't your own. Why go to all of this trouble when you will gain nothing in the end?"
"Because it is all I've known," he answered truthfully. "I only know that I must prove myself to Great Red so that he may leave the Void. Beyond that…I don't know."
Ophis frowned faintly at this, not having needed to think of what would happen to her charge after the deal with Red was finished. She only needed to focus on fulfilling that deal and getting her home back; so, having Yasaka ask these questions forced her to consider what could happen.
The conversation was halted when the door to the chamber opened up and a woman close to Naruto's age stepped in. She was a nekoshō with black hair and amber eyes, dressed in a black kimono that had a yellow obi and matching sandals. Her neko features were visible, ears poking through her hair and twin tails swaying as she walked.
Curiously glancing at the two strangers, she turned to Yasaka and bowed respectfully. "You requested me, Yasaka-sama?"
"Yes. Kuroka, I'd like to introduce you to Ophis," she ignored the surprised look on the nekoshō's face, "and her charge, Naruto Uzumaki. You've been requested to instruct Naruto on how to use chakra."
"Chakra…?" repeated Kuroka curiously before she let her senses sharpen. In an instant, she felt the immense chakra that practically radiated from the blonde male. She also smelt the scents of foxes, dragon, and forests coming from him. "I see."
"Will you and Naruto-san be staying in Kyoto for his lessons?" Yasaka asked Ophis.
"No. I'll be returning to where we've been staying. As for Naruto, I'd prefer to have him and Kuroka set out while she teaches him."
"What?" both blondes asked while Kuroka stayed silent, knowing that she was in the presence of three powerhouses.
"You're…sending me away?" Naruto continued, looking thoroughly confused. "I don't understand…"
"In order for you and I to fully show Red that you can take care of yourself, you need to experience the world for yourself. To do this, I want you and Kuroka to travel so that you can experience life without my influence."
"But, I thought I wasn't ready?"
"No, you aren't," she agreed. "However, you will never be ready unless you move out on your own. You're human, Naruto; even if it's only partially with my blood in you."
Kuroka looked shocked at this while Yasaka merely smirked at her assumption being right.
"And as a human," Ophis continued, "you need to make your own strides and mistakes, learn from them, and grow into your own person. You cannot do that staying with me until you die. As Yasaka said," she gave the vixen a glance, "it'd be a wasted life; and I refuse to have my efforts be wasted." She gave the young man a faint smirk. "Even if I was the one that almost wasted them."
He frowned at this, unsure of how to respond to what she had said. His whole life had been in the presence of Ophis, learning from her and growing under her guidance. He had been told that he wasn't ready to help her finish her deal with Red, but he never thought that leaving her side would help him be ready.
She needed him to understand his humanity, and he wasn't sure if he could.
"What are you feeling?"
That question. It was one he remembered her asking the most over the seventeen years he had lived with her. It brought a sense of familiarity that he appreciated.
"I feel confused, concerned, and…anxious?" he answered, sounding unsure at the end.
"Explain."
The two Yōkai in the room silently watched the exchange, Kuroka being sure to pay close attention if she was to travel with the blonde hybrid.
"I'm confused as to how learning about humanity will help us confront Great Red. I'm concerned that I will not succeed in whatever it is you expect, or hope, for me to do. And I believe it's anxiety that has me looking forward to this as I feel the first two emotions."
"It is," Yasaka confirmed, making him turn to her. "This will be good for you, Naruto-san. I believe I understand what Ophis and Great Red have wagered, and I know that seeing the outside world will help you discover more of your own human nature. You can't say that you can look after yourself if you don't understand what you feel about your life or the world around you."
Kuroka nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, Whiskers. We'll help you find your humanity, nya!"
Her declaration was followed by an adorable verbal tic that earned an amused look from Yasaka while Ophis and Naruto didn't react. Turning back to his caretaker, Naruto asked, "Is this really the best method to help me?"
Nodding, Ophis answered, "Yes. You've observed humans whenever you could and tried to figure out emotions through them; but it won't be nearly as efficient as experiencing and deciphering them yourself. Theory will only take you so far."
Slowly, he nodded in understanding. "Alright, Ophis. If you say it's for the best, then I'll do it."
She nodded once more while Yasaka stood up from her seat and clapped her hands together. "Excellent. Now, I'll have some of my vassals fetch you some supplies for your journey and get you some more suitable clothes. Kuroka," the nekoshō turned to her, "go gather your belongings and be ready in an hour. We have a lot of preparations to do for this."
"Yes, Yasaka-sama," Kuroka replied with a bow before leaving the chamber, giving Naruto one last look just before fully exiting.
"I'll go make sure that things go smoothly for your departure," Yasaka continued before she too began to leave the chamber. "One of my vassals will take you to me when you're finished speaking with Ophis, Naruto-san."
When the vixen was gone and the two were left alone, Ophis allowed herself to give Naruto another faint smirk. "You've done well over the years I've raised you, Naruto. I can truly say that I find myself…fond of the experience. Part of me is even…grateful that you wound up in the void years ago."
Hearing her say that brought a warmth to him, making him return her smirk with a small smile. "I'm grateful for that as well, Ophis. I appreciate all that you have done for me, and I will try to fulfill your expectations."
"I know. One thing I have seen consistently in humans is that they are resilient; something that you have shown multiple times as you grew up. I will await the day you return to me."
She finished her speech by stepping up to him, reaching her hand up to rest against his cheek. It was something she had seen a mother do for her child during one of her shared observations with Naruto. From what she understood, having raised and taken care of Naruto made her the equivalent of a mother to him.
It explained why she felt a true connection to him, and why she denied the offer the Kyuubi made to her seven years ago; the one that would result in Naruto's death. That bond had grown stronger when she gave her very blood and limb to him, making the notion of being his mother all the more legitimate.
It was this bond that also opened her eyes and see that he unconsciously looked to her with total trust and respect; perhaps even affection, but not in a romantic sense.
She gave his cheek a pat while her smirk turned into a faint smile. "Return to me as both a dragon and a human, Naruto," she bid before she vanished, as if ceasing to exist.
Alone in the chamber, Naruto replied aloud, "I will, Ophis."
"Well, wasn't that just touching?" the Kyuubi commented, once again in amusement. "And here I thought that she would never realize just how deep a connection the two of you truly have."
'But she does realize; as do I.'
"You might think you do, but not fully. Go and associate with those weak humans and you will finally understand in time, boy."
'Even you think this is for the best?' Naruto asked curiously, leaving the chamber and having one of Yasaka's vassals take him to her.
"My personal opinion is for you to unleash both my power and yours so that the rest of the world will see just how weak they are in comparison. But, I know that you won't do that since it will go against what that lizards wishes of you."
'But how do you feel about me interacting with other humans?'
"I'm impartial to it. I know that you will need to do this so that you can grow as a human, but I also know that this will weaken you at the same time. Humanity is weak, and that weakness is like a poison that will infect you in time. I do not look forward to seeing you, a representative of my power, being weakened by humans; but I will need to tolerate it for now."
'I see… If I can, I will try not to become a victim of this "weakness" you seem to despise, Kyuubi.'
"I doubt that you'll succeed, but at least you'll be aware of it for the future."
With that, the Bijuu went silent while Naruto was aided by various Yōkai in his preparations. He would need to be ready, for this would be the most difficult challenge he would have to face.
After all, how difficult would it be for a man raised by Nothingness to find his humanity?
Well…this took a long time, didn't it?
For the record, I'm REALLY sorry about that, everyone. I've been distracted lately by many things; but at the same time, I've made no efforts to really apply myself to this site lately.
I know that it's not much of an excuse, but I'll try harder though; I promise. I just need to get things sorted out first.
Anyway, I hope that you all liked this update. I also hope that you will stay tuned for more updates.
I'd also like to thank fairy tail dragon slayer again for his help. Dylan Millwood was also a major help, and he's been a constant friend and aide for more than just this story.
Thanks a lot, guys! ^_^
Until next time!
~pain17ification~