Chapter 4
The Hidden Maelstrom
The sun situated itself high in the sapphire mass of the heavens, a king of brightness it was as it mounted that place it adored. Noon, incandescent with light eclipsing all shade amongst the brick building's-those such apartments housing a great many people. Hither and thither and scattered about were curtesy trees lining the side walks, down below where the whiskered blond sat atop his apartment building's roof.
Here, he could collect his thoughts, calmly away from the hustle of street corners or of the dark alleyways where unamicible beings hid to pounce upon him. It was here that the man pondered upon his next move, knowing that he would have to embark on a very foolish mission soon to procure...well it was a mix of sorts concerning what he needed to get home. Mostly he would be seeking information concerning this worlds knowledge of space, or the movement of things betwixt spaces, as that was his main and only hope to return home. The other option was that in the case he found a machine-as machines were humans most common use of power-or a person of such capabilities concerning teleporting him to his home-world, then he would simply cross back, if he could.
Ah, there was a bitter thought, barring him of the sort of good thoughts. It was not that pondering question of if he got home to the world he grew up in, the world he laughed hearty laughs in, with comrades at his side. That world he shed wet tears for those he could not protect. No, it was not this pondering of if he he got back, for the thought that pricked at his mind with thorns scourging around his head, forcing him to realize what was truth, was of what he would be returning to.
His fists clenched, muscles taught with the memory of that woman, who dare elevate herself and say she was a benevolent goddess. He spat that name out like it were rotten flesh hung between his teeth, gaze narrowing as he remembered her placid face as she killed his comrades. Her's was a face not owed to that of mercy, or of reprieve, always coming again and again, never ceasing, never giving up on her attack, always trying to decimate him.
Despite the sage of six paths combined with his Chakra, despite everything he did to take her down, nothing came to fruitation, and only when their fight had reached a climax, where they were but blurs of white and gold against the glance of the scarlet moons rays, it was then that she ripped open a portal unlike any other. It was, like most incidents of his, in the midst of their height of power, when both would receive damage in spades, and the certainty of survival afterward was not promised, it was here she tore the very essence, the fabric that linked worlds asunder, and flung him in.
It was here, in this world, that he awoke, body badly singed with burns and scars wrapping around his broken body, even large bruises spread across his muscles and skin like an infection. He knew little of what happened to that woman, the self proclaimed goddess, but he knew she most likely now stood over the millions of sleeping souls, everyone he ever fought for. It wasn't only the sleeping she now watched either, it was also of the dead, the people she killed that got in her way, those who could appose her. They were dead, and there was nothing he could have done to stop her.
It was all Kaguya's fault, every last bit of it.
With this, that spite for her, he stood, knuckles white, unsustained by his hopeful demeanor, now only did he crave the coming fight that day he returned. He relished in the mere thought of what he would bring down upon her, a wrath that he hide, one that could not be quenched. Naruto himself knew of this rage building higher still inside of him, but let it fester, let it boil, and it was there that he did not know the ramifications of his intentions. One day, when he does let that rage take hold, it won't be Naruto, or Kurama, but of something else entirely, a hatred it will be, for all the world to see.
But, as for now, he enraveled that sensation of burning fury deep inside, content on finding his way home for now. It had been several months, nearly a year, but he was getting close to something that the CCG were involved in, something big. It was no incident that no matter how hard or how extensive or even how deep a large companies pockets were, that some information leaked to the public, whether it be intentional with a hint of what was being done, or fully letting the people know what was happening concerning the ghouls and new tech to be rid of them.
And transporting them all to a different world would be a good excuse.
From news reports to clippings of paper and photos concerning the organization, Naruto was beginning to suspect that these people had far more reach than that of ghoul research-though it may pertain to that most of the time. They were a company after all, and the peoples safety-Naruto suspected-was little more than a front to the actual workings and going's on at the mysterious facility, though most of its employees may think public safety is number one. Yes, it was, for them at least, but there had to be the something else going on, maybe that the CCG had a tight circle of people who worked for a greater goal, ready to implement their more than likely vile plans upon the world soon enough, when the time was right.
Ah, but, of course, this was all speculation, and leads and follows towards the trails he faintly picked up were but simply partial to the information he needed, so he gave little much stock in them. But...it would be no surprise if they were up to no good-considering that everyone was subject to personal sin-and intended ill towards all, uncaring for the peoples outcome. Such was the world, high on its own moral, yet incapable of perceiving its own evil.
So, with his thoughts collected, Naruto finally came to a decision, for tonight, he would make his first attempt at infiltrating the famous CCG headquarters.
In accordance to this, he had been prepping himself for a month now; kunai, shuriken, smoke-bombs and all the like at hand, but most important of all was his trump card. It was not that giant golden fox form he enjoyed to rumble around in, or of the golden cloak that so boosted his abilities, rather, it was his father's trump card, the pronged kunai that allowed a quick escape or turn around. He had recently grown rather fond of it, and even now a faint smile pricked the corner of his lips as he set about sheathing them in hidden places, remembering his resurrected father as they fought together. It was a pleasant memory among many others, ones he looked back on with nostalgia and joy. He would return, and set his world straight once more, free from its 'goddess,' and perhaps make a life like his father had.
Hours past by in the sluggishness of day until nights sweet aroma draped itself across Tokyo. No moon showed in these hours tonight, but this city shined still, the bright streets filled still with the hustle and bustle of humans, ready to go home and slump into their cozy beds, or to work the night shift inside a claustrophobic inducing cubicle, that is until the morn rays spilled over the horizon, relieving them of trudging work.
It was of this time that one individual from a far flung world slinked in the night, care to his visibility and light footwork were in his constant second natured thoughts, making sure each step was quieter than that of mice around an exterminator. He stooped low atop a building-along with many others surrounding the center one-peering across the expanse of space between him and his targeted way point.
The CCG building was large-enormous even!-with an expanse far more intimidating than it should have been. It had tall, thick, stone walls amongst the outer edge, guard stations and checkpoints at each of the few entrances, and no doubt traps having a good seated space in the yard beyond the walls and under the ground beneath the grassy plain. The building itself held sharp and peculiar angles that any ghoul, except for those ukaku, would find mightily hard to scale, and no doubt was the surface hard enough to sustain against a kagunes striking power-to at least a certain extent.
The figure, dressed accordingly to its sneaking nature, was not deterred, having all the tools needed. From its foot wear it wore wooden sandles, colored a dark shade, just like the rest. Conforming pants and a thin robe tied to his upper form, with shinobi tools belted all around him, strapped down, with some hidden beneath the folds of cloth. A wrapping of long cloth strapped around his head, concealing the otherwise bright blond hair and whiskered face, the ninja mask having a knot at the back and base of his next, with two strips of cloth fluttering in the light wind. Only one thing was not swathed in darkness, and it was his eyes, that gaze that shone with small eagerness beneath all the drab black cloth, those sapphire orbs that stare deep into his destination, just waiting to leap into action.
Slowly, Naruto pushed himself up from the ledge, minding that he did not stand, and instead, crouch low on his haunches. Out with the flick of his wrist came his father's-now his-pronged kunai, gripping it tightly for a moment. He had many more, and even greater amounts of the regular kunai, but he closed his eyes in relishment to the mere thought, of remembering that his dad did things similar to this.
It was a comforting ponder, something to remember the man by, to use these tools in honor of him, Minato, who sacrificed the chance to flee with his wife and kid, but to instead do as he had to, to protect the village. Naruto knew better than to wine about it, to hate him for it, long ago did he reconcile with the man-though getting a good punch in on him. He knew the need of the many were greater than the few, that a hundred dead is not as bad as the thousands, if not millions, and that was why he searched for his home so religiously, to save everyone as his father and mother both had.
Finally, he let his eyes open, to the world he resided in, focusing on the now, to save the future of the shinobi, and of all his people and of all who followed him into battle against Madara-now Kaguya. It was here that he aimed with carful precision and decisiveness, arm drawing back to the side as far as it would go, building tension in the cords of tissue, until finally, they snapped out like springs, his arm revolving out, releasing the pronged kunai. Not a second later, he pulled out another, letting a flash of yellow lightning skitter out atop the building he once en-crouched upon.
Instantaneously, moments too fast to account for, he was in the air, still speeding at a ridiculous height, straight towards the slanted walls of the CCG headquarters. His hand flashed down, grabbing the kunai that flew along with him, holding both now in a reverse grip of sorts. He nearly crashed into the awkward side of the building, piercing the edifice to some extent, but just barely enough, and so the blades began to slide out from the punctured side. Before they let him down-literally-Chakra flooded his soles as he pushed his feet to the structure, forcing his body to fully stick to the walls side.
Slowly, Naruto stood apart from the buildings side, his control absolute over his Chakra now that he could have even done a small dance of victory, but he withheld his joy, the mission still yet to be done. Sheathing his pronged kunai, Naruto took a small glance around, eyes darting like flies, checking to seek if anyone saw him. No one, not a soul, the guards still relaxed and unconcerned.
Faintly smiling, Naruto now walked the length of the buildings side, scaling across the width of it until he reached the spot above the entrance door. Stopping briefly, Naruto examined the guards posted at the doors frame. He was little more than that of a guard, not too strong, with nothing really outstanding to his appearance, shoulders slumping instead of brought back to lock in a strong stance.
With this thought in hand, Naruto gave a soft whistle to the man, who looked up. He was startled at first to find a dark figure there above him and went for his pistol, but swiftly, faster than what the man expected, Naruto descended on the poor sod, the grey flash of a kunai burying deep into the guards throat. Landing softly, Naruto drew the blade from the guard as if he were an over sized sheath. Red spurt briefly from the deathly wound, even as his faint gurgle bubbled through, and there in his eyes, a grey fog began to spread over the color of the dying mans gaze. No doubt was he thinking of those close to him, not of why Naruto slew him, only thinking of himself, as his mind drew closer to oblivion.
But his murderer did little to show concern, already having placed a genjutsu over them as soon as he landed. He watched with absent eyes, regarding a small amount of respect to the now dead guard. With little time to waste, Naruto set about examining every aspect of the mans features, taking it all in as best his brain could, and when finally he decided it was good, pulled out a rag from one of his pouches. Wiping the crimson from the pavement, and holding the cloth to the deceased mans throat to keep it from leaking further, Naruto leaped up, taking the body with him, scaling the crooked buildings side briefly before tossing the body atop the roof, leaving it with everything but the mans key card.
Coming back down the building side, and plopping down unto the pavement, Naruto used his transformation jutsu, turning into the guard he killed but mere moments before. Right down to the slump of his shoulders to his face, and that was all others would see. He strode towards the glass doors, swiping the card through before entering. He walked with little urgency, right past a woman sitting at her desk, no doubt a receptionist. She stopped him for a moment, calling the mans name, but when Naruto turned, he smiled, waved, and continued on down past a door.
As he went, he heard her call the man a nasty word of sorts, and to it he gave a sigh of relief. The man he took out must not boast too well of the lady, otherwise she might have made a large concern for a guard she knew well to not respond in the same fashion as he might before. But, on the other hand, if she knew him well enough to call by name, than it was likely that the man was known around here.
Because of this, Naruto spent little time in this form, edging away from cameras by heading for a bathroom nearby. He did not enter, instead, he hide behind the wall that the restrooms door sunk behind. Releasing himself from the transformation jutsu, Naruto soon after peeked around the corner of the wall, looking side to side briefly before letting loose another genjutsu.
It hid him well enough, even when moving, and despite his great control concerning Chakra, his forte was not genjutsu, and in little more than five minutes, he would be relinquished of this cloak that hid him from prying eyes. Even now, he strode with quiet steps, searching for what he sought. He hoped to find a secret room, find where they kept all their special stuff, and hopefully obtain what he was looking for.
Each door he went down was littered with either computers or strange inventions harboring something secretive, or otherwise deadly, though most were unfinished, and had no one at the desk working or any scientist tinkering with their trinkets. In fact, those computers of theirs looked quite old, rather archaic for a facility having the governments backing. And those inventions of sorts-although looking worked on-held little promise to something destructive enough to impact a bigger threat than a C class ghoul.
Wondering what was going on, Naruto halted before a new door, peering inside to spot no one as usual, but this time, there was no line of computers, nor any inventions inside. It was a small, uncharacteristic, square thing of a pearly white paint finish. A thin scarlet carpet lay across the floor, but otherwise, there was nothing else.
Perplexed, but intrigued, Naruto entered the room, wondering how this whole place could somehow be magnificent and yet all so confusingly strange, even the smell of the facility was off, putting his nose at a stark disadvantage. From its particular architecture that withheld an actual reason behind its oddness, to the empty room he now stood in that seemed to have no true purpose besides the containment of a single rug. It was bare of all things except that single red carpet, right smack dab in the middle of the room, and that was what peaked his interest. It nearly gave the veteran of war a chill though, concerning how unusual this whole place was.
Creeeeak!
He halted all movement for a single moment, whipping around a second later. The door hung ajar with a strange humanoid figure stalking within its frame, strange eyes flashing around the room for but a moment, before closing the door behind him. He went straight towards the carpet, those faintly luminescent eyes expressing some sick satisfaction concerning the rug.
The man wore a lab coat of sorts, but held no briefcase as the investigators almost always had, and wore but a simple dress shirt-of a white tone-and pair of black pants and shoes contrasting the rest of the white above. He sat on his haunches now, briefly examining the surface of the carpet as if to search out something significant from it, before quietly diverting his attention briefly by fishing around in his coat pocket. Finally, he pulled out a large glass syringe, about nearly stabbing the rug as he thrust the metallic tip down through the surface of the material, and somehow draining it of all it crimson color until there was not but a white sheen to its surface.
It was here that Naruto finally realized it was not a carpet, but instead a filter or machine of sorts, and that red color, was blood, more than likely from the victim of this muscular fellow. His matted black hair was flipped out of his face with an absent hand, which soon after rolled his opposing hands sleeve, as he punched the needle tip of the syringe into his forearm. It was such a sight then, to watch as his face shifted with glee, and something else beneath the surface.
Lightning seemed to crackle under the mans skin, rushing around between joints, circulating back and about. Something hit Naruto then, a familiar feeling he had not felt in a long time, and it set his face burning with rage. This man was taking in the DNA of someone from his home, and most likely something else mixed between. It was only when he was halfway through the blood that he ceased his forced injecton of Chakra-a feat that should not be possible either!
"'Tiss a shame that I can't take anymore, ah, but testing needs to be done, and maybe I can figure out how to activate those strange eyes again, heheheh hahahaha," the man was practically giddy with excitement, turning away as Naruto fumed.
Strange eyes!?
The man stopped, feet haltering mid-step to the door, head tilting to the side.
"What is this feeling. I can practically taste more of that stuff. I haven't felt this energy since that one woke from their sleep. Quite pissed they were. So I wonder," he whipped around, and Naruto suppressed his Chakra enough to just keep up the genjutsu. "I wonder if there are more of them!" he screeched, a grin sickeningly wide, split his face, ear to ear.
A gloved hand extended outward, as if to touch Naruto, but froze just a hairs breath away.
"Perhaps, one day, I can have yours too, whoever you are. But all experiments come in due time."
And he sauntered off, gleeful in his own self delusional lunacy, no doubt this strange power consuming him in its maddening maw. Naruto looked out that door, wishing nothing more than to strangle him, to drive a kunai through him again and again and again, even as the dead faces of his friends passed through his mind.
Naruto!
He heard them scream in his head, and he was there again, standing in the stripped battle field, burned and broken was the land. He had watched, helpless then as one friend after the other fell to her hands. It was only by their deaths, however, that he fought on even ground with Kaguya, and subsequently, his abrupt arrival in this world.
And that man said strange eyes, and a pissed off person.
Hope fluttered in him at those thoughts, thinking that someone else had been flung in with him, someone who had survived the damned goddess. But another part of Naruto burnedwith hatred towards the man that stole the Chakra from whomever it was that got locked up in this place, bled for their essence and power. It was this feeling that clasped unto him dearly, and forced Naruto to do something very foolish.
Crack!
The tile floor beneath him broke beneath his feet as he burst from the room and out to the hall, forgoing the genjutsu he put up, for he cared little for secrecy, he only wanted nothing more than to tear into that strange man. Head whipping about, he spotted the lab coated form of the man turning, but Naruto gave little chance for him to react, descending on the man as rage filled his eyes.
The mans breath spurted out in ragged gasps as Naruto stood atop him, driving his sandles into the mans gut. Dropping to his knees, Naruto's fist snapped out, striking across the mans face, blood beginning to spurt from the now angled and broken nose. Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, dragging him up so that they were face to face, Naruto spat his question in the mans face.
"Where are they!" His voice, although muffled by the mask, turned to a graveled tone near the end.
The man stared at him, at first, with bleary white eyes, as if unconscious, but soon his gaze rolled around, staring with short glee past his broken and offly angled nose, that grin spreading once more, rancor behind it. With an absent hand, he popped his nose back into place, and strangely, the cut that ran down the bridge of his nose, began to close.
"Mhahahahaha! So you know this individual do you! Shame it be though, you won't recognize them any-"
Naruto's white knuckled fist turned red as he plowed his fist into the mans skull, and it bobbed for a moment, crimson blood running down his temple. Rage, bloody red anger, utter fury burning in the back of Naruto's eyes, they watched the wound heal over and the mans' head tilt back up at him.
"Oh! You got my blood burning now boy!"
Suddenly, he spun out at an alarming speed, kicking Naruto off of him and standing once more, holding his feet at a separate distance, ready to move.
Without preamble, Naruto leapt at the man, snapping his foot out, catching him under the chin. The man recovered quicker than he should have, grabbing Naruto by the leg and rolling back, slamming the blond into the ground. On the floor, Naruto peered up, rolling to the side to avoid the mans stomping foot. Swiftly, he swept the man off his own feet, kicking his legs out from under him, soon bolting to up so he could back-pedal. Two kunai were already in his hands, quickly thrown with rapid speed. Both stuck firmly, slamming into the mans hand and side, but the man did not cry out in pain, but instead, he laughed, chuckled with an inkling to madness edged in his breath.
"You...hehehe...think that will do anything!" He jumped to his feet, ripping the kunai from his side with his off hand, bringing the red stained black steel up to his lips. With a lolling tongue, he licked its length, and satisfied with that, brought it out to bare against the whiskered blond.
"I! AM IMMORTAL!" He screamed with a bellow of conviction, rushing at Naruto far faster than the shinobi expected. The true Chakra user dodged to the side, but the steel sliced across his ribs, the sharp blade falling deep into his flesh, forcing him to stagger. But, Naruto had enough of this, he had enough of this man who defiled the use of his worlds power. So, forming a cross with his two fingers, he molded Chakra, creating a clone. Not soon after, split seconds passing in all of this, he formed that deadly blue orb of air with the clones palms flashing over the originals hand, dashing at the cackling man all in the same instant, bellowing out with burning fury.
"RASENGAN!" Naruto shouted one of his favorite techniques, smashing the spiraling death orb into the mans gut. Air wrenched from his adversaries lungs, and tissue twisted unnaturally in a drilled spiral as the man was suddenly shot away and down the hall, his body slamming and embedding to the far wall, finally unable to sustain his consciousness.
Dropping to his knee and grabbing his side, Naruto gasped, the blood from the gash still spilling fast, the wound too deep to suddenly regenerate. If his situation wasn't already bad, it got worse, Naruto realized this as men and woman suited in battlements, guns and other weapons, even Quinque, bared before the blond. Before a command was said, before a shot was fired, Naruto whipped out his pronged kunai, disappearing in a yellow flash, leaving the confused CCG guards and personal staring at a blood dripped floor.