Five Years Ago
Victor stood on the edge of a field with Naruto at his side. They watched as a small girl ripped apart training dummies.
"Xael's training is going well," Victor said.
"Funneling small amounts of the Kyuubi's chakra into her before she was born caused some interesting results. She far stronger than most Jounin, but it's raw and unrefined strength. It'll take time to train her properly, especially when working with the chains."
"Leave that training to Karin for a few days. We're going to intercept a trade ship tonight."
"Any particular reason?"
"It's a slave ship," Victor snarled. "One secretly owned by Gato Shipping Company."
"I knew that would come back to bite me," Naruto replied. "Just another thing Mother and Father are responsible for. When I was a child, there was a mission to the Land of Waves. When we found out that it was more dangerous than the architect could afford, the Jounin in charge of my team forced us to abandon them. I wanted to keep going, but they weren't about to be responsible for the death of the Hokage's son."
"I remember that. It's been so long since then. Time to right all wrongs, to pay all debts in full."
"So you did survive," Kushina said, still too shocked to react to Naruto's attack on Minato.
"No thanks to you," Naruto said venomously. He grabbed Minato and picked him up, dropping him in a chair as he came to. "Well? Come on in. We haven't got all fucking day."
As reality set in, Kushina quickly pinned Naruto to the wall.
Naruto laughed. "Go ahead, kill me. Maybe this time you'll do a better job than when you tried to extract the Kyuubi!" Red light filled the room as thick red chakra surrounded him.
"How?" Kushina tried to ask.
"When I said enough, I did not just mean for him!" Victor shouted.
"He started this fight, I can finish it."
"Do it," Naruto said, goading her on. "Spare the rod, spoil the child. I'm prepared for it. You left a huge ass burn mark on my belly, I just had to return the favor. Finish the job this time! Stop half-assing everything you do! Whatever punishment you have for me is worth it now that I've left a mark worth leaving! Do it. Show everyone, show my sister, the monster you are."
She glared at him before growling and stepping back.
"Can we all relax and take a breather?" Victor asked. "Look. I know not all of us have been on the best of terms in the past, but let's be honest. Most of that was your own faults."
"How do you have the Kyuubi too?" Kimiko interrupted.
Victor sighed and began rubbing his temples. "I swear to all that is holy, if I die of a brain aneurysm now, I will haunt each and every fucking one of you. Go ahead, Naruto, answer her."
Naruto nodded. "Mother dearest wasn't exactly one of his favorite hosts. In fear of being nailed to a rock again, he resisted being extracted. Part of him was left behind and his mind was split. You have part of him, and so do I. It took a long time for him to regenerate, but eventually he did. That's how."
Victor nodded. "Good, yes, explanations. Any other questions? Or can I get back to my speech? I spent thirty years planning this bullshit."
"I do have one," Gaara said. "Why now? You were released ten years ago. Why only return now?"
"Believe it or not, my accounts were frozen or emptied when I was released." He paused, stood, and began undressing. As he got down to only his shorts, it showed the connections between his cybernetic limbs and his body, where wires were visible beneath the skin. "Took a while to get used to what was taken from me. The daily maintenance, the fear a random lightning bolt will strike me during a thunderstorm. You know? Shit like that.
"Now then," Victor continued, "I think it's important to lay all of our cards on the table. This time, I did actually kill the last Tsuchikage. Ten years ago, when she disappeared, and while I was being, rebuilt, shall we say? She hunted me down after I served my sentence and tried to kill me. So I killed her."
The atmosphere of the room tensed.
"A, you tried to kill me during the war. I can't blame you, but given how many of your men I ripped apart, I imagine you're itching for a chance at my throat? But of all the people who want to kill me, who's first in line? Minato was the first to act upon it, but it was you, Kushina, who also had hatred in her eyes. But it was worse. Cold and controlled. A calculating hatred. Why? Was it because of the crime I was accused of thirty years ago? Me being a better teacher to your son, him preferring me? Was it that I could carry on the legacy you wanted to abandon? Or was it that you missed out on five months where I had the chance to save another of your children from your betrayal? You know what, I think I know the reason. Shall I share it with the group"
"Shut up!" Kushina shouted. "I should have killed you years ago, along with the so called legacy of a dying clan!"
Victor grinned smugly. "Do you still want me dead?" He pulled a book from his desk.
"Don't do it Victor," Naruto said. "She'll just burn it."
"It's a copy. I want to see how far she goes. You want to kill me so badly, Kushina? Here. A book of all the old Uzumaki laws. In it, I'm sure you'll find some way to nail me to the wall. Force a fight in a way where I can't hide. And trust me, that book is going to be the only way you have the chance to kill me." As Kushina reached out to take it, he pulled it back. "My sister, I am begging you to not do this. I do want us to be a family again. I have this whole time." He handed her the book. "As for the rest of you, you're only here because of the entertainment value. What better audience for what's to come than the leaders of the world. There are rooms for you if you want them. Otherwise, enjoy the party."
"Wait, that's it?" A asked.
"You came here for a party, you met the host, and you got a bit more. Either enjoy the party some more, or don't. That's your choice. You can go now. Naruto, when's the family supposed to arrive?"
"They'll be here in a couple hours."
"You can go now," Victor said venomously as he looked up and saw the Kage still sitting or standing there.
Naruto walked out through the main gate, moving quickly. He had a destination in mind, but it was ripped away as someone grabbed him and slammed him into a wall.
"You said that you were Naruto, you bastard!" Hinata all but yelled at him.
Naruto smirked and pushed his hood away to reveal his face. "But it is me, Hinata. It was me in the bakery five months ago. Wearing my uncle's face under a Henge made business easy these past few months."
She let him go and backed up, crying. "It's been so long."
"Yes it has. Tell me, can you free yourself from your chains? Can you kill them all?"
His words sent a cold chill through her body, "I-I don't know."
"Join me, Hinata. Serve me, and you can not only survive what is to come but be at my side. You can shed this pathetic skin, the shackles that this place has on you. Just like I did, you can slaughter the people who decided the direction your life should take. I'm going to kill them all. The question is, are you one of them? Is your will still so easily broken? I'll come to you for your answer when the time comes. Until then, I have places to be." He turned and left her to the night.
Kaori moved slowly through the night, ducking into an alleyway, careful to not be seen as she removed her ANBU mask. She leaned against a wall and let out a sigh. Every ANBU and Jounin was on alert with the return of Victor, the thought of it put a heavy weight on her mind and a dark feeling in her stomach.
"I always hated those masks," a man said.
She turned to see Victor standing a few feet away. It didn't surprise her that she hadn't sensed him, even if she was a sensory type shinobi. She wasn't afraid. If he wanted her dead, there would be nothing she could do about it.
"They hid your beautiful face. That, and they itched like a motherfucker," Victor continued.
"So you're hear to flatter me?" Kaori asked.
"To say hello. I've missed you. You really do still look beautiful." He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her in a light hug. "I thought I would never see you again."
"And what is it you think is going to happen now?" she asked, her arms staying at her sides.
"Nothing. Not a fucking thing. But I have to know something. Your son. The timing works, and I have to know-"
She cut him off. "He isn't yours. Right after you left-"
"Thank you," he said, cutting her off now. "Thank you, and whatever deities listen."
"You're happy?" she asked, surprised.
"More than you could know. I'm so sorry for everything. I just needed to know that I hadn't abandoned someone else. I love you. I'm sorry. For everything. For this." His arms tightened around her. "Your loyalty lies with Konoha. You turned me in when I returned from Iwa. You betrayed me. And you would do it again."
She choked in his arms, her bones popping and cracking as his grip began to crush her.
"Good night," he whispered.
Victor walked through Konoha, happy to use his own name as he went about his business. Though, he was doing it to antagonize Kushina and Minato. Every step he took, he was waiting for them to make their move.
He made his way towards Kimiko's home, hoping to talk to her now that the tensions of the night before might have eased. He stepped up to the door and knocked. When the door finally opened, Kimiko looked at him with tired eyes.
"Last night, I told you that you weren't the only reason I came back. Even if it ruins all of my other plans, I want to tell you the other reason. I told you that I wouldn't lie to you. To prove it, I want to tell you everything."
She stared at him for a minute before stepping aside and letting him in. He moved slowly, calmly, into the living room where she guided him and sat down with him.
"Let's hear it," she said.
He sighed and thought about where to begin. "I came back to torment Kushina and Minato, and, should it come to it, kill them. I don't want to. As a matter of fact, I was hoping we could still be a family. But after last night, I don't know how we could. I've spent five months preparing in case they still hated me, so I could be safe. Now, all I want is you and Naruto, to be with you both and forget my sorrow. I'm so broken because of what they did to me."
Victor pulled a black skull mask from his coat and put it on his face. "My name is Death, and the end is here," he said.
"That was you?" she asked. She pulled a gun and aimed at his head.
He put the mask down and leaned his head back. "Will you be the death of me, of all people? Yes, that was me. Did you know I left a half-eaten person there? The Twenty-Year Prison is a place you put someone in to make them endure hell. It breaks your will. Only the desire for their love or my vengeance kept me going. But the things they did to me..." His voice cracked and tears ran down his face.
She lowered her gun slightly.
"They locked me in a sealed room and pumped in just enough air to make me feel like I was suffocating for hours on end. They burned me alive, tied me down while parasites and rats ate me alive, put hooks on my bones and ripped them out. Even then, you can't imagine the things they can put you through in twenty years. In the last year, they become the most brutal, and they stop giving you rations. You can only steal food from the others so many times before they decide to kill you. And then, I adapted. I learned the only way to survive like that. The weakest ones would be spared suffering, by feeding me."
"You survived by eating the other prisoners," she said in realization, sounding solemn
"No matter who I killed, no one wanted to be on the bad side of whoever was eating people. There's something bad inside me, broken beyond fixing. I came back to save you, so that you could save me."
"And to kill my parents," Kimiko said grimly.
Victor chuckled through his tears. "Can you blame me? What they did to me, what they deprived me of? Feel free to tell them. I'm just glad you know the truth. You know what I'm going to do, the things I've done. And I'm going to do even more soon. That's more than your parents will ever give you. I of all people can promise you that. So now, all I have to know is, what will you do?"
She stared at him. "I'm just a pawn on the shogi-board, aren't I?"
"To them, yes. To me, you're the king. Or one of the Gold Generals perhaps. You and Naruto are the most important things to me. I'm the pawn. If it comes down to it, I'll sacrifice myself to keep you two safe. Ultimately, I want you to join me, but that's up to you."
"Get out," Kimiko said.
Victor nodded. He stood and went to the door.
"I'll think about it," she said. "I don't know what I'll do, or what to do, yet. But I'll think about it." She was uncertain, and it was obvious. All the things she had learned over the past few months left her shaken.
"I can accept that," Victor said as he left.
Sasuke moved quietly through the streets, the night air isolating him. He could hear music off in the distance.
"Hello there, Sasuke. Long time, no see."
He turned to see Naruto standing there. He had heard about his return, but the difference thirty years made was easily visible.
"So you are back," Sasuke said. "I don't get why the Hokage wants the ANBU to be on guard for you. Not like the Kyuubi, let alone only half of it, can challenge the Sharingan."
"I hear you're an ANBU commander now. Doesn't mean I haven't had enough of your pathetic arrogance. It's a lot less amusing than it was when I left. And considering how much it annoyed me then, that should tell you everything."
Sasuke gave a small grunt of annoyance and pulled a sword, putting it against Naruto's throat. Naruto didn't flinch or move away, but his eyes hardened into a glare.
He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. As he did, a small girl walked out of the shadows with a pair of swords strapped to her back. Her eyes were purple and her hair was gold like Naruto's, but with an unusual style; being short and spiky on the right side but longer and straight on the left side.
"Introductions are in order. This is Xael, my daughter. Now then, bring me his right arm, darling," Naruto said.
The girl pulled the swords and smiled. "Yes, Papa!" She dashed forward, leaving Sasuke barely enough time to dodge.
Sasuke backed up, pulled a gun, and pointed it at her.
"Papa, he's pointing his gun at me. Can I cut his head off?" Xael asked.
"Patience, my little love. In time, perhaps. Now then, Sasuke. I have business with you, if you'd listen. I'd like to either grant you a vengeance that has eluded you, or a swift death. How would you like to kill your brother, and know the true reason he killed your family? I will give you answers, and serve him up to you on a silver plater. But in return, you must pledge fealty to my uncle and me. You must serve our plans. The last Uchiha must bow to the Uzumaki."
"An Uchiha, as a servant? Are you insane?" Sasuke demanded, though Naruto could see the desire for what he promised.
"Who's more insane? A man who makes his own way, or someone like you, who serves people who betray him?" He smirked. "Take that as you will. Look, consider my offer. I do have other places to be. I've got the rest of our graduating class to convince. How are Choji and Kiba these days? You know what, I'll just ask them. Let's go, Xael."
And with that, they turned and left.
He sat in a clearing, playing softly on a flute. The tune cut off sharply. "You can only kill me with that book, Kushina. Unless my sister has come to have a picnic?"
Kushina walked into the clearing, flanked by half of a dozen shinobi. "You think I can't see the things you've done? He has his suspicions, but Minato says there isn't enough evidence. But I see it. People don't sleep well anymore. More people going to their doctors about nightmares. I've never liked being someone else's puppet, but I can feel you pulling my strings, you behind it all. There is a darkness infesting the village. The attacks over the months, this sickness, you've been wreaking anarchy and all that it brings."
Victor stood up. "You've always been happy to be the puppet. You want me to be this monster you hate? You want me to be the one trying to burn you alive? I see fire in all your eyes. The fire of hope and determination. I want to extinguish it. You want to sacrifice them for your schemes, Kushina? I'll slaughter them all!"
He blinked out of existence, reappearing behind them. A line of craters appeared, stopping at Victor as everything around them caught up with his speed. He kicked one of the ANBU in the leg, breaking it sideways. Black chains emerged from his back, slamming into three of the ANBU, scattering them.
"I am going to tear down everything you've built!" Victor shouted. He grabbed on of them by the hair, bludgeoning them with his hand. As the ANBU dropped to the ground, the chains ensnared Kushina and her men. Each of the ANBU was lifted up to watch what he would do next. "These pathetic children you mislead, you will watch them bleed. They were strong, but you're about to learn that strength does not bring victory. Your sins are what they'll pay for. It will be a catastrophe, a terrible work of art!" He pulled a sword, aiming it a Kushina's head. He slammed it down, pushing the blade into the ground next to her.
"I'm not the monster here, dear sister. I'm not the one trying to kill someone who has already payed for their mistakes hundreds of times over! All I wanted was to come back and have my family! You're the one stopping that. You're the one that wants so badly for me to die. You want me dead so bad? Use the book then. But please don't. Just let me have my family. I'm so tired."
He vanished once again, taking form on a ridge, looking down at the clearing down below.
"Why let them live?" Naruto asked, watching them.
"This is the plan. One of many, at the very least. Plant seeds of doubt. Konoha completely united, it's a terrifying thing. I'll divide them with doubt and watch this hole in the world burn."
Victor walked through the streets with a bag in his hand. He smiled, hoping today would be the day. He had done the same for the past week, going about Konoha during the day, waiting. He could tell that ANBU were almost constantly watching him, but he was unbothered by them.
And then he felt it. The pure hatred. He turned and saw Kushina standing behind him.
"Hey there, sis. How've you been?" Victor asked jovially. He noticed that she had brought her own audience, Sasuke Uchiha, his wife, Minato, Kimiko, even some of the other clan leaders, and the other Kage.
"Cut the shit, Victor," Kushina shot back. "I'm here to challenge you."
Victor smirked. "Challenge me? Whatever could you mean? I have no interest in fighting you."
"To an Uzumaki Duel," she said.
He became serious. "So you did read the book. Good. Are you sure?"
"A battle where the loser's life is forfeit. Yes, I'm sure. You don't have to accept, but something tells me that your honor and pride as an Uzumaki won't let you refuse."
Victor laughed. "You're right. Luckily, I've already drawn up the seal." He sat his bag down and pulled a slip of paper, a sealing tag, from it. He cut open his palm and placed the seal over the blood.
"A seal?" Kushina asked. "What seal."
He stopped. "You saw, 'deathmatch' and jumped on it like a bitch in heat, didn't you. Fuck, you didn't even read the rules. Yes. Open your palm with a blade and clasp hands with me. If you're serious about this, you do as I've said."
She paused and then steeled herself against what was to come. She pulled a knife and cut open her palm, clasping hands with him.
"Repeat after me, but use your own name. Your real name," Victor said. "I, Victor Uzumaki, submit to the laws of our people for this duel."
Kushina repeated his words, reluctantly addressing herself as an Uzumaki. As she did, the seal glowed and suddenly branded them both with it's mark. "So, where are we fighting? You get to decide the form the contest takes, right?"
Victor glared at her. "So you did read some of it. Yes. You challenged me, so I dictate the rules, and the form this contest will take. But, it won't be a fight. It'll be a game I've played hundreds of times."
He reached down and pulled a six chamber revolver from his bag. "The name of the game, is Russian Roulette. And we'll be playing in the center of the village."