The Many Minds of Namikaze Naruto
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other shows, books, movies (Etc. Etc.) that you may or may not associate with this fan fiction. If I did, I wouldn't be here writing fan fictions, now would I?
Kyuubi's thought-speech
Uryuu's thought-speech
*Ranma's thought-speech*
*Lelouch's thought-speech*
*Gambit's thought-speech*
Thoughts
(Author/Narrator Commentary)
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As the first man approached Naruto, the Leaf Genin was actually looking at the second. This one looked younger, though still older than Naruto, and was wearing a black uniform, almost military or perhaps…a school uniform? Again, the next thing Naruto noticed was his eyes…or specifically, one eye.
One of the boy's eyes was lit up with the silhouette of what appeared to be a bird in flight.
Both began talking almost at once.
"Where am I? Dis isn't New York."
"What is going on here? Where have you brought me?! And how?"
Naruto sighs. "I'll explain everything…but first…would you both mind telling me who you are?"
"I'm…" the first man paused. "You can call me Gambit." Naruto noticed a somewhat suppressed, but still obvious, accent…one that he couldn't place.
The second was a bit more reserved. He looked Naruto in the Eye and started to speak…then apparently thought better of what he had been about to say. He hesitated and looked away, his demeanor changing to a more relaxed air. "Lelouch….Lamperouge."
He is hiding something.
He has reason to…he has no idea who we are.
Naruto hesitated only a moment, and then began to explain. "This may sound crazy, but….you are inside my mind. I summoned the two of you from another world…and I don't know how to send you back yet."
Both of the newcomers gave Naruto a look that implied they did in fact find his claim rather crazy. Then the first, the one who introduced himself as Gambit, laughed. "Ah, you nearly had me fooled…are you a mutant?"
Naruto blinked. "A…mutant? No…I'm a ninja…of Konohagakure. I am not trying to fool you."
Uryuu came up behind the two. "It's no trick…He did the same with myself and…our friend here, Ranma." He motioned to Ranma as the two turned.
Gambit was unconvinced. He countered by motioning toward Kataki, now standing off a little to his right, Naruto's left. "Sha, you take me fo' a fool. De girl has a tail...yet you say she not a mutant? "
Naruto hesitated. "No…I'm not even sure what you mean by a mutant. Kataki is…well…a demon. The Nine tailed demon fox."
Lelouch simply listened at first. He glanced toward the girl Gambit mentioned and looked in her eyes. He spoke in a casual tone, but obviously expecting to be obeyed. "Tell me what is really going on here."
Kataki grinned "Exactly what the kid said...not that I blame the two of you for doubting the situation." Lelouch was shocked. He scowled. "I command you to answer me."
Pataki's grin never faded. "Look, kid, whatever authority, power, or right you think you have, it doesn't apply here. This is Naruto's mind…in here, he's a god. He could turn you into a rabbit if he wanted to."
This wasn't strictly accurate, but Lelouch certainly couldn't be expected to know the mechanics of how a mindscape worked in an alternate dimension. To be fair, even Naruto didn't realize Kyuubi was lying…He could easily alter their surroundings, or alter his own self inside the mindscape, even manifest unusual abilities he didn't really possess…but he could no more change the other inhabitants themselves than he could do in the outside world.
Gambit had closed his eyes and put a hand to his temple. "Mon Dieu…dis is real? I don' tink you be telling me lies. If you do, you'll regret meeting Gambit. I'm no good enemy to have, mon ami."
Lelouch was silent, obviously deep in thought.
Since neither newcomer seemed to have any further objection, Naruto began explaining, as he did with Ranma, more about himself. He explained his unusual "condition" as a jinchuuriki, about the night he'd become a ninja and the day he'd accidently summoned Uryuu, and then about his plan to figure out more about the technique he'd used. He talked about his training with Ranma as the result of that plan, and finally, how he'd somehow summoned the two of them at once. Finally, he told the two newcomers about the "deal" he'd made with the others: More or less free reign in a shadow clone, in exchange for their help in various areas of his life as a ninja. He acknowledged that the deal would benefit him more than it would them, but also that it was the best he could do until he returned them to their own worlds…a feat he couldn't yet accomplish.
Lelouch seemed to accept the offer without much hesitation. Gambit was only slightly slower to accept.
"If we gun' work with each other, mon ami, perhaps you should know a bit mo' about ma…talents." Gambit gave a theatrical bow and continued. "De infamous Remy Lebeau. I am de best at what I do, that is, procuring items that my employers find to be of some…value. I suspect one such as yo'self would also find my skill with de bo-staff to be most…useful. I have one other unique gift I believe would also serve your purposes well, though it be best shown…not told."
Naruto looked to Lelouch, who was still frowning somewhat. "I…" He paused. "I'm just a student. I really have nothing to offer you besides my mind, which if I do say so myself, is formidable."
Naruto looked at Lelouch, hiding his suspicion well. Specifically, he glanced at the strange eye the boy had, and thinking of how he'd demanded Kataki's obedience before.
Do you trust him?
Not entirely…but…there's little I can do but be careful around him. I can't send him away, and I won't imprison him in my mind unless he shows he can't be trusted.
Kyuubi growled mentally. It's these times when I think you are too moral for your own good.
Perhaps, but I wouldn't be me if I changed that.
"Alright….I'll allow both of you to freely enter the outside world."
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Naruto was growing to hate exiting the mindscape. He couldn't get used to the experience, which was somewhat like waking up from sleep, but far more disorienting and, at least compared to his own sleep habits, far slower. He slowly got his bearings and regained his faculties and then stood up. Sakura was looking at him with an expression of mild concern and curiosity on her face. "Well?" Kataki was already back in the shadow clone she normally occupied, but apparently hadn't explained anything.
"There were two of them this time…I don't trust the younger one. He's rather…well…you'll see when he joins us." Naruto silently summoned four clones, and like clockwork, they began to change shape…first Uryuu, then Ranma, and then Gambit and finally Lelouch.
The boy looked toward Kataki, directly beside him, and said something Naruto couldn't quite hear. Kataki's eyes glowed momentarily, and then…nothing happened. At least for the moment. A second after that, Kataki shook her head, let out a fox-like growl, and leaped at Lelouch, drawing a kunai in midair. There was a flurry of movement, and before Naruto or Sakura knew what had happened, Lelouch had a kunai buried in his clone's head, and disappeared, and Kataki was being held against the ground by Ranma and Uryuu. Gambit was simply watching with a look of mild interest on his face.
I'll kill him! Send him back out here so I can tear him limb from limb!
What just happened? What did he say?
It's not what he said…but what he did. The fool had the NERVE to try and control my mind. I will destroy the mortal! I will NEVER let that happen again. Tell these two to let go of me and then let me end that miserable fool's existence.
Naruto was dumbfounded. Lelouch was able to control minds? That could prove extremely useful…but he had tried to control Kataki, so…what was his ultimate goal?
Kataki…first…tell me what he asked of you. What did he try to make you do?
He… Even in their thoughts, Naruto could hear Kataki's voice calming slowly. He just asked me for information…the "truth" about what was happening…but…I can't…I won't ever let anyone get away with controlling me again…after that man. That filthy Uchiha…
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief. That was understandable. Perhaps Lelouch wasn't actually against them after all…he merely mistrusted them…and that could be fixed far easier than them mistrusting HIM.
I understand…but I suspect he was merely using the most of his abilities in order to determine if we were trustworthy. Would you not have done the same?
I…I suppose you are right.
Naruto relayed the conversation to Uryuu, Sakura and Ranma…and Gambit too, though that was more a side effect than his actual intention, and then Uryuu nodded and disappeared into the mindscape to talk with Lelouch "in person" before he was released again. It wasn't long before Naruto heard Lelouch speak in his mind.
*As I told your friend, I will not tell you anything more about myself until I know you are telling the truth about everything.*
Naruto wordlessly summons another clone, and nods to Ranma, who pulls the clone's headband down over his eyes like a blindfold, and then Kataki places a kunai to the back of his neck.
Then come back out, and we will discuss this in person.
The clones quickly took Lelouch's form. "I want to know what's really happening here. Is this an illusion?"
Naruto sighs.
I'm going to let him use his power on me. If he tries anything weird, slit his throat.
What?! Are you crazy?
I'm going to let him ask me to tell him the truth…that should convince him.
And if he turns you against us? What then?
He obviously can't control us inside my mind…so as long as you are fast, he won't have time to give me any wrong commands.
Kataki growled for the third time since the last summoning, and spoke aloud. "Fine. Tell him. But He gets no second chances after this."
Naruto sighed. "Lelouch…I'm going to remove your blindfold. When I do, you'll be allowed to use your power, whatever it may be, and ask me one question. If you try anything beyond that, Kataki will send you back to my mind, and you won't be released again." Lelouch was surprised, but smirked. "Understood."
Naruto nodded and Ranma removed the blindfold…Kataki pressed the kunai tighter against Lelouch's neck as he began to speak. "Answer me truthfully. What is actually going on here?"
Like before, Naruto's eyes glowed somewhat, and he spoke clearly and simply. "Yes, sir. Everything you have been told is true, the summoning technique I created has brought you here from your own world."
Naruto's eyes returned to normal, and he blinked. "Well? Are you going to do it?"
Lelouch simply stared for a moment, and then shook his head. "I already did…" He sighed. "I suppose it would be in by best interests to help you succeed, so that I may return to my own world. This ability of mine…it's called a Geass. I can command anyone, with only two exceptions I've found yet…" He shot Kataki a look. "…to do anything I wish…but only once for each person. I need direct eye contact, and I can…no longer turn off my ability. Any command I give with eye contact will be followed." Naruto saw a spark of guilt in his eye.
Naruto grinned. "That sounds tremendously useful. Does the control extend beyond the time the command is given? Meaning, can you command someone to never do something again, or to always do something?"
Lelouch was smirking again. "I can."
"What about programmed obedience?"
Lelouch started to speak, and then blinked. "I…hadn't thought of it before."
He claims to have a "formidable mind" and never considered the ramifications of his talent? He has an easy out to the only limit he mentioned, and never used it?
Apparently. Even the most brilliant mind can make mistakes…like luring a pack of demons into a crowded city.
Uryuu was silent for a moment. Fair enough.
Naruto looked at Sakura, who was watching this whole spectacle with wide eyes. She didn't know anything about Gambit, but even the first boy was impressive enough, then to Kataki. He sighed. "Well, the three of us should probably get some rest. Who wants the first watch?"
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It wasn't very long before they got their next taste of action. Uryuu, Sakura, and a normal shadow clone were watching the camp, about three hours before sunrise, when there was a sound in the distance, which could only be described as a bloodcurdling scream.
The Shadow clone almost immediately disappeared, waking Naruto with a start, and he was up almost instantly. The clone had given him its knowledge, and so he knew the scream had come from the direction of the tower…and probably less than four hundred yards away…so more than halfway to the tower from their current position. He looked at Sakura. "Are you ok to move out?"
The pink haired kunoichi nodded. "Hai. I can be ready in just a minute." Sakura quickly sealed their very limited camp supplies into a storage scroll (Naruto hadn't yet bothered to master even such a commonplace technique among his other more combat related training) and followed Naruto toward the noise. Uryuu took the rear, ready to form his bow if needed, and generally alert.
As they ran, Naruto formed another three clones, each of which shaped itself into one of his three combat experts: Ranma, Gambit, and Kataki. Lelouch remained inside the mindscape…although he couldn't be physically killed, he saw no need to risk physical PAIN if it wasn't necessary…and he couldn't help any better outside Naruto's mind than in it.
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It took the group very little time to reach the source of the scream…and they heard another halfway there. The group of six saw a fire, and as they hid in the shadows around the campsite, it was obvious what had occurred. Two crushed and mangled bodies were coating the ground with blood. In the clearing were four people. Two, almost outside the light themselves, were stationary, unmoving, and looked terrified. The third was holding a kunai in a battle pose, and looked almost as frightened as the first two. He stood opposite them, and more importantly, opposite the fourth person…a red haired ninja with wild, murderous eyes. He had a large gourd on his back, and seemed to be controlling a large amount of sand. He seemed to be completely still, but anyone could tell it was he that controlled the sand, because of the way it formed around him…shielding him from attacks that hadn't even been launched yet.
Naruto and the others watched with varying amounts of disgust and horror as the sand surrounded the last combatant quickly, and he was crushed, with only the final utterance of "Sand Coffin" to serve as a warning of the attack. The red-haired Nin had a maniacal gleam in his eye as he turned and walked away. His sand dropped something into the other boy's hand, a boy that wore dark, solid black clothes and face paint. He put it into a bag, and Naruto saw at least four more scrolls inside.
Kami…they must be collecting extras on their way.
Well, good, less competition for us. If we take them out now it's be easier later on. They are obviously strong to collect those scrolls.
Naruto frowned. There is something…strange about that boy.
Besides the maniacal look?
If they hadn't been hiding, Naruto would have facepalmed.
Yes. Besides that. It's his chakra…it feels strange.
Kataki, meanwhile, paled. That's because it's Youkai, kid.
What?
Demonic Chakra, Naruto. That boy…Is the container for a Bijuu…a tailed demon beast. One of my eight comrades. The Ichibi if I have not missed my guess.
Naruto was dumbfounded. He's…like me?
No. He's different. Shukaku was never fully sane to begin with. Years trapped inside the boy's head can't have done anything to make either of them any more stable. Shukaku enjoys death more than any of us, more than any other demon I've met.
So he's unstable.
To put it lightly.
Is there a way to help him?
Help him? Kid, the boy is probably more willing to pull you apart than look at you.
I won't abandon someone else to my fate. And worse, if what you say is true.
If…you could find a way to suppress or remove Shukaku, you could help him. Or if you could help him to assert control over the demon…but that wouldn't be easy. Shukaku is far weaker than me, but fighting control that's been in place so long…would be difficult.
Fine. I won't try anything yet. But I'm not going to kill him. I don't want to give up on him yet.
You grow attached far too easily, kid.
You at least intend to take his scrolls? We aren't guaranteed to find another team with the right scroll anytime soon. Lelouch should be able to take care of them alone.
No…I think…this will be a good test. I want to fight him alone. If he's too powerful, Lelouch can step in.
What about the others?
We'll see how they react.
Naruto stepped out into the clearing without any further discussion. "Hey!"
The other two turned first. The black-clothed boy spoke. "Who're you, runt?"
The girl seemed about to speak when she was interrupted by the third, red-haired boy. "Shut up."
She paled and immediately stopped whatever she had planned to say. "Y-yes…Gaara."
The other boy was silent.
They are terrified of him.
If he's that strongly affected by his bijuu, he probably has a stronger connection than you ever did…he probably has more of Shukaku's power than you do of mine.
Gaara (as Naruto had just found he was named) turned around. "Who are you?"
"Uzumaki Naruto. I realize it's not the way things here normally work, but I want to challenge you to a fight for one of your scrolls."
The girl gaped. "Where is your team?"
Gaara merely looked at Naruto. On anyone else the expression would have been one of intense hatred. On Gaara is merely looked confused…and slightly bloodthirsty. "I'll kill you." It was not a warning, but rather a statement.
"I doubt it. You are welcome to try. My teammates aren't going to get involved if yours don't."
Gaara was surprisingly calm compared to how he had been only moments before. Perhaps he wasn't used to victims throwing themselves at him so easily. His sand rose slowly around him.
Naruto smirked. "So I thought that if I win…" Naruto was interrupted by the boy's sand, which struck the ground where he'd been standing only a moment before. He reappeared in the trees above. "Now, that's not very nice." He grinned. Gaara's eyes grew angry. The sand moved faster. It struck a virtual wall of clones that appeared in front of Naruto and blocked its path momentarily. When the smoke cleared from their disappearance, Naruto was behind Gaara. He struck quickly, aiming for the neck, intending to knock him unconscious. When the sand intercepted his fist without so much as a twitch from Gaara, his eyes widened in surprise.
Shit.
He threw himself backward into a flip as the sand came after him again. He wasn't quite fast enough; the sand hit him like a giant fist, hurling him into a tree. He scowled. He stood slowly and growled.
His reactions were quicker this time, but still barely ahead of the sand. For the next few minutes it continued the same way, Naruto barely staying ahead of the rapidly shifting sands.
When one blow managed to catch his arm almost long enough to engulf him, he decided enough was enough. He landed and let out a growl. "Alright…it's time to show you that there's more than one demon in these woods tonight." Naruto began to channel Kyuubi's chakra into his body, and he changed, two tails, whiskers, and fox ears growing on his body. His teeth lengthened and sharpened and his eyes became red slits, and suddenly he was just gone. He reappeared above Gaara and spun his foot downward, smashing against the same defense as before.
A second later he was in the trees, and energy was forming around his hands quickly. He shaped the energy, now pure red, into the familiar form of Uryuu's, now his, bow, and loosed an arrow toward the sand user. The sand intercepted the attack before it even got close. It then pierced directly through the wall of sand, and struck Gaara's left shoulder hard enough to send him stumbling backwards. His eyes widened in shock as blood flowed freely from the wound.
He reached up and felt the blood with his right hand and brought it in front of his face. "Blood. This is…my blood?!" Gaara was obviously beginning to lose it. "Mother wants YOUR blood!"
The boy was clearly deranged, and Naruto decided not to postpone things any longer. He'd tested his limits without Kyuubi's power, and it wasn't enough. With her power, he could rival at least another jinchuuriki, and that showed him enough. A third tail grew beside the first two, and when Naruto struck again it was with such speed that only Ranma and Kataki could see him. His next blow struck Gaara's sand and continued straight through it, the energy from his bow coating his arm and making it stronger.
He hit Gaara hard in the stomach just after the energy dissipated, and the shinobi went down hard, coughing up blood and falling backward unconscious with only one direct blow.
Naruto watched the sand around him fall still and slowly move back inside the gourd on his back.
Naruto dusted himself off and looked at the other two. "So…my scroll?"
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I practically guarantee I get at least one flame for this chapter. Yes, the Gaara fight was short and a bit easy. No it's not an indication of Gaara being weak. I have plans for Gaara later on.
I am not very happy with this chapter. It turned out very differently than i intended.
Sorry if Gambit or Lelouch seem a bit off, I'm trying to get "in character" quickly though.
This was intended to be a longer chapter, but I knew if I waited much longer I'd have ended up postponing the end another week because I have schoolwork this week, and I don't want to keep you all waiting anymore…I've done that enough already.
As always...make sure to read and review.
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