Hi everyone Azza here.
Before I get into anything I want to give fair warning that this chapter involves such themes as rape, child abuse and experimentation to name but a few dark themes. These are used to introduce just how sick and twisted both Danzo and Orochimaru are as humans so if you do not wish to read about such things then feel free to skip this chapter but I feel fair warning should be given at least in my opinion.
Anyway as for the poll we have Saber, Rider and Ruler all tied at the moment so those three are currently looking like they will be the ones to go on to the next round of polls where I shall toss out a list of Servants based on them but things could still change so if you haven't voted you still have over a week to do so.
Now on with the reviews.
ChaosofTime – I'm considering a way to let her out but it would be a temporary thing and the trust would need to be built up between them to reach that point.
Silverdragon5678 – The way it works between Natsu and Seilah is it's like a sort of tug of war thing where you have his power source as the rope and she can pull up to 99% of it but it would leave Natsu with like 1% of his power. At present he just gives her enough so that she can open portals but in theory she could be provided Natsu gave her 99% of his power.
Aava is still a child until she reaches her adult size which is around as big as Achnologia was. Power wise she won't be rocking the multi mountain level breath attacks for a fair time since Achnologia only had that power because he was older and had it built up. When she's fully grown though I'd say she'd have at least maybe a Leaf Village sized breath attack if that is a good enough idea for you.
I don't know if I plan for him to train anyone else he's only training Naruto because it's technically his job to get Kurama back to doing his job but we'll see what happens.
The Fate inclusion will be an arc that takes place across multiple arcs between Vol II and Vol III and I can't give you a specific chapter because I come up with new ideas all the time and make them into arcs or one chapter stories but it will begin around the time skip or after the time skip.
And don't worry about writing every chapter I always ask people to if they have a question it's no problem haha!
Galacti – I never really considered that universe to be honest but it does sound amusing the only thing is I already have the locations for the first few Volumes locked in and I don't think I could make a long running Volume with it hence why I call it a Volume so it would probably end up being some sort of thing like I did with Hellsing back in Vol I.
And trust me a lot of this stuff is far from canon so if you miss something it's more likely my own humor or something haha!
Anyway with all that out of the way on with the story!
The Orphans Nightmare
/Natsu's POV/
It had been a day since Natsu and Yugao spoke about what went on inside his mind and the two agreed to keep it between themselves. As Natsu put it should word get out he holds beings as powerful as the Harbingers of the Apocalypse within him it would cause no end of trouble.
Yugao kept her distance for the rest of the day in order to process what had occurred to her the previous day the horrifying appearance of the beast like humans and the strange disfigured version of herself was burned into her mind however the next day it seemed as if she had come to terms with what she saw.
Natsu had been sitting at the dining room table no longer bedridden having been able to get an adequate amount of recovery time in thanks to Yugao's efforts however it was all for naught when Yugao emerged in the kitchen wearing only a shirt that his fruitful rest was spoiled as he copped a blade through the face.
What followed was Yugao following him around apologizing profusely and Natsu simply waving it off amused at the blush she sported the entire time.
"Look its fine I can't die from something that simple anyway besides you weren't expecting me to be there anyway so I was at fault at least a little."
"But I stabbed you through the head if you were anyone else you'd be dead right now so I feel awful!"
"Relax Yugao its fine now I feel like going for a walk am I allowed to do that?"
"Are you sure you're alright now?"
"I'm not going to collapse or anything if that's what you mean, so can I go?"
"Where are you planning on going?"
"Don't know I was just gonna wander and stretch the good old legs you know."
"I'm coming with you then the Council seem determined to see you so I'd better make sure they don't pull any stunts."
"Well you might need pants for that first … and underwear."
"Y-you … since I stabbed you in the face this makes us even!"
"If it makes you feel any better I sleep in the nude as well though my clothes can't completely vanish since they are grown from a central point on my back but still."
Yugao blushed as she darted upstairs to her room leaving Natsu to chuckle in amusement reminded of Wendy almost every time he found her bathing in the stream when they were training under Lykyria. Shyest girl you'd ever meet yet more than willing to summon several hundred kilometre winds to slice the flesh from your bones if you get even so much as a peep at her naked.
"Still I suppose women have a good reason for it can't be too careful these days."
Yugao returned wearing a simple green t-shirt and a pair of black shorts that went to the knee with simple sandals something that raised an eyebrow from Natsu.
"That's rather casual?"
"Yeah well I don't have work today so if you don't like it go jump off the monument," Yugao said with a hint of playfulness in her voice as Natsu grinned.
"Well I suppose I should dress for the occasion as well a full suit isn't exactly matching now is it," Natsu said as his clothes morphed into a white t -shirt with black shorts and sandals.
"What are the glasses for?"
"Hmm don't you know what these are," Natsu replied as Yugao shook her head. "These are sunglasses you wear them and it lessens the glare from the sun in your eye but don't try looking into it directly you'll still blind yourself. Plus sunglasses are cool."
Yugao shook her head as the two left her home and made their way into the village. Supposedly it was a weekend so the civilians would be hosting fun things to do throughout the village however that wasn't Natsu's top priority once he saw all the starving kids in the shadows clearly ignored and forgotten.
"What a waste of money when there are starving kids right behind them," Natsu growled as Yugao hummed in agreement.
"The civilians never realize things like that they only focus on themselves never realizing the hardship and sacrifice all around them."
Without a word Natsu walked right into the back alleys where he saw a group of kids scavenging through garbage for food and caught their attention.
"Shit he's gonna beat us for sure," one of the kids whispered but Natsu easily heard it using his superior hearing.
"I'm not here to hurt you all I'm here to ask a few questions is that alright?"
"Uh I don't know …"
"Listen I want to get you kids something to eat I'm not a bad guy."
"Food," one of the younger kids who was clearly no older than six said almost hopeful as the oldest stepped forward.
"Why would you help us?"
"Because I don't believe in letting kids starve whilst a festival that would have cost thousands to prepare goes on. Now all of you come with me we're getting you a hot meal how does that sound eh?"
"And you won't try anything?"
"Of course not does someone bribe children with food just to beat them?"
"Well there have been kids going missing of all ages … Amelia who was the oldest of us just up and vanished one day and from there it's just gotten worse. People say she got adopted but a lot of us think she was taken by the mask people."
Yugao stiffened at Natsu's side as Natsu knelt down to eye level with the boy urging him to come closer.
"Tell me more about this have many children been disappearing?"
"At first it was just Amelia but then Kenta, Charle and Brionne all up and vanished at once and it's been getting worse with entire groups just vanishing without a trace."
"Any idea where they might have gone to?"
"Well that defies the point of them vanishing doesn't it," the boy replied as Natsu smiled.
"I suppose that is true, I'll look into these disappearances for you but only if you lot come and get a warm meal you all clearly need it."
Reluctantly the children slowly agreed as Natsu and Yugao led them to Ichiraku Ramen the only place Natsu knew would serve them despite the condition they were in.
"Welcome to Ichiraku Ramen what can I- well this is … you're Natsu right Naruto's new teacher?"
"That's me I was the guy who cleaned you out the other week but I'm here to clean you out so that these poor kids here can get a meal into them I can pay the cost easy just give them as much as they want."
"Well now that's quite thoughtful of you Natsu it seems Naruto got a good teacher in you, Ayame get ready we've got a long shift ahead of us!"
"What is it now fathe- oh Natsu so nice to see you again," the man's daughter Ayame said as she latched onto his arm eyeing him up and down something that made Yugao feel a bout of jealousy.
"I'm sorry but we haven't met my name is Yugao Uzuki," Yugao said forcing Ayame off of Natsu and quite forcefully shaking her hand much to the other girls annoyance.
"Ayame Ichiraku I'm old man Teuchi's daughter …"
"Aaaanyway let's get these kids fed right," Natsu said clapping his hands together sensing the sparks between the two to which Teuchi wholeheartedly agreed mouthing NICE SAVE followed by a thumbs up in the back.
Over the next hour the kids ate their fill at Natsu's expense thankfully Yugao picked up Natsu's pay for him otherwise he would have been rather embarrassed when he went to pay at the end of the monster course.
After paying the Ichiraku's the children wholeheartedly thanked him as Natsu gave them each 400 Ryo and told them to buy whatever they wanted but recommended warm clothes. As the kids ran off Yugao couldn't help but smile in satisfaction having performed such a good deed.
"Now we've got work to do," Natsu said his smile being replaced with a look of determination as he took off to the Red Light District which was the hot spot for child kidnappings.
It didn't take long for the pair to arrive just as the sky began to darken over Konoha, to Yugao's annoyance Natsu was immediately set upon by the various streetwalkers which he was forced to politely decline for several minutes each.
"Alright so the kid's often frequent back streets so let's try there first," Natsu said as they entered a nearby back street and Natsu froze on the spot with Yugao bumping into his back moments later.
"What is it Natsu?"
Walking forward there was a girl around sixteen years of age standing in the middle of the road the only problem being she was corporeal, she was dead.
The girl was quite pretty but her appearance showed signs of her life on the street, her long flowing white dress was dirty and tattered with signs of blood. Her face had scratches in several places and there was a visible indentation in her neck clearly the girl had been hung or at least strangled to death with rope.
"I'm so sorry you ended up this way," Natsu said as the ghost girl flinched before looking right at him.
"Y-you can actually see me!"
"You aren't visible to everyone?"
"No I've spent two weeks trying to get the attention of anyone I could but to no avail," the girl sighed. "But you can see me which means you can save them!"
"Save who?"
"The orphans who are being experimented on by the masked men you can still save some of them before they are scarred and killed!"
Natsu felt anger begin to flood his mind at the mention of experimenting on children to which both Yugao and the ghost girl flinched.
"Natsu what's wrong," Yugao asked as Natsu held out his hand.
"Take my hand Yugao you need to see this."
Taking Natsu's hand he enveloped her in his Hybrid's Aura and she recoiled in shock as the ghost girl came into view.
"An actual ghost I can't believe it!"
"You can see me too then you can help!"
"She can only see you because I'm aiding her I'm the only one who can truly see."
"Oh … well she can still help either way!"
"Of course now please tell me everything you know about the … child experimentation."
"Child what," Yugao gasped as Natsu waved her off motioning for the ghost girl to continue.
"Well from my time there the masked men were using a lab underground to test all sorts of harmful things on us from new poisons to cutting us open whilst conscious to even forced amputations its horrific!"
"What did they do to you?"
"They … I had something inserted into my ovaries and they … they tried to … they forced me to …!"
"I get the idea you don't have to say anything else I shouldn't have asked," Natsu said softly as the ghost girl cried for several minutes before pulling herself together.
"Please you must save the children they don't deserve what is being done to them down there, help save them!"
"Mark my words they shall be saved, what is your name?"
"Amelia Kuchiraze," the girl replied as Natsu inwardly sighed knowing she was the girl the kids wanted found.
"Well then Amelia Kuchiraze I swear I shall save every last child in this facility, Yugao are you in?"
Looking towards her Yugao was visibly shaking with rage as she nodded swiftly.
"I just need to get my gear from home and we can tear these monsters apart!"
"Good," Natsu said as he snapped his fingers opening her a portal which she disappeared through without question emerging a few minutes later in full ANBU gear. "Lead us to the facility."
Amelia complied and lead them through the back streets until they came across a sewer grate that was partially open.
"Down there but please don't go barging in they could execute the kids there to silence them," Amelia pleaded as Natsu nodded silently opening the grate and jumping down.
When he landed he found himself in a sewer shaft, Amelia appeared through the wall a few moments later with Yugao dropping down beside him as she led the two toward a strange looking door.
"Beyond here is the lab the code is 7667."
Punching in the code the door silently slid open and the two slipped inside and were immediately greeted by a horrific sight. Inside green tanks were children whose bodies had been modified using the limbs of animals. Natsu could tell they were alive using his eyes but had no idea the extent of pain they would no doubt endure once they woke.
As they continued through the various rooms Natsu felt himself growing angrier and angrier struggling to suppress his power as he saw more and more gruesome experiments. In one room they found a child no older than eight suspended by hooks under his ribs and eyelids being injected with some strange substance Natsu could only guess was hazardous.
In another room there was a strange machine with a child with no limbs attached to it that was screwing something into the stumps as the child screamed for them to stop. It was here Natsu considered just blowing up the facility but Amelia begged him to save the ones who could be saved and so for the sake of the ones that could be saved he moved on.
Passing by a room with a bunch of animals in it they came across a room with the children the group were seeking. Natsu could only cringe at the squalor they were forced to live in being locked into cages that some dogs would barely fit in.
"Yugao prepare to release the children, Amelia lead me to the masked men."
Without a word Yugao slipped into the room with the children as Natsu and Amelia went further down the hall reaching a room that made Amelia sob. When Natsu turned toward her she simply pointed to the terminal and floated away.
Walking toward the terminal he clicked on the first entry and really wished he hadn't.
Research Log Date August 23rd
Doctor Ru Kazuko
Subject 23 - Female
Goal – Create super soldier to serve the Hidden Leaf and The Shadow Kage loyally.
Subject has been administered the trial strain of Ovakucho 7 to prepare for the breeding process, sedition was not required as per usual.
Subject is showing signs of fear and is prone to asking questions however as recommended by my assistant Doctor Luchang sending test subjects to programming is not the best course of action as they often come back damaged and need to be disposed of.
Will begin experiment in three weeks time after consistent monitoring.
Natsu exited the file and moved down three weeks to see what the experiment contained and nearly threw up at just how inhumane the test was.
Research Log Date September 14th
Doctor Ru Kazuko
Subject 23 – Female
Goal – Create super soldier to serve the Hidden Leaf and The Shadow Kage loyally.
Subject has been forcibly restrained in the testing area and my assistant Doctor Luchang has released the first pack of what our scientists have labelled man wolves and they are successfully breeding the subject as planned.
Subject is attempting futile resistance however we won't have a repeat of Subject 22 as the restraints are holding.
Several staff are using the opportunity to relieve some stress as the breeding process continues and as long as they do not contaminate the subject they may be allowed to continue.
"What the fuck …"
Going to file dated several weeks after Natsu opened it up and began to read.
Research Log October 9th
Subject 23 – Success
Doctor Ru Kazuko
Subject has conceived a child with the beast successfully however she forcibly killed the unborn fetus much to our annoyance. In accordance with the charter the experiment will be marked as successful however the subject will be reprimanded severely and disposed of in accordance with article 9.
By that point Natsu had seen enough as he looked up to see the crying form of Amelia looking back at him.
"I had to kill it I couldn't let an abomination like that be born into this world I just couldn't," she sobbed as Natsu nodded slowly.
"Are the staff beyond the metal door?"
"Yes," she sniffed as Natsu walked over to the door and effortlessly pulled them open much to the shock of all the masked nin and scientists present.
Turning around Natsu coated his arm in flame and welded the only door shut trapping all the staff in the room with him much to their shock.
"Who are you and how did you get into this secure facility," one of the masked nin demanded as Natsu's eyes began to glow and the room began to shake violently as he began to step forward cracking his knuckles.
The masked nin immediately rushed him but Natsu was far too quick for them as he simply heightened the Gravity in the room to 100x normal watching as they immediately dropped to the floor.
"I'm going to kill you, all of you, but not quickly no no no for what you sick bastards have done here I'm going to take it nice and slow however to the one who tells me exactly who the Shadow Kage is they get to be the lucky one to die swiftly and believe me after you see what I'm going to start doing to you you'll wish you'd been the one to tell me."
"You don't scare us we're trained for stuff like this," one of the nin said as Natsu turned toward him and grabbed him by the leg dragging him to the operating table in the room unceremoniously dropping his weighted body down and strapping it in.
"I'm not one for torture but for all the children here you will suffer my own morals be damned," Natsu said as he saw Amelia motion for him to use a saw lying nearby her own eyes demanding justice.
Without even thinking twice he walked over and grabbed the saw before walking back to the masked nin on the table ripping his mask off and looking into his eyes which now began to show the hint of fear.
"I saw I child on a machine on the way in here, what was it for?"
"Th-the experiment was to remove all the bones in a human body without killing someone or moving organs the machine kept them alive," one of the scientists on the floor shouted as Natsu scowled before turning around and with a powerful downward strike cut off one of the arms of the masked nin on the table.
"Removing every bone in the body of a child you actually thought you had the right!"
When he didn't receive and answer he placed his spare hand onto the saw as the metal began to heat up until it appeared like it was going to melt. With a stern glare he pressed the metal into the eye of the masked nin as he began to scream in pain.
"Who is the Shadow Kage!"
When he received no response he forced the saw further into the eye socket beginning to crack his skull as one of the scientists on the floor cracked.
"His name is Danzo, Danzo Shimura just please don't kill me!"
"What is your name?"
"Ru, my name is Ru Kazuko!"
This was the wrong thing to say to Natsu as a look of absolute fury crossed his face as he all but abandoned the man strapped to the table and marched toward Ru with Amelia hovering over him.
As he walked he stomped on the heads of the others stuck on the floor crushing their skulls with ease before picking up a now crying Ru by the neck.
"Oh you win alright I've got just the reward for a vile piece of filth like you …"
Throwing the heated saw it embedded itself into the head of the masked nin on the table as Natsu dragged Ru with him kicking open the welded door with one powerful blow and dragged him down the hallway as the man began crying again.
Kicking open another set of doors Amelia motioned to a chair that Natsu strapped Ru into.
"Wh-what are you doing!"
"Amelia a young girl you had killed because she forcefully aborted an abomination you forced her to have, remember her!"
"S-subject 23-!"
"HER NAME WAS AMELIA YOU PIECE OF HUMAN FILTH," Natsu roared as his eyes went White and Black for a moment his fury almost drawing on his lost power.
"Ok ok her name was Amelia please-!"
"I bet Amelia begged for her life before you took it from her not that human scum like you would have cared," Natsu growled as he punched the man several times in the head before walking over to a cabinet and began pulling out all sorts of syringes and tossing them onto the nearby table.
"N-no you can't inject me with those I'll-!"
"Die? Yeah that's pretty much the point of it," Natsu replied as he walked over and began injecting the man with all sorts of chemicals as he screamed for help feeling his very blood beginning to boil.
Ripping him out of the chair Natsu had Amelia escort him to the main reactor of the facility as he held Ru over the sparking core. As he begged for his life Natsu without even a second thought dropped him into it which set off an explosion that rocked the facility.
Gathering as much power as he could muster Natsu released a monstrous Crash Repulse that tore through the area killing any of the tortured children who were too far gone and destroying all the horrific research and data obtained there.
Swiftly making for the exit Natsu stood at the door to the facility and took a deep breath releasing a Fire Dragon Monarch's Roar to incinerate what was left and welded the door shut before turning to leave.
"Filthy humans always resorting to the most barbaric practices imaginable," Natsu hissed as he punched the wall cracking it before taking several deep breaths. "I won't be sleeping for a week after that shit that's for sure but no more children will be taken by them again."
"Thank you for that Natsu you saved them and destroyed the facility I'd hug you but …"
"It's fine I'm just disgusted such a place existed here in the first place but now I have the name of the one responsible and he will die in due time I'll make sure of that …"
Just as Natsu was about to leave a loud banging sound could be heard from the door he welded shut. Turning around just in time to see the door blown off its hinges Natsu was shocked to see one of the children who was being experimented on crawling through the inferno with arms five times the size of a regular humans.
The child had one leg but it was shrunken down to the point it was utterly useless and its body was on fire though not a cry of agony could be heard. Natsu began walking toward the child who was frothing at the mouth clearly running on pure adrenaline and summoned his sword beheading it as the haunting growling noise ceased.
"Sights like this truly show the worst in humanity it makes me question the point of even trying to save them … of course I remember why I fight because only a small portion are capable of such horrific acts."
Taking a deep breath he blew black flames on the body and watched it turn to dust and extinguished them.
"So with the children safe and the scientists and facility gone are you able to find peace?"
"Thanks to you I think I can but only on the condition that you promise to kill the Shadow Kage."
"I will kill him a sick individual capable of kidnapping orphans and experimenting on them doesn't deserve to live."
Amelia nodded as she began to slowly fade away with her soul finally knowing peace leaving Natsu alone in the tunnel. After a few moments he turned and began walking back toward the surface hatch.
Jumping up to the surface Natsu found Yugao sitting around with a group of children who all hid behind her in fear at the crazed look in Natsu's eyes.
"Is it done Natsu?"
Looking at Yugao he noticed her blade had blood on it and raised an eyebrow.
"Some of the caged children were too far gone in experimentation and attacked the others so …"
"I see … wait here with the children I'll be back."
Natsu began walking toward the Hokage Tower completely aware that more of the masked nin like the ones from the tunnel were following him. He was however unaware of two others who were watching him from much further away.
"Kukukuku my what a ferocious beast Sensei has found I simply must learn the techniques he used to so easily destroy my former lab."
"Enough of that Orochimaru that man has destroyed years worth of research," a man wrapped in bandages growled with his one eye locked onto Natsu's retreating form.
"Oh Danzo do you really believe I would be foolish enough to confine the data to one facility alone, six other facilities across the Elemental Nations hold the data the worst we have suffered here is a minor setback and some property damage."
"One of the scientists ratted me out which means I'll need to make a quiet exit from the village by morning. I already have a Blood Clone ready and waiting for what will inevitably occur at the Council meeting tomorrow morning."
"I suppose this sets your own ambitions back a little now doesn't it?"
"Hardly the invasion is scheduled for next week and currently there are no bumps in that plan, you are prepared to remove the Kazekage from the equation soon I trust?"
"You know better than to doubt me Danzo I don't know if I should be shocked or not, the Kazekage will be dead before he arrives in Konoha I assure you."
"Good and your spy is still secure?"
"Indeed but make sure those ROOT operatives of yours keep an eye on him just in case someone becomes suspicious."
"I'll leave the order before I depart the village."
"Then I'll see you in Sound soon," Orochimaru said as he burst into snakes vanishing from sight as Danzo vanished in a gust of wind.
Meanwhile Natsu had stormed the Hokage Office all but kicking down Hiruzen's door as the ANBU moved to defend him. With a wave of his arm Hiruzen stopped them and slowly rose from his chair.
"Were you aware of a secret underground lab performing some of the most inhumane experiments on orphans the likes of which I've never seen?"
To Hiruzen's credit he remained calm but his face hardened considerably as the weight of the job came down on him like a tonne of bricks yet again.
"No I was not aware but this sounds rather disturbing, I take it the earthquake from earlier was actually you destroying it?"
"Yes I destroyed it all I currently have Yugao looking after the orphaned children we could save the rest … well I really don't want to talk about them."
"I see … I'll come with you to meet these children personally. ANBU I want Dragon at my location within 10 minutes!"
One of the ANBU with a boar mask nodded and vanished from sight as Hiruzen put on his signature Kage hat. Snapping his fingers Natsu opened a portal to Yugao's location as they stepped through.
"Ah Y- Neko thank you for protecting the children," Hiruzen said realizing she was wearing her mask. "So these are the survivors?"
"Indeed Lord Hokage most of the children were bound in cages with some being unsaveable, Natsu ordered me to save them as he assaulted the staff in the facility."
"Y-you're the Hokage," one of the kids said shakily as Hiruzen gave them a grandfatherly smile.
"Indeed I am my name is Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage of the Hidden Leaf I-I've heard what happened to you all and words cannot describe how shocked and appalled I am at myself for not knowing about it."
The children didn't seem to really take notice of Hiruzen's words far too focused on the fact that they were free from the torture they were forced into.
"Lord Hokage we need to find the children a place to stay some of them are sick and others are severely malnourished."
"Indeed for now we can shelter them in the hospital since they will all need to be looked over to make sure nothing harmful remains within them. In the meantime I'll have to make sure to set up more permanent accommodation for them."
An ANBU wearing a Dragon mask landed next to Hiruzen and whispered something to him as Hiruzen nodded and the man vanished once again. Sighing he looked to Natsu who seemed to be waiting for an explanation.
"That was the Commander of my ANBU Dragon, according to him a trap to catch Danzo is being set up in the Council chambers as we speak and he will be apprehended and tried on the spot."
"You'd better believe I'll be there," Natsu growled feeling his control beginning to slip once again. "This world just gets worse and worse the longer I'm here."
"I won't lie you keep finding some of the worst of humanity but not everyone is that bad."
"Even the civilians or at least most of them are scum for the way they treat people like Naruto for simply existing. I'm just so tired of all the negativity and cruelty of the humans it never seems to stop."
"That is human nature Natsu Danzo it seems has delved to one of the most primal levels."
Natsu sighed as he turned towards Yugao smiling as he saw her playing with some of the children to distract them.
"Perhaps the humans who are still hopeful can overcome the darkness … I'm leaving I have things to do."
"Where are you going?"
"To blow off steam," Natsu replied as he walked through a portal vanishing into the night.
/Just Outside Konoha/
"There's no doubt about it that was the same signature as the one still residing in the Land of Snow."
"Are you certain we cannot afford to make a mistake on this?"
"I'm positive the Leader will need to be informed this throws a massive wrench into our plans."
"It's just one man though?"
"No it isn't you can tell just as well as I can there's something about him he's as strong as the Nine Tails is rumoured to be."
"That is a bold statement you sure you want to stick with that story?"
"We've felt the power of the Nine Tails before this feels the same but with something else behind it …"
"The rings are burning again it seems he wants us all to convene once again so you can present your theory to him there."
The two cloaked figures darted a good distance away from the village and sat down in a meditative state as their minds were projected elsewhere.
/?/
In a dark room ethereal figures began appearing on the fingers of a large statue one by one with a total of ten figures all wearing cloaks of black with red and white clouds on them.
"Well now this is a surprise, how many years has it been since we've all convened at once eh?"
"Be silent the Leader is about to speak," a woman with piercing orange coloured eyes and dark blue hair said sharply as her eyes bored into the man who looked more like a shark.
"Fine fine let's hear it then."
After a few moments the figure who stood atop the head of the statue opened his eyes to reveal piercing purple ones with a strange ring pattern to them. His eyes swept across all the members present locking momentarily with a pair of eyes bearing the Sharingan before moving on.
"Deidara, Sasori, Hidan, Kakuzu, Kisame, Itachi, Zetsu, Tobi, Konan and Balaam do you know why I have called you all here?"
"Is it because we haven't brought in the Tailed Beasts fast enough," Deidara asked as the man shook his head.
"No the progress of the Tailed Beasts is going just as predicted there is an individual who is currently an unknown at this time that I want information on."
"You must be referring to the one who destroyed not only the capital city of the Land of Snow but the surrounding mountains as well," Kakazu said in his gravelly voice.
"Indeed this man's name from what reports have told me is Natsu though we are yet to get a last name. Does anyone have any further information on this man?"
"Tobi knows he can fight Tailed Beasts if he wanted to!"
"And how do you know that," the man sighed.
"Because Zetsu told Tobi about the fight in the Land of Snow he was watching the whole thing apparently a beast was summoned as big as a Tailed Beast and he beat it!"
"Is that report true Zetsu?"
"Indeed it is Leader the man wields frightening power."
"It was his fault the city got trashed the beast actually didn't do all that much aside from splitting the earth for miles."
"Plus it is the beasts' sword that is the giant one sticking out of one of the mountains if that helps?"
"That does indeed help Zetsu," the man replied. "Clearly this man is of S Rank or higher status so I shall give this warning only once do not engage unless ordered or given no other option and under no circumstances should you engage him alone."
"Hey that doesn't apply to me and Kakuzu right," Hidan piped up as Pain turned his gaze toward him.
"If you are willing to risk engaging him in combat then by all means do so but don't say you weren't warned it isn't my job to force you to do anything other than collect the beasts. Now does anyone else have any information?"
"Actually Leader I wish to add something about Natsu I noticed earlier as I was observing the Hidden Leaf where he currently is residing."
"Very well then speak Itachi."
"His power felt identical to that of the Nine Tails however we know he is not the Jinchuuriki rather that is Naruto Uzumaki. I don't wish to jump to conclusions and say this Natsu is the same as the Nine Tails but all evidence points towards it being so."
"You can deduce something like that off of such little evidence Itachi," the man asked with a raised eyebrow as he nodded. "You have rarely been wrong in the past and in this case I would say caution is the best method in this case. I shall trust your judgement until I feel this power for myself after all there is no way he shall stand against God even if he wields power akin to the Nine Tails."
The members remained silent as the man eyed each of their reactions to his proclamation and closed his eyes.
"Be careful as you carry out your tasks and watch for this Natsu, any new information must be divulged immediately is that understood?"
"Yes Leader," the group said as one as they all began vanishing one by one until only the man on the head of the statue and the woman with blue hair remained.
"Do you really feel that this Natsu is that dangerous Nagato-?"
"Pain, my name is Pain," he replied with a glare as Konan nodded slowly.
"My apologies … Pain, but do you think he is a threat?"
"I'm not willing to take chances when the plan is coming closer and closer to fruition. We have always been cautious I am merely maintaining that cautious disposition that has gotten us so far, ever closer toward true peace."
"As you say … Pain," Konan muttered as she vanished leaving Pain alone in the cave looking down at the statue in silence.
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!