The battle with two of the memories that the Konoha-nin and the Inaba Investigation Team will fight are Zabuza and Haku. The fight will be short (sorry) as I wanted both Konoha and Inaba Teams to not only fight those two, but Naruto's memory of Sasuke and I wasn't sure on how to have the fight go. Another thing is that the jutsus that the Shadow Memories use will be called Shadow Style instead of their real names as again, they're just the major Shadows before the Boss Shadow.

I do not own Naruto or Persona 4

"Persona!" normal speech

"What the..." thought/mind speak

"Shadow Style!" demon/shadow speak

Chapter 9: Masks of Pain

*Shadow World, Uzumaki/Dojima Sewage Plant*

The Konoha Investigation Squad arrived at a sewage plant, with the Konoha ninja in their full attire (Naruto: Shippuden attire for all Naruto characters present) and everyone was slightly intimidated by the sight. "Rise," said Chie as she looked into the giant pipeline that acted as an entrance, "Are you sure that Kurama-kun is in there?" Rise knew that Kurama/Naruto was inside the plant as she could feel it in her heart. "Of course, Chie-senpai," said Rise with steel resolve.

"Before we go in," said Neji with his Byakugan active, "How are you seeing through this fog. Even with my Byakugan, I can't see a thing." Teddie, with his bear suit on, reached into his jacket, pulled pair after pair of different colored glasses and gave each pair to each of the Konoha ninja as well as a pair for Dojima. "These glasses will help you see through the fog," said Teddie with a smile on his face. After putting the glasses on, everyone was shocked that the fog had just vanished. "Amazing," said Shino as he wore his Teddie Glasses over his shades. "It's as if the fog doesn't exist," added Kakashi as one of the lens of the glasses was over the headband that covered his left eye.

Yu walked over to the toys nearby and notice that all but one of the figurines were either broken or damaged in some form. The only figurine that had no damage at all was the figurine of a red fox with nine tails; it looked brand new! "Those must have been the toys that Naruto was playing with," said Shikamaru as he examined the slightly damaged figurine of himself before looking a Sasuke who looked him horror as the toy replica of him was completely in pieces, "In a way Sasuke, you should have expected that since one, he didn't like you as much and two, you were the one that got him in this mess."

"Why would the fox be the only one that isn't damaged?" asked Chie as she picked up said toy and examined its menacing look, "It's menacing yeah, but it actually looks badass." Kakashi looked at the figurine and realized something. "That figurine is an exact copy of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox," said Kakashi as he held his own figuring self, "a powerful demon that attacked our village years ago." The Inaba Investigation Team were confused at how a demon could actually exist, then again, they are friends with a Shadow that is capable of existing outside the Shadow World

As the Investigation Squad entered the pipeline, a voice of a crying child echoed through the entire place. "Why…," cried the voice, "Why is everyone so mean to me? I've never done anything to them." Yukiko let out a shiver as the crying faded deeper into the sewers. "What happened to him?" asked Chie as she turned to the Konoha ninja, "What did you all do to him!?" Kakashi walked up to Chie and said, "When Naruto was a child, he was always hated by the village due to the damage that had happened due to some…unforeseen action." Before any questions were asked, a large group of Shadows had attacked the group.

"What are these things?" asked Asuma as he shredded a couple of Shadows with his trench knives. "Those creatures are called Shadows," answered Yu as he summoned Izanagi who then skewered a shadow with his spear, "They're sort of like dark manifestations of people's thoughts." Lee saw three shadows go for Ryotaro from behind and charged at them. "Dojima-san," called Lee as he kicked the three shadows away that soon dissipated into a black fog. "Thanks," said Dojima as he punched a shadow away, "but don't forget to keep your head in the game."

After the last Shadow dissipated, Sakura walked up to Yu and asked, "What were those things you summoned?" Yu looked at the group of ninjas in front of him. "Those creatures we summoned are called Personas," said Yu as he called forth Izanagi's card form, "They give us the power to fight the Shadows through special skills which uses Spiritual Energy or attacks that uses up our Physical Energy, or in a way our health." Yukiko then walked up and said, "As we defeat the Shadows, our Personas get stronger which in turn makes us stronger, giving us new skills and powers. We all have a Persona, but Yu is the only one who has multiple Personas." Yu demonstrated by having the image of Izanagi switch to the image of Pyro Jack and then to Yamata-no-Orochi.

"Those are quite some amazing skills you all have," said Shino as he placed his hands in his pockets, "Back in the Elemental Nations, someone could possibly consider such power a clan ability or maybe even a Kekkei Genkai." The Investigation Team looked at Shino with an odd look. "A Kekkei Genkai is a bloodline ability that is exclusive to certain clans," added Neji activating his Byakugan, "like the Hyuga clan's Byakugan which allows us to see chakra as well as see through solid objects." As Nejii deactivated his Byakugan, the Investigation Squad continued on into a huge room with a circular pit in the middle.

Near the pit was a small sun-blonde boy, about Nanako's age, innocently humming a tune as he leaned against the railing. "Naruto?" asked Kiba as he and Akamaru got closer to the small child. The boy turned around to reveal that he was wearing a smiling theatrical mask. "Hiya," said the boy with a distorted child's voice. Yukiko got beside Kiba and asked, "What are you doing here?" The boy turned to the pit and gave his answer. "Wait'n for someone to play with me," said the boy.

At that moment, a person leapt from the pit and landed next to the small boy. This new person was a male teen, about Kurama's age, with combed back chestnut hair with a messy sun-blonde ponytail wearing an orange Yasogami school uniform and had the theatrical mask for tragedy over his face. "He's been waiting for years for someone to play with him," said the teen dark distorted voice and he rubbed his hand in the boy's hair, "No one really wanted to play with him, unless you consider the numerous beatings and abuse playing."

Sasuke slowly walked up and asked, "Who are you?" The masked teen sadly shook his head in disappointment. "Of all people," said the masked teen, "you should recognize us, Sasuke-teme." Ino's eyes widened as she said, "You're both Naruto Uzumaki."

Younger Naruto chuckled and said, "Ino-teme knows who we are Aniki." Ino puffed her face as Younger Naruto called her a teme. "Don't take it to personally, Ino-teme," said Older Naruto, "He's just a child…or he was." Older Naruto turned and started to walk away. "Now if you don't mind," said Older Naruto, "I have to prepare for…the ritual." As Older Naruto was leaving, Kanji rushed towards him only stop as a giant sword with a hole in the blade blocked his path.

As soon as the weapon appeared, two figures were on both sides of Younger Naruto. One was an adult male wearing grey pants, sleeve on his forearms with winter camouflage design and matching leggings, bandages covered his mouth and nose, and he had a headband with a metal plate wrapped on his head. The other one was a teen wearing a green kimono jacket and brownish open kimono pants, had bangs going down the side of the teen's face reaching half way down the chest, and was wearing half of a white mask with a red marking going upwards and the exposed side was a feminine looking face. The eyes of both figures were an ominous yellow. "Zabuza-san-teme and Haku-chan-teme," said Younger Naruto as he turned and ran in the same direction as Older Naruto, "I'm gonna go find and play with Moody Duck Ass-teme, bye-bye."

Sakura was taken aback as she looked at the two figures in front of her. "Zabuza and Haku!" said Sakura as she studied the two in front the group, "Didn't they die years ago?" Shikamaru grabbed some shuriken from his pouch and said, "They are dead, it's just that they're memories from Naruto's past. Remember, this whole sewage plant is a part of Naruto's mind brought into reality by this world."

"Still," said Kakashi as he got a kunai knife out, "don't let your guard down for a second." Shadow Zabuza lifted the giant blade over his shoulders and said, "Time to play my favorite game: Butcher. Now go play doctor, Haku, and after the ritual, you'll get to play with your precious Naruto." Shadow Haku raised a fist to reveal senbon needles and an eerie smile crept up his face. Both Shadows rushed the group with madness in their eyes and began the attack.

Shadow Zabuza swung his giant blade downward as Kanji summoned Take-Mikazuchi to intercept the attack. As Take-Mikazuchi and Shadow Zabuza locked blades, Sasuke performed the hand seals he needed and drew in a breath of air. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" shouted Sasuke as blew a fireball aimed at Shadow Zabuza only to hit Kanji's Persona when Shadow Zabuza dodged it. "Careful," screamed Kanji as he grabbed his burning shoulder, "Whatever pain our Personas feel, we feel it to!" Rise was at the sidelines having Himiko observe both Shadows when Shikamaru questioned why she wasn't fighting. "My Persona is only oriented for support, it doesn't fight." Troublesome, thought Shikamaru as he was fighting off Shadow Haku, Personas that act like voodoo dolls and one of them lacks fighting skills. How troublesome.

Shadow Zabuza then performed his own set of hand seals and black fog started to roll in the battle field. "Shadow Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" called Shadow Zabuza as he faded into the dark mist. Shadow Haku followed with his own hand seals and shouted, "Shadow Style: Crystal Ice Mirrors!" Mirrors made of ice rose from the ground and showed many images of Shadow Haku. "What the hell!" cursed Yosuke, "Smoke and mirrors?" Kakashi moved his headband to reveal his Sharingan eye and said, "Don't be fooled, Yosuke! These jutsus are extremely dangerous." Kakashi's point was proven when Yu was attacked a barrage of senbon needles and a long gash appeared on Chie's body, oozing blood.

Rise was having a difficult time of tracking both Shadows as she couldn't get a lock on Shadow Zabuza due to the fog and Shadow Haku would vanish just as soon as he reappeared. Even the Hyugas were having difficulties as the fog was incredibly dense with a mixture of chakra and Shadow Zabuza's dark energy. Everyone was feeling like pincushions as Shadow Haku would pop in and out and attacking each time. The whole group was quickly losing and nothing was giving them an advantage.

All seemed lost until Kakashi remember the battle that the old Team 7 had with the real Zabuza and Haku. Kakashi quickly got to Chie's side and handed her a scroll. "Open the scroll and smear your blood on the page," said Kakashi, "I'll do the rest." Chie open the scroll, smeared her blood on the writings on the scroll and handed it to Kakashi. The silver-haired ninja then performed some hand seals and slammed the scroll into the ground. "I hope this works twice," said Kakashi putting his faith in nostalgic déjà vu, "Summoning: Earth Style: Fanged Pursuit Jutsu!" The writing from the scroll then snaked through the ground as barking can be hear from within the fog which was followed by a scream of pain.

The black fog cleared revealing Shadow Haku's mirrors and a Shadow Zabuza being held by a bunch of dogs. "Now if my memory is correct," said Kakashi as he performed more hand seals and a ball of lightning appeared in his hand, "Lightning Blade!" Kakashi charged into the pinned Shadow and before the attack connected, it was intercepted by Shadow Haku. He soon fell to the floor limp and weakly said, "My…precious." Asuma quickly finished the battle by decapitating Shadow Zabuza who then dissipated into a black mist.

As everyone was recovering from the intense battle, a voice was heard from Shadow Haku's dissipating body. "What do you fight for?" asked the voice as everyone looked at it and noticed that it wasn't distorted. "I don't remember this," said Sakura as she looked at Sasuke who only shrugged as he didn't know what the Shadow was talking about. "When a person has something important they want to protect," said Shadow Haku as the last few pieces of his body dissipates, "that's when they can become truly strong." Everyone looked at the place where the Shadow once was, Teddie spoke up. "That must have been a part of Naruto-kun's memory," explained Teddie, "This Haku girl must have considered that Zabuza person beary important to her. When Naruto heard that, he probably got the strength he needs." Sakura looked at Teddie and remembered how Naruto would somehow pull off the impossible through sheer power. "Hey Teddie," said Sasuke as he got to his feet, "Haku was a boy." Teddie fell to the ground in defeat and said, "And I thought he was beary pretty!"

The Konoha Investigation Squad left the room when they heard two sets of voices. One set had a loving feel to it; the other was full of hate and anger. The gentle set was singing while the angered voices were in an uproar.

"Happy Birthday to you."

"KILL THE DEMON!"

"Happy Birthday to you."

"YOU KILL MY FRIENDS!"

"Happy Birthday dear Naruto."

"DIE FOX-BRAT!"

"Happy Birthday to you."

"TIME FOR THE FOX HUNT!"

As the voices disappeared, everyone felt chills escape their bodies. "What the hell was that!?" said Yosuke as he soon lost the contents of his stomach. Yu looked at the Konoha shinobi and asked what was on everyone's minds in his part of the entire group, "Has Naruto even had a happy birthday?" None of the ninjas had answered as tears began to fall uncontrollably from Chie's eyes. "The people from your village are MONSTERS!" cried Chie as she let out all of her angered sobs, "WHAT HAS HE DONE TO DESERVE THAT KIND OF TREATMENT!?" None of the Leaf ninjas could say anything as even they knew that whatever they would think would never be enough of an excuse for such behavior.

The emotional tension was soon broken by a child's laughter coming from a different room. The Investigation Squad entered the room to find a canyon-like chasm and Younger Naruto standing near the edge. "Hiya!" said Younger Naruto, "I see that you broke Zabuza-teme and Haku-chan-teme. I didn't really care for Zabuza-teme, but Haku-chan-teme was one of my favorites. Aniki's gonna have to punish for breaking one of my favorite toys, once he's finished with the ritual."

Rise pushed forward in front of the group so that she could talk to Younger Naruto. "What is this ritual your brother is performing?" asked Rise as she looked at Younger Naruto the fear in her eyes. "Aniki is performing a special ritual that will set us free from this nasty place," answered Younger Naruto, "He says that it's so easy that even a child like me could perform it. The ritual has two different names, one really old and one that is well known. Susid…suside…sueee." Yukiko let out a gasp on shock and said "Suicide! Your brother is going to perform SUICIDE!" Everyone was at paralyzing stupor as none of them to expect someone like Naruto to think on the lines of taking his own life.

Everyone was shocked out of their stupor when a clawed hand exploded out of Younger Naruto's chest. Behind Younger Naruto was a boy with ash grey skin wearing a dark blue shirt and grey shorts. Both of his hands were similar to claws and protruding from his back were wings in the form of webbed hands that were also clawed. The boy's hair was an ash-blue, his dark eyes were red showing that the Sharingan was active and in the middle of his face was a black four-pointed star. It was none other than Sasuke Uchiha when he had used the Advanced Curse Mark three years ago.

Yes, everyone will fight Curse Marked Sasuke and that fight is going to be longer, but it will end differently.

Ja Ne