Author Notes: Thanks to those who were willing to review this last chapter as well as to the newcomer who reviewed chapter 7. As per the rest of you, how pathetic. I'm saying this right now: I want ten fresh reviews before I take the story any further. Those of you who put this on your favorite story list or your story alert list, and there are more than thirty of you, the tab is sitting right under the ending sentence on the page. I'm a chicken with its head cut off until I know what you think.
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Konoha, Two Days After Naruto Passed Out: Killerbee had joined Sasuke and Kakashi in their training to test the Uchiha's skill. Sasuke was nearly as fast as Naruto, but his skill was far inferior. Killerbee could not handle the boy's taijutsu very well, especially due to his Sharingan, but he managed to slice the boy lightly when using his six-sword style.
"You have a long way to go if you want to catch up to Sensei," Killerbee taunted. "You probably won't ever catch him at the rate you're going." Sasuke's eyes widened in anger as he sprung forward, sword ready to attack.
"I'll never lose out to him," Sasuke yelled. "That dobe and I have been rivals since the beginning. I know all of his moves. It's not possible for him to simply learn swordsmanship in one day." Killerbee knocked Sasuke's blade out of his hands before it made contact and completely subdued the boy. Four swords were pointing into his neck; Sasuke angrily surrendered.
"Naruto did learn everything he knows in a single day," Killerbee said quietly. Sasuke turned and smirked. "He used nearly three-thousand clones to pound the training into his body; that's why he's in bed resting right now." Sasuke's expression changed to one of surprise and then one of skepticism.
"Bullshit. I've seen what he can do with shadow clones; it's not possible." Killerbee smiled at his ignorance. Say what you believe little man, he thought to himself before beginning another match.
Shizune was scrambling to finish all the paperwork before Tsunade arrived in the afternoon. The treaty with the Mist Village had gone over well, but Tsunade was both exhausted and annoyed, the worst possible combination.
Kushina had been training with the Hyuuga kids Hinata and Neji. There defensive capabilities proved difficult for Kushina to defeat, but they both had too much confidence in them. Neji had been captured by jade sand twice already; Hinata had been only a bit luckier. "That's enough for today you guys," Kushina spoke before dispelling her jutsu and returning the two to their original, not made of jade state.
"I'm going to go see Naruto in a bit. Do either of you wish to come?" They both nodded, anxious to see him after his mission to the Hidden Cloud Village; they also wished to see this Killerbee person, who was leaving for the Uzumaki Mansion as well.
"I'll kick your ass again some other time Sasuke-Kun," he yelled back to the raven-haired boy.
"Hey, only my friends get to call me that, jackass," Sasuke roared. Kakashi put his hand roughly on the boy's shoulder.
"Calm down," he began. "Don't forget that it was the very person who defeated you who trained that man, if only for a day. He also seems to have years of sword practice under his belt; you didn't stand much of a chance."
"Just shut up already," Sasuke said in his "irked" voice. "He and Naruto just beat me because they're both freaking half-demons." Kakashi was shocked, and then Sasuke was stunned by his the words that spilled from his mouth. Justly, the white-haired man punched Sasuke into a nearby tree.
As Sasuke began to get himself up, Kakashi dug his foot into the boy's stomach. "Don't you dare say that again," he commanded before giving an extra hard pulse with his leg. Sasuke doubled over and held his stomach. "You know that that belief is what has put Naruto through so much pain over the years. You're his friend and his rival Sasuke-Kun; he deserves better than that from you especially. Do you remember how he tried to run away from this village forever because he thought we would kill him after he had been changed?"
Sasuke came to a stunning realization when he remembered the scenes at the hospital and Hokage Monument. "All through his life he has been afraid; he was horrified when every single one of the village's beliefs had materialized on him. Even then, he thought of us first." Kakashi kicked Sasuke in the gut one more time as he began to get up. "You are going to listen and acknowledge Sasuke; I won't let you run."
"Naruto tried to leave to protect all of us from the villagers' hate. He tried to do what he thought was best, even when it was so painful for him; all of that guilt, all of that pain, all of that fear, and he still tried to go through with giving our friendship up for our sake. As you said yourself Sasuke 'you are the real monster, not Naruto.'" Sasuke was already crying, the most extreme display of emotion he had ever shown outside his family.
"I will not let you off so easily if you ever let those words slip from your mouth again," Kakashi ended as he went off to follow Killerbee. Sasuke was frozen, unable to believe what had just happened. He was the one who kept Naruto from leaving because he cared; how could he possibly say that about his best friend?
Kushina and Killerbee met in the front yard of the Uzumaki Mansion with looks of horror on their faces. Black smoke rose high into the air as they saw Naruto's room burning in bright yellow flames. Kushina immediately tried to sense people in the area, but to no avail.
"NARUTO!!!" she yelled. Then, something inexplicable happened. Giant stalagmites of ice burst through the window and some of the wall, putting the fire out with a sizzle and causing an eerie quietness to overtake the area.
"Is he… dead?" Killerbee asked. Neji tried to use his Byakugan to sense Naruto, but his chakra bounced off the ice crystals, making it impossible. Kushina looked up in horror before sprinting up to the house. She ran up the wall and punched the giant crystal structure; it remained unbroken.
"Damn it!" Kushina yelled. "It's as hard as cast iron. I can't break it. I'm gonna use my wind chakra to cut my way in." The next minute and a half seemed to take an eternity as tiny shards of the great crystal flew away. When they got far enough to see, Kushina and Killerbee spotted Naruto suspended in the center of the crystal with his eyes open. "The Kikánugan? But why?"
"I believe this man has the answer to your question," Kakashi said from the ground. He held an ANBU member in his arm. Kushina took a second look back at Naruto. He must have been in the air before the ice entombed him because we was tilted backward a bit and stuck a foot above the ground. His face was expressionless, and his arms were held out slightly in front of him as though he had jumped backward.
"I spotted the smoke and came sprinting, only to find this guy running from the scene," Kakashi explained. "He should have the answer to this." Kakashi removed the man's mask before tying him up and then awakening him with his chakra.
"What the," the man mumbled as he woke up. His face drained of color when he realized who stood in front of him.
"What did you try to do to my son?" Kushina yelled.
"As if I care about what happens to the little demon-spawn," he replied before getting punched in the gut. "We should just hand him to Akatsuki instead of wasting our time like this trying to defend the little wretch." Kakashi kicked his face hard, breaking the man's nose.
"This is getting nowhere," Killerbee interjected. "Let Orochi and me deal with him." He placed one hand on the man's forehead before going through a series of single-handed signs. "Ninja Art: Broiling Agony!" Suddenly, the entire world was blotted out except for Killerbee and the man. The Eight-Tailed Ox appeared behind Killerbee.
"H-H-Holy Hell," the man said. "You're one of them too?!" Orochi began working at breaking the man's mind and bending it to his own will. "No. What are you doing? Yaaa-a-aa!" The man screamed in both Killerbee's world of horrors and in real life. His head fell forward before slowly coming back up with a distant look on his face.
"This man was the one who set fire to the boy's room," Orochi said through the man. "Due to the boy's exhaustion, this man was able to quietly sneak in and use a basic fire jutsu on an oil soaked rag he slipped under the boy's door. After he had lit the rag, the door swung open, and the boy's body got up."
Now everyone was surprised. Naruto was awake already? "You have the wrong idea humans," Orochi taunted. "I said that his body got up; he was in no way actually conscious." Everyone was confused and concerned. "I believe that Kyuubi had something to do with it, but this man has no ability to read chakra patterns. This coward ran when the boy's eyes opened. They were a golden color with a black pattern in them."
"The Kikánugan!" all five of them said. Kushina had the greatest enthusiasm. "But this still doesn't explain where the ice came from."
"From the last that he could see, the boy's body started a jutsu involving wind and water seals. Shortly after he ran, he was captured rather stealthily by the man with white hair. Nice work indeed." Kakashi nodded as the man's head fell; his mind had collapsed from the mental torture. He was now a mere unconscious shell of himself.
"If what Orochi said is correct," Kakashi began, "then Naruto has the ability to use Ice-Style ninjutsu." Killerbee was unsure of what this meant, but Kushina, Hinata, and Neji seemed shocked by his claim.
"But we have no connection to that clan Kakashi. It was wiped out nearly ten years ago." Kushina seemed to find this an utter impossibility despite seeing it for herself.
"My only theory that makes sense, well the second one is possible, but is far less likely," Kakashi said doubtfully. Kushina and Killerbee both had curious looks on. "I believe that Naruto obtained this ability when he went through the bloodline trait ceremony. If that is not the case, then he was simply born with a second affinity for water."
"That still doesn't explain why he has the knowledge to perform that jutsu," Kushina exclaimed. "No one in this village can do Ice-Element ninjutsu."
"Once again, I have only one… no, make that two explanations. We fought the final survivor of that powerful clan during Naruto's first month of being a Genin." Kushina was shocked. How could Naruto have possibly beaten someone with that kind of ability so early? "During his battle, Sasuke was deeply wounded and fell unconscious. That was when Naruto first released a glimmer of the Kyuubi's chakra." Kushina was shocked.
"How did Minato's seal weaken after such a short time?" she asked fearfully.
"That is something we do not know the exact answer to even to this day. The seal has not tangibly weakened since he first entered the Four-Tailed form of the Kyuubi's Cloak. I'm guessing that either Naruto picked up on a few techniques when his eyes had changed to the Kyuubi's that first time. Otherwise, the Kyuubi must know various Ice-Style ninjutsu himself. He is the one who gave out that bloodline trait."
"So you're saying that we may never know?" Kushina asked. Kakashi nodded. "Let's just try to get him out from inside the ice; he'll freeze to death if he stays in there for too long." As she finished her sentence, the great crystal cracked open, and several hundred-pound chunks fell into the ground. Naruto swayed up to the hole in his wall and fell forward out of the window.
"Sensei!" Killerbee yelled as he tried to run and catch the boy. He was going to be too late; Naruto was a mere three feet from the ground going headfirst. A form blurred into sight and caught the boy as it came to a stop several feet away. The blur was none other than Sasuke.
"Stupid dobe," he said as he placed Naruto's seemingly lifeless body against a tree. He then looked up to where the blond had fallen. There were scorch marks as well as extremely dense ice. When Sasuke activated his Sharingan, he could see that both were caused by elemental chakra. The ice was obviously Naruto's doing, but the fire was caused by an incredibly weak jutsu. This chakra pattern definitely belonged to someone who had tried vainly to assassinate Naruto.
"Ice?" he asked in surprise. "How the heck did you pull that off dobe? This resembles what that Haku kid that we fought during our first A-ranked mission could do. It
must have been those eyes." Kushina leaned down and checked Naruto's vital signs. His breathing was shallow, his heartbeat was slow, his chakra level was at absolute zero, and his eyes were slightly glazed.
"Oh Kami," Kushina said as she fell back. "It's almost as if he has died." Everyone else was horrified by this statement. "His Kikánugan is receding as well. Please don't tell me his body is failing." Kushina began forcing her chakra into Naruto's body, trying to revive him.
"Something isn't right," Sasuke said. "I'm using the Mangekyo to see into his mind; keep his eyes open for me." Kakashi held Naruto's head up and lifted his eyelids. The Kikánugan had faded completely. Sasuke was suddenly in the all-too-familiar tunnels he recognized to be Naruto's mind. He nearly collapsed from the effect of Naruto's absolute exhaustion. His body was nearly dead when he had begun resting and healing up. How could he withstand it?
"Shit," he said aloud as he began to stand up. He instinctively took the path that led to the Kyuubi's chamber. "Yo, fox. Wake up. Naruto's in freaking danger." He spotted Kyuubi collapsed inside his cage. Even his chakra was completely used up. "Damn!" he said both in Naruto's mind and in real life, worrying everyone. Sasuke began forcing his chakra into the Kyuubi, who, even while unconscious, used it to heal Naruto's body.
Sasuke came back into his body, feeling relieved to not be experiencing such agony. "That training did more damage than you can imagine," Sasuke said worryingly. "Even the Kyuubi's chakra has been reduced to absolute zero." Everyone was horrified; the Kyuubi had the largest chakra reserves in all of history. "I'm going to go get Shizune-San and a medical team. Keep filling him with your chakra until I return. Sasuke's image faded in dust, his body moving at a speed far beyond his usual limits. It understood the gravity of the situation and released the restraints on the boy's muscles.
Shizune had just finished the paperwork when Tsunade walked in. "Hello Tsunade-Sama," she said brightly. The woman gave no response. "I completed all of the paperwork so that you could take a break and rest today."
"Thank you Shizune. I need that," Tsunade said as she lifted her head up. She was tired to say the least; she had also not had any saké in too long. Tsunade placed her bag on the floor as Ton-Ton walked in with an oink. Sasuke appeared panting in the doorway a split second later. "What is it Uchiha?" Tsunade asked in annoyance.
"Naruto is dying; you have to…" pant pant, "help…him…at the… Uzumaki…Mansion," Sasuke wheezed before finally fainting from his overexertion of his body. Tsunade's eyes widened as she comprehended what had just been said.
"Shizune, round up a medical staff and quickly head to the Uzumaki Mansion," Tsunade ordered before sprinting out the door. Damn it kid. Why do you always get into trouble like this? she thought to herself.
Shizune gathered up the six most skilled med-nins in all of Konoha and began to follow Tsunade's trail. All she had to do was follow the series of craters caused by Tsunade using her great strength to speed up. Said woman was nearing the mansion, preparing for whatever she might have to deal with.
Kushina had run out of chakra to feed Naruto with. His heart rate had sped up and then reverted to the snail's pace from before. Naruto's chakra level remained at absolute zero, every ounce of it flowing into and reviving his cells. His body was dancing on the line between life and death.
"What happened?" Tsunade asked as she appeared in front of the crew. Kakashi and Neji had begun forcing their own chakra into his body. "He really is almost dead. Someone give me the situation.
"Tsunade-Sama," Kushina began. "The Kyuubi has used up all of its chakra to try and heal Naruto. His body has also lost every ounce, unable to revitalize his cells. We're doing our best to keep him going, but it just seems that whatever we put into him is used up in an instant."
"Shit," Tsunade said darkly. "His body has been exhausted beyond all human limits. Naruto's recklessness with his training is going to kill him. This is an advanced case of what practitioners of medicine refer to as 'living death.' This means that, a victim will slowly rot as the chakra made is used up to heal damaged cells. Since some of the cells are healed though, this process takes a very long time to claim its victim. Damn him and his stubbornness. I'll do what I can, but I doubt I have enough chakra alone to fix him completely."
As Tsunade began healing Naruto, Killerbee spoke up. "This is all my fault," he said quietly. Everyone turned. "I was the one that suggested Naruto use shadow clones so that he could watch how he himself fought. With his Kikánugan, he was able to track the movements of every clone. It was the only way for him to search his defensive abilities for weaknesses."
"Just how many clones did you use?" Tsunade asked.
"In total that day? Around three-thousand." Everyone's face fell. "We used a solid one-thousand when we entered his defense-observation. He was already exhausted when I told him to fight the last clone standing. I should have let him rest."
"Yes, as a sensei, you need to gauge your student's limits before you train them to death," Tsunade began a bit harshly. "Since this is your responsibility, you are going to give up most of your chakra as well."
"With Orochi's chakra included, I should be able to revive him," Killerbee replied.
"I hope so because I'm running out." Kakashi was baffled by her statement. The Sannin had the largest chakra deposits known in all humans. "I can tell that his body has been revived about halfway, but we need to continue the process if he is going to survive." Tsunade stood up and motioned Killerbee over.
After sitting down in front of Naruto, Killerbee put his hand on Naruto's chest and began quickly pumping chakra into the blond. His heart rate had improved, and his breathing was no longer shallow, but Naruto was in far worse shape than Killerbee could have imagined.
"Orochi, could you please help me with this?" the man asked into the depths of his mind. The Eight-Tailed Ox stirred.
"I'm only going to help with this because Kyuubi owes me something, and you need the boy's guidance if you wish to fight against Akatsuki," he replied. Killerbee's body was enveloped in the Ox's cloak.
"What are you thinking?!" Tsunade yelled. "That density of demonic chakra is like poison, you'll kill him."
"In the case of the Kyuubi, that statement is correct," Killerbee grunted. "I'm well aware of the corrosive nature of the Kyuubi's Cloak. Mine however, does not cause damage to my body over time, and it's the fastest way to get chakra into him."
Killerbee's hand began giving off a black aura, the density of the chakra almost meeting Naruto's compressed Rasengan. Naruto's color returned as his heart rate sped up to forty beats-per-minute. "Almost there," Killerbee panted. Even he was beginning to run low.
"I swear you'll pay if you ever get the kid into this condition again Killerbee," warned Orochi. "I'm at my limit; is he going to be alright?"
Killerbee fainted as his chakra was finally used up. "Damn," he said quietly before losing consciousness. Shizune and the medical team had just arrived and were ready to deal with what they thought were going to be physical injuries.
"Tsunade-Sama, is he in 'that' state?" Shizune asked frightfully. Tsunade nodded. "Kami, get his body systems back up and running," she ordered. "Use up every ounce of chakra you have if you must." Shizune spotted the giant ice chunks and came up with an idea.
"Tsunade-Sama, I think I have an idea. Gather up those huge ice crystals and place them around Naruto," she ordered. "Quickly, I think he just needs one more, good burst of energy."
"I get it," Tsunade spoke loudly. "You mean for him to reabsorb his own chakra. Kakashi, you're with me. Neji, Hinata, and Kushina, gather up those smaller pieces over there." They all had to work together to gather the crystals. They each weighed over a hundred pounds. Kakashi and Tsunade took the largest chunk out of Naruto's room and smashed it on the ground, breaking it into more manageable pieces.
"Hurry Tsunade-Sama, they're running out," Shizune yelled.
"Why the Hell does no one have any chakra today?" Tsunade yelled back. "Even Killerbee with his enormous reserves used it all up so fast." She and Kakashi each had two ice blocks in hand as they neared Naruto. Instantaneously, they began melting and moving towards the boy. "What else can go wrong?" Tsunade screamed. She was quickly silenced as the water pushed itself into Naruto's body.
"He's actually drawing upon all the chakra in the area," Shizune realized. "It isn't that no one has the chakra; it's just being absorbed at a much faster rate."
"You mean like Jiraiya's ability to draw on the flow of nature?" Tsunade inquired as she brought more ice over. Shizune nodded as the ice melted, and wind and water rushed into the boy.
"I'm out," Shizune said with a grunt. "How much ice is left? His condition is at about ninety percent."
"Hinata and I have the last couple," Neji yelled as he came half-running with it. Hinata was not far behind him. Shizune checked the blond's condition one more time as the chakra returned to him. "Ninety-five percent, damn," Shizune shouted. "He'll just keep degenerating unless we get enough chakra in him to finish the job along with some to begin refilling his reserves."
Everyone was exhausted and began to despair. Naruto was still dormant with his eyes half open. "Wait," Kushina began, "Minato's swords, we can use what he stored in those." Everyone took on a brighter look until they realized they were not on Naruto's person. "I think I know where they might be," Kushina said as she jumped up to the blond's room. Under two large woven tapestries, Kushina found the twin blades held in elegantly fashioned stands.
Naruto's condition began worsening again, making Shizune worry. "Don't worry; these ought to have plenty of juice in 'em," Kushina reassured her. "Just place them near his body and…." A whirring sound began coming from the swords. They actually floated out of her hands and into the air and unsheathed themselves as they floated into Naruto's hands.
Everyone jumped back when intense flames erupted from the swords. They encased Naruto in a blazing veil, burning the ground and trees around him. "Naruto!" Tsunade yelled out. As the flames surrounding the boy's body receded into him, everyone took on a look of shock. His clothes were unmarred, and he was completely unharmed. Naruto's eyes had closed, and his breathing was deep and peaceful. "We're done," Shizune sighed with relief.
Kushina walked over and took the swords from Naruto's hands. She immediately dropped them when she noticed that they were freezing cold. She drew her left hand to her stomach and covered it with the other. "What in the world?" she questioned. "Why did they get so cold?"
She moved her left hand up to her eyes to see that her palm had received… frostbite? "Minato's fire was completely drained from them?" Kushina asked as Kakashi examined her hand.
"Kushina-Sensei, we need to heal this or you'll lose your hand!" the white-haired man said in terror. "I've still got some chakra left. Let me warm it up." An orange flame appeared in the palm of Kakashi's right hand as he placed Kushina's over it. "Is it getting better?" the man asked fearfully. Kushina nodded as the heat began to work its way into her system.
"I guess we can't call them the Twin Katon Zanmato anymore," Kakashi said humorously. "Now they have an icy sting." He was more than right about that. The blades had sunk several feet into the dirt because they were so sharp, but what was surprising to everyone was that the grass immediately surrounding them had frozen solid. There was even snow accumulating at the bases.
"I'm not even sure they can be picked up anymore," Tsunade said. "The steel itself is cold enough to quickly freeze any water it comes into contact with. It's almost as if Naruto changed the fire chakra into ice after he was finished absorbing what he needed. But for now, I'm sure he will be alright. We'll deal with getting the swords back tomorrow."
Kyuubi had finally regained consciousness and breathed a sigh of relief when he could feel his own reserves finally begin building back up. "You're not doing that much training again little boy," he said. "You and that Killerbee are way too reckless. Just be thankful that you have such caring friends… and those old swords."
"Let's get him into another room Kushina-Sensei," Kakashi said tiredly. "I'll get a construction crew to deal with that hole in the wall and to replace the burnt parts of the room."
"Thanks… for everything Kakashi-Kun," the woman replied brightly. She had wrapped the damaged hand in bandages. "You've been a good teacher to him. I thank you for that." Kakashi smiled.
The two picked up the now peacefully sleeping Naruto and carried him to Minato's old room. As they carried him off however, the Twin Zanmato rose out of the ground and re-sheathed themselves. Tsunade watched carefully as they floated into the house after Naruto. I've never seen anything like this, she thought to herself. Those swords actually follow him; that's unheard of except for a couple special cases. They constantly emit that icy aura too. This could be a problem.
"This is so nostalgic," Kakashi said as he entered the all too familiar room of the Fourth Hokage. "I remember sneaking in here just to talk with Minato-Sensei. This is unbelievable, that Naruto is so much like him, and you. He's managed to inspire me from time to time too."
"Shh," Kushina hushed him quietly. "He needs his sleep; let's head out with the…." She spotted the Twin Zanmato floating up the stairs in Naruto's direction. The air around them was foggy; they were still emitting freezing temperatures. "Kakashi, problem."
"What is it?" the man asked after pulling the covers up to Naruto's neck. He walked over to the door and saw the source to her concern. "Not good," Kakashi said with shock in his eyes. "Those will freeze him to death if we can't stop them."
"I know, but how?"
"Shut the door and see if they won't stop. If that doesn't work, turn them to jade… oh wait, your hand, shit!" Kakashi exclaimed. He shut the door and put a barrier tag on it. They heard the swords bump into the door, but there seemed to be no effort being made to break through it. That was until the Twin Zanmato slipped through the part of the door that they had frozen.
"Damn it!" Kushina said angrily. The swords suddenly blurred from sight, only to rest beside Naruto, no longer emitting Ice-Chakra. "What just happened?" she asked dumbfounded. Kakashi shrugged his shoulders as he searched for an explanation.
Tsunade appeared in the doorway with a nervous look on her face. She spotted Naruto safely in bed with the now dormant blades sitting and was reassured. "Those swords actually follow him around willingly, how strange," she said calmly. "They were Minato's originally, so it is natural that Naruto has an affinity for them, but this is a bit extreme."
"They've become tethered to Naruto in that sense," Kushina interjected. "We will need to do something about that ice though. With his enormous chakra reserves, Naruto might actually exceed the limit that can be put into those. If they also emit ice of their own free will, people will get hurt."
"I have an idea as to how we can fix that, but Naruto needs his full reserves back before we can try it," Tsunade stated flatly. "My grandfather created two chakra crystals in his lifetime. They were how he controlled the bijuu. I think we can try attaching up to ten chakra crystals to each sword so that they themselves are not holding and needlessly emitting such dangerous chakra. Naruto can control his own chakra crystals with his will without having to actually be in contact with them."
"It's an interesting theory," Kakashi began, "but he'll want one crystal made from the Kyuubi's chakra on each blade for the most dangerous of situations. That would be a bit dangerous if I'm not correct. Since its chakra is so corrosive, the crystal might collapse on itself, causing a big explosion and possibly Naruto's death."
"I've thought of a way around that already," Tsunade said with a grin. "Naruto's chakra is already powerful enough to suppress the Kyuubi's when he wants to. When we make the crystal, we just have to include a couple veins of Naruto's chakra running through it to balance things out. The upside to a crystal of the Kyuubi's chakra is that it can regenerate its own power as time goes on."
"Tomorrow then?" Kushina asked flatly. Tsunade nodded before ushering the two of them out and taking a second glance at Naruto. He's even got Minato's room now, how surprising that this much time has passed, Tsunade thought to herself before shutting the door. She noticed the white, frozen spot on the door that the blades used the simply phase through it.
"I have a feeling there's more to those blades than Minato ever let on," Tsunade said to herself. "This seems like space-time manipulation to me." Tsunade walked back to her office to sit down and have a drink of saké. She was more than disappointed when she entered the room. The village elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Itane stood in front of her desk with serious looks on their faces.
"Tsunade," Homura began darkly. "You must deal with this new threat to the village."
"If you mean Akatsuki, I am dealing with it thank you," Tsunade retorted.
"That is not what she means," Koharu interjected. "We speak of the boy, Naruto." Tsunade became frightened at the point of the conversation, but she did not show it.
"What the Hell are you old people talking about?"
"Watch your tongue," Homura exclaimed. "And if you do not know, then you are a fool. The boy has killed several of our elite ANBU agents for no good reason. From our in tell, we have also learned of his sudden growth in power as well. We need to eliminate the Kyuubi before he becomes unmanageable."
"How dare you accuse him of such things?!" Tsunade yelled. "This has been going on for years, and the complaints have all been proven foundless. Whoever has been telling you these things is a liar who simply can't drop a grudge."
"That is what we wanted to believe," Koharu began. "But these photos suggest otherwise, as well as eyewitness accounts." He shoved a manila envelope into Tsunade's hands, which she opened to view the documents inside.
The pictures were grotesque in nature. Every single one showed various torn up bodies with claw marks at the wound points. There was a case where a man had been bitten on the neck, where skin around the holes had become visibly infected. The color of the surrounding flesh suggested that even his blood was sucked out before some kind of poison took its place. Tsunade became very afraid when she came upon the final pictures. One man had, without a doubt, been killed with a Rasengan. The final photograph showed a figure standing atop a pole with its arms stretched out as it stared into the full moon. The picture fell from her hands.
"You understand now, right?" Koharu inquired. "I personally dismissed these stories until I came across the second to last picture. Only the boy can perform that jutsu, and we already know Kushina's alibi."
"We will personally take action if you do not Tsunade," Homura stated grimly. "It is our duty to bring these issues before you; it is yours to take the actions necessary to resolve the issues. This may be painful or shocking, but it is the truth."
A single tear fell from Tsunade's face as she listened to their words. This can't be happening, not now. They're going to hand him to Akatsuki at this rate. But what can I do? With all of this evidence, who am I supposed to believe? Tsunade asked herself.
"I'm keeping these photographs," Tsunade declared, "but… I guess I have no choice; I'll deal with Naruto when he regains consciousness."
"We are glad that you are finally listening to us Tsunade-Hime," Homura said happily. "I expect a swift end to this matter. You have two days." She stalked out of the room cheerily, leaving Koharu behind.
"This is hard for me to believe Tsunade, and I think there is more to this than we currently know, but these ANBU are dead, we have the corpses, and all the evidence points at the boy," The man said compassionately. "We'll figure this out, even if the old bat doesn't want to waste the effort." Tsunade smiled as another tear left her eye.
"Thank you very Much Koharu-San," she said quietly before turning her chair around and staring at the night sky. Are you really the one behind this Naruto, or am I right about this being an elaborate plot? She took out her hidden bottle of saké and downed a large swig before leaving to go to her room and retire for the night.
The Next Day 22 left on the clock: Kushina had been called to the Hokage's office early that morning. She was horrified by what Tsunade told her. "No, that's not possible. I watched him the entire time before we met," Kushina yelled with tears in her eyes. "And I was with him for nearly the entire time after. This doesn't add up at all how can they…."
Tsunade stopped her before saying, "I don't know how they got these photographs, and I don't know how to read the situation, but I have to do something, or the village elders will do far worse. The best thing I can do right now is wait until Naruto wakes up before asking him myself. Then, regardless unfortunately, I have to put him in a jail cell." Kushina's eyes widened in terror. "I have little choice in this Kushina-San; they would sooner hand him to Akatsuki and be done with it than 'waste time investigating.' This is the best possible solution I can come up with right now. Please forgive me for what I'm about to do Kushina; I beg you to give me some time to find the flaw in this conspiracy."
She was crying in her seat, unable to respond. Tsunade rubbed her shoulder and comforted her, but she saw no other way. "Tsunade-Sama," she choked out. "Please tell me he'll be alright," Kushina asked.
"We'll get him out of this; I swear it Kushina. I'll find out what is going on here. We'll save him. He can protect himself though, so you don't need to worry about him getting beaten or raped. Kushina's face froze. Idiot! Tsunade yelled into her own mind. Not a good idea to bring up that sort of thing. "You know what I mean Kushina," Tsunade said reassuringly. "Let's go see if we can't break things to him easily." The woman nodded as she regained her composure.
Tsunade had to explain things to all of Naruto's friends and Senseis on the way, including Killerbee. He went hysterical and questioned who was going to teach him so that he could fight Akatsuki. Tsunade told him to simply learn the single-handed Rasengan and hope they could fix things quickly.
When they went in to see Naruto, he had awoken and was recharged. "Hey mom, hello Tsunade-Sama," he said cheerily. There was no way that he could be the killer in Tsunade's opinion. Naruto had always wanted attention and to prove himself, but he wasn't a psychopath. And this cheerfulness and realization of his upcoming date with destiny should be more than enough to disprove the motive, if the elders had given one.
"Naruto, babe," Kushina began. "We have to talk, the three of us." Naruto's expression changed to one of concern. "This is going to come as shocking Naruto; so be ready." Naruto was now partially afraid, something that Tsunade could see. This was not going to be easy.
"No way," Naruto said in shock at the end of the explanation. His expression was one of horror and of sorrow and anger. "There has to be something I can do to prove I'm innocent," he suggested. "Can't we do DNA testing and witness interrogation or something?" Tsunade looked sorrowful, but she didn't speak up. "We could even do a comparison between my Rasengan strike and the one on this guy. There has to be something, anything… please."
"I'm already preparing to examine all of the evidence myself along with a select and trustworthy team, but the Elders want a result now, and this is the best I can do for you," Tsunade said. "The entire village just wants to hand you over to Akatsuki. Be glad I can prevent that." Naruto looked down into his sheets and began shaking. Tears of anger spilled from his eyes. Why is it always me! he screamed into his mind, awakening the Kyuubi with a start. He looked into the boy's mind and quickly figured out what was happening.
"Damn them to the pits of Hell," he said.
"You'll be okay Naruto," Tsunade said reassuringly. "You're far stronger than anyone in that jail, and we're keeping you away from sexual offenders and anyone particularly dangerous. You won't be tortured to death, so just avoid starting fights and we can maybe even get you released for good behavior." The boy nodded before finally getting up and getting dressed. "We'll work as fast as we can Naruto. Give us three days. If we don't come for you by then, you have my permission to escape and come find me. Then we'll resort to some cruder tactics."
"I understand Tsunade-Sama," Naruto said before hugging his mom and walking with them out the door. On the way to the village, ten Elite ANBU agents appeared together on the path.
"We have come to take Uzumaki Naruto into custody," one of them said. "We assume he is coming peacefully?" Naruto nodded. "Then discard all of your weapons here before we go any further." Naruto placed his swords down, along with his kunai and shuriken. "Good, let us leave." Naruto stepped up to them with a depressed face; they all disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Let's get to work Kushina," Tsunade commanded. The woman nodded quickly before gathering up Naruto's possessions. His swords were not emitting ice this time, making them safe to carry. After bringing them and locking them safely inside the house with several powerful genjutsu and barriers, the two left for the forensics lab.
Naruto appeared in front of a cave entrance leading underground along with the ten ANBU from before. "I hardly see why there have to be ten of you guarding me," Naruto said flatly. "I'm not running, despite the fact that none of you could catch me, and I already promised I would not attack. It's meaningless. If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't be here right now."
All but one of the ANBU agents was taken aback by this comment. "The boy is right on both accounts," he said sternly. "He deserves respect. And you will give it to him. None of you would allow yourselves to be tossed in here willingly. Naruto had the choice to destroy us all, or run, or even both. If I catch a single one of you harassing him at all, it will be the end of your career in the Black-Ops." The other nine nodded before walking off, leaving Naruto alone with the man.
"It's me, Yamato," the man said as he lifted his mask. Naruto smiled and hugged the man. "Yes, I know you're overjoyed that I'm your guardian, but you still have to behave if we're gonna get you out within the week."
"Thanks Yamato-Taichou," Naruto said before descending the steps. "Although Tsunade said that I had her permission to bust out if she didn't come for me within three days' time."
"I'm aware, but do not speak a word of it," Yamato said sternly as light began to shine further on. "Any prisoner would leap at a real chance for escape. You symbolize a lot of hope for actual criminals, so don't go making promises or friends. Ignore who you can, and you'll be fine."
Naruto nodded before stepping into an enormous chamber lined with cells that seemed to descend infinitely. "Your cell is on the first floor; you're lucky. You get the easiest treatment and the best possible communal mealtime. Most of the people on this row are thieves, not alleged murderers, so you shouldn't have much risk of getting into a fight. I'm also here full time, so I can keep an eye out for you."
The blonde's only response to his whispering was a small smile and a nod. "Let's hope Granny can find what she needs quickly," Naruto whispered. Yamato stopped in front of Cell 1B-2.7.A.
"Lunch is in two-and-a-half hours. Oh, how could I forget? Since prisoners on this row are not particularly violent, you have to share this cell with one other person. He's friendly though. From what I know, the only thing he did was steal a ring to propose to his lover, so he won't bug you."
Yamato opened the door with a small sorrowful frown and ushered Naruto in. The stone door slid back into place, activating the locking tag on the outside. Naruto could easily bust out of this if and when the time came.
"What're you in for?" a young and cheerful voice asked from the back right corner of the room. Several flameless lamps kept the room lit enough for someone to not have to have his eyesight adjust to the dark.
"I'm in here because I have been framed for the murder of several Elite ANBU agents," Naruto said before he went and lied down on his cot. The boy on the other room was shocked. He was not much older than Naruto. Apparently, he had not yet discerned Naruto's appearance.
"Right," he said sarcastically. "You'd be about sixty levels further down if that was true. And no one who gets framed ends up in here anyway; he or she is always proven innocent during the hearing before ending up in this place. Now tell me, what'd you steal?"
"I didn't lie to you," Naruto replied as he faced the wall. "I also received no hearing. You clearly don't know who I am though, so your initial reaction is no surprise. My name is Uzumaki Naruto, A.K.A., the Kyuubi by most of the villagers. Now do you believe me?"
"Quit making shit up. That guy would be an S+ ranked criminal and sent to the lowest floor in this place. Now just tell me what…" Naruto had turned his head and used his chakra to create a glow to better show his face. The boy froze, finally noticing Naruto's long blond hair, red skin, claws, fangs, and red slit eyes.
"Oh Kami," he gasped before curling up into a ball in the far corner. "Why me? I'm too young to die. What did I do to deserve this?" Naruto was getting irked by his whimpering.
"I'll cut you a deal," he said in annoyance. "If you stop with the fearful crying and simpering, I'll leave you completely alone unless you're actually interested in listening to me. Right now, I just want to rest and clear my mind."
"O-Okay m-m-mister Naruto," He held his arms up to defend against the hit he thought was coming. After three seconds, he opened his eyes to see the blond staring into his own wall. Was this guy really the Kyuubi like everyone said?
The next hour passed in almost total silence except for an ANBU walking by the door once in a while. Naruto was getting both hungry and bored. "I forgot to ask you your name," he spoke up, frightening the boy. "Do you mind telling me?"
"My name is Zane," the boy replied quietly while watching Naruto fixatedly. "I'm in here because I couldn't afford to buy my fiancé a decent ring. I stole a simple gold band with a single six-karat emerald stone in a basic setting. I'm in here for another couple of months before I'm done doing time."
"It's nice to know I'm not stuck in here with someone who'd not even think twice about killing me," Naruto said humorously. "These next few days might not actually be all that bad if I can just keep from thinking about food."
"A few days?" Zane asked. "You'll be in here for years probably, maybe even for life. I applaud your optimism though. The food here isn't all that great; it's ramen every stinking day. I'm sick of the stuff, but I need to keep up my strength."
Naruto was very pleased to hear that they served ramen. "I should probably keep training myself," he said. "With Akatsuki coming in twenty-two days, I can't be slacking off."
"Good luck with that plan," Zane retorted. "You'd have to have intense chakra control so as to not alert any of the guards that you are actually training."
"I have no real choice other than busting my butt; they'll have to live with it." Naruto stood up and went over to the wall opposite the door. He flipped himself onto his hands and started doing vertical raises.
"Woah," Zane exclaimed. "That's some skill."
"I do about a thousand each day to keep this level of physical strength up. I have no idea how to do my speed and endurance training though in a place like this. The only other thing I could do is practice going through my sword fighting exercises unless I did some jutsu practice," Naruto said calmly as he started into the mid fifties.
"You use a sword?" Zane asked curiously.
"I dual-wield with the swords the Fourth Hokage used to use," Naruto replied as he started increasing the difficulty by jumping with his arms and clapping before coming back down.
"No one knows where the Twin Katon Zanmato Blades are," Zane replied in a smart-ass tone. "Only Kushina, his wife, would know, and she's been missing since the Kyuubi attacked and… was sealed in you." The boy paused, not knowing if mentioning the fact would cause his demise. "In any case, there's no way you could have found them. The Fourth's mansion is off limits, so you couldn't have searched there."
"No one seems to remember who my parents were apparently," Naruto said as he got back up on his legs and began stretching. Zane wondered what exactly the blond meant. "The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, and Uzumaki Kushina were my parents. No one seems to ever remember her last name. She returned about two weeks ago. That's how I got those swords."
Zane was in complete shock and disbelief. "You're their son?" Naruto nodded. "Then why does the village treat you like dirt?" Naruto laughed at the question. He faced the boy, revealing his frightening eyes once again, but with a grin.
"Because I have the Kyuubi sealed in me," Naruto replied. "They can't drop a grudge for what happened seventeen years ago. Now they have every excuse they could ever need because I went through the changes that you see before you. I had blue eyes originally, and I was about seven inches shorter."
"Ya, I remember seeing you when you returned with Master Jiraiya; you are different." Naruto smiled half-heartedly at the boy's words. "You're his apprentice; how can the village be allowed to just throw you away?"
"History, that's all I can say. Their misconceptions about me and them only being able to think of the Kyuubi when they see me has blinded them. This is just another conspiracy to get rid of me and keep me from getting stronger. They intend to throw me to Akatsuki like a fish to sharks, but Tsunade, my mom, and all of my friends won't let that happen."
"That's harsh," Zane replied. "How do you intend to get out though?"
"Tsunade and my mom are going over the forensic evidence. They'll find me innocent. Grr. When is lunch? I'm freaking hungry."
The stone door opened, Yamato standing at the entrance. "Lunch time boys," he said brightly. "Just as a warning Naruto, don't attempt to practice jutsu here. They'll have you moved to the lower levels because it seems that you are trying to escape."
"No one in the entire stupid village realizes my situation, do they?" Naruto asked carelessly as he finished his stretch.
"Unfortunately, that's true. But you'll have plenty of time to train when Kushina-San and Tsunade come for you."
"So you really are the son of the fourth!" Zane said in astonishment. "That's so cool."
Several people walked to their cell doors at this comment. Many of them stared in horror when they spotted Naruto. Others took on a devious smile, thinking of plans for escape.
"Quiet down Zane!" Yamato said seriously. "Now follow me to the cafeteria. One ANBU is assigned to each table. I of course am with you. Just don't do anything reckless and you won't have a problem."
"Yes yes, I know," replied with slight disregard for the repeated warnings. The three walked silently down several halls until coming upon a much brighter, much larger room. Twenty-five tables filled the eating area, and the cafeteria workers all wore masks to hide their identities.
"Looks like we're early today," Zane said brightly. Yamato put his hand on the boy's shoulder and sat them down for a brief discussion.
"Zane, you must know the gravity of the situation Naruto is in," Yamato said sternly. "This is all an elaborate plan to get him out of the way or even get the village to hand him to Akatsuki. You are not to go around saying things about his lineage or anything he tells you in the cell. Understand?" Zane nodded before Yamato then allowed them to go up to the food-serving station.
"You're allowed two bowls of ramen, a fruit, and a drink," Zane said before they went to the counter. "When the entire row has good behavior one day, which is a pretty rare occurrence, we are allowed a single dessert at dinner."
Other prisoners came walking through the door from before as Naruto picked up his tray and grabbed a red and yellow apple. The two sat down where Yamato was standing watch in order to eat.
"I'd make up a decent story to quiet their curiosity," Zane warned Naruto.. "You know how bad I was. Don't use anything flashier than an expensive necklace or a couple thousand Ryou."
"I'll keep that in mind," Naruto said before breaking his chopsticks. He lifted some of the noodles from the broth and slurped them down. The taste was not very pleasant, as Naruto discovered, but food was food.
"Hey Zane," a woman around the age of twenty said as she sat down in front of the two. "Who's your new friend?"
"His name is Naruto, he's pretty nice like you Lyra, so you should make good friends," Zane said brightly.
"Naruto?" she inquired. "Where have I heard that name before? Oh well, it's been a while, I can't remember." Naruto breathed a sigh of relief. Things were looking up. Not too many people seemed to know him down here.
"What's with your body dude?" Lyra asked as she looked him over. That was the question Naruto knew would be asked. After slurping down the noodles he had in his chopsticks, Naruto answered her with a prepared explanation.
"They're traits of my family," Naruto replied flatly. "But we're not very well known here in the Leaf Village. I apologize if I scare you with my eyes."
"Oh that's no big deal; my dad's can be way scarier. That's one reason I got locked up in here, to get away from him," Lyra said quietly. "So what're you in for? I stole this lady's wallet and went on a shopping spree so that I'd come back here for like the fourth time. It isn't bad here at all, except on days like today."
"Oh crap, I completely forgot," Zane exclaimed as he slapped his forehead. "Naruto, this is the one day a week that some of the really dangerous criminals get to eat up here."
"Damn," Yamato said to himself. "It's Thursday; I completely forgot that myself. Just avoid meeting anyone's eyes." The renowned assaulters in Konoha began coming through the door with an ANBU following each one closely. They were all hand cuffed.
Naruto dropped his chopsticks when he saw one of the criminals to be one from when he was attacked weeks ago. His blood boiled, and his anger rose, making him accidentally give off killing intent, something that everyone in the room felt. Yamato snapped him out of his dark stare. An awkward silence filled the room before everyone began talking again.
"You have the right to be angry at him Naruto, but not here," Yamato said sternly as Lyra and some of Zane's other friends turned to him.
"What's up big guy?" one of them asked. "You got a bone to pick with him? He used to be an ANBU; I wouldn't try."
"That's because you're smart and know your own limitations," Naruto replied. "Believe it or not, I could kill him and be back sitting at this table minding my own business before any of you noticed a thing."
"Remember what I said Naruto," Yamato advised him. "Making fights here would only get you put in the lower, more dangerous cells and possibly destroy any chances for quick release."
"I know," Naruto said. "I know. I'm just on edge is all. With Akatsuki breathing down mine and Killerbee's necks, I shouldn't have to be wasting my time here."
"Why the heck would people like the Akatsuki be after a petty thief like you?" one of Zane's friends asked. Everyone turned to listen. Not good, Naruto thought.
"Because I know where one of their targets is," Naruto replied before drinking down his broth. "I'm getting a second bowl, be back in a minute."
Without anyone's knowledge, Naruto's swords floated soundlessly from the Uzumaki Mansion. They moved toward their master, going north beyond the Hokage Monument and through the Nara Clan's woods. Shikaku Nara, Shikamaru's father, watched them closely as they left frost and ice on the trees they passed.
"I must inform Tsunade. Someone is trying to break out of the prison in the north," he said before running towards the village.
Konoha Forensics Lab: Tsunade had already completed her work on the first body and came to the conclusion that it was a metallic, five-bladed weapon of some sort that had caused the wound. She and Kushina were now working on the body with a bitten neck.
"Kushina, take a look at this blood sample," Tsunade called. "What do you think this is? It seems that he either had a platelet deficiency, or some sort of poison was used."
"He might be a hemophiliac, but we need to make sure that those puncture wounds weren't caused by Naruto's canines," the woman replied frightfully. "I know that you did everything to protect Naruto from the worst, but who knows what could be happening to him right now?"
"These wounds are too small to be caused by Naruto's fangs, but the fact that his blood was sucked out makes me wonder. I know of one vampyric creature that lives in the Nara Family's forest, but it would have to be unusually large to cause this. The poison that was injected has the same qualities too."
"Does that mean we've proven that Naruto isn't behind this one?" Kushina asked. Tsunade nodded. "It seems that every single one of the wounds on these guys was caused by the same five-bladed weapon. They each have burns around them too, meaning it was a user of Lightning Chakra."
"That only leaves this guy who was struck by a Rasengan," Tsunade said with a sigh. "I really can't disprove Naruto in this case, and the village elders said that they knew your alibi already. What can I do that would prove Naruto innocent?"
Just then, Nara Shikaku burst into the room that the two were in. "Lady Tsunade," he began, his breathing fast. "Someone is trying to break out of the prison in the north." Tsunade's face lost its expression of focused work and took on one of surprise. Naruto? It's barely been three hours, Tsunade thought to herself.
"What exactly did you see?" she asked the man.
"All I saw were two ice-emitting swords floating northward through the forest. They froze everything they got near."
Kushina and Tsunade both said "damn!" Tsunade put down her papers and ran out the door with Kushina. They sprinted northward to try and get to Naruto before the blades did. They were slow at least, even if they could phase through the ground. If the blades got to him first, he'd be in a world of trouble, and the ANBU stationed there would destroy the swords.
Naruto: Things had been going normally until some idiot picked a fight with Naruto. After he had gotten his second bowl, a man came up behind him and shoved the boy off his feet and onto the tile floor, making him spill his ramen.
"Don't you dare get up little demon," the man said. "It's about time they locked you in here, but they even screwed that up. Why don't you just go down to level seventy with the rest of the cold-blooded killers?" Naruto began to get back up, angering the man. Everyone was watching the scene unfold with looks of fear and ones of amusement on their faces.
"I said for you to stay down damn it!" the man yelled as Naruto turned around to face him. The man threw a punch toward Naruto's face, making everyone gasp. Naruto took the full hit, breaking the man's hand. By now, ANBU were already rushing in to break up the fight. Two stood in front of Naruto with kunai drawn along with suppression tags as another three attended to the crazed, bleeding and yelling man.
"Damn you filthy beast. I will kill you; I will be a hero for killing the Nine-Tailed Fox! You'll pay for what you did to my hand; I'll beat every ounce of life out of you," he yelled as he sprung again. All five ANBU turned and subdued him. As they cuffed his hands, three made a move for Naruto.
"What are you looking at me for?" he asked curtly. "I don't think I actually did anything." His voice was completely calm, dumbfounding the three. They placed their suppression tags back as they stared at Naruto. "I would like to have my second bowl of ramen though. May I have a replacement since he so unreasonably made me drop it?"
One of the agents brought another bowl to him and placed it in his hands before taking the other two with him to take the other prisoner back to his cell. Every eye in the room was on Naruto as he turned to go back to his table. No one spoke a word until he sat down.
"Well that stinks," Naruto said quietly. Zane and Lyra along with some others looked at him questioningly. "My ramen is ice cold. I'll just have to warm it up myself." As he said that, Naruto focused a small amount of chakra into his left hand which held the bowl. He converted it to a small flame, frightening everyone. Suddenly, every ANBU agent in the room stood around him with tags at the ready. As they flew, Naruto faded in dust and appeared near the door.
"I can outrun and out-dodge all of you," Naruto said flatly, making everyone turn in disbelief. "I merely stay here and don't run out of my own free will and to prove something: that I'm freaking innocent of every crime this village has ever accused me of. I'm not causing any problems by warming my ramen, so just give it a rest." When he saw steam beginning to rise from his bowl, Naruto stirred it and took in a mouthful of noodles.
Every one of the prisoners' mouths was agape. Is he insane? they asked themselves. Naruto gulped down the last of his ramen before putting the empty bowl in the tub with all of the others. As he walked back to his table, the ANBU barred his way, kunai ready to slash the boy.
"No prisoner receives special treatment," one of them said aloud. "Using chakra in any way is a direct violation of this prison's rules. You've just earned yourself a trip to the lower levels."
"As I said," Naruto interrupted him, "I stay here of my own free will and don't cause problems. There is nothing you can do that will harm me or threaten me; you can ask Yamato yourself." The boy had appeared next to Yamato in a blur, causing several of the ANBU agents to throw kunai at the boy. He caught every single one, stunning them all. Naruto walked over to return the knives, only to be attacked.
"Just give it up already," Naruto said in annoyance. Every blade broke upon slamming into his body, frightening the ANBU. "Here are your stupid kunai," he said before dropping them at the apparent leader's feet. Naruto walked back to his table and sat down, resting his head on his hands. Every eye was on him again.
"Go back to your meals. There's nothing to see here," Yamato yelled, immediately getting a response from the prisoners. They turned and began whispering to each other as the ANBU gathered up the shattered remains of their weapons and returned to their posts embarrassed.
"Despite the fact that I know what was going through your mind Naruto," Yamato began concernedly, "they don't. This could be very bad if interpreted the wrong way. Let's just get you back to your cell and away from these wandering eyes and ears." Naruto nodded before getting up, making everyone's eyes follow him closely.
The two exited quietly and began walking back to the cell chamber. "I'm actually very impressed Naruto," Yamato began. "You made complete fools of all of them, passively no less. You're getting very mature."
"Thanks, but that was relatively easy compared to letting that one guy who attacked me before go by without a scratch," the blond said humorously.
Tsunade and Shikaku were running down the steps of the prison frantically, trying to get to Naruto before his swords did. There was already a place outside where they had frozen and then phased through the ground. When the two entered the main chamber, they spotted Naruto and Yamato.
"Naruto," Tsunade called as she kept running to him. "Has anything bad happened today?" Naruto and Yamato turned when they heard her voice. "Because we have some bad news."
"Don't tell me the evidence all actually says it is me!" Naruto exclaimed. Tsunade shook her head as she regained her breath.
"No, we're actually almost done proving your innocence, but we have a major problem." Naruto was waiting for her to tell him until he spotted a white glow near where Tsunade had come from. "Speak of the devil," she said. "It's your father's swords; they're following you for whatever reason. They only stop emitting that ice when they are in your possession. Oh, apparently you can use Ice-Element Ninjutsu. I forgot to mention that."
Naruto was in disbelief when the all-too-familiar sheaths starting to come through the wall. Everyone became even more worried when ANBU started running towards the spot on the wall. Naruto closed the distance in a split second, making the ANBU agents pause. As the hilts finally came through, Naruto gripped them. At first they were cold, but it faded instantly.
All of the ANBU quickly surrounded Naruto and managed to attach several suppression tags before he got out of there and started running toward Tsunade and the others.. Each one felt like a hundred pounds had just been added to the boy's total weight. He stumbled, but continued running from the now recovered ANBU agents. More tags flew toward the boy; he turned as fast as he could and held up the sword sheaths. Ice flowed from them, creating a shield to block the tags' assault.
Tsunade and the others made it to Naruto as he collapsed from the extra weight. He was carrying twelve-hundred pounds more than usual, so it was a surprise that he could move at all. Naruto was lying on the ground panting as the ANBU advanced forward. They were stopped by Tsunade.
"The boy is coming with me," Tsunade declared. Yamato released each tag one by one from Naruto's body, making him feel relieved. Naruto got back up. "We can't separate those blades from Naruto. They follow him of their own free will. It's going to cause a problem if he stays here, so we're taking him with us."
"We cannot allow that Tsunade," a voice said from behind them. Homura and Koharu stood still as they watched the group. "Naruto is guilty of several murders; he will not be allowed to leave this place."
"No, he isn't," Tsunade yelled. "We have proof!"
"I could care less about whether or not you can prove him innocent. He is nonetheless a danger to the entire village. Transfer the boy to floor 101. He is to stay there until Akatsuki arrives. Await further orders until then."
"You can't do this; he's Minato's son!" Tsunade screamed.
"He's the Kyuubi you blind little girl. Even if he was the son of the Fourth, that isn't who he is now. Naruto has been fully possessed and can no longer control his actions. He is a monster!" Naruto was completely stunned, despite the fact that he had been called and considered the Kyuubi for years. "And Akatsuki presents a giant threat as well. We can kill two demons with one ultimatum, the best possible solution."
"I won't let you," Tsunade roared. Naruto put his hand on her shoulder and stopped her from doing anything reckless. Everyone was stunned, even the elders. Homura then smiled.
"Yes, accept your fate, lowly demon filth." Naruto started walking towards them and the stairwell down, shocking Yamato, Shikaku, Kushina, and Tsunade. Tears fell from his eyes, passion raging in his heart, but he was thinking of a way out, and it started with the Kikánugan. Naruto would protect his friends and family.
He stopped several feet from Koharu and Homura before lifting his head to reveal his eyes. The ANBU behind Tsunade and the others tried to intervene, but Kushina erected a powerful barrier. "We're gonna have to work fast Naruto-Kun," she yelled. "More guards will be on their way soon."
Naruto was a bit surprised when he looked upon the two before him. The elders were trapped under a mind-controlling ninjutsu. "Release!" he yelled. Naruto's eyes flashed, and everyone stopped. Both of the elders fell unconscious to the ground. "Run guys," he said flatly. Naruto smashed through the group of ANBU previously in front of the barrier Kushina had made. Every one of them fell to the ground unconscious. Naruto had struck each one the chakra point between the neck and shoulder in the blink of an eye.
More ANBU came running from below and from the cafeteria. Naruto sensed that everyone would be too late and created shadow clones. After picking up the others, they faded in dust from the ANBU's sights.
Naruto had them all up the stairs and out into the woods before anyone noticed their presence. He continued carrying them like this until they reached the part that the Nara Family owned. "Let's stop here," he said before halting. Everyone was a bit dizzy from the high speeds, so they all sat down as Naruto reabsorbed his clones.
"What was that back there?" Tsunade asked in disbelief. "Why did the elders fall unconscious?" She walked up to Naruto. "Naruto?" The boy's eyes were vacant. Suddenly, Naruto fell forward; there was a glowing tag attached to his back. "Shit!" Tsunade yelled. She removed it quickly before examining the jutsu. "It's just supposed to knock a person out, but when did he get it?"
"It must have been as we were leaving," Kushina suggested. "He seems to be sleeping soundly though." Tsunade nodded before picking the boy up.
"We're getting him back to the Hokage Mansion," Tsunade said aloud. "He isn't safe elsewhere right now; we're gonna have to solve this mystery tomorrow."
"We cannot allow that Hokage-Sama," a man said as he emerged from behind a tree. He carried an odd weapon with him glowing in orange chakra. Several people in hoods emerged.
"I know that voice," Kushina exclaimed. "You were the one from that day when we saved Naruto. You're…."
"Kureshin Renodan at your service milady," he spoke tauntingly. Tsunade and Shikaku gasped. "Along with some new friends. We're killing the boy, here and now, so step aside. You cannot defeat me when I have this little baby on." Renodan pulled up his sleeve to reveal a silvery coil running up his arm. It had a steel rope and ball attached. "Surely you recognize the chakra?" he asked. "It's all that remains from when the village Jounin gathered up the Kyuubi's chakra after it attacked seventeen years ago."
"The elders set me up as a failsafe to assassinate the little demon spawn if he foiled their original plan. Now move aside." Renodan's eyes turned red as he prepared to strike. Zip. Boom. He was faster than Tsunade and Kushina had anticipated, so he got by and hit Shikaku in the gut with the steel ball. The man was sent into the trunk of a tree.
"Now for the Kyuubi-Boy," he said crazily. He began whirling the rope and ball as two of the hooded figures subdued Tsunade and Kushina.
"No! Naruto!" Kushina yelled as the man swung downward. "NARUTOOOO!" The ball came down with a loud crash. When the dust cleared, the boy was gone.
"Damn it!" Renodan yelled. "Come and face me you little coward!" he roared. Naruto stepped into view with hatred blazing in his eyes. "That's a perfect expression towards the person who is going to kill you," Renodan said tauntingly. Naruto drew a single Zanmato from its sheath.
"Let them go," he ordered. Renodan simply laughed before jumping at the boy. His speed was impressive, but Naruto was much faster. He deflected the ball and sent it off to his left before attacking Renodan. He blocked the swipe with the silvery bands which traveled up his arm. The orange chakra flowed into Naruto, causing him to momentarily freeze. Renodan brought the ball back in for another swing, but Naruto regained control and ducked the shot. The ball got stuck in a tree trunk.
"What was that?" Naruto asked into his mind. Kyuubi was awakened by the surge of chakra and remembered full well what it was.
"That is a small fraction of the chakra I emitted the night I attacked. It has been refined to increase how long it can be used, but what you experienced was an enormous surge of hatred… my hatred, and rage. If it becomes too much, you will have to trust me to protect you, alright? Otherwise, you'll go berserk, and you might hurt your loved ones too."
"Okay, I trust you," The blond replied. "You have proven yourself trustworthy before." Kyuubi was grateful for the boy's trust; he wasn't worthy in his own opinion, but Naruto made him feel better.
Renodan pulled his weapon from the tree, forming a great crack in it. "Prepare to die by your own power demon!" Renodan yelled before moving in for another attack. This one was completely different. He initially went in for a straight attack, but Renodan manipulated the rope skillfully and moved the ball away from Naruto's sword and into his stomach.
"Kohaagh," Naruto spluttered as he felt pain and rage dance throughout his body. He knocked the ball away before landing on the ground and recovering for the next attack.
"Damn, that weapon's no joke," Naruto said to the Kyuubi. "How am I supposed to fight it?"
"Use your Ice-Chakra Naruto!" Kushina yelled before a hand covered her mouth, silencing her. Naruto had no idea what she meant. Since when did he have the ability of Ice? Then he remembered how his Zanmato came to him in the underground prison through a patch of ice.
"But how?" Naruto screamed into his mind. "My dad was a fire user, not an ice user. How do I actually use these swords?" Another strike was coming in fast. Naruto swatted the ball away before running at Renodan.
"Now you're mine!" The man yelled. Naruto saw his hands flick, but didn't see the attack coming. The steel rope formed a circle around him, restricting his movements and pouring hatred into Naruto's body, clouding his mind.
"No! It can't end like this. If I just knew how to use your swords dad. If I just had some help. Someone stop this… please." Naruto fell to his knees, making both Kushina and Tsunade worry, and Renodan laugh. Everything was turning red in his vision. Naruto felt the urge to kill, to draw blood, but he fought to keep his sanity. "I can't let him win. I won't lose control!"
"Just like old times, eh?" he asked tauntingly before punching Naruto in the cheek. His head snapped to his left, causing a cracking sound. "Now look at me before you die," he commanded. He lifted Naruto's chin up, revealing shaking and fluctuating eyes. "I see. This weapon really is screwing with your mind. How agonizing it must be for you. Let's end this, shall we?" Renodan took the end of the rope with the ball and began whirling it. Tsunade screamed out, and Kushina thrashed against her oppressor. Yamato had been suppressed as well. No one could save Naruto this time. Renodan was going to win.
"Dad…I'm sorry," Naruto said into his mind as he lost consciousness.
"No, Naruto. Don't give up," a voice called to Naruto. He looked to see that his sword had become encased in white chakra, but he felt detached from his own body. A white aura began to encase him, making Renodan freeze. Naruto's body rose on its own, stunning him.
"Wh-What's going on?" Naruto asked dumbfounded.
The steel rope around Naruto's body disintegrated, frightening everyone. Naruto was somehow floating above his own body, watching the spectacle.
"Naruto, I've come to help you," the voice said again. "Just think of me when you need to draw on the power of my swords; you don't need to do anything else." Everyone was shocked by the words coming from the boy's mouth, especially by the voice they were said in.
The hooded figures that had attacked the group from before were all suddenly encased in ice and dead on the ground. Kushina was the first to stand up. Naruto was now closer to them, still surrounded in flowing white chakra.
"Your chakra type doesn't matter Naruto," the voice said again. "Your strength, your Will of Fire which drives you also drives these swords. All you have to do is use these to protect others if you want them to release the full extent of their power."
"Minato, is that you?" Kushina asked bewildered. Naruto's head turned to reveal the dark brown eyes of her past husband. "How I've missed you, Minato," Kushina said as she began to cry. "But how are you here; you're dead."
"Love transcends all boundaries, even death Kushina," Minato said. "Naruto, I know that it has been painful living without a father to guide and protect you, and I'm sorry that things have turned out this way. You were meant to be a great hero to the village, but things have turned out horribly wrong. Even if the entire world despises and hunts you Naruto, remember that your father loves you."
Minato's ghost appeared alongside Naruto's floating above the scene. Naruto cried openly as he embraced the father he never knew and always wanted to. He was overjoyed by these new feelings of love, warmth, and protection. Minato smiled at him as he hugged Naruto tightly.
"I love you too dad," Naruto said as he came back to control his own body. Minato stayed with him to finish off the now terrified Renodan. The aura surrounding Naruto flowed into the blade, creating what seemed like white fire.
Minato said one last thing before disappearing from Naruto's sight. "We shall go together. I'm proud of you Naruto. Let us end this together, as one." Minato faded from his sight, but Naruto could still feel him inside his heart, encouraging him.
Naruto's voice and Minato's spoke at the same time, creating a horrifying sound for the pathetic man who stood before them.
"Feel the pain of my past and perish beneath the snow, Renodaaan!" Naruto used his intense speed to end the battle. Renodan's chest had been cut clean through, and his body, along with much of the surrounding area, was quickly entombed in a giant ice crystal. Everything in Naruto's attack path had been frozen solid, and an icy wind blew from his body, encasing the trees in front of him in white snow and hardened ice. "Now die monster." Naruto sheathed his blade with a click and started walking toward the others, as giant cracks ripped through the icy tomb. Renodan's body had been completely frozen and fused with the ice, making it so that when the ice shattered, his body was broken apart as well. "Diamond Dust, the power of icy tears of pain coming together under the bond of love to then surround and shatter the darkness. This is that power." The white glow surrounding Naruto's sword dimmed until it was completely gone. Naruto then fell forward into the snow as unconsciousness overtook him.
"Naruto!" all four of the group yelled. Shikaku had gotten back up after being slammed into the tree and witnessed the entire fight. He was shocked when Minato's visage appeared. It brought back many childhood memories.
They ran over to check on Naruto's condition. Frost completely covered all of his clothing as well as his hair, but Naruto was unharmed by the ice. His sword was also unaffected by the freezing temperatures.
"You really are something else Naruto," Tsunade said aloud as she picked him up. Snow was falling through the air now; it was freezing cold. "You and Minato. You're both so pure and innocent, and yet you are the most powerful ninjas we have ever known. That is what this snow is, the loss of that innocence. Their pain froze Heaven's tears, creating something beautiful and powerful as they were finally reunited under the bond between parent and child. It is strange… how powerful love can be."
Kushina was crying, out of joy and remembrance. "Minato sacrificed everything for the village, realizing that his son would never know him. And yet, everything turned out for the best in the end. That is the power of true, unbreakable, undeniable love. We owe them so much that we can never hope to repay Tsunade-San. It is our duty to protect him and help him win against Akatsuki. Otherwise, Minato's dreams and efforts, and Naruto's struggle will have been for nothing." Tsunade nodded as they finally reached the exit of the forest.
Great snow clouds had gathered above the forest, plain, and village and were now sprinkling down an impossibly gentle snow. The leaves on the trees glittered in the darkness of nighttime, creating a vibrant display that was beautiful beyond words. It was times like this that made everyone happy and believe that everything would be alright in the end.
"Let's get him to the Hokage Mansion and get to sleep ourselves Tsunade-Sama," Yamato suggested. "Even though it is summer, the air is becoming colder by the second." They all traveled quickly and stealthily to their destination, and Tsunade gave them each a room for the night.
Naruto slept soundly, dreaming of his father and his loving embrace. Nightmares would not claim him this night.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE!!!!! I have put up a poll on my profile. This one is for who you want to be fought against first in the Akatsuki.
Author Notes: Well, did that throw you for a loop or what? I teared up when writing the last two pages to this. It was perfect in my opinion, but I want yours. The requirement of ten fresh reviews stands. I want 10 fresh reviews before I give you the next chapter. It doesn't take much effort. The tab for reviewing is below and to the left of this message. The challenge for Freshmen East Amwellians still stands. Just say paradox to me in real life. You have five days before I decide to not actually offer a prize
