Persona Task Force: The Heart of the Watcher. Ninja World arc.

Chapter 11: Meeting the Soul Reapers. Sasuke's Corruption Begins!

(Enter Naruto's POV)

After Ibiki-san told us about the true purpose of the test (Information gathering, which I used my clones to turn into flies in order to help the team from Seireitei), our team was led by Anko-chan to the Forest of Death, which the Nature Dragon mentioned in disdain. However, I had noticed three Genin who weren't with us during the first exam, and the male with the tattoos winked at me, so I knew it was Andrew.

Grampa Saru must have sent them to look for Orochimaru, who happened to be the "female" Grass genin. Anyways, I knew that they were going to meet up with us and give us their scroll, but Anko broke my concentration.

"It's greenhorns like you that will die first in this exam," Anko said, behind me.

Before she could lick me, I then said, "I was only observing the competition, so back off or else the girl from the Mist will freeze you." Rukia had her sword at the ready. "By the way, the female holding her kunai with her tongue happens to smell profusely of snake, so you might want some help."

Anko flinched, then grabbed her Kunai from it and glared at the Grass genin, then announced that we had to get either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll depending on the scroll we start out with. I had already snatched one of the scrolls just in case we lose one already.

Before we could start the exam, though, I had to talk to Ichigo about Andrew. "Would you two excuse me for a minute?" I asked my teammates.

"What's the problem, dobe?" Sasuke asked me. "Chickening out already?"

"Not really. I'm going to check up on some of the opponent's skills. You can't be too careful." That and I burned the rest of Kabuto's Nin Info Cards with Kira-chan's hellfire, which everyone saw.

I then used my Shadow Body Flicker to get to Ichigo's team, surprising Rukia and Renji.

"How did you do that?" Renji asked me.

"Modified version of the Body Flicker," I told him. "And I need to talk to you guys about the extra Leaf team."

"The one with the tattoos of strange creatures on their leader's arm?" Rukia asked me. "They did seem a little spiritually aware."

"Well, they're not really Genin. They're Special Jounin to monitor this exam, and they're after Orochimaru as well."

Ichigo was shocked. "That explains the dark energy I've been feeling from the goofy-looking one." Andrew. "He's a Vizard, right?"

"I've no idea, but he did say something about battling his 'inner demon' who called him King."

"And you don't want us to kill him."

"No, because he's vital to sealing this world." All three of them looked at me like I was crazy. "He's a Keybearer, which means you can't kill him or else when the Heartless get to the Keyhole, this world gets destroyed."

"Just like Karakura..." Ichigo nodded. "Okay, Naruto. But I want to test his skill personally."

I had nodded. "Oh, and what scroll do you guys have?"

"Earth Scroll," Rukia said, "but Renji groped Anko in order to get the Heaven Scroll."

"I told you, Rukia," Renji said, "it was an accident. Plus I got it."

"We'll meet you at the tower, then," I said. "Oh, and mind the robot next to the green-haired genin. It's a Terminator, if I remember correctly."

"Like the movie with Arnold in it?" Ichigo asked me. I nodded. "This may be a little difficult."

"Now I need to get back to my team. Chances are they won't hesitate to start without me." I then did the same thing as I got back to Sakura and Sasuke.

"ON YOUR MARK..." Anko said over the loudspeaker as the gates opened. "GET SET..." We then got into position. "GO!" Finally, we went through the forest.

I just hope both Ichigo and Andrew don't hurt each other too badly.

(End Naruto's POV. Enter Andrew's POV)

"So what's the plan again?" I asked Tyler as we got into a denser part of the forest.

"We gave up our scroll to one of the other teams," Tyler said, "because it wasn't exactly part of the plan to go to the tower. Plus we're already Jounin, so it's irrelevant. We need to look for suspicious activity then interfere if needed. If he's too much to handle, we bail."

"Actually, I'm kind of hoping that Naruto gets to Orochimaru before we do," Trisha said. "This world's time moves slower than the others, considering that Andrew hadn't aged, so we have plenty of time."

"You trained him, didn't you?"

"Yeah, and I enhanced myself so I wouldn't rely on my Avatars too much. Plus the Terminator having a map of this world in it's hard drive helps us even further."

"That's something I need to work on," I said. I then felt a dark energy. "Guys, Vizard at 3:00."

"It's 11:30 am, Andrew."

"No, I meant on my right!" Soon enough, three swords sliced through the trees right next to us, one of them I recognized. "Nice to meet the Guardian up close, but I'm not an enemy."

"I know," he said. "A friend of yours informed us that you were in here, although he mentioned only knowing two Special Jounin, not a third with a Terminator replica."

"I just met him today." I then noticed Zangetsu and Ichigo's teammates. "I'm guessing someone's taking charge of Division 12 in Mayuri's place?"

"Kisuke took his old job back," Rukia said. "Although why Minato's kid hold you in high regard is beyond me."

Trisha jumped. "You know Minato?"

"He's the new Ninth Division Captain," Renji said. "Ichigo's the new Fifth Division captain, and Aizen's dead, killed by the Ex-Captain of the Third Division."

That shocked all three of us.

"I thought Aizen's Zanpaku-to was impenetrable," Tyler said. "He must have let his guard down."

"Other than that," Ichigo said, "I need to test your skill as a fellow Vizard." I looked at him like he was crazy. "But first, we need to make it look epic, so draw your weapon."

I nodded, drawing my Keyblade to Tyler's shock. "Bring it, Guardian."

Ichigo smirked. "I respect you already. You're the first guy who hasn't called me Strawberry."

"How's that for irony?" Trisha said. "Andrew's last name means Strawberry Picker." Oh God, and the gay jokes commenced.

"During my trip to Rome during age 21, Trisha," I said, gritting my teeth, "it turns out that my ancestry is from thievery and a godfather who died recently. I don't know how I got the will money and one of his possessions, but I treasured it after his death. I don't know how he got a Keychain for this thing, though." I then got into the Kill Bill stance. "Let's dance, Ichigo."

"Understood."

(Play "Supersonic" by Bad Religion. Instrumental Loop. Why Bad Religion? You'll see)

Ichigo and I clashed blades multiple times like Sephiroth and Cloud did when they had their grudge match. At that point, I could feel our inner Heartless/Hollow act up, and so did he.

"Can you feel it?" Terra asked me. Unfortunately. His inner Hollow's eager to face you. "Finish this up quickly, King. If he gets to Bankai, don't hold back." Understood, but why not? "This guy's a result of a risky transformation. Due to the immense spirit energy this Soul Reaper has, the Hollow's possibly stronger. Why he got to be Captain, I'll never know."

"Too slow," Ichigo yelled. "GETSUGA TENSHOU!"

"Not fast enough," I yelled. "WHITE TIGER FANG!" Both fangs collided and blew up on impact. How, I don't know, but I sensed him from behind. "Don't let your hollow self influence you!" Both our blades collided, and Ichigo was surprised.

"What are you talking about?" he asked me. "Don't you have a Hollow within you?"

"I'm a different kind. My inner Heartless happens to be a long-dead Keyblade Master."

"Lucky you. Mine happens to be very annoying when it comes to the King/Horse complex."

"Word of advice, don't give him hollow coconuts. It's called insult to injury."

"I'll keep that in mind." We both then separated, and I felt my Keyblade vibrate.

"Hollow coconuts?" Tyler asked Trisha.

"Monty Python reference," Trisha said. "They had to do something completely different other than buying horses."

My Keyblade's never vibrated before.

"That's because it's gained a new Keychain." Terra said. Huh? "Apparently, Strawberry here accidentally leaked some of his spirit energy into the Keyblade, which will resemble his Zanpaku-to's final form, or Bankai, only more suited for your use."

I nodded. "Want to take this to the next level?" I asked him.

"If it gets the horse to shut up," Ichigo replied.

Both of us got our blades into position, and yelled the first thing that came to our minds: "BANKAI!"

Beams of light came out of our respective energies (His was Spiritual, mine was Twilight). After the smoke cleared, Ichigo and I had similar blades, only mine's a lot more detailed.

(End tune. Enter Bio)

Item Gained:

Pride of the Mafia (Keyblade name)
Form: Defender.
Profile: Given to Andrew from his late grandfather's godfather. Basic Keyblade.

Heavenly Moon Cutter (Keyblade name)
Form: Twilight Enhancer. Hollow Slayer.
Profile: Based off of Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai (Tensa Zangetsu), only with a few differences: The hilt's the handle, the blade has two "teeth" at the end of it, the Keychain is Ichigo's hollow mask, and a symbol of the Moon appears where the handle meets the blade. Increases Light and Darkness attacks by 25 and instantly kills Hollows through the mask.

(End Bio)

To Ichigo's shock, my Keyblade resembled his a great deal, then laughed. "Looks like Old Man Zangetsu wanted to give you a parting gift," he said.

"Sure looks like it," I said, "although the Hollow Keychain's a bit in poor taste." I then noticed my jacket turned into a trench coat with the Infinity Symbol on the back. "And he gave me a Drive Form, oddly enough. What do I call this?"

"Reaper Drive," Tyler said, to my surprise. "It's not limited to any Soul Reaper, as I've done it with Kisuke during my first solo mission. I'll explain it when we get out of the forest."

"Right," I said. "Let's give this form a test drive." I then rushed towards Ichigo, who disappeared.

"Nice try!" he yelled. "GETSUGA TENSHOU!" A black version of the Shikai attack went towards me.

"BLACK WOLF FANG!" I yelled, making them collide and explode. "We keep this up, we're going to run out of our respective energies before we find Orochimaru."

"You can spare eleven seconds, right?" I nodded, knowing what he's thinking. "Alright, but I'm restraining him if he gets out of control."

"Terra and I are on friendly terms," I said, "so we'll go with one last strike." Ichigo and I nodded. We then put our hands to our faces, gathering Dark Energy. His face had a Hollow mask, mine had Shadow Blade's Heartless armor.

"What is it with men and their need to overpower each other?" Trisha asked Rukia.

"Dominance, I've heard," Rukia said. "If this is a sparring match, I'd hate to see them looking to be the head of all the Males. Renji and Kira were like that during the academy."

"Oh yeah. Tyler's usually like that as well."

Midway during the limit, Ichigo and I rushed toward each other and attacked with our blades, canceling them and shattering both our masks. We then fainted, smiling that we found a worthy rival.

(Enter Bio)

Drive Bio:

Reaper Drive.
Requires: Keybearer+Soul Reaper. Gained through a Zanpaku-to's power pulsing through the Keyblade, then limitless on the Soul Reaper you use.
Attacks: Black Wolf Fang and Heartless Vizard form (for certain people.
Profile: The long-lost Drive used by the Keyblade Masters of the past, now brought back through the rivalry of Ichigo and Andrew (and seen first through Tyler's first mission). It then gives the user Spiritual Sight after the Drive is used, so they can see ghosts, Hollows, and Arracanar (unfortunately). Can now slay Hollows as well as Heartless.

Quincy Drive.
Requires: Tyler+Uryuu (explained later)
Profile: Makes the Keyblade shoot Quincy Arrows from its tip. Tyler, after meeting Uryuu, saved his life from the Bount (reiatsu Vampires gone bezerk from the Soul Reaper's control) and used their combined Spirit Energy within the drive in order to recharge Uryuu's power. Ichigo hadn't met Tyler personally, but Kisuke has given him Tyler's own Reaper Drive.

(End Bio. End Andrew's POV. Enter Naruto's POV. Earlier in the exam)

After the signal to go, we found ourselves making a base of operations.

"Okay," Sasuke said, "first order of business is to pick a team leader. Since the Dobe was caught off-guard, I'd say that I should be the leader." Uchiha's ego is inflating.

"Don't flatter yourself, Sasuke," I said. "There's not enough room in this forest for your ego."

"What, you could make a better captain? I haven't seen you attend class until the very last day, and I'm certain that you aced it by a fluke."

"Grades and textbooks don't measure up to real-life experience, Teme. Besides, the rivaling villages have VERY different Genin Exams." I've seen Suna's exam personally. Made me sick to my stomach.

"Don't insult each other," Sakura said, to my surprise. "If we're going to survive this exam, we need to put our differences aside. I've felt immense power in this forest, and you two bickering like children isn't going to help us."

I blinked. "That's the most useful thing you've said all your carrier," I said. "Why the change of heart?"

"Your sister knocked some sense into me." Which one? "The elder one whom your friend saved from Orochimaru."

(Flashback. Sakura's POV).

I was pissed that I couldn't see Sasuke fight you, since I was still in Tunnel Vision at the time, but I had ran into Tayuya-sensei on the way, but my mouth was faster than my brain.

"Watch where you're going, old hag!" I had yelled. "CHA! DON'T FUCK WITH US OR ELSE YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF BRUISED!" My inner-self yelled.

"You know," she said, calmly, "it's kunoichi like you that give kunoichi like us a bad name." I didn't anticipate her using her flute to summon a high-level Genjutsu on me.

Naruto's voiceover: That's Tayu-niichan for you. She's a mild Genjutsu user on Mom's side of the family.

Sakura's voiceover: I didn't think she was your sister at the time, so I just struggled.

"Let go of me!" I yelled. "bWHAT THE HELL IS THIS?/b"

"You're Naruto-chan's teammate, right?" she asked me. Naruto-chan?

"Yeah. Why?"

"Listen well, bitch: I don't tolerate anyone who picks on Naruto. He's lived a hard life up until age six, and all three of us thought he died by your council's hands. Now that we know he's alive, we're making it a personal mission to catch up for all of the years we missed spending time with him."

Now, I thought I would be rewarded by the parents for picking on him, but I found out that my parents aren't exactly telling me everything. "Why did you think he died by the Council's hands?"

"That's for Naruto to tell you," I heard a girl my age say. She looked like a younger version of Tayuya, only with glasses.

Naruto's voiceover: Karin-chan. Another victim of Orochimaru's abuse.

Sakura's voiceover: I didn't know she was your sister as well.

"What do you mean, Naruto to tell me?" "IF IT'S THAT BAD, THEN SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT. WHY DO THE VILLAGERS HATE HIM SO MUCH THAT LASTED SIX YEARS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE?"

"Because it's his burden and his alone, Sakura-san," Karin said. "And it's also the reason why the lynch mobs happen every year during October 10th."

That's when it hit me. At October 10th, the Fourth Hokage killed Kyuubi, but if the Villagers had abused Naruto on that day, there was something no one could tell me.

Sure enough, Tayuya let go of me. "If you want lessons on Genjutsu, ask me and Kurenai for help during the month-long break of the Chuunin Exams. In the meantime, don't treat Naruto like shit." She and Karin then disappeared, leaving me to think about it.

(End Flashback. Return to Naruto's POV)

"That's nice and all," Sasuke said, "but I'm still waiting for your vote, Sakura."

"I vote Naruto should be Team Leader," she said, much to Sasuke's confusion and my bafflement. "I didn't know what happened, but I decided to double-time on my Tree Climbing in order to enhance my Genjutsu skills."

"You got the scroll from Kurenai?" I asked her. She nodded. "Good, because we'll need it in case someone shows up." I then sensed someone. "If you'll excuse me, I have to do my business." Code for 'Someone's waiting in ambush, but I'm about to get the drop on him.'

Sakura understood it, but Sasuke said, "Hurry up. You don't want the enemy to catch you with your pants down."

Ignoring that, I went towards the area where the Rain Nin was, and kicked his ass. "Can you believe these guys?" I yelled. "I swear that he's gets turned on by urine." When learning about fetishes with Andrew (which made me shocked and disgusted at first), you tend to gross people out on it. Even with the thing, it was code for 'Stupid-ass enemy ninja came here without backup and would've transformed into me with very obvious attributes.'

After recovering from his disgust, Sasuke asked, "Did you check him for a scroll?"

"No, but I did find something else." The "scroll" he had turned out to be a wanted poster for Andrew's head.

"Isn't that Akito-san?" Sakura asked me.

"Unfortunately. Ame must be pissed at him for assassinating Aoi Rokusho."

"Personal life aside," Sasuke said, "we need to set up a password to know if we know if it's us or not." That would be a good idea, if someone wasn't watching over us like a hawk.

After the exchange (and my added input of the personality of your most hated enemy. His was Itachi, Sakura's was Tazuna, and mine was not Sasuke, but someone else close to it), I then felt a gust of wind blow me away from my teammates, but got caught by a hand made of Sand. "Thanks, Gaara," I said.

"Don't mention it," he said. I then noticed the bloody mess and sand. "If you're wondering, they almost killed my elder siblings. Now what happened?"

"Orochimaru's here." He growled at that. "Don't let your anger cloud you again. Instead, take it out on the snake that's about to eat us." Yeah, the Snake was there.

"Gladly." He then did demonic handsigns (whom I assumed Shukaku gave him) and extended his arm. "SAND ARM OF SHUKAKU!" His right arm then got covered with sand into a compact version of Shukaku's arm and smashed the snake with his fist (via Falcon Punch), making it split and puff into smoke. "You weren't kidding about Orochimaru."

"Get back to your team, Gaara. If you don't sense my energy, don't go after him. He's got Orochi's dark energy in his system, and he won't hesitate to seal Shukaku's power. Instead get to the tower."

Gaara nodded, but said, "If you're dead, I'll bring you back and kill you myself." He then used his Sand Body Flicker to get to his siblings as I raced towards the place I lost Sakura and Sasuke, hoping that Orochimaru hasn't stuck them with the seal first.

Drat. I'm not fast enough because I used the Wind to guide my Body Flicker.

"Naruto!" I heard someone yell. My dad had returned with a Kumo headband and his Soul Reaper appearance.

"What are you doing here, Dad?" I asked him. "I thought you were at the other world?"

"It was recently destroyed, but more on that later. You have my old Hiraishin Kunai?"

I checked my Kunai pouch to see that I did have it, seals and all. "Yeah."

"I placed Hiraishin seals in the forest during my days as a Genin. Use it to find your teammates and stop Orochimaru!"

I nodded, then said, "You seen Mom recently?"

"Yeah, and she was a little upset, but understood why I did it. Now move!"

Right. "HIRAISHIN NO JUTSU!" I then felt myself being led to Orochimaru's location and stayed hidden on the branch above him. Unknown to Sasuke, I had switched his scroll with the Wanted Poster.

"You want it?" Sasuke yelled. "Then take it!"

I then used what speed I had in order to intercept it.

"Sasuke, you idiot!" I yelled. "Even if you give him the scroll, there's no guarantee that he'll spare your life! Besides, this is coming from the guy who wanted to fight me for top dog!"

"You have any better ideas, Dobe?"

"Yes. I do." I then turned to the Grass genin. "Reveal yourself, Orochimaru!"

The "genin" smirked and tore off her face to reveal Orochimaru. "Very perceptive, Naruto-kun. Or should I say 'Nature Clone' Naruto?"

Sasuke and Sakura were shocked at my title, but I said, "Titles mean nothing if you don't have the skills to back it up, and I know you had everything to do with the Heartless Battle in Nami."

"After a meeting from an old friend of mine, I couldn't resist testing them out. Then again, if it wasn't for the Keybearer that freed three of my old victims and your mother nearly drowning my best warrior, I would've flawlessly taken over!"

I growled. "Don't talk shit about my family and friends, snake bastard." Where are Andrew and Ichigo? "You're still upset that you lost against the Fourth in the Hokage Elections. Heck, I can still sense Orochi's chakra in your system!"

Orochimaru was shocked. "You know?"

"More than that. Now DIE! MULTI ELEMENTAL CLONE JUTSU!" Nothing happened at first.

Orochimaru laughed. "Looks like you're out of luck, Naruto-kun."

I smirked. "Look again. Now, Sakura!"

Sakura nodded. "RELEASE!" The illusion revealed itself to see tons of my clones dogpiling on Orochimaru.

"What is this?" Orochimaru asked me. "What the heck is with them, brat!"

"Part of the darker side of my bloodline," I said. I then revealed my eyes to be ice-blue, to their surprise and Orochimaru's. "After the incident at Nami, I fell unconscious from Chakra exhaustion. When I woke up, I found six of me arguing with one another, then realized that I had unlocked the dark side of my family blood: The Six Paths of Chakra and the Rin'negan."

"Bloodline or not, you're still miles beyond what your uncle achieved!"

"I don't plan on relying on it." I then used a different hand sign and said, "You go boom now."

The clones exploded into wood, ice, and sand, but Orochimaru had switched with an Earth Clone at the last second. Unfortunately, Sasuke screamed in pain. The bastard got him already! I switched off the Rin'negan and into Kyuubi's eyes.

"What the hell did you do to him?" I yelled.

"Gave him a parting gift," he replied. "I would give you the same, but the Rin'negan refuses those who aren't of the Senju bloodline. We will meet again, Naruto-kun." He then dissolved into a Mud Bunshin, and I had to calm down. At least I managed to injure him.

"You okay, Naruto?" Sakura asked me.

"I'm fine. Just used way too much chakra for the clones." I then drug myself up and picked up Sasuke. "We need to get back to the meeting spot and regroup. We'd go to the tower, but I didn't want to burden you with the load."

"Naruto...what did he mean by the Senju bloodline? Isn't that the First and Second Hokage's clan name?" Oh great. Not only did he reveal my identity, but he also gave away who my ancestors were.

"I'll tell you when we get back. Right now, help me out here. Sasuke isn't exactly light as a feather here." Sakura grudgingly helped me out with him as soon as we got back to the moss cave to find Andrew and Ichigo unconscious. "What happened to them?"

"They've used up too much energy," the green-haired man replied. "Vizard forms take a lot out of people who recently used them. By the way, name's Matsudo no Genbu." Turtle? "You must be Naruto and Sakura, and the guy with Orochimaru's mark is Sasuke." Possibly knows Trisha.

"Can you help him?" Sakura asked Matsudo.

"I'm not exactly familiar with catalysts of Orochi, and since Akito's been to Otogakure before, he changed Chakra signatures after the rescue mission. Just place him in the cave."

We did, and I noticed that Matsudo has a similar energy to both Andrew and Trisha. "Why do you smell like snake?"

"Because it's a cursed bloodline that has a nasty afterglow." Nice bluff. "I see you've wasted chakra on a Mud Clone."

"Not really. I managed to get his arm."

"Naruto," Sakura said, "you mind explaining everything to me? And I've seen Matsudo before. He's a Special Jounin."

Crap. "It's a long and complicated story, and if you hate me afterward, do it after we get to the tower."

"After meeting with your sisters, I'll try not to judge."

"Okay." I then took a breath and said, "You know about the Kyuubi attack, right?"

"Yeah. The Fourth battled the Kyuubi and killed it."

"That was a cover story the Third used to not let anyone my age know the truth. The real story is that no mortal couldn't kill Kyuubi. Instead, she was sealed by the Fourth into a newborn baby." I then showed her the seal, to her surprise. "The Fourth had good intentions, and wanted me to be seen as a hero, but the villagers lost too much from it and took their anger out on me. Every year, on October 10th, I would get ambushed by drunken villagers and prejudiced ninja who make it their sworn duty to protect me beat me to the very inch of my life. The only exceptions are Kakashi-sensei, Kurenai, Anko, Asuma, Ibiki, Genma, Hayate, Yamato, Rin, and Itachi."

"Itachi? And Kyuubi's a girl?"

"Yes on both, but there's more to the story. On my sixth birthday, the mob doubled from the previous year, but Tsuki-chan saved me and told the Third that I was to leave on a training trip until the day of the Genin Exam. My first stop was Kiri after finding Jiraiya and him training the both of us along with Zabuza and Haku. Knowing what it's like to have a destiny out of your control, I agreed to help Zabuza kill the Third Mizukage. That's why he wasn't informed of Zabuza's update. The Mizukage was a senile bastard, anyways."

"And the Kazekage's children?"

"Suna was after Kiri, and I saw Gaara on the swing. I had offered to play with him, much to the adults' chagrin, but I knew what he contained, and asked for Jiraiya-sensei's help in order for him to regain his sanity and have him well-rested, but his Uncle...his UNCLE of all people tried to kill him. That's when I used the Sand Clones to stall him so I could disable him. At that point, Gaara was torn, and I could feel his tenant get stronger. Jiraiya, however managed to finish the design in time and let me use it in order to save him from Shukaku's insanity. Kira (or Kyuubi) told me that before being sealed in Gaara, a corrupt priest used a bezerker seal to claim Shukaku as his own. That was the reason Gaara went crazy, and he helped me out with controlling the sand in return."

"Don't forget about the incident in Kumo," Trisha said.

"I was getting to that. After leaving Suna, our next stop was in Kumogakure, where outside its borders, I met Yugito-chan being taken by Kumo missing-nins in order to get the Byakugan. I wasn't exactly aware of this, but they were the ones responsible for Hinata's kidnapping, the so-called 'peace treaty', and the threat of bringing war on Konoha if Hiashi didn't offer his head on a silver platter. That's when I felt Kira's chakra, and those were my first kills. Yugito, however, accepted me with open arms and mentioned that she shared the same burden I did. The Raikage was greatful for it, but Tsuki and I denied residence due to the fact that Iwa could mistake me as the Fourth. That, and Yugito would be sent to Konoha once I got back."

"That still doesn't explain about why Itachi, Kyuubi, and the Fourth are linked to you," Sakura said.

"Again, getting into it. One of our stops to avoid was Iwagakure because Tsuki was a new Special Jounin at the time. However, we did run into Grandma Tsunade, and before you punch me, I call her Granny because she is my Grandma, much to her disdain."

Sakura had relaxed at that part. "Sorry. Continue."

"As we were there, Tsunade was a little tipsy and Shizune-neechan was trying to help her out. However, it was during a Festival near Iwa and two of them noticed me and tried to kill me because of not my looks, but mistaken identity. Tsuki and Tsunade managed to kick their asses and tell them that if they started something against me, they would break the Konoha/Iwa Peace Treaty and Konoha would declare war on Iwa. Again. That didn't stop them from putting me in their Bingo Book. After bonding with Granny Tsunade and Shizune (through Poker), Tsuki felt a disturbance: Akatsuki had found me. Itachi and Kisame (both of the Suzaku branch) had noticed my arrival and started to attack as soon as we left the bar. Now, I've known Itachi to be kind, but not emotionless, so I felt like I had to confront him for answers."

"And he ended up in the Tsukiyomi," Trisha said.

"Yes, Tsuki-chan. I'm getting there. In the 72-Hour period, Itachi had met Kira, who had the same question I had: Why did he join? His answer was that he had to kill the Uchiha clan because his father was going to make an alliance with Danzo in order to take over Konoha. The trade involved Sasuke, which pissed him off to no end, so he asked the Third to stop it. Unfortunately, Danzo was too influential, especially with an iron grip with the Civilian Council, so the Third did the next best thing: Assign Itachi with the Uchiha's death sentence, but spare Sasuke from the mess. You know how that went."

"Itachi killed the clan and mind-raped Sasuke," Sakura said.

"You're half-right. Itachi did kill the part of the clan that were loyal to Danzo, but someone else killed the other half. And that someone happens to be the man who made Kyuubi attack Konoha in the first place: Madara Uchiha."

Sakura was shocked. "How can that be? Madara was said to be killed by the Second Hokage!"

"Was thought to be killed," Trisha said. "Madara started out as a branch member of the Hyuuga clan, but went to Kyuubi because the Caged Bird seal was driving him mad. Instead of releasing it, she adjusted it to make his own bloodline: The Sharingan. Madara, however, had a different form of it. One that made him immortal. Even with his freedom, he had went mad with power and nearly turned Konoha into an all-Uchiha village. After his 'death' he laid in wait in order to strike once more, but went back to her and drove her mad."

"After the attack," I continued, "Madara went under the name of Tobi in order to hide his true identity from his enemies. He then started the Akatsuki, starting with Nagato Namikaze and Konan Senju. AKA, the Byakko branch. Madara was the Golden Dragon. But back to the story of my trip, Itachi had offered to train me in secret from even the Rin'negan while informing me of the other members. After that, Itachi then acted like he was weakened by Kira and retrated, much to Kisame's disdain. Tsunade and Shizune then trained me in chakra control, but I was unable to learn healing jutsus, so I settled for Fuuinjutsu from Jiraiya-sensei. That's how I knew how to counter Orochimaru's cursed seal."

"What about your relation to the Fourth?" Sakura asked me.

"Think about it, Sakura. If you're Hokage, would you sacrifice anyone else's child through a lifetime of damination to save the village, or your own?"

That's when Sakura realized the truth. "You're the Fourth's son?" I had nodded.

"Go ahead and kick my ass..." Instead of the brutal beatings I got from the villagers, I was hugged. "What?"

"I'm sorry, Naruto. Can you forgive me?"

"I forgive you, Sakura-chan. But you're going to need to train yourself in order to face what I mentioned. That means expand the usual regiment and work on your chakra control. And eating without loss of getting fat, because you burn the calories during training and battle."

"I promise. And thank you, Naruto-kun."

"I hate to break the moment," Renji said, "but we've got company!" Everyone noticed the three Sound Ninja appear out of nowhere.

"God must really hate me," I said. "Sakura, stand guard with Matsudo-san and the android. Rukia, I need you as the medic. Tsuki and Renji, defend us. Don't let anyone come near us."

"Who put you in charge, gaki?" Renji asked me.

"Just shut up and listen to him, Lightning-brows," Trisha said. "Right now, our friends are in danger, so we need to help them at any cost." She then got out her staff and turned it into a bow.

"Right. Roar! ZABIMARU!" Renji's katana turned into a valentine.

"That should hold you for a few hours," Rukia said. "In the meantime, don't work yourself too hard."

"Got it," I said. I then got into position and got out Raijin and Mokujin in the Nitoryu style. "What are you three doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" the gray-haired one with a replica of Zabuza-sensei's sword said. "We're here for Sasuke."

"If you want him," Trisha said, "you're going to have to pry them from our cold, dead hands."

"Actually, we're not thinking of killing the women," the guy with the haircut said.

"Zaku, the women aren't our priority," the only girl said. "We're here to kill Sasuke on Orochimaru's orders."

At that point, Trisha and I had the same thought 'Oh Shit'

(Enter Bio)

Party Data:

Trisha: Archer.
Naruto: Swordsman.
Renji: Ranged Swordsman.

Opponents:

Suigetsu: Swordsman.
Zaku: Full of Hot Air.
Kin: Sound Tracker.

(Exit Bio. Play "Lurking Shadows" from the KH2 OST)

Apparently, Andrew didn't realize the consequences of his actions at Otogakure. Either the sound guy got promoted or killed by his hand. Either way, this wasn't going to be easy. Especially with Sasuke as their target and Andrew and Ichigo out of commission.

"The Zabuza wannabe's mine," I said.

"Fine by me," Renji said. "I get the one with the bad hair."

"You're one to talk, octo-tail!" Zaku yelled.

"That leaves me with the only woman," Trisha said. "Then again, can she fight a ranged opponent?"

"Quit talking and get started," Kin yelled. "Orochimaru wants us to kill Sasuke, and if possible, Naruto."

"He's mine," Suigetsu said, pointing towards me. "I'll be done with him in a few minutes, tops."

"Bring it," I said. The Rin'negan took a lot of chakra out of me, and I just took a few soldier pills. Kira's doing the rest, though.

The other four had a barrier over their respected opponents as Suigetsu and I clashed swords.

"The 'Hero of the Mist' isn't looking so good, now are you?" Suigetsu said.

"Shut up," I said, but before I could stab him, he made a hole in himself like was made of water. "What?" I then got kicked in the face.

"Surprised?" he said from nowhere. "You should be. It's a bloodline passed through the many generations of Kiri Assassins. That was, until you came into the picture."

"I thought you'd be greatful after the Third Mizukage was killed." At that, I got punched from nowhere.

"Don't talk shit about my grandfather, bastard." My eyes widened. "Yes, I'm the Mizukage's grandson. During the Blood Hunts, my mother was one of the few who supported it, despite her persecution. We were one of the few bloodlines who guarded the Mizukage with their lives, and after Zabuza left, I was to take up his mantle...until you came into the picture. You and the ice bitch."

At that point, I saw the puddle spread into six different ones and reformed into clones.

"My mother was killed by Zabuza and his army of Bloodlines of the Mist, and you were one of the few who fought for what you believed was right! I was so angry that he killed her that I challenged him for the right of Mizukage, but I had to fight Haku...and I lost. Her bloodline was my clan's antithesis, and I was cast out of Kiri with others who supported his views. Then Orochimaru came and took me in, trained me in the arts of the Melting Assassin, and helped me with revenge on you and Zabuza."

"Then you're a fool."

"What?"

"Orochimaru collects kids with bloodlines in order to serve his purpose: To take over the Ninja World. You were tricked into thinking that you had to kill him in order to activate it's self-defense function on him."

"LIAR!" At that point, I knew what the real Suigetsu looked like. I then bashed the third clone to the right, making all the other clones reform into his being. "How'd you know?"

"Before I left Kiri, Zabuza handed me a scroll on its history on bloodlines. Haku's clan specialized in immediate Ice manipulation. The Kaguyas specialized in fighting with their bones. Your clan, however, is advanced Water manipulation to the point of turning into water yourself. It also had the weaknesses of all those clans, which yours is represented because you didn't have the reflection on the sun on you."

With that, he was pissed. "You got lucky, bastard, but knowing the weaknesses of the Kiri clans doesn't mean that you will win!" He then made handsigns. "AQUATIC SUBMERGE!" He then turned himself into a ball of water and shot towards me...if it wasn't for the fact that I had a secret as well.

"FREEZE!" I yelled, making the ball stop in place. Suigetsu, in shock, reformed.

"How did you do that?" Suigetsu asked me. "No one has the power to do that...unless..."

"That's right," I said. "I'm not from Kiri, but my mother's clan was from a disappearing island before it was destroyed. Uzu no Kuni. Spiral Island."

"Of course. You're from the Uzumaki clan, but how is it possible? Your clan died from my ancestors' hands!"

"Add that to your list of questions for Orochimaru." I then released my grip on him. "Now take your teammates and leave. We'll settle this in the Tournament Exam."

"You may have defeated me, but my teammates don't stop unless forced to." I blinked. "Zaku's bloodline lets him shoot wind out of his arms. Kin's specialty is ultra-sonic hearing. Mine is to turn into water. How can we leave without failing the mission?"

(End tune. Play "Hollow Encounter" from the Bleach OST)

I was about to retort until I felt a darkness erupt from Sasuke. Shit...

"Couldn't go up against a single Sound Nin, Dobe?" I heard him ask me.

"What's with him?" Suigetsu asked me.

"Now you know the reason why Orochimaru isn't to be trusted?" I asked him. "Earlier today, Sasuke got bitten by the Cursed Seal. Now he's on a bezerk warpath against anyone who gets in his way! Including me!"

Suigetsu panicked. "Zaku! Kin! Retreat immediately!"

"What's your problem?" Zaku asked him. "Can't you see I have the advantage?"

"So you're the team he sent against us," Sasuke said. "Well, we'll just have to see if you can stand up to me."

"Fall back!" I yelled. "Sasuke's gone mental!" Trisha, Renji, and I fell back.

"Take this!" he yelled. "PHOENIX FLOWER JUTSU!" He shot fireballs at Zaku, who blew them away without looking at what's within them: Shruiken.

Afterwards, he went behind Zaku and broke both arms with a sickening crack.

"What's going on?" Kin asked Suigetsu.

"We've been had, Kin," he replied. "Orochimaru sent us here to die by the Uchiha's hands."

"What?"

"HADOU NUMBER 44: RESTRICT!" Rukia yelled. Sasuke then fell with spirit ropes around him.

"What the hell did you do to me you bitch?" Sasuke asked her, still using the corrupted power.

"Saving your ass," Naruto said. "HOLY FUUINJUTSU: CURSED SEAL HOLD!" The seal stopped at that point. "RETRACT!" Then it went back into his shoulder. I didn't have enough energy in order to get rid of it. The only reason I was able to release Karin, Tayuya, and Anko was because they had their seals at a longer time period. This one was fresh and used from a different head. I sighed. "Guys, you can come out now."

(End tune)

Sure enough, Teams 9 and 10 came out of the bushes, with Ino punching me at first sight.

"What did you do to Sasuke-kun?" she yelled.

"He saved him from killing us," Sakura said, carrying the now-released Sasuke. Ino was gaping. "As it turns out, Naruto's not the dead-last we thought he would be."

"Who are you and what did you do with the real Sakura?"

"She's grown up and learned to understand the pain of others. Including Naruto-kun's." At that point, everyone who wasn't there thought hell froze over at that moment.

I then noticed Suigetsu's team leave.

"This isn't over, Naruto Uzumaki," Suigetsu said. "One way or another, I will get my revenge."

"And I'll be waiting, Suigetsu no Nami," I replied. As they left, I took a breather. "Guy almost had me for a minute."

"Naruto-kun," Lee said, "who was that?"

"That, Lee, is the reprocussions of being a ninja." I then turned to Matsudo. "How are they?"

"Still sleeping," he said. "These guys have to be sound sleepers in order to miss this fight."

"Let me try Akito, Matsudo," Trisha said. We then saw her what looked like a kiss, but then she yelled, "WAKE UP YOU LAZY BASTARD!"

(End Naruto's POV. Enter Andrew's POV)

I woke up at the sound of my angry girlfriend. "I DIDN'T DO IT!" I yelled, to their surprise. I then looked at the two arriving teams and the debris in the forest. "What did I miss?" Everyone facefaulted.

"Get out of the way," Rukia said, smirking. I then moved, fearing her wrath. "His dad did this when his world was still whole." She then leaped up and yelled, "GOOD MOOOOOORNING ICHIGOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Ichigo woke up with a reflex to move out of the way. "What the hell is up with you, Rukia? You acted like my dad for a second!"

"You slept through a minaturized war."

He noticed the debris, then his kimono. "That explains the smell of water and metal." Everyone facefaulted. Again.

"For those who have the two scrolls already," I said, "get to the tower. Does anyone have them?" Everyone, oddly, raised their hands. "Good. Now move. We're going to report to the Hokage about what happened here. And Naruto and Sakura?" Both of them stood at attention. "You need to inform Kakashi of Sasuke's condition as soon as you get there."

"Yes, Akito-san," they both said. Soon, everyone was leaving, and Anko arrived in front of the three of us.

"He's here, isn't he?" she asked us.

"Yeah," Trisha said, "and it looks like Naruto did quite a number on him."

"Bad news is that Sasuke has been branded with a Cursed Seal with a very different composition," I said. "Which confirms the fact that Orochimaru has a new partner who specializes in exploiting the darkness of the heart."

"You can sense the darkness even when you're asleep?" Tyler asked me. I nodded. "How?"

"The Vizard part of me knows."

"Can't we get Sasuke out of the preliminaries?" Anko asked us. "If he's got a new brand of seal, we need to get him out of there!"

"Easier said than done," Tyler said. "Like Akito said, the new seal is made from the darkness of Orochimaru's heart, which is now feeding on Sasuke's desire for revenge, making him go to Orochimaru at a faster rate."

"Naruto was able to make it subside," Trisha said, "but we need a seal specialist that get rid of the darkness."

"That's all I needed to know," Anko said. "Right now, we need to get to the tower and wait for the Hokage."

"Yes, Ma'am!" all three of us said. We then managed to get to the Forest Tower and waited in the Jounin beds.

If things are going to be different this time around, I need to prepare during the month-long break.

(To be continued...)