Chapter 21
Sasuke's Destiny
They both ran and ran some more, Sasuke trying to evade his teammate, and Naruto trying to prevent his friend from doing something even more stupid than what he had already done.
"Sasuke what the fuck are you thinking?"- Naruto yelled out, receiving only one of Sasuke's rare evil chuckles as an answer.
He followed him into a cave. It was pitch black, but Naruto didn't care and simply followed the footsteps. Thank Kami for Zabuza's fighting without eyesight training. He sped through the darkness only to come out at a really bright, but beautiful landscape.
It was the Valley of the End.
*Insert "Sasuke's Destiny Here*
The Valley of the End consisted of a waterfall that was between two gigantic statues. The statues of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, Madara by the left and Hashirama by the right. Sasuke stood on Madara's head as Naruto stepped onto Hashirama's.
"Fitting, isn't it? The Uzumaki clan descends from the Senju, right? It's ironic that the same battle repeats itself, with the same outcome. The Uchiha remain supreme after all of these years while the Senju and Uzumaki are barely known. You will die here, just like the First Hokage."- Sasuke spoke, a malicious grin on his face and a yellow eye. Half of his body was covered in cursed seal marks. Naruto sighed.
"And why would you want to kill me? Why must it end like this?"- he asked. What the fuck is on your mind?
"Over the course of the last year you and I've become friends. Best friends even. I thought my life was finally getting better, but I've realized, that the only thing those bonds are is distracting. My primary objective in life is to kill my older brother and I'll never achieve it by playing ninja with you idiots from the Leaf. By killing you and severing our bond with Chidori today, I'll become stronger and I'll get the eyes that my brother has."- Sasuke explained. Naruto bowed his head and shook it as if he was disappointed.
"And you do that by going to Orochimaru? You know, I have no fucking idea how they thought you were a genius. That's the stupidest plan I've heard in my whole life, and I've heard tons of stupid crap. And playing ninja? Tenten, Shino, Haku and Hinata are all out there risking their lives fighting your new buddies just to get you back to the village. And they didn't even owe you anything. Risking your life for your comrade, that's what being a ninja is all about."- Naruto replied with disgust on your face.
"Well, wasn't that nice of them? But I don't give a shit. I don't need to be saved. If they die or kill the others today I don't really care. I'm going to Orochimaru to complete my training and end the pathetic thing that is my brother's life. But before that..."- Sasuke vanished before appearing right in front of Naruto, punching him in the gut so hard he spat blood. The Uchiha let out one of his infamous evil chuckles.- "See the power I have now? This is something I gained in seconds with Orochimaru, far superior to anything I've got from Konoha."
"Gah!"- Naruto let out as Sasuke spun and kicked him, sending him flying against a tree. Naruto got up, but seconds later he was on the ground again as Sasuke punched him through the tree, grabbed his arm and threw him against Hashirama's statue.
"Where's the strong Naruto? Fighting against you when you're this weak is just sad."- he taunted. Naruto slowly got up.
"Well, one of your buddies, the leader of the group that you hadn't met, wanted to fight me to give you time to run. Motherfucker was Orochimaru's former vessel, which by the way makes you the new one. He was more powerful than those four at the same time and could use his bones to attack me. He also used the Cursed Seal he had up to level 2. Had to kill him. Of course, that's not something you can do easily. Resorted to the Kyuubi's chakra to take the fucker out, so excuse me if I'm not really fit for fighting right now."- Naruto explained which made Sasuke's eyes widen. How did this fucker beat a level 2 cursed seal user? Am I still weaker than him?
"What do you mean by vessel?"- he asked, masking his confusion.
"Orochimaru is ambitious, you know. His dream is to learn every jutsu in existence. Of course, one lifetime is not enough for that. So he uses another jutsu to change body every five years before the former body rejects him. Interestingly, he can keep the bloodlines of the ones he posessed before for himself. He wanted to possess Kimimaro to get his bones bloodline, and now wants to possess you for your Sharingan. Can't you see it? He wants you to stay close to him so he can train you and when you're ready, take over your body."- the jinchuuriki answered. Sasuke laughed.
"Nice excuse dobe. That's all bullshit, now get ready to die."- Sasuke disappeared, but this time Naruto was ready, and blocked his punch with his own hand. Sasuke looked down at him, and Naruto opened his eyes. They were slits.- "What the...?"
"..."- Naruto didn't say a word as he pushed Sasuke away with his legs before getting up and dashing at him. Sasuke barely blocked the following punches before Naruto sidekicked his groin and kneed his head, sending him flying up for a bit. The jinchuuriki jumped, spun and tornado kicked the Uchiha away. Sasuke fell down the waterfall before Naruto jumped down, falling with him.
They continued their taijutsu fight in the middle of the air. Kick, block, punch, dodge and spinning heel kick. None could get the upper hand before Naruto trapped Sasuke's leg, spun twice and sent him flying into Madara's statue, creating a crater on its belly.
The jinchuuriki approached with caution to see Sasuke's destroyed body. But that wasn't the case at all. Sasuke's body was covered in curse marks and both of his eyes were yellow. Naruto's eyes widened and Sasuke chuckled before punching his comrade away, sending him flying into Hashirama's statue.
"Hahahaha! Nice of you to even try to beat me, but your power is nothing compared to the power of my hatred."- he bragged before letting out a malicious laughter. He laughed and laughed and was about to laugh more when the broken rocks in Hashirama's statue started moving.
*Insert "Naruto Ost: Ultimate Secrets" here*
A flash of light passed through Sasuke's eyes as he felt his gut getting punched so hard he vomited blood. Seconds later, he was flying right into the water. He managed to get up and stand on a log, and saw Naruto standing on a log right in front of him. But this Naruto was different. His hair was all spiked up and his eyes were white. His skin was red and there was an aura of power around him.
"Fourth Gate: Gate of Pain, OPEN!"- he screamed as Sasuke's eyes widened in terror.
"IT CAN'T BE, WHERE DID YOU LEARN THAT?"- Sasuke asked. The only answer he received was a kick right on his chin that sent him flying up. The water suddenly was blown back as Naruto jumped up to meet his comrade. Rat, Tiger, Dog, Ox, Rabbit, Tiger.- "Katon: Housenka no jutsu!"
Naruto didn't even say anything as he faced the fireballs that came after him. He spun and kicked all of them back at Sasuke who was already back on the log. His Sharingan, now with three tomoe let him evade all of the balls and start a new jutsu in a split second. Horse, Tiger, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger.
"Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu!"- he spat a huge fire ball at Naruto who had just landed back in the water. The fire seared through the water's surface to face the punch of Naruto's mighty right fist that quickly disspelled the whole thing. Sasuke's eyes widened again. Naruto smirked.
"So, you like fire, aye? Well, eat this!"- he readied himself and punched the air so fast and hard that a fireball of his own formed and went flying against Sasuke who only barely avoided it. Sasuke himself was getting pissed off. YOU ARE NOT MORE SPECIAL THAN I AM! I'M AN UCHIHA!
Ox, Rabbit, Monkey, Dragon, Rat, Bird, Ox, Snake, Dog, Tiger, Monkey. Naruto realized what his comrade was going for and charged a Rasengan on his right palm.
Sasuke's Chidori sprung to life as the Uchiha ran straight at Naruto. Since he was in the Cursed Seal's first level, and Naruto was in the Fourth Gate of Chakra, they both simply disappeared and clashed, the Rasengan and the Chidori bashing into each other creating an explosion so powerfull that the two shinobi were shot at light speed against a statue, Sasuke to Madara's and Naruto to Hashirama's.
Shino
Shino couldn't believe his eyes. The sound nin he was facing had just taken a thousand explosions, even if smaller ones and was still standing. Worse than that was that Jirobo was ten times more powerful. His physical shape was also changed. His hair was now growing onto his back, his skin turned orange and warts appeared all over his body.
"I've got to admit you managed to piss me off real bad. But this ends here."- Jirobo declared. Shino sweatdropped and took out the seal that had the kanji for "Fire" on it. I'm sorry, Naruto and the others, but if this isn't the time for a last resort, I don't know what is...
Tenten
"..."- Damn, what should I do? Tenten thought to herself as she dodged yet another arrow. It had been four minutes since Kidomaru rose from the dead, with a third eye, red skin, longer and lighter hair, two horns and a bow made of solid gold. It wasn't easy when arrows started to come from nowhere. After so much practice, Tenten could practically feel a weapon come, but those arrows were fast, didn't make a sound and were getting more and more precise. She wouldn't last two more shots.
She felt her weapon pouch, searching for any left over weapons when she felt something weird. She took it out to see it was the "Wind" Seal. She looked at it and made a quick decision. Either use this or die. Please forgive me, you guys...
Hinata
Hinata was ready to ask Kami herself what had happened. The twins were up and running again, both in Cursed Seal level 2.
"I bet you're asking yourself what happened, bitch. Our trait isn't only to fuse our bodies with others, we can also control how fast we regenerate."- Ukon explained with a grin. Hinata sighed and reached for her weapon pouch and took out the "Earth" seal.
"I didn't want to use this, but you've brought it on yourselves. I'm sorry, Naruto-kun."
Haku
Haku merely looked at the new Tayuya. Her skin was darkened, she had six horns on her head and her hair grew. Her eyes were also darker. I don't have any more chakra to create mirrors, and she doesn't look happy. I bet one punch from her will kill me now. Haku felt through her weapon pouch and took out her "Water" seal.
"I've been given the mission of capturing you. I have the honesty to say I'm out of chakra and energy, but your brother hasn't come unprepared."- she said, showing her the seal before pressing on it. Naruto-kun, I will not fail you.
Naruto
Naruto slowly and painfully stood up to see Sasuke looking back at him, a look of hate on his face.
"I'll admit it, Naruto, you're pretty special with the Kyuubi and those Gates, but I'm much more special."- Sasuke said as his skin became darker, a black cross appeared between his eyes and over his nose, his eyes became both yellow and black, his hair became lighter and larger, his nails became claws, and surprisingly, two wings that looked like big hands grew on his back as well.
"Why...why don't you just stop? This will only bring more pain and sorrow to either of us..."- Naruto asked. Sasuke suddenly gave him a desperate and frustrated face.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PAIN AND SORROW? YOU NEVER HAD ANYONE WITH YOU ANYWAY! HOW COULD YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO LOSE THOSE YOU LOVE?"- Sasuke shouted at him. Naruto glared at him with his own frustration.
"I DID HAVE PEOPLE. I KNEW MY PARENTS BEFORE I DIED, I SPENT THE FIRST FOUR YEARS OF MY LIFE WITH THEM! DON'T YOU REMEMBER?"- the jinchuuriki screamed at the Uchiha, and suddenly, it struck him.
*Insert "Childhood Memories Naruto Ost" here*
Young Naruto giggled as his father, Minato, gave him a piggy back ride on his shoulders. They had just come back from a little kunai training.
"Dad, how do you appear on the kunai you throw? Can you teach me how to do that?"- Naruto asked with a broad smile. Minato laughed.
"Isn't that a bit too advanced for someone your age? But ok, I promise I'll teach you tomorrow IF you eat all of the veggies tonight at dinner."- he replied. Naruto smiled again.
"YAY! I'M GOING TO EAT ALL OF THOSE NASTY VEGETABLES AND THEN I'LL BE AS STRONG AS DAD!"- he yelled in excitement, pointing his fist at the sky.
"Haha, that's right!"- Minato joined him and both laughed together.
"He looks so much like you..."- Kushina commented.
"Yeah, but he's got your attitude and smarts."- her husband replied.
"Kushina, is that you?"- a voice was heard. They turned around to see a fair-skinned woman with long, dark hair and black eyes waving at them. She wore a simple brown blouse with a dark purple skirt and shinobi sandals. She was accompanied by a man, probably her husband who was giving a piggy back ride to a boy around Naruto's age.
The man had short, black hair that reached to his shoulders and onyx-coloured eyes, with visible creases below them. He wore the standard flak jacket, along with a black shirt with the Konoha Military Police Force symbol on the shoulders, shin-guards and a black, open-front apron with white diamonds on the bottom.
The boy had dark, spiky hair in a duck tail style and onyx eyes just like his father. He wore a simple long-sleeved black shirt with a raised collar and the Uchiha crest on the back and white shorts.
"Mikoto? How nice to see you! How is everyone doing?"- Kushina greeted back. The two women engaged in conversation and the men laughed.
"What's up, Minato? Or should I say, Hokage-sama?"- Mikoto's husband asked with a cheeky tone as he let the boy down. Minato followed his actions.
"Shut up, Fugaku, you know I hate you calling me that crap."- Minato replied with a smile. They both laughed and got in a conversation themselves.
That left the children alone, and although they were kind of shy, the dark-haired one approached and smiled before extending his hand.
"Hi, I'm Sasuke Uchiha. Who are you?"- Sasuke greeted. Naruto smiled back and shook his hand with fervor.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki, the next Hokage! Believe it!"- he greeted back. Sasuke gave him a challenging look.
"No, I'm going to be the next Hokage!"- they both took out wooden kunai and started a small fight that their mothers didn't approve of, but that the father's encouraged. Unfortunately, it ended in a clean draw.
The two families were about to part ways and obviously, the parents were still in conversation when the two boys approached each other again.
"You know what, let's both be Hokage! Who says there can't be two?"- Naruto suggested. Sasuke smiled.
"Yeah! By the way, want to come to my house later? We can train our kunai throwing and I can show you a jutsu my dad showed me!"- Sasuke replied. Naruto nodded.
"Yes, totally! Mom, can that be?"- Naruto asked. Kushina smiled gently.
"But of course, if that is ok with Sasuke's parents. Is it Fugaku, Mikoto?"- Kushina answered. The two laughed.
"Well, duh. You can come by at any time, son. You're practically family!"- the leader of the police force replied. Naruto smiled.
"Ok, it's a deal! See you!"- Minato said goodbye as he held Naruto's hand.
"See you!"- they said back.
"Goodbye Sasuke!"
"Goodbye Naruto!"
*End Flashback*
"That was the day before the Kyuubi attacked."- the Uzumaki said.
Naruto sighed as he felt something shake in his weapon pouch. He took it out to see the Lightning Seal shining. So the others are in trouble too, huh? I see...
"You know, I was willing to teach you a lot and get you ready for the fight with your brother, had you waited just a bit more. But it's good I didn't. You're showing your true colours now. I'd let you kill me and suffer from guilt, but there are things I've got to do before I die. I've got to rebuild my village, I've got to rebuild my clan and I've got to kill all of those responsible for the latter's destruction. And that's why..."- he explained before mashing the seal with his palm.- "...I'm going to use this!"
*Insert "Naruto Ost Need To Be Strong" here*
Blinding light came from it, and numerous inscriptions on the tag that couldn't be seen before moved their way up and over all of Naruto's body, before conjoining together into a lightning tattoo on the midle of his upper chest. Before even two seconds passed, the tattoo expanded itself, covering Naruto's body in symbols before they began to unite. His skin was darker as well and his hair became white. His blue eyes turned silver and his teeth and nails became fangs and claws. White, feathered angel wings came out of his back and electricity occasionally sparkled around his limbs.
Sasuke took a step back in sheer terror as Naruto ran towards him.
Shino
Shino mashed the seal with his left palm and immediately felt the massive ammount of chakra flowing through the tag into him, spreading through his body, concentrating on his right shoulder in a fire tattoo and then spreading again. His hair grew up and became pitch black, his glasses broke apart with the sheer force of the new chakra level, revealing blood red eyes. He rose his hands to show that they were covered in fire, just like the rest of his body.
I guess this is the last resort you were talking about, Naruto. Shino asked some of his bugs to come out only to realize they had changed shape as well. They were now firebugs! And covered in fire as well.
Jirobo looked in horror as Shino gave him a fanged grin and a demonic look as the bugs came flying into him and exploding one at a time.
Tenten
Tenten touched the paper tag and sent chakra into it and immediately felt the "Wind" as the sealings went up her body and conjoined in a tattoo of a tornado on the palm of her left hand. Her hair popped out of her buns into a straight hair style, but aside that, her physical appearance didn't change much. Her body was enveloped in a little tornado and two daggers came out of her own palms. It was strange, but it felt natural to her.
Both of the blades were sharpened with Wind Release and she didn't hesitate in jumping in the air and cross-slicing, sending two blades made of wind in an "X" shape, cutting through every tree until they found Kidomaru's poor anatomy. She smirked.
Hinata
Hinata used the "Earth" seal and the effects were visible almost immediately. She got on all-fours, her teeth became fangs, her nails claws, her hair became red and her eyes turned into black slits. Chakra evaporated from her body and took form around her hands, forming lion heads.
Sakon and Ukon shouted in fear as she galloped towards them, ready to mash the two fists into their guts.
Haku
Haku activated the seal just as Tayuya was about to punch her. The inscriptions went through her body before conjoining in her middle back in a wave tattoo. Her physique was not altered, but her chakra levels went through the roof and a splash of water blocked Tayuya's punch in a split second, confusing the red-haired kunoichi. She followed up with a series of kicks and punches that were blocked by the same water.
"What the fuck? What the hell is going on, you bitch?"- Tayuya asked, absolutely confused. Haku's ANBU mask dropped and she smirked.
"Watch out for the slippery icy floor..."- Tayuya slipped on an icy tree trunk and fell to the ground where Haku trapped her in an ice globe like a hamster. Zabuza-san, this one's for you...Ox, Monkey, Hare, Rat, Boar, Bird, Ox, Horse, Bird, Rat, Tiger, Dog, Tiger, Snake, Ox, Ram, Snake, Boar, Ram, Rat, Yang Water, Monkey, Bird, Dragon, Bird, Ox, Horse, Ram, Tiger, Snake, Rat, Monkey, Hare, Boar, Dragon, Ram, Rat, Ox, Monkey, Bird, Yang Water, Rat, Boar, Bird.- "Suiton: Suiryuudan no jutsu!"
Naruto
They were both beat out. Sasuke couldn't believe his eyes. Even after everything he had thrown that the dobe, Naruto was still up with a smirk. Even the cursed seal's level 2 hadn't been enough.
"Who are you?"- Sasuke muttered between deep breaths. Naruto took a bunch of deep breaths of his own, tired out, before grinning and replying.
"According to some, I'm a demon, according to others, an angel. I don't really know who I am, and frankly, I don't think I'd like it if I found out. But right now, I'm your opponent and your best friend, and will break every fucking bone you own to change your mind. And if that doesn't work, I'll kill you!"- he answered. Sasuke got pissed off again and readied himself. Each were standing on their statues. Sasuke in Madara's and Naruto in Hashirama's.
Ox, Rabbit, Monkey. Sasuke readied his right hand and lightning came out of it. It was a whole lot more powerful than the Chidori, and the Cursed Seal's level 2 made it look black instead of blue.
Naruto readied his own right hand and created a Rasengan the size of a rubber ball before electricity crackled around it.
"NARUTO!"
"SASUKE!"
They both flew to each other, using their seal-given wings and mashed both of the insanely powerfull jutsus against each other.
"RAIKIRI!"
"UZUSHIOKIRI!"
The two jutsus reacted to each other so violently that instead of exploding, they imploded before creating a pitch black ball of darkness around the two shinobi. Both of their cursed seal attributes went back into the seals since the power had ran out. Sasuke tried to punch Naruto in the gut but was blocked and punched back, making him bow a bit.
"Sorry, best friend, but you've got to eat a whole lot of rice to beat me."- the black ball exploded and they both went flying into the water.
Naruto managed to retain his consciousness and took hold of his ex-comrade, letting him fall on the ground, coughing water. The Uzumaki grabbed Sasuke's forehead protector and a kunai before horizontally scratching the Leaf symbol. By now, Sasuke was barely staggering to his feet.
Naruto threw the scratched hitai-ite at Sasuke, making him fall again.
"Now listen to me, you're leaving this Country as a missing-nin. You can never return to Konoha. I'm letting you live because you used to be my friend, but I guarantee that if I see you again I will end your pathetic life. Now get the fuck out of here!"- Naruto kicked him in the ass and watched as Sasuke stumbled away, a look of terror on his face.
Naruto sighed as Sasuke got out of sight and turned around to backtrack all the way back to the village. Apparently, he had some explaining to do.
He walked through the dark cave, through Kimimaro's remains and boneyard, through the ravine where Sakon and Ukon lied dead, through the forest where Haku's needles and water dragon bullet had marked the trees and ground, through the zone where all of the trees were chopped, and Kidomaru's limbs were scattered everywhere, cleanly cut. Through the part where the trees, the ground and Jirobo were all incinerated by Shino's firebugs.
Wherever Naruto passed, there was destruction. He had his teammates follow him back, saying no words until they reached the village.
They entered Konohagakure, catching everyone's eye as soon as they came into sight. Their clothes were torn apart, revealing each of their tattoos, but no one asked a thing before they entered the Hokage's office.
"Hokage-sama, the Konoha Five here to report. Mission insuccessful and successful at the same time."- Naruto spoke. Tsunade rose an eyebrow and told Shizune to close the door.
"There is no need to report what happened. We've got cameras all over the country and saw each of the fights, but how exactly was the mission successful?"- she replied. Naruto sighed.
"We've eliminated four potential threats to the village, captured one of them and I've got a tracker on Sasuke. We can find out each of Orochimaru's hideouts that way."- he explained. Again, Tsunade rose an eyebrow.
"Captured one?"- she asked. Naruto pointed to Haku, who was holding the unconscious body of Tayuya.
"I request that Tayuya is sent to the hospital. I'll interrogate her myself later."- the Uzumaki asked. Tsunade nodded, and Shizune took Tayuya away.
"Well, since this mission was more successful than I thought possible with only Four Genin and One Chuunin when it'd be ANBU material, I'm promoting all Four of you, including Haku, to high Chuunin rank and you may participate in this year's Jounin Shiken. Go home and make your families proud. And Haku, I bet Zabuza will be proud as well. Now, go!"- Shino, Tenten, Haku and Hinata all left.
"Naruto, let's all meet up for ramen at dinner. Say, Seven o' clock?"- Shino suggested. Naruto nodded and they left.
"Shizune, this is something private. Please leave, you can't hear what I'm about to say."- Tsunade ordered. Shizune nodded and went out. Before the Hokage could do anything, Naruto cast a privacy jutsu.
"Now we can talk. What is it you wanted to tell me, Hokage-sama? If it is about the screw up in the mission, I'm sorry but I felt like I needed to give him a chance. Next time, I'll kill him."- Naruto swore. Tsunade shook her head.
"No, that is not what I want to talk to you about. You did not screw up, you did what a shinobi would do. What I wish to talk to you about is your promotion."- she suprised him. His face expressed confusion.
"But..."- he started.
"But nothing. I handicapped you severely in this mission to test it out and see if you were ready. In less than a day, you organized a perfect team of Genin to face your targets, you prepared specific seals to aid in the mission and you eliminated four enemies of Konoha, captured one and drove another one into running away. You've shown to be very good with seals and taijutsu. You've mastered Rasengan and can open Four Gates. You can also control the Kyuubi's ominous chakra even when Nuibari's killing intention is trying to disturb your chakra. You're more than qualified for this promotion."- Tsunade snapped her fingers, and Four ANBU appeared in front of her, each held a uniform piece. One had the mask for a dog, one the mask for a cat, another a mask for a snake, and the last had a mask for a dragon. The Dog held shin and forearm guards, the Cat held the pants, footwear and gloves, the Snake held the torso light armor, and the Dragon held a mask. It was a fox's mask.- "These will be your new family..."
"Tsunade-sama, please, before you continue, I can't accept this. My plans-"- Naruto tried.
"Your plans are to leave the village and rebuild Uzushiogakure before killing any who were involved in its destruction. I figured out as much, but you've still got a long way before you can achieve that. Your enemies are strong and you're still just a child. I suggest you stay with us the next three years, sharpening your skills, getting money from missions and preparing yourself. You'll receive training from the best out of the ANBU, get access to the Hokage's personal library and a whole lot more."- Tsunade explained. Naruto thought for a couple of moments.
"What do you want in return?"- he asked. All of the ANBU smirked, though their masks didn't let that be seen. This kid's smart.
"I want it so that whenever Uzushiogakure is rebuilt by you, and I know it will be, that it's in peace with Konoha. I know some of your targets are from Konoha, and you can face those however you wish, but leave the rest of Konoha unscathed. That's all I ask."- she offered. It wasn't a hard decision for Naruto, since he had that figured out already. He nodded.
"Ok, then welcome to the ANBU Black Ops. These Four will be your team. Inu, Neko, Hebi and is the team leader. This team's purpose is assassination and seals, just like yours. Your codename will be-"
"Tsunade no baachan, can I ask something of you?"- Naruto asked. She nodded.- "I don't want a fox mask. I'm not the fox inside me, rather, it is me instead. And if for the next three years I'm going to have one name, I'd rather have one I like instead of being called Kitsune."
"Ok. Which one would you want and what mask?"
"Give me a wolf mask, call me Ookami or Kiba."- he said. Yamato disappeared before appearing again, a wolf mask on his hand. He was handed his uniform, as he thanked each of his new teammembers, and put the clothes on right in front of them, as ordered. If we're brothers and sisters, I guess I have to get used to this. The outfit looked good on him, as if he was supposed to wear it.
"Your first mission is to be ready in that outfit at three am this night. Your teammates will be there to get you. They will take you to the ANBU HQ and show you around before telling you how things go there. Congratulations, Naruto. You may leave now."- she declared. Naruto smiled, not that it could be seen through his wolf mask and turned around, but before he left the room he had one final thing to say.
"You know, Kakashi-sensei, you're full of surprises. I thought you had quit the ANBU. I haven't seen the Inu mask in so long, but whatever."- he walked out of the office, leaving the ANBU members dumbfounded. Tsunade smirked.
"I told you he was worthy of being in the ANBU."
A couple of hours later he was having dinner with all four of his teammates. No one had said a word, and he didn't want to do it, but he tried to break the ice.
"So, everyone ok?"- yeah, smooth as fuck.
"I'm fine, thanks."- Shino replied before getting back to his salad.
"Aside a few cuts, I'm good."- Tenten followed.
"I'm ok, Naruto-kun."- Hinata answered.
"I am better than ever, Naruto-kun. Thank you."- Haku said, lastly. Naruto decided to rethink his strategy, since the current one wasn't going well.
"Listen, guys, I'm really sorry for everything that happened. Me trying to prevent you from dying ended up giving you a scar on your bodies, suffering and for nothing...I understand if from now on you don't want to talk to me anymore-"- he began.
"Dude, shut up. It wasn't for nothing. Thanks to you, we overcame our fears-"- Shino said.
"We fought to reach our goals, we gained experience and knowledge-"- Tenten followed.
"We did what others thought impossible, and quite frankly-"- Hinata continued.
"-these tattoos are freaking awesome."- Haku finished. They all smiled at him.
"There was no day that my parents were more proud of me than today."- Hinata announced.
"My father said he was going to smith me the best dagger he's ever smithed because of my work."- Tenten followed.
"I am now hailed as the next Aburame Shibi of my clan. It's conforting to know people think I am as talented as my father."- Shino said.
"Zabuza-san couldn't be happier than he was when I told him I was a Chuunin. He treats me like a daughter."- again, it was finished by Haku.
"You know what, most of the shinobi groups split up as they grow, let's not let that happen. We've been through this whole thing together, we can go through more. These seals are part of us now. Let's make a group."- Shino suggested. The others quickly agreed.- "What about the Konoha Five?"
"Nah, the eleven Genin are already called in a similar way, what out the Fantastic Five?"- Tenten followed.
"That sounds a bit cheesy. I say we're named the Five Assassins."- Haku took her part in.
"But two of us didn't even get to kill our targets. What about the Pure Five? Like, instead of being Evil because of Orochimaru's seal like our targets, we're Pure because of Naruto's seals?"- Hinata spoke, surprising everyone.
"No. Let's call ourselves, the Elementals."- Naruto suggested.
"Yeah, the Elementals, I like the way that sounds!"
"Sure thing!"
And so they became a group. They joked and traded mission stories all evening, bonding after such a traumatic experience. That was the thing with young shinobi, though. In situations where normal children would sit in a corner and cry, they just drank a soda and talked with their partners. They were cut from a different cloth.
It ended around two am when Teuchi Ichiraku and Ayame said they had to close. The Five excused themselves and paid for everything. They were about to say goodbye to each other when Naruto had an idea. They all raced to the Hokage Monument and stood on top of the Fourth's head.
"Are you all sure you want to be a part of the Konoha Elementals?"- Naruto asked with a solemn face. They all nodded.- "Then let's perform a blood pact."
They all cut both of their palms with their kunai and then made a five-pointed star with their arms as they united their palms against one another. Shino was by Naruto's right, Naruto's right palm united with Shino's left and so on and so forth.
"Everyone sure?"- Naruto asked again. They all nodded.- "Seal!"
The wounds closed almost immediately, and they could all feel something deeper with one another.
"Now we're not just friends, we're brothers and sisters. There are no secrets among us and we can always count on one another."- Naruto announced. They all smiled at the same time.
"If there are no secrets, you can tell us what Tsunade-sama told you after we left, right?"- Shino asked.
"Yeah, but don't tell anyone. I've been promoted to ANBU operative."- he announced. Tenten's mouth gaped.
"No way.."
"Yes way. I was just as surprised. I'm supposed to meet them in about half an hour to get shown around the ANBU HQ..."- he said. They all were quiet for a bit.
"Well, if somebody deserves it, it is you Naruto-kun. Congratulations."- Haku eventually spoke with a smile on her face. The others quickly agreed and they were about to part ways when Tenten remembered something.
"Oh, by the way, how did those seals effect us, Naruto? I've never heard of anyone's but Orochimaru's seals doing that."- she asked. The others were also curious. He smiled.
"Basically, I just added a bit to your Kekkei Genkai. Everybody has a special trait, I just gave you a kickstart. Tenten, your clan is known in other countries for being able to create metal out of your hands. Your father has to know this, so just ask him about it. Shino, the Aburame have so much history it was bound for some of you to have a more distinctive Kekkei Genkai than others. Some of your family has nano bugs, you have firebugs. Haku, I basically only gave you a chakra boost and a Water shield since you have a Kekkei Genkai of your own. And Hinata, your clan might be very formal and constrained, but your strongest members are the ones who let their wild side go. That's what your seals do. They're pretty much a key to unlock your powers, and they will become stronger as you do. Just let it happen. Of course, for you to use the powers, you still have to use the seals."- Naruto explained with a smile on his face.
"What does yours do? Shizune showed us a recording of your fight with Sasuke, how did you get those wings?"- Shino asked.
"Well, you know how my father's and the Second Hokage's secret technique is called, Flying Thunder God? Well, it was created after Tobirama Senju saw one of the original members of my father's clan, the Namikaze. They had the power to free their wings and control Lightning chakra really well. I just gave myself a kickstart too."- he revealed. Everyone thought for a moment and then nodded with smiles on their faces. It was good to know everyone had something about them that made them special.
They said goodbye and walked away from each other, but since they were going to the same part of town, Naruto and Hinata walked together. However, it wasn't as heart-warming as it sounds. It was pretty silent until they reached the Hyuuga's Estate Gate, and Hinata turned to the Uzumaki.
"Naruto-kun, I've got something important to say, and I ask that you do not interrupt me. I've thought about this over and over again as we walked here and a bit as we walked back to the village after the mission. I think things will not work out between the two of us. Your dreams, and I can see which they are with these two eyes, will drive you away and maybe against Konoha, but Konoha is my home. And now since you're in ANBU, you'll probably have no time for me, and all those assassinations could alter your personality. I say we both walk away from this before either gets hurt."- she spoke. He couldn't believe his ears as he heard the thing that probably hurt him more than all of the beatings the villagers had given him put together. Hinata kissed his lips one last time before drawing back.- "Good night, and forgive me, Naruto-kun."
With that, she left him there, alone, as she walked into her family's Estate. Ironically, it started raining.
He could have used the Hiraishin, he could have summoned a toad that could carry him there, he could have called a cab. He could have done a thousand things to avoid getting soaked in the rain water, but he didn't do any of those. He slowly walked home.
He approached the old building that the Third Hokage had given him and unsealed the door before closing it and sealing it again. He took a nice shower, trying to wash his worries away before drying himself off. He reached his bedroom and was about to fall on the bed when he saw his ANBU outfit laying there and four shadows appeared outside his window.
He looked at the outfit and then at the clock. "03:00 am"
"Oh, give me a break!"
He quickly threw his outfit on. Right now he had nothing in his life but the Konoha Elementals which couldn't really help him and the ANBU, so he might as well try the second one out.
He opened his window to see them all standing in the emergency stair's metal bars.
"Ready?"- Yamato asked. Naruto took a deep breath.
"I'm ready."
They ran, or rather, shadow-stepped (teleport through short distances) all the way through the village until they reached Ichiraku's Ramen. Naruto rose one of his eyebrows.
"Hehe, we knew we had to hide the ANBU HQ as well as possible, so we thought, why not under everyone's sight? People pass by here every day and never even imagined."- Hebi joked. Naruto already had a pretty good idea of who she was.
They passed by the Ramen Shop's entrance, and Teuchi Ichiraku was there to meet them. He guided them to his kitchen and into a trapdoor he had there.
One by one, they descended into the dark, and just when it was Naruto's time, he walked past the old man, looking him in the eye, his wolf mask still on. But, with mask or not, he could have sworn the man recognized him and his face expression became sad. How things change in so little time.
Naruto descended into the darkness, and the trapdoor was closed. His eyes, being of a shinobi, were adapted to pitch black darkness, and he could see pretty well.
He followed his teammates through a series of tunnels before they opened a metal door. It was like they were walking into a different world.
The corridors were all very well lit and it seemed like everyone was always busy, walking from a room to another with files or strange weapons in their hands.
There were rooms open, like big libraries and relaxing rooms with couches and tvs, vending machines and other things. But there were also closed rooms with only a bit of glass on the doors that allowed for them to see someone being interrogated or tortured.
"That's the living room, where you can rest and talk with your teammates while not in missions or work. You've got gaming consoles, computers, televisions, free food and anything you need to relax."- Yamato explained as they passed through the biggest room they had seen yet. Then, they passed through something a bit different.- "That's the cell block. It's a prison for people who're too dangerous to be locked up in normal prisons. Tayuya is there. And if you want to talk to her, you've got these series of rooms beside every cell that you can use to interrogate them in."
Naruto nodded as Yamato guided him to another part of the underground building. It was a series of identical rooms, around a hundred of them.
"When you're admitted into the ANBU, you get two choices. One, you became a full time operative, which comes with more privileges but you have to eat, sleep and do pretty much everything except missions here, or you become a half-time member, keeping your own life but performing missions for this association. What's your pick?"- Yamato asked him. Naruto thought for a bit before shrugging.
"I really have no life behind me except a couple of friends who I see from time to time. If you let me out for training with one or two of them like Zabuza and Haku, I won't complain in spending the rest of my time here."- he said. Yamato nodded.
"Full time it is, of course, with time for breaks as well. Come with me."- Yamato guided him to his room and handed him a key.- "Go on in."
Naruto unlocked the door and entered his now new home. It had a king sized bed, a laptop, a small lcd tv, a nice pile of scrolls in a desk and black ink. It also had a small vault and a weapon rack. Naruto opened his mouth in surprise. He thought he'd get a really crappy room as if he was joining the regular army. Yamato smiled underneath his mask.
"Our phylosophy is to keep the soldiers happy enough to want to come back home."- he explained. Naruto smiled.- "Now, since we're supposed to create new lives, you aren't really allowed to bring anything here aside weapons or ninja tools except one object and one picture."
Naruto threw the Fuma Shuriken on the weapons rack, together with all of his shuriken or kunai. He also took out all of his sealing tags and spread them across the desk, something that caught Hebi and Neko's attention. Those are complex as fuck! Hebi thought to herself.
The object he chose was his Uzumaki Clan Scroll, and about the picture, he was conflicted. Sasuke had left the team, and so the team would probably disband since he had no time for it anymore, so there was no reason for it to be there. He thought of a picture of Hinata, but it also didn't make sense since they were over.
So he decided to keep the only picture he had that could make any sense at all. A picture of him, his father and Kushina, all happily eating ramen. He looked up to Yamato.
"I think I'm done here."
The dragon masked agent nodded and thought for a bit.
"Ok, we can't do anything else here before we get you your sign."- he said. Naruto rose an eyebrow, and Yamato guessed it.- "Next up is informing you of who we are and the missions we'll be completing next. Also, you'll have this next week for training, which is top secret, since top secret techniques will be taught to you. We can't do that before you swear yourself as one of us. That is done by getting the ANBU tattoo. Hebi will be giving you that."
"I can give it to you here, if you want to. And I'm not just talking about the tattoo."- she joked. Naruto laughed a bit.
"Ok. Will the rest of you be watching as she draws the tattoo on me?" he asked. They shook their heads.
"We've got to report the addition of a new agent. Believe me, it'll be big news. We haven't had a new agent in years. See you in a bit."- the three walked out of the room and closed the door behind them. Hebi already had the ink and needle in her hands. Naruto took off his forearm protectors to let her make the tattoo.
"You can take the rest of the top part off if you want, I already know you're Naruto, and you don't really need to be shy around me since I've already seen you naked."- she suggested as she remembered seeing him undress and dress in the Hokage office right in front of them. She smiled to herself. Naruto nodded and took the rest off.
"You can also take your mask off, I already know it's you, Anko."- he said. She froze for a bit before taking her mask off.
"How did you know?"- she asked as she began working.
"Easy. Sex jokes, the Snake mask and voice. The smell was also a given."- he explained. She smirked.
"Smell? Do I smell that bad?"
"No, it's because you smell good that it was so easy. Zabuza had me train how to fight blind, and what you most rely in is sound and smell, since the other two alternatives are too dangerous. Your smell is nice, like incense with just a touch of blood."- he replied. She blushed just a bit, since she wasn't accustomed to being complimented like that. She was already halfway on the tattoo. Her eyes wandered over his lightning tattoo for a bit.
"That's a nice one, is it the seal you implanted on yourself today, while fighting Sasuke?"- she asked. He nodded. She changed her position a bit, letting him catch a glimpse of her own.
"What's that?"- he asked. She sighed.
"Great, now I'm getting a new hater. You just entered the ANBU and seemed cute, and are already going to antagonize me."- she said. He rose an eyebrow.
"And why would I do that?"- she sighed again before showing him the complete curse seal. It was just like the one Sasuke had, but a more primitive version.
"There, happy? I guess you'll start treating me like trash, just like most do."- She complained. He shook his hand.
"That's Orochimaru's seal, right? Tell me the story of how you got it."- he asked. She sighed again and decided it would be better to finish the tattoo while telling him everything.
She told him of how she was an orphan, and the one who took her in and treated her like a daughter, was Orochimaru. She trusted him completely, and he became her mentor, her sensei.
Everything was well until one day he decided he wanted to test something on her. She allowed him to, and Bam. Before she knew it, she was tossed aside like trash and had a cursed seal on her right shoulder. By then, she had finished the tattoo.
Naruto was an official ANBU. But he didn't grasp the moment and enjoy it. He was determined to help his now new teammate.
"So? Any good shinobi would understand you had no other choice. When you choose your sensei, you're bound by law to obey him or her. It's how things are. How could anyone discriminate you just based on that?"- he asked. Anko blinked her eyes quickly, astounded. By now was the time they normally called her snake slut or missing-nin lover.
"You've got no idea, kid. Aside Yamato, Neko, Inu and the Hokage, you're the only one who doesn't hate me. Or still don't."- she answered.
"What if I remove that seal for you? Would that change anything?"- Naruto suggested. Anko's eyes widened.
"Y-you can do that? Really? No jokes?"- she quickly asked, looking at him as if he was an angel. He nodded.
"I'm an Uzumaki and a Namikaze at the same time. I can remove that thing for you in a blink. It'll need some preparing, but-"- he didn't get a chance at finishing his statement. Anko had pounced him and was kissing him deeply on the lips. It wasn't until two minutes later that she let him go.-"Uh, wow."
"When can you do it?"- she asked, excited.
"How about after we get our mission? I'll call off a bit of free time and we'll take care of it, but why are you so eager? Isn't it something that helps you in battles?"- he responded. She sighed.
"You should know what it's like, being hated for having a seal you didn't even want. Every time that bastard's around I feel pain, and he could kill me with a handsign. I don't want him to have that power over me. I want my life back."- she answered. He nodded.- "Thanks to him, I've been called snake slut, missing-nin lover, kunoichi whore, cumdump and much worse..."
"No worries, that's about to end."- then the door opened and their teammates took them to the third underground floor. Tsunade was awaiting there.
"Kiba, Yamato, Hebi, Neko and Inu, your mission is to assassinate a nest of missing-nin southwest of here, they are all heavily..."- and so she gave them all the details.
Naruto steeled himself. This is the life of a shinobi.
(And there you go! The Final chapter of Uzumaki Naruto the Taijutsu Master's PART I. I've made a poll that I hope is on my profile regarding wether you want me to continue in shippuden or not. If you can't vote through pole, please, please, do so by PM or Review. Also, since there is a probability that the fiction will end here, please Review regarding your experience reading it which I hope was good. Thank you for the over Four Thousand and Seven Hundred views and so far the Four reviews. I love you all, and again, review, it makes me write much, much faster.)