Me Feel ALIVE
I don't Own Naruto
Normal Speech
Thought
Make Demon Speech
Demon Thought
Chapter 24: Power
"Hinata shouldn't you be in the hospital." Shino asked as he came across his female teammate. Hinata smiled and shook her head.
"I was getting bored so I asked a nurse if I could take a walk. Where are you headed?" Hinata asked as she shifted on her crunch to a more comfortable position.
"I was looking for Anko-sensei. She was supposed to be back from. her mission and I wanted her advice on a jutsu I'm trying to create." Shino explained.
"Well do you mind if I join you the nurse said I don't have to be back for another hour and I have nothing to do." Hinata said Shino nodded and the two were just about to walk when Neji landed in front of them.
"Hinata, Aburame." The hyuuga addressed as he brushed some dirt off his shoulder.
"Hyuuga." Shino curtly responded.
"Neji nii-san how are..." Hinata began only for Neji to cut her off.
"We are not related. I am the heir to the Hyuuga clan and your are just some banished trash." Neji growled. Hinata was about to respond when four crimson tails shot out of the ground and grabbed Neji's arms and Neji could try and escape another pair of chakra tails shot out and pierced through his knees. Neji fell to the ground with a cry of pain and the chakra tails holding his arms pulled forward forcing Neji into a bow.
"You are a humble man Neji-san, bowing to some banished trash. I see the Hyuuga made a good choice in replacement heirs." Hinata and Shino turned to see Naruto leaning against a building with his arms crossed over his chest. Six crimson tails of chakra were coming out of his lower back and plunging into the ground below him. Naruto glared at Neji and the tails of chakra released him and retracted back into his body.
"Shino could you heal his knees." Naruto asked as he walked up to his two teammates. The Aburame nodded and walked over to the prone Neji. Shino's hands were engulfed in a green hue before he placed them over Neji's knees. Moments later Shino released the jutsu and walked back over to Naruto and Hinata.
"Gaki I don't know what crap the old man let you get away with but once I'm named Hokage if I ever catch you injury a fellow ninja again you'll be suspended so fast your head will spin." Tsunade said as she Jiraiya and Shizune with Tonton in her hands walked up to the group.
"Whatever." Naruto replied.
"Tsunade-sama your back and your going to be are next Hokage." Hinata asked in shock. The blond Sannin nodded casually before turning to Naruto.
"So kid on a different note who are these two?" Tsunade asked as she eyed Neji slowly getting up and glaring daggers at the three genin before walking off.
"This is Shino Aburame heir the Aburame clan and medic of are team." Naruto said pointing to Shino who bowed at his introduction. "And she is the reason I took your bet. This is Hinata Hyuuga and you're going to heal her arm and leg."
"So your the gaki's girlfriend." Tsunade surmised. Hinata blushed faintly and nodded. "Nicely done kid she's quite the catch. Well come on let's go to the hospital so I can check you out."
"Wait Hinata I got you something close your eyes." Naruto said before they could leave. Hinata complied and a few seconds later she felt something hanging around her neck. Hinata opened her eyes and looked down and saw a brilliant crystal dangling on a string necklace.
"It's beautiful." Hinata murmured wrapping her good arm around Naruto's neck. leaning forward Hinata planted a kiss on the blonde's lips before releasing Naruto a light blush gracing her lips.
"Come on I don't have all day." Tsunade said as she began to walk off. With a small wave Hinata followed the Sannin to the Hospital with Shizune at her side.
"Well I have to go to. Naruto I want you to visit a man named Toran Matsushi. I saw your fight with Kabuto and you swordsmanship is almost vomit inducing. Toran is the owner of the weapon's shop by the barbecue restaurant over in the market district. Ask him if he'll teach you the ways of the sword and if he refuses tell him I said if he does it we're even." Jiraiya said before he left with Konoha's traditional shunshin.
"I really must locate Anko-sensei now goodbye Naruto." Shino said as his body fell to the the ground in a mass of bugs that scattered across the ground.
"Toran Matsushi huh." Naruto murmured as he walked off in the direction of the market district. As Naruto walked and was left alone with his thoughts Naruto began to think about his drastic change in demeanor over the last year to being assign to a genin team the blond's blood lust almost matched the kitsune demon he harbored yet as of late the need to kill had wained slightly. Hell Naruto had been moments from ripping Gaara's heart from his body when he had simply stopped, why? All the answer led to his teammates and more importantly the midnight hair Hyuuga who claimed to love him. "Love really does make you weak." Naruto said to himself as his entered the local weapon's shop. So distracted by his thought Naruto almost didn't hear a voice call him.
"How may I help you?" Naruto's eye snapped to a muscular red headed man standing behind the counter.
"Are you Toran Matsushi" Naruto asked. The man's eye narrowed as he focused on Naruto with a critical eye. After a moment a look recognition spread across the man's face. Naruto for a second thought a smirk spread across his but it was gone faster than it had appeared.
"Who wants to know?" The man asked fixing Naruto with an even gaze.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I a came to ask you if you could train me to use this." Naruto stated as he pressed two fingers on his chest and added some chakra in a cloud of smoke Kubikiribōchō appeared and Naruto caught the blade before it could even graze the ground. Toran's eyes widened upon figuring out who's sword he was looking at but he regained his composure after a few seconds.
"No." The man said simply.
"Jiraiya of the sannin..." Naruto started only for Toran to cut him off.
"It is not a matter of me being unwilling to train you but this blade unique only to Kiri the only man who could teach you how to use this blade to it's full potential is dead if your holding it right now." Toran explained.
"You mean Zabuza Momochi." Naruto stated more than asked.
"Correct the use of these swords is taught from wielder to wielder. I could simply teach you how to properly fight with Kubikiribōchō but the secrets this sword that are not public knowledge are lost forever." Toran finished remorsefully.
"I see." Naruto said. The blond turned around and began to walk out the door but Toran's voice called him back.
"Uzumaki-san come back." Toran said causing Naruto to look over his shoulder. The blond was surprised to see a devious smirk painted across the black smith's face.
"There is a way for me to discover the secrets hidden within the weapon if you are willing." Toran said.
"What is it?" Naruto asked.
"You see with a weapon like this the powers it has are not engraved into the blade but the metal itself if I were to smelt the blade down and study it's metal in their raw form I could discover any capability it holds." Toran explained. "Once I finish my research I could recreate Kubikiribōchō to my best ability then train to use it to it's fullest."
Naruto nodded until a idea popped into his head. "After you melted it down and studied the metal you would also be form a different weapon correct?"
"What did you have in mind?" Toran asked. Naruto leaned over and murmured something to Toran which drew out a grin from the man.
"I see you are an interesting one Naruto. I will have it ready in a month until then I shall train you into a swordsman that would have made your mother proud." Toran stated. The only sign that Naruto was surprised was a slight raise in one of his eyebrows.
"You trained my mother?" Naruto asked.
"Indeed." Toran replied. "She along with the fathers of two genin in the year before you were part of my genin team. You may know them Tenten and Rock Lee."
"I know of them." Naruto said.
"Well enough chit chat follow me your training begins now." Toran said walking to a door behind the counter.
Konoha Hospital
Tsunade let out a frustrated sigh as she stood in front of Roshi Yakushi. After she had healed Kakashi Hatake and Sasuke Uchiha she checked on Hinata only to be disheartened by the findings. While there was a procedure Tsunade could perform to heal the girl the chances of success were slim and that was being generous. Yet instead of stressing over the girl she pushed it slightly to the side and pondered over the abilities of the current medical corps. For results she went to one Roshi Yakushi adoptive father of recent traitor Kabuto and current captain of the medical corps. The captain of the Medical corps and blond Sannin had just finished discussing the status of the medical shinobi in Konoha and frankly Tsunade was appalled.
"You can't be serious with these numbers Roshi." Tsunade asked as she glanced through some files that sat in front of her.
"I'm afraid so there has been an almost thirty-five percent decrease in the medical shinobi we have in over the last twelve years." Roshi replied. Tsunade groaned again right now she would have given anything for a bottle of sake.
"But that's not the worse part the training of our medical corps has deteriorated since the Kyuubi's attack. Though in honesty the same could be said about the academy training since then." Roshi added.
"Something will be done but for now I want you to tell me about any promising recruits. I could use a little good news." Tsunade said rubbing her temples with her thumb and middle finger.
"Well there's not too many above average ninja we have in the corps right now but I do know of one." Roshi said. Tsunade gestured for the man to continue and he smirked before he did. "One Shino Aburame is probably the best medic-nin I seen since, well since you. But that's not the best part he's completely self taught. The kid picked up medical ninjutsu after seeing his teammates begin to specialize in something. Naruto Uzumaki is grazing the basics of Fuinjutsu while Hinata Hyuuga had a bit genjutsu training before her injuries. The kid's a natural if a little rough around the edges. With proper train a dare say he might surpass you."
Tsunade instantly remembered the introductions one blond jinchuriki had given her before she made her way to the hospital. The Sannin smirked and stood from her seat. " I see well that's all you're dismissed."
Roshi nodded before walking out the room he and Tsunade were in. Tsunade stood and followed him out before heading to the Hokage tower yet the entire time one name continued to float around her mind. "Shino Aburame huh."
Konoha Hospital 3 Weeks later.
One Sasuke Uchiha was pissed. No pissed did not do any justice to the intense fury that was blazing inside just behind his calm collected expression. The lone Uchiha had been ready to leave the hospital weeks ago yet had been kept for almost a month to do some psychological tests to determine if he was mentally stable enough to return to shinobi duty. As the days went by Sasuke's growing restlessness was only fueled by the words of his older brother and nightmares of his family getting murdered every time he slept. Then when he was released and finally able to train again the last straw had come in the form of his test results. He had failed with flying colors and would be on probation until he completed ninety hours of mental therapy with the approved psychiatrist Tama Yamanaka. Even if he were to do the max two hours per day he would be restricted from training for around a month and a half.
"You seem upset." Sasuke's eyes shot into the trees above him and found the silhouettes of four figures standing among the branches. The Uchiha barely registered he had walked on to the training ground of team seven before he darted into the trees. Whoever was up their had picked the wrong time to catch him by surprise. In an instant Sasuke had his arm elbow deep into one of their chest the chirping of birds ringing throughout the area.
"Just a little." Sasuke replied the seal containing the curse seal broken and the flame like markings already covering half his face. With a slight tug Sasuke pulled his arm out of the body and watched as the corpse fell off the branch and to the ground below,
"Well that was pretty impressive you almost caught me off guard." Sasuke turned around to see the body of the person he just killed standing with his arms crossed. There wasn't a scratch on him and he just pointed to the ground. Sasuke glanced down to see a log with a charred hole through it on the ground.
"You known you don't seem like your worth the trouble Orochimaru-sama is going through to get you." The person asked. Stepping into the light so Sasuke could finally see him the person revealed himself to be a teen maybe only a few years older than Sasuke. He was extremely pale with dark gray hair. The boy sported turquoise lipstick brown eye-liner and and a matching brown bead necklace. Yet the strange hump on his back was the only thing Sasuke really took note of.
"I'm Sakon part of Orochimaru's elite Sound four and we are here to offer you a opportunity of a lifetime." Sakon said just before the remaining three members of the sound four. A large teen, who could have claimed to be the relative of an Akamichi, with orange hair stood with a blank face. Next to him was a small red head girl with a beanie on her head. On the other side of Sakon was easily the strangest member of the group. A tan skinned teen with three pairs of arms.
"What kind of offer." Sasuke asked as the curse seal retreated back into it place of origin.
"Orochimaru-sama has the power you want no the power you need to accomplish your goals. You know this village is holding you can unlock your full potential." Sakon said smirking as he watched Sasuke allow himself to be sucked into the force that was Orochimaru's will.
"How do I know you're not just lying?" Sasuke asked
"You can't but what is making you stay in this shit stain village." Sakon was about to agree when an image of a girl with platinum blond hair appeared in his head. Then when Sasuke finally felt the power to resist another image flooded his mind. Itachi and his blade still soaked in their parents blood standing calmly in the carnage he had single handily created. Sasuke felt his blood boil when Itachi came to mind. The fury was so intense any thoughts about the young Yamanaka heiress was burned along with most of his rational thought.
"Nothing." Sasuke growled.
"Good than pack anything you might need we're going to leave tonight. We'll be at the east gate." Sakon instructed as he and the other members of the Sound four faded out of existence.
Konoha 0500 Next Day
"TSUNADE-SAMA PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR!" Sakura shouted banging on the doors to the Hokage's office. The distraught genin eyes were red and pufffy and their were still stains on her cheeks from tears.
Flashback
"Sasuke-kun where are you going?" Sakura asked. The pink haired kunoichi asked. Sasuke turned around and glared at Sakura. Caught off guard by the sudden intense hostility Sakura flinched back.
"None of your business." Sasuke spat. Sakura's blood froze at the Uchiha's harsh words.
"You're leaving the village aren't you? Your going to become a missing ninja?" Sakura asked when she noticed the avenger wasn't wearing his hitai-ate.
"Smart as every aren't we Sakura so what are you going to do alert the authorities." Sasuke asked his expression darkening by the second. Sakura hesitated to answer.
"No but take me with you." Sakura asked tears welling in hers eyes. "Please if you leave I wouldn't know what to do. Sasuke I love you."
Sasuke watched with disdain as tears began flowing out of Sakura's eye. "You're pathetic Sakura. I would never take you with me you already slow me down on our regular genin team why would I want you slowing me down when I leave. Beside I've been with Ino since the genin exams."
"Wh-what?" Sakura murmured.
"Yeah personally I didn't care who knew but Ino didn't want you to get hurt when you found out." Sasuke stated the young kunoichi stood shock still. "How do you think she lasted so long against that Suna genin? She trains with me when she not busy."
"No." Sakura whispered refusing to believe Sasuke's words.
"Like I said pathetic." Sasuke said rolling his eyes. The next instant Sasuke was in front of Sakura, before she could react Sasuke drilled his fist into her stomach. The pink haired girl crumpled to the ground unconscious and Sasuke rolled his eyes before he walked off.
End Flashback
"Shizune I need Shikamaru Nara ten minutes ago." Tsunade shouted to her assistant Shizune nodded and she was gone while Sakura looked to the Hokage.
"What's going to happen to Sasuke-kun." Sakura asked. Tsunade sighed and stood from her desk. The blond Hokage stared out the window before she addressed Sakura.
"Uchiha will be named a missing ninja and handled as such." Tsunade finally answered.
"But Hokage-sama he's it's not him it's the curse seal." Sakura defended. Tsunade spun around and levelled Sakura with a icy glare. The young kunoichi flinched away from her cold look.
"Sakura currently Sasuke is one of two people in the village that are marked with the heaven curse mark. I won't tell you the other but he or she has never once let the mark affect their loyalty to this village. If Sasuke is being manipulated by the curse mark then it's only because he's only allowed himself to be lured into Orochimaru's false promises for power." Tsunade growled. "Now Haruno-san please see yourself out of my office." Sakura nodded and hastily retreated out of the Hokage office nearly bumping into Shikamaru on her way out.
"Shikamaru your here. Good I have a an urgent mission for you." Tsunade said not even giving the young chunin a chance to sit down. "Uchiha Sasuke has fled the village in an attempt to seek power from notorious traitor Orochimaru you are to gather the forces you can and retrieve the traitor Uchiha. Lethal force is permitted."
"Hokage-sama is right for me to assume Uchiha is being escorted to Orochimaru by Oto ninja?" Shikamaru asked.
"We can't confirm it but it's likely since Sasuke has no way of knowing how to get to Oto alone." Tsunade answered.
"Well then I would like of a team of highly capable jounin and chunin to assist me of my retrieval mission." Shikamaru asked on to hesitate when Tsunade sighed and shook her head.
"Unfortunately we don't have enough shinobi available for me to grant your request right now you only limited to the best genin you can find." Tsunade replied.
"What about chunin Shino Aburame and chunin Naruto Uzumaki?" Shikamaru asked.
"Unfortunately Shino left with his father left in search of a rare insect that took them clear across wind country. He isn't scheduled to return for another few months. Naruto Uzumaki is also away. He and Anko Mitarashi left yesterday to bring supplies to Shinobi on border patrol they should be back later today. I will send Naruto and Anko to back you up when they return."
Valley of End 1900 Next day
"SASUKE!" The traitorous ninja turned around to see Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru standing atop the head of the Shodai Hokage's statue. He himself stood atop the head of his ancestor and the co-founder of Konoha Madara Uchiha. Kiba had a deep scowl carved into his face yet it only amused the Uchiha as he let out a small chuckle.
"You bastard why did you try and leave Konoha." Kiba growled.
"Simple I needed power to defeat Itachi and Konoha was only holding me back." Sasuke said. "But Orochimaru has promised me the power I need and I accepted."
"You know I may not be the smartest person but even to me that sounds stupid." Kiba replied, Sasuke fixed Kiba with a look of confusion and this time it was Kiba who chuckled. "I may have been young but I know Itachi murdered the entire Uchiha clan before he left Konoha so didn't he acquire his strength in Konoha."
"You're right you're not the brightest so I wouldn't expect you to understand." Sasuke replied. The youngest living Uchiha turned around and began walking away yet Kiba didn't take kindly to being ignored. The Inuzuka jumped off The Shodai's head toward Sasuke with his fist cocked back. Sasuke turned around just in time to receive a fist full of knuckles that sent him shooting into the water below.
"Shikamaru, Chouji, Neji, and Lee all stayed behind so I could bring you back and their sacrifice won't for nothing. Sasuke Uchiha you're coming back even if it's in a body bag." Kiba said as he watch the water explode as Sasuke impacted it's surface. After a moment the water simply steadied yet Kiba's eyes never left it's surface. Suddenly Akamaru growled and Kiba spun around to see a drenched Sasuke grinning at him.
"I;m going to enjoy killing you." The Uchiha murmured. Kiba growled and Akamaru hopped out of his jacket. Sasuke simply crossed his arms and watched as Kiba fed Akamaru a soldier pill. The dog turned red and became more feral in apperance.
"You finished yet?" Sasuke asked bring his hand up to cover a yawn. Kiba growled and crouched down allowing Akamaru to jump on his back..
"Ninja Art: Man beast clone." Kiba shouted before he and Akamaru where engulfed in a cloud of smoke. When it cleared Akamaru had transformed into Kiba and the both took on feral traits. Yet before they could react Sasuke was in front of them. The Uchiha kicked Kiba out from the transformed Akamaru before drilling his elbow into the airborne clones head. Akamaru hit the ground with a sickening crack before Sasuke fazed in above of the still soaring Kiba's body. Kiba only had time to gasp before Sasuke punched the Inuzuka down to the water causing it to erupt into the air twice as high when Sasuke fell in. Seconds later Sasuke landed atop the water's surface and waited for Kiba to resurface.
"Is that all you have? If so you might want to just give up now." Sasuke mocked only to jump into the air to avoid a the miniature tornado that was Kiba's Tsuga. Right at the apex of his jump Sasuke twisted in the air to avoid Akamaru who also used the Tsuga jutsu. As he fell Sasuke fell he continually twisted his body at impossible angles to avoid being hit by Kiba and Akamaru.
"Chidori!" Sasuke shouted when he hit the water. The Sharingan user's right arm was instantly engulfed in lightning and he thrust it into the one of the drills. Instantly their spin was halted and the mangled form of Kiba fell onto the water only to become engulfed in smoke on Akamaru's dead body to sink into the water below.
"AKAMARU! I KILL YOU!" Kiba voice shouted from the other drill. Sasuke smirked and motioned for Kiba to come. Kiba stopped spinning and rushed blindly at the Uchiha. Sasuke smirked and evaded easily as Kiba began to strike wildly at him. After a few minutes Sasuke tripped Kiba and his arm was engulfed in lightning again. Kiba turned around just in time to see Sasuke punch his arm through his chest. Kiba stunned looked down to see the Uchiha's arm in his chest before Sasuke ripped it out.
"Thanks now that I killed you the Mangekyo Sharingan is mine." Sasuke murmured yet his eyes showed no change.
"Wow killing Konoha shinobi now are we?" A voice called out. Sasuke growled and turned to the new arrival.
"You're the last one who can judge, Naruto." Sasuke growled as his crimson eyes looked into the red eyes the were visible underneath Naruto's hood. The jinchuriki smirked but Sasuke couldn't see it.
"Oh I'm not judging but you know your life is forfeit when I take you back to the village. Not that I was going to take you back alive anyway." Naruto said as a clone appeared next to him. Sasuke tensed as the clone casually dove into the water yet it simply came out a few seconds later with Kiba in his arms. before it headed off in the direction of Konoha.
"He's going to die before he makes it back to Konoha." Sasuke stated only for Naruto to shrug.
"Not my problem. My orders were to bring back all involved in this mission." Naruto said as he pulled out two kunai from his pouch. "That includes you and unfortunately for you it doesn't seem like you'll make back alive either.
Sasuke tensed as Naruto vanished in a burst of speed. Yet he was unable to prevent Naruto from cutting into his arm. Before Sasuke could counter Naruto was gone again. Sasuke growled as he held his arm and began looking around for Naruto yet all he could see was the occasional red blur. Slowly more cuts began to appear on his body until Sasuke began to draw out power from the curse seal. instantly the cuts were replace by the fire like markings that spread across him. When the markings stopped Naruto became visible to Sasuke just in time for him to duck under a slash that would have decapitated him.
"It seems we're even in power now." Sasuke replied. Naruto stopped and rolled his eyes.
"You will never be my equal." Naruto retorted coolly. As the blond declared that he began to pull out more of Kyuubi's chakra . The blonde's nails extended, his hair became even more wild and his whisker marks darkened. Naruto growled before was gone Sasuke smirked as he watched Naruto approached. The Uchiha brought an arm to block but Naruto fist seemed to just slip through and hit him square in the jaw. Sasuke stumbled back but Naruto wasn't giving the Uchiha any time to breathe. Sasuke attempted to block a hook from Naruto but once again Naruto seemed to faze through his guard and the Uchiha went skipping across the water.
"H..how?" Sasuke asked as he stood up uneasily.
"You're a genius Uchiha don't tell me you forgot this lesson already." Naruto stated as he walked over to Sasuke. "Even if you can see my actions if your body isn't fast enough to react those eyes your care about so much are worthless."
"NO! I won't lose to you.I'm going to kill you! " Sasuke shouted just before he undertook another transformation. The Uchiha was engulfed in the black flame marking and suddenly two hand like wings sprouted out of his back tearing off his shirt. The markings on Sasuke's body dulled until his skin became a dull gray. The Uchiha's hair also lengthened and a cross like mark appeared on the bridge of his nose.
"This power." Sasuke murmured flexing his arms to get a feel for his new strength. "With it killing Itachi will be too easy.
"It's a shame you won't live long enough to test that theory." Naruto stated his now crimson face paralyzing white eyes barely a foot from Sasuke. Sasuke only could widened his eyes in shock before Naruto unleashed a barrage of strikes that he could barely. Sasuke attempted to block some hits but that only resulted in a snap in the air alerting the two Naruto had indeed broken his arms. Soon the smell of burning flesh made Sasuke realize that each hit had also been burning his skin away. What was only a few minutes seemed to drag on like for eternity for Sasuke as his body was racked with indescribable pain. And then it ended with Naruto ripping Sasuke's new found wings straight out of his back. Sasuke collapsed to the ground his mind barely on the edge of consciousness.
"It seems you and I aren't equal..." Naruto stated only to look off in the distance and growl. "I guess you will live to see another day Uchiha but with all good things it comes with a price."
Naruto grinned as Kyuubi's chakra retracted back into his seal and he pulled out a kunai and sealing paper from his pouch, his other two kunai long since forgotten. Kneeling down Naruto used the kunai to rip out Sasuke's left eye. The traitor would have screamed but his shattered ribs only allowed him to emitted something of a wheezing cough. "Now even I will feel bad about this." Naruto murmured before he used the bloody kunai to remove the one thing from Sasuke that made him a man. This time even despite his injuries Sasuke let out a shrill scream that frightened all nearby wild life away. Naruto payed it no mind as he quickly sealed away Sasuke's eye and genitals before hopping back. As soon as he did this Kabuto and Orochimaru appeared beside the crippled Uchiha.
"Sasuke-kun since you didn't know I'll forgive you but never make me wait." Orochimaru hissed a smirk on his until he glanced down at the Uchiha. Without a single command Kabuto was on his knees attempting to heal Sasuke.
"Enjoy your broken toy." Naruto stated before he was engulfed in flames. Orochimaru's roar of fury was heard all across the elemental nations.