Disclaimer: Naruto and all associated characters are property of Masashi Kishimoto
Jutsu: Original (Translation)
Bijū/Summon Speaking
Bijū/Summon Thoughts
Naruto mental reply
! - dattebayo
Warning: Graphic depictions of violence are present in this chapter.
Edit 4/21/16
Chapter 27
Antithesis of Light and Dark
Chūnin Exam Day 8 – Training Ground 44 Central Tower
The day of the final exams had finally arrived and the remaining genin who had survived the treacherous Forest of Death were now lined up in the bottom of the arena awaiting their matchups. Their Jōnin sensei were lined up behind the Hokage as they studied their students with pride and concern.
Naruto had been feeling much better and was a little excited despite the snake whispering in his ear. He knew there were an uneven number of contestants, however, and he had a feeling that the Hokage would give him the bye onto the next round. He didn't like that fact, but he could understand where the Hokage was coming from. If he did get the bye, he would just have to show his real strength once he got this seal off of him over the next month.
Orochimaru just laughed at his naivety. The boy wouldn't last the month against his manipulations.
Naruto looked up as the Hokage addressed the assembled genin.
"Congratulations on completing the second exam. You have all managed to overcome the trials of the Forest of Death and have successfully reached the final round of the Chūnin Exams." The Hokage said.
"The final round is in a tournament style format to showcase the individual talent of shinobi from each village and offer a preview of the services,' can provide to those who would request a mission from us. Due to this fact, there will be a significant amount of dignitaries as well as the Daimyō themselves, who will wish to view the semi-final battles. Because of this, we will be holding the preliminary rounds now to reduce the number of contestants for the semi-final and final rounds to save time." The Hokage said.
A Jōnin then appeared with a Shunshin (Body Flicker) on the arena floor. He had a blue bandanna hitai-ate covering his brown hair and wore a standard Jōnin uniform.
"My name is Hayate, and I will be the proctor for the Final exams. The rules are simple you will fight until you are no longer able to continue. At which point, I will call the fight, and all combat maneuvers will stop. While killing your opponent is allowed, it is highly discouraged. Interference from your sensei or teammates will result in your disqualification." Hayate said in between sporadic coughing.
"Please direct your attention to the screen above for the first match. If your name isn't called, please proceed to the viewing balconies on the second floor." Hayate said before looking up at the board.
The board lit up with Kiba Inuzuka of Konoha vs. Akatsuchi of Iwa.
"Will Kiba Inuzuka and Akatsuchi remain on the arena floor please," Hayate called out.
All the Konoha genin wished Kiba luck before leaving the arena floor.
As Naruto watched the fight start his attention was drawn away from the fight by Orochimaru.
"It is interesting how you consider him a friend after everything he did to you in the Academy. How many times has he turned his back on you before he comes back with a friendly face? Are you even certain he is really your friend?" Orochimaru said.
'Kiba is my friend.' Naruto said firmly.
"Is he really? You do know about how Inuzuka's are affected by the pack mentality. If your memory serves me correct, even the Kyūbi told you about this did he not? All of the sudden Kiba, who was your one time friend, becomes an enemy once he feels you are too weak only to suddenly become friendly when you show him your true strength?" Orochimaru said with a hiss.
'He apologized before that. Even in Nami, he was trying to befriend me before I used Kyūbi's chakra.' Naruto growled.
"Oh? Are you sure he wasn't just feeling sorry for you? After Sasuke had spilled the beans on your poor little upbringing, he might have felt you were simply a kicked puppy. Yet when you use the Kyūbi's chakra, he apologized again? I would say it would seem like Kiba submitted to the Kyūbi out of fear. Not out of friendship to you." Orochimaru said with a snicker.
'What would you know about friendship anyways? You have to try and force people to be loyal to you asshole.' Naruto snapped.
"Because like Kiba here, your so called friends will turn their back on you for their own selfish reasons. At least, my method ensures that they would be loyal for life. Just like you will be when I'm done with you." Orochimaru said before cackling.
'Shut up! I won't ever be loyal to you.' Naruto said with determination.
"If you say so, Naruto-kun, but you know that is a lie. You are already mine, Naruto-kun. Just accept it." Orochimaru retorted.
"Winner! Akatsuchi of Iwa." Hayate called out.
Kiba and Akamaru had put up a good fight but Akatsuchi with his Doton: Rokkudōmu (Rock Dome), and Doton: Doryūsō (Earth Flow Spears), formed a solid defense that Kiba couldn't break through.
Once Akatsuchi had used his Gōremu no Jutsu (Earth Golem). It was over for Kiba who was knocked unconscious. Akamaru could only stand over his master's body whining before the medics arrived to take him away.
"The next match is between Suzumebachi Kamizuru of Iwa vs. Shino Aburame of Konoha," Hayate called out.
Suzumebachi and Shino stared each other down while flaring their killing intent. The rivalry between these two clans was infamous since the Aburame clan had almost wiped out the Kamizuru clan during the Third Shinobi War.
Suzumebachi opened up the fight by using Hachi Bakudan no Jutsu (Bee Bomb) to create a cover for her Meisaigakure no Jutsu (Hiding with Camouflage) and the creation of her beeswax clone.
Shino used Kawarimi to move out of the blast radius with a loose rock left over from Kiba's match. Shino then sent out his swarm towards Suzumebachi's clone to begin draining chakra. As that occurred Suzumebachi's clone tried to evade the bug swarm while sending out her Hachimitsu no Jutsu (Honey Bee) attack on Shino directly.
Once the honey had successful covered Shino and made it hard for him to move, Suzumebachi, thinking that she had this fight finished, called out the Hachi Senbon no Jutsu (Thousand Stingers) attack on him. She watched on with glee as Shino was repeatedly pelted by her bees' stingers until it was revealed that "Shino" was actually an insect clone.
Shino reappeared on the other side of the room where he had henged into a piece of debris and threw a kunai into the back of the beeswax clone causing it to melt.
Suzumebachi tried to send out more bees for another Hachi Senbon no Jutsu, but her bees did not respond.
"Your hive has been disabled by my kikaichū. Surrender now or I will be forced to wreck your hive." Shino called out.
Suzumebachi looked down at the hive she had hidden with camouflage and realized that kikaichū were swarming all over it draining the chakra out of her bees.
She screamed out in rage before she raised her hand and forfeited. How did that bastard even find her hive so soon? She hadn't even used her summons or any other tactics.
"Winner! Shino of Konoha." Hayate called out before looking up at the board.
'Shino never really treated me badly after he apologized and I couldn't really blame him when he was younger.' Naruto said with confidence.
"His kikaichū simply see you as a resource to be devoured. Do you not make a hefty amount of ryō selling your chakra scrolls to the Aburame?" Orochimaru said snidely
'I don't really care about the ryō in the first place. He is trying to improve his jutsu which relies on the insects. I don't mind helping a friend and he insisted on paying for it since they had nothing to offer me in return.' Naruto replied.
"Is he really your friend though? I mean, think about it. How much time have you spent with him outside of missions or the Academy?" Orochimaru said knowingly.
Naruto didn't reply as he couldn't dispute the fact that Shino was more of a neutral person than a friend. He had interesting conversations with Shino, and they always hung out during lunch and recess at the Academy, but they never actually met up and hung out like he would with Shikamaru and Choji or his team.
"The next match is between Sasuke Uchiha of Konoha and Kurotsuchi of Iwa," Hayate called out
Hinata and Naruto wished him luck before he headed down to the arena.
Naruto leaned in closer intent on paying attention to his match, but Orochimaru had other plans.
"Yes. Watch him closely, Naruto-kun. You will need to know how to capture him for me after all." Orochimaru cackled.
Naruto tried to ignore him.
"He is such an exceptional specimen, is he not? He would absolutely flourish under me because he is just like me." Orochimaru said with a smirk.
'He is nothing like you.' Naruto growled as he clenched his fists on the railing.
"Is that so? Tell me, Naruto-kun, didn't he act as if you were a lesser being to him in the Academy? What was his dream for the future when you first met your team?"Orochimaru said in a taunting tone.
"I find it kind of interesting that he didn't even notice your existence until he learned about Root. You remember how he treated you then, don't you? He thought you were a traitor then, just like he thinks you are a traitor now." Orochimaru said with a laugh.
Naruto was openly scowling at this point while gritting his teeth.
"His plan all along has been to go after Danzō. He doesn't care about you or anyone else for that matter. That is why he is just like me. He will step over you to complete his goal and toss you aside like trash. Just like Makoto, Taro and Ren did." Orochimaru cackled as he felt Naruto lose his cool.
The curse mark began to glow as it tried to break through the seal that Kakashi had applied.
Naruto began to shout at Orochimaru. "SHUT UP! SHUT UP! HE IS NOTHING LIKE THOSE BASTARDS! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! I WON'T BELIEVE IT! YOU FUCKING BASTARD JUST SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH ALREADY!"
Orochimaru just laughed again "Such a naive little boy. After everything that has happened to you, still you fall for the simplest things. Believing that he really cares for you in some manner just like your so called friends in the orphanage. You can't deny that he looks at you with wary eyes now, Naruto-kun. You can't deny that one wrong move, and he will be ready to kill you or abandon you."
Orochimaru sneered at Naruto. "Sasuke is your 'so called friend.' Hinata is your 'so called friend.' Shikamaru? Choji? They are all your 'so called friends' and just like your other 'so called friends,' they will drop you for something bigger and better in their lives. That is your fate, Naruto-kun. Just like it is your fate to submit to me."
"Fuck off! I won't submit to you! Not now. Not ever." Naruto said before trying to calm himself.
Naruto felt an arm on his shoulder and practically snarled at Kakashi when he looked at him before he closed his eyes and started to breathe deeply.
"Naruto, are you alright? The mark..." Kakashi started
"I'm all right, sensei. The bastard is just really being mouthy right now, and he pissed me off." Naruto said in a calmer voice.
Hinata put her hand on Naruto's hand and gave it a small squeeze for reassurance. Naruto suddenly realized that he missed Sasuke's fight.
'I hope you missed the match too. You son of a bitch.' Naruto thought.
Orochimaru started laughing again. Sensing Naruto being spiteful of all things was exhilarating.
Orochimaru liked nothing more than corrupting the so-called incorruptible. Everyone fell for his machinations. Everyone was corrupted and vile with a mask of purity. Especially all the hypocrites in Konoha. It was incredible that Naruto had resisted him for this long when he could feel his seething hatred for the villagers buried underneath his noble facade.
"Congratulations on your win, Sasuke," Naruto murmured feeling a little guilty that he had not paid attention.
"Don't worry about it. It was boring how easy it was for me to kick her ass. You would have just fallen asleep anyways." Sasuke said in a bored tone.
Naruto merely hummed to confirm that he heard Sasuke while looking up at the board.
"The next match is between Shikamaru Nara of Konoha and Omoi of Kumo," Hayate said.
"You better win, lazy ass! No slacking off or I'll tell your mother." Ino called out.
Shikamaru scowled at Ino before heading down to the arena.
Shikamaru stood across from Omoi in a nonchalant pose waiting for Hayate to start the match.
As soon as the match began Omoi began charging at Shikamaru swinging his long katana with precision and grace while Shikamaru ran around dodging and evading without precision or grace.
Some attacks he would deflect with a kunai but mostly he would trip and roll under a horizontal slash or fall sideways to avoid a vertical or angled slash before getting up and running away again.
Most of the people watching were sweat dropping at the display while Team 10 was face palming in embarrassment.
Naruto, who had managed to disregard Orochimaru's comments for the moment, noticed that Shikamaru was dragging Omoi towards some of the rubble that was piled in the corner from a previous match. He was also certain Shikamaru wasn't actually that bad at taijutsu and was using his clumsiness to throw off his opponent.
Finally, it seemed like Shikamaru had enough, and he began to throw a few volley of shuriken at Omoi, forcing him to block the projectiles. Shikamaru didn't let up on his attacks as he strafed and kept throwing shuriken so that Omoi could only block and pivot to face Shikamaru's next volley.
Shikamaru threw a few more shuriken followed by a kunai before beginning his Kagemane no Jutsu (Shadow Possession). Using the shadows of the kunai and shuriken still in flight, he was able to speed up his Kagemane and catch Omoi before he could jump away.
Now it was B, Samui, and Karui's turn to facepalm in embarrassment.
Shikamaru muttered "Troublesome" before pulling out an explosive tag from a pouch that Omoi did not have and threw it some distance away from Omoi so it wouldn't cause permanent damage but the concussion would knock him out.
"Winner! Shikamaru Nara of Konoha."
All the genin congratulated Shikamaru on his win even if most were shaking their head at his antics. Shikamaru just nodded in recognition before returning to his spot next to Choji and looking up at the board with a bored expression on his face.
"The next match will be between Tenten of Konoha and Sabaku no Kankuro of Suna," Hayate announced.
YOSH! TENTEN! IGNITE YOUR FIERY PASSION WITH THE FLAMES OF YOUTH! Guy and Lee shouted.
Tenten went down to the arena red-faced with embarrassment.
Kankuro smirked at the stupid tree huggers. There was no way he would lose to this girl with that kind of sensei.
Once the fight started Tenten immediately pulled out two storage scrolls and used her Sōgu: Baku Ryūsei (Binding Meteor) to tangle Kankuro and the object on his back with a heavy weighted chain preventing him from evading. Then she jumped high into the air and began raining down projectiles on Kankuro.
Kankuro smirked from his hidden position as he saw mostly shuriken and kunai, Crow would be more then able to take those without nothing more than minor scratches, if that.
Tenten had noticed that none of the blades had been sticking to her target at all and frowned. 'Is he using some kind of armor? No, that wouldn't be possible as I hit areas that couldn't be armored at all. It has to be some sort of decoy or armor jutsu' Tenten thought.
Tenten decided since bladed weapons didn't work she would try blunt ones instead. Tenten pulled out a scroll from her pouch and unsealed an enormous Otsuchi (War Mace) that was almost a large as she was. The otsuchi had a large rectangular head with small metal wedges evenly spaced on the sides and face of the otsuchi. The otsuchi was designed to break through reinforced wood and most metals when enhanced with chakra. If there were any armor on her opponent, this would take care of it.
The rest of the genin raised an eyebrow when they saw the size of that weapon in comparison to the small little scroll she had pulled the weapon out of.
Tenten shocked everyone when she dashed in towards Kankuro quite quickly and swung her otsuchi at a downward angle before Kankuro could recover from the shock and evade the attack. The heavy mace practically crushed "Kankuro" into the ground to reveal a shattered puppet remaining inside the crater the war mace had created.
Kankuro swore as he had to replace himself with his Black Ant puppet he had set down at the side of the arena. His Crow decoy had been too heavily damaged by that massive mace, and he wasn't eager to find out what would happen to him if she brought that damn thing down on him while he was in a nice little bundle for her.
Kankuro sent Black Ant after Tenten trying to stab her with the arm blades and launching poison senbon from the various launchers in Black Ants' arms and legs.
Tenten had to drop the mace immediately to avoid being cut or stabbed since it was not effective at blocking attacks. If she tried to attack with it, even with her skill, she would be wide open for a counter. The otsuchi was only useful for that first surprise attack, or when you had support to cover you while you were overextended from your swing.
Tenten managed to Kawarimi with one of her earlier shuriken and unseal her chigiriki (staff like mace with a ball and chain) and twirled the chain around to deflect the projectiles before performing a complicated dance of twirling to repeatedly smash the heavy metal ball into Black Ant from different angles.
Like the otsuchi, the chigiriki was a specialized staff made of hollowed wood or metal with a chain that fits inside the handle and extended beyond the staff with a heavy metal spiked ball or cube. The chain could fit entirely inside the staff allowing the user to surprise the opponent by suddenly extending the chain mid-flight and increasing their reach.
Kankuro sent Black Ant in to close the gap and render the length of Tenten's chigiriki useless, but he was caught off guard when Tenten swung the chigiriki, and the heavy spiked ball nearly smashed into his face. If Kankuro had not halted in Black Ant's advance to evade, he would have taken that ball directly to his temple.
Tenten managed to swing the chain around and thrust Black Ant further out of range from her using the lower edge of the chigiriki, before continuing the momentum of the ball and chain and driving the spiked ball back down towards Kankuro again.
Kankuro was forced back up even further when the ball and chain came crashing down towards his head again He quickly countered by using Black Ant to send more poisoned senbon towards Tenten.
Tenten rapidly pulled back on the length of chain and began spinning the chain rapidly to reflect the senbon while dashing to the side to evade the rest.
Kankuro took the opportunity to send Black Ant in and stab the chain into the ground with one of the arm blades in the hopes that he would render that weapon useless and be able to put Tenten back on the defensive. Unfortunately, for Kankuro, Tenten was already prepared for this as it was a common problem with chigiriki. Since chigiriki were so obscure, however, people were unfamiliar with the nuances and Tenten's passion for all things labeled as weapons would serve her well.
As soon as Black Ant stabbed one of his detachable blades into the chain, Tenten triggered the numerous explosive tags stored inside of the ball, and the spiked ball exploded sending multiple heated shards of metal throughout Black Ant's housing and joints causing a significant amount of damage.
Kankuro cursed when he used his chakra strings to analyze the damage. He could continue, but this bitch would probably manage to destroy Black Ant, and he already would be hard pressed to ensure Crow was functional for the invasion. Kankuro decided he had to forfeit before Black Ant took too much damage and he would end up weaponless for the invasion.
Kankuro raised his hand and stated he was unable to continue the battle.
"Winner! Tenten of Konoha." Hayate called out.
Naruto was about to look up at the board to see who was next when his vision suddenly went black.
"Well, well. Look what I found! Naruto-kun, let's have some fun with some of the memories of your life, shall we?" Orochimaru said in a sickening tone.
Naruto shuddered and tried to move, but he was paralyzed as he felt a rushing sensation overtake his consciousness.
Naruto just slipped out of the hidden hole in the storage shed and was running into the woods to escape the bad feeling. There were so many people there to kill him, and he had to run away and hide from them all.
His breath was heavy because he was tired but he ran on like there were wolves at his heels because that feeling was chasing after him. He couldn't stop, or they would get him, they would hurt him, they would kill him.
He ran further and further into the woods heading towards the safety of the Lake and their fort. He had felt safe there with his only friends. Naruto had stolen extra cookies, and they had all met up at the fort to eat them all. He would get punished for it later, but he had felt it was worth it.
"Even back then people were already using you. You feel that same feeling with your friends now that you did back then and look what they did to you." Orochimaru's voice echoed through the vision, but Naruto couldn't respond. He could only re-enact this horrid vision at Orochimaru's command.
He began to near the lake. It would be safe there, that bad feeling was behind him now, and he would see his friends in the fort and everything would be okay again.
He heard voices. Could his friends be there already? He entered the clearing with a smile ready to feel the good feeling with his friends again only for reality to crush his fleeting hope once again.
"Hmmm. It seems that happens to you quite often, does it not? How fate rewards you for your kind and caring nature. This is the truth of the Will of Fire it only leaves you open for the pain, but we will get to that later." Orochimaru said
The men all spotted him, and suddenly that bad feeling came back, and it was stronger than before. They were shouting at him, cursing his existence, cursing his birth. The began to kick, to punch, to throw, to choke. They slammed him against the trees, against a rock, against knees and elbows.
Then the kunai entered his chest, and Naruto could feel it as if were in slow motion. The kunai parting his flesh and digging deeper, spreading the muscles and cracking through the sternum until it dug into his heart.
To everyone else, Naruto looked like he was simply staring down at the arena, but in his mind, he was staring up at faces that watched with vicious grins as his life began to fade. He was gasping for a breath he couldn't catch and wide-eyed at the sensation of his heart muscles seizing around the embedded kunai. Tears ran down his face while his blood flowed out of his heart and out of his chest.
He saw the village happily celebrating and enjoying the festivities while he lay bleeding out in the woods, even people he didn't know yet were dancing and singing as if they were glad he was dying.
"Look at everyone enjoying themselves happily while you lay suffering. A poor innocent boy was beaten and mangled by the vile filth of this village. Why do you bother? Even the Kyūbi has questioned your loyalty to this village. They all despise you and celebrate the very day all your suffering began with a big festival and party."Orochimaru said with disgust, "Tell me, Naruto-kun, what kind of birthday parties have you had?"
Naruto jolted back into reality when he felt Hinata squeeze his hand again. He looked over at her and managed to shake the vision off quickly. He didn't hear everything she said, but he did hear her say "her turn" and he wished her luck. Seeing her look of concern, he forced himself to smile which she returned. Normally, that was enough to cheer him up, but right now all he could feel was the desolation he had felt as he lay dying in that vision.
He thought back to most of his birthdays and realized that he didn't even care to remember his birth date while he was in the orphanage, and once he was out of the orphanage he never actually celebrated his birthday at all. He would receive gifts from his jiji and sometimes Shizune and the Anbu, but most of the time he was holed up in his apartment alone because of the Kyūbi festival. It had never bothered Naruto before, but as he looked back and remembered some other birthday parties he attended, suddenly, it began to bother him.
Naruto then looked back down at the arena and tried to calm himself, but his vision went black again.
Naruto was getting dressed in his winter gear, and he was excited to meet his friends again. After that horrible night, things had started to look up in his life. He had Hokage-jiji and Shizune-nee, Neko-chan, Karasu, Shikamaru, Choji and most importantly Makoto-chan, Taro, and Ren. His true friends from the orphanage.
While Neko-chan and Karasu were always with him, for the most part, he knew they were guarding him on orders from Hokage-jiji, since they wanted him to be safe. Saru had been and always was distant with him, so Naruto treated him with the same indifference.
He also knew that Shizune-nee was told to look after him by Hokage-jiji, as well, but she was kind to him. He didn't sense the negative emotions from them, but there was always deceptions about something that they didn't want to tell him.
Even Hokage-jiji was hiding things from him. He didn't know what, but Kyūbi had said that sometimes it was necessary.
"That is right. Lies, deceptions, manipulations, they are all necessary. That is why it is folly to act like a pure and noble being, Naruto-kun. Everyone is corrupted. Even you, as much as you try to hide it. You kept the Kyūbi secret from everyone and yet they didn't seem too disturbed by it. As long as you used your power for their goals, that is." Orochimaru cut in.
"Did you know that my sensei knew I was conducting experiments on people? Some of it, he even condoned. One in particular that he trusts almost implicitly. You are familiar with Saru are you not? Do you know why he was assigned as your guard? It's because my experiments gave him the ability to use the Mokuton. Abilities that are known for bijū suppression, even though he was aware that 64 of the 65 live test subjects that I experimented on all died. They were not much older than you were when the attack occurred, but yet my sensei let me flee anyways. Instead of capturing me or killing me, he let me escape. That old man that you think of so fondly has quite the blood on his hands, Naruto-kun. Even you have seen that his kind nature is a facade." Orochimaru chuckled before continuing.
"I mean it is quite the coincidence, is it not Naruto-kun, that a Mokuton user was watching over you? Or what about your dear Karasu? You know from the Kyūbi about how the Sharingan was able to control him as a weapon for Madara, do you not? Is it a coincidence that the strongest Sharingan user of the Uchiha clan was also sent to watch over you? Or were they sent to watch you instead? To make sure that they could contain you if necessary. Or maybe they wanted to be able to control you, hmm?"
The things Orochimaru said to him were starting to make him question things. Was it the mark or was there truth to what Orochimaru had said? Some of it was true, in a sense, but was it for the reasons that he said? In a lot of ways, Naruto could believe that the Hokage would have Saru and Karasu there to watch him since they were so concerned about the Kyūbi manipulating him. Could it really be that he was just more concerned about maintaining control of the Kyūbi?
Before Naruto could think about it more, the vision continued on, and Naruto had to watch on shakily as he knew what was coming next. The devastating pain he felt when his friends had betrayed him.
He felt the negative emotions emanating from them and how he hadn't been able to protect himself beforehand because he still wanted to believe that he had friends. He needed to believe that someone wanted him because of who he was. He had needed to follow them so that he could chase that wonderful feeling he had when he was with people who cared for him. So very few people cared for him, and almost everyone hated him.
He watched as they turned their backs on him and Makoto-chan tried to convince him to join Root with them to "just do what they say" she said.
The confusion of his first feeling of betrayal swarmed over him again. The tangled mess of anger and pain, of sadness and hate, how he wanted to rage and to cry.
How hard it was to hear them call his name in a panic as if they truly wanted him because of who he was and how he just walked away and never saw them again. How desolate he felt as he walked home and curled up on the couch to cry himself to sleep.
He noted the calendar that Shizune-nee had shown him to make sure he kept his appointments and how he had happily written his friends in for the days that he met them at the park. For the rest of the month that calendar would stab him like that kunai did, seeing their names listed on those days. Yet, even after all the pain and hate, he couldn't find it in himself to cross them out.
"Yes. It is quite interesting how sensei only began to spend more time with you than your so called friends once Root took an interest in you. I wonder if he was more concerned about Root using you against him, then he was actually worried about you? He kept your heritage from you, your inheritance, what else is he keeping from you, I wonder." Orochimaru mused
Naruto was dropped back into reality after that memory and took a deep breath again to try and keep the emotions off his face. His head was starting to swim from all those dredged up memories and how they all seemed to look different now that he looked back on them.
Hinata was watching him with a distressed look. He had this blank look on his face when she returned from her fight and didn't even react when she put her hand over his again or called out his name. His hand actually felt cold and clammy, and he was trembling slightly. She was going to say something to him when suddenly he took a deep breath and seemed to be struggling to keep tears out of his eyes.
Sasuke and Kakashi had noticed the look on Naruto's face as well and were watching him warily. He seemed to be completely unaware of his surroundings, and they wondered what kind of things Orochimaru was doing to him.
Kakashi had sent a subtle signal to the Hokage, who made sure Naruto would pull the bye for the next round. It was underhanded, but they needed to get Naruto through this part quickly and trying to force him out would probably make the situation worse. Instead of drawing either Sakura or Ino as a potential opponent, they would fight each other and hopefully, realize how much work they actually needed before they could be considered true kunoichi.
Kakashi could only hope that the word they had received about Jiraiya was true and that he could be there to help Naruto tomorrow. Orochimaru appeared to be pulling out all the stops on him, but Kakashi couldn't help but feel proud that Naruto had essentially endured 6 days of continuous psychological torture before showing any signs of breaking.
Hinata squeezed Naruto's hand tighter as she watched that blank look enter his eyes again and it was almost like she could feel Naruto get farther away.
Now, Naruto was at his graduation day and was being approached by Mizuki about the scroll of sealing. He remembered wondering why Mizuki had the scroll in the first place and taking it to his apartment.
He recalled how torn he was over learning some of the things in the scroll and eventually how he was so worried that his jiji was going to kill him for taking the scroll and learning the Kage Bunshin.
He remembered the temptation to look further in the scroll, how it tickled his mind before he clamped it down ruthlessly. He felt his nervousness and sweaty hands as he leaped across the rooftops towards the Hokage tower. Thinking about what was going to happen to him for having this scroll full of forbidden techniques.
He had graduated that very day, and now he was involved with a traitor. That never ending doubt reared it's head in him again. That jiji didn't trust him, that the one man that had shown care for him didn't trust him and that maybe, he didn't really see him as a human at all. Just like the rest of the village.
That voice was a tiny whisper that he always attacked ruthlessly by reciting the things that his jiji had given him or done for him, but it was still there in the shadows always lurking, always waiting to strike out when there was a sliver of doubt.
"He's not really your Jichan, and he won't ever be! That's why you don't even call him that because even you know he isn't." the voice said or maybe that was Orochimaru this time, Naruto couldn't tell the difference anymore.
He handed over the scroll to his jiji and nervously explained what happened and what he did with the scroll, how he was sorry for reading the scroll and that he used the scroll to learn the Kage Bunshin. Yet Jiji wasn't surprised that he had a forbidden scroll that should have been secured. He seemed to be angry that he had it. As he began to explain what he had done with the scroll, jiji became concerned.
Naruto could tell he was worried. It was in his voice. It was the same voice that he heard from his jiji when they learned that the Kyūbi had taken an interest in him. That concern now was from what Naruto had learned from the scroll itself.
"I also find it puzzling that the Hokage wasn't surprised that you had a scroll that was still thought to be secured but was angry instead. It was like he would expect you to steal a forbidden scroll of techniques. Why would he believe that you would be involved in a traitorous plot like that instead of shocked or surprised? It is because he never trusted you and he won't ever trust you. You have proven him right, in that case, have you not? Who can trust you after what you have done? Now you see why I create my minions like I am doing with you. It's so much easier to trust when they have been broken as you are." Orochimaru said with malicious glee. He could feel Naruto's resolve slipping more and more.
"My thoughts were only validated when he became oh, so, scared, when you told him you learned a jutsu didn't he? Did you know that some of Tsunade's medical jutsu are in that scroll as well? Yet your "jiji" automatically assumed you would pick the most dangerous or devastating jutsu from the scroll instead. It is not possible to him in his mind that you might want to learn the Sōzō Saisei (Mitotic Regeneration)." Orochimaru added in a sympathetic tone.
"Plus, there is your desire to stay loyal to this forsaken village. All the people who have shown you care have betrayed you in some manner. Let's look at the one teacher who didn't show any disdain for you. He tried to set you up for treason. I remember when I assigned that task to Mizuki. I had told him to choose a Jōnin or Anbu to frame for the theft, but he chose you instead. You will be cursed to always be betrayed by those around you. Naruto-kun, how long can you take that pain before you give?" Orochimaru said.
Thinking he had finally got Naruto right where he wanted, Orochimaru remained silent to let his clever little show drive Naruto down the path he wanted. He licked his lips in anticipation. Soon he would have Naruto and Sasuke. He would be unstoppable!
Orochimaru didn't realize that he had made a mistake when he mentioned Mizuki at the end because it had reminded Naruto of something Orochimaru had taken great pains to keep out of his mind as he replayed these memories. Kurama.
Naruto remembered right away that he had suspected Mizuki but as part of his greed test, Kurama had blocked the negative emotions from Mizuki himself that year. Kurama had always performed this kind of test on him and they were always to make Naruto grow as an individual. If Kurama had not blocked Mizuki's emotions, Naruto would have never learned the Kage Bunshin, which pretty much defined him as a shinobi.
The one who helped him survive the pain of his attack, the pain of loneliness, the pain of betrayal. Kurama was always with him then and even now when he couldn't see him or speak to him he knew Kurama was still there.
Kurama taught him Fūinjutsu. The other recognizable skill that people who didn't even like him had to respect him for. Kurama taught him about sensing emotions and about how chakra worked in ways that no one else even knew.
His shape and nature manipulation of chakra, his healing, his senses were all because of Kurama, who saw him for who he was. Kurama, who didn't need Naruto for anything, and constantly reminded him of it. He was the one who helped and guided him through most of his life even inadvertently. Kurama could just sit and wait or could have simply chosen not to support him and let him die so he could reform. He didn't really need him for anything, but he chose to help him. Chose to trust him. Kurama the greatest birthday gift he could have ever received.
It wasn't just Kurama either, who showed him the good in being a good person regardless of your situation.
Jiji, who had given him that awesome fūinjutsu kit, who spent his spare time with him. The first person to introduce him to the caring touch of a grandfather when he ruffled his hair. The first person to actually fear for his safety. His jiji, who gave him his Gama-chan and while some people think nothing of a little kiddie wallet like that, to Naruto, it mattered because it had that feeling that told him that it belonged to him. That he belonged in the world and wasn't something to be simply ignored or eliminated.
Just like that orange coat which made people look at him. Even if it was just to laugh at him and he could care less because that bright orange coat brought a smile to his face anyways. That coat was the first step towards him spurning what other people thought about him. The step he needed to take most, to survive in a hostile village.
Just like the necklace he was wearing that he couldn't really remember getting but would never get rid of.
With those thoughts, Naruto was able to push out of his memories back to reality, but he had a grim expression on his face. Naruto faintly heard a scream of outrage and frustration but paid no attention to it.
He was disappointed in himself for letting Orochimaru exploit that childish fear and naivety that still clung to him. How had he let that fucking snake manipulate him so effectively? That he had been blinded by the good things that happened in those events that Orochimaru showed him.
The attack had been traumatic and terrible, but it set his life on the path it was now and led the way to a bond that people could only wish for. A bond that was only going to grow stronger.
The betrayal that had set him straight in his life and gave him a purpose. To establish his identity and forge ahead into life with determination. To stop paralyzing himself by caring about everyone's opinions too much. The betrayal that solidified his bond and woke him from his dark solitude.
The set up that backfired miserably on a stupid traitor and gave Naruto the tool he needed to become strong enough to accomplish what he needed. He was also given the greatest gift and the greatest advice he had received from anyone because of that event.
He finally realized what he needed to remember most of all. It didn't matter if you had a bad life. It only mattered what you made of it, and he would be damned to let that snake determine what he did with his. Now, he needed to remain focused and serious since Orochimaru was most likely regrouping to prepare his next attempt at breaking him.
If he was strong enough to earn the respect of the greatest of all bijū. He was strong enough to resist this fucking snake and make Kurama proud.
Naruto came out of his thoughts when he heard Hinata speak to him.
"Naruto-kun, are you okay? You weren't responding to anyone for awhile." Hinata asked.
He noticed that Hinata still had her hand over his and that she was looking at him with concern. He looked around in confusion for a bit and saw everyone had begun to leave the arena and that the semi-final brackets had already been established. How much time had he lost caught up in those memories by Orochimaru?
Sasuke and Kakashi had also moved closer to him while he was on that little trip down memory lane.
"Everything is just fine now Hinata-chan. I just came to a realization is all." Naruto said with a genuine smile.
Naruto could tell they were unsettled by what he said when they didn't respond and were looking at him warily. He was caught off guard by this and stopped smiling as he studied their faces. Naruto thought about what he said and realized that what he said combined with the fact that he never really genuinely smiled in public could be misconstrued as a massive change in behavior. He didn't want them to worry about him even more but telling them the truth was probably better than having them assume he had just become Orochimaru's pawn.
"I'm sorry that I was spacing out on you guys more than usual, but I couldn't do anything but relive all the memories the snake wanted me to see," Naruto said apologetically.
"What do you mean by reliving?" Kakashi asked.
"My vision went black and then it was like I was a little kid again during the orphanage attack, but everything was more detailed. I could see, hear, and feel everything with much more clarity and there were subtle changes that made me start questioning if those changes were things I forgot or were created by Orochimaru. He tried to use all that to turn me against the village, but he failed to realize that I had let all of that go along time ago. I realized that none of what he was saying or showing me really mattered." Naruto said.
"I'm glad you feel better, Naruto-kun. I hope things are better now that you remembered that." Hinata said.
"Well, the Hokage has someone who is due to arrive tomorrow to help you with your situation Naruto so be at the Hokage tower after 10 am," Kakashi said.
"Okay, Kakashi-sensei. I will be there." Naruto said with a brief nod.
"You also drew Samui of Kumo for your match in the semifinals. She's very effective with her tantō so be prepared for heavy stabbing with a light chance of lightning." Kakashi said trying to lighten the mood by changing the subject.
Naruto just nodded.
"Shall we go eat? Do you want to go to Ichiraku's? Hinata said in a cheery tone trying help.
Sasuke and Kakashi were looking at him to see how he would respond.
Naruto didn't feel like going out but decided to humor them. All he really wanted was to go home and hopefully sleep without any nightmares.
"I don't feel like it right now, but I wouldn't mind yakiniku or sushi right now," Naruto said with a shrug.
"Yakiniku-Q it is!" Hinata said. She could tell he was only humoring them if he turned down Ichiraku's but, at least, Yakiniku-Q also had a pretty good sushi bar to order from so it worked if Naruto decided he wanted sushi instead.
Sasuke and Kakashi merely nodded and followed Hinata out of the tower to head back into town.
