Rain: And I am back. So soon? Yes! So sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Ino: Here we go!

Forged in Hellfire: Lost Soul Reborn
Chapter Thirty-Three: Together Again! What Happens Next?

Kyūbi's Chambers
Uzumaki Naruto

Singing.

That was the first thing Naruto heard as he slowly came to.

"I don't know what words I can say…The wind has a way to talk to me…"

He could tell through the drowsiness that it was the Kyūbi's voice that was creating such a beautiful sound.

"Flowers sleep, a silent lullaby…I pray for reply…I'm ready."

It was then he felt a gentle hand brushing through his hair but Naruto kept his eyes closed, allowing himself to enjoy the singing and the petting.

"Quiet…days…calm me. Oh, serenity…"

But as he enjoyed this strange spoiling, it would give him time to think on a few things.

"Someone please tell me…"

He could remember exactly what happened. Something had pushed him through that hurdle and caused him to revert to a powerful yet uncontrollable form he had never had before.

But how did he get pushed to that level?

He had a feeling that the Kyūbi had caused this change but he didn't know for sure.

"Oh, what is it they say? Maybe I will know one day…"

'I would like to know someday as well Kyūbi,' Naruto thought before he felt her hand stop before it continued going through his hair.

"I don't know what words I can say…The wind has a way to talk to me…"

'But maybe I can wait for a bit and enjoy a little longer…' Naruto thought with a small smile.

"Flowers sleep, a silent lullaby…I pray for reply…I'm ready…"

The area remained quiet for a moment before the Kyūbi said "I used to sing this song to your mother when she was younger or afraid. It was the song I was singing the night she was giving birth."

"It sounded wonderful," Naruto replied after a moment.

"I saw her as a daughter and she meant the world to me…" The Kyūbi told him softly. "That night, I was blinded by anger but I also felt hurt that they were trying to seal me up again."

"Hurt? But why?" Naruto questioned.

"She once told me that she would help me become free from this prison…But instead of allowing me to be free, she and her husband sealed me away and at the time, all I felt was betrayal but now, I understand this was the best option. I was destroying their home in my blind anger after being swayed by that Uchiha and she knew if this continued, things would get worse for them as well as for me."

Kyūbi then let out a small chuckle and said "I just hope I'll be able to be free one day."

"Hey, as long as you don't try to kill me anything like that, I'd like to help," Naruto replied.

"Hmm," The Kyūbi hummed before she said "The reason I told you this is because of what happened during the battle with Shao Kahn."

"How did you do it?" Naruto asked her.

"You don't remember?" Kyūbi asked him.

Naruto shook his head.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't…Well, I essentially shattered by showing you your worst nightmares. It got you to unlock more of your revenant abilities as well as using a tail of my power…But I didn't know it drive you to become a wild animal…"

"You did what you had to do Kyūbi. I don't blame you," Naruto said as he fully opened his eyes to stare up at the orange eyes of the regal demonness. "It's the second time you saved me. Thank you."

"Let's not make it a habit," Kyūbi told him before a tiny smile appeared on her face.

Naruto shut his eyes once more and said "I need to go back to the real world soon…"

"Your body is still out of wack. Rest while I fix it and then I will send you back," The Kyūbi told him.

Naruto nodded and said "Very well…" He then hesitated. "Do you mind…Singing again?"

The Kyūbi chuckled and ran her hand through his hair as she sang out "I don't know what words I can say…"

Unknown Location
Yamanaka Ino

"Dumbass birds…Stop chirping," Ino muttered in annoyance before she opened her eyes with a groan and looked around.

Ino found herself in a long colonnade with smooth white marble floors, the columns being made of solid gold. From where she sat, it was connected between two buildings, with the colonnade itself being outside, which allowed the sun light to stream into the hall.

Where was she and how did she wind up here? The last thing she remembered was being in fucking Heaven of all places and then she found herself here in this odd place. Ino looked down at her reflection on the smooth, waxed surface before she realized that she could see a reflection of someone a few feet away.

The person was a dark skinned female with long black hair which was styled in a braided pony tail that reached down to the curve of her back. She wore a a jade colored shirt with an armored green and gold corset, skintight black pants, green gloves that stretched to her elbows and along with gold and green boots that went up to her knees.

The woman turned around and placed her pole around her shoulders and turned around to face Ino, her almost glowing green colored eyes warm and welcoming. "Ah, you're finally awake," the woman said as Ino felt her legs turning into jelly.

This woman was insanely attractive.

"W-Wha? How? Who?" Ino stammered out.

The woman let out a gentle laugh and said "You are beguiled by my visage. I do not blame you."

"Well hell! You are beautiful," Ino said.

"As well as deadly," she replied.

"No one told me you were this beautiful. I could see people going to war for you," Ino told her as she walked to the woman, which Ino realized as she got closer that the woman was taller than her.

"You know who I am," The woman said with a small grin.

"Jade…Fujin and Kairos…They said I was you in a past life…" Ino said. "And man did I win the lottery with you! Holy shit, you look magnificent!"

Jade let out a chuckle and and lowered her hand to caress Ino's face, once again making her face red. "Why thank you. You are very beautiful yourself," Jade told her, which nearly caused Ino to faint.

"They are correct. I am however surprised that Fujin brought me up to speed when he did what he did. He is truly serious that he wants you to be the central contact between Heaven and Earthrealm," Jade replied as she stared down at the red faced Yamanaka.

"So you know what to do then?" Ino asked.

"We become one, simple as that," Jade replied.

"Good because hell, I know I look good now but if we combine, I'll be stunning and deadly as hell. I have zero qualms about us becoming one," Ino said cheekily. "So you know how to do this?"

"Of course. Close your eyes and I will do the rest…" Jade said.

Ino nodded and shut her eyes and without warning, she felt warm lips press against her forehead, causing her legs to nearly give out as her blush deepened.

"You are very brave Yamanaka Ino…I can't wait to see what we make together,"Ino heard Jade murmur before Ino heard a fierce wind pick up around her, getting louder and louder until it was all she heard.

Time Cavern
Time Guardian Kairos

"Why…Why did Shao Kahn return?" Kairos asked herself as she observed the Hourglass in front of her with her arms cross. It was then she felt a huge gust of energy explode from behind her, which caused her to turn around to see green energy flowing in an orb around Ino's resting body.

"It is done," Kairos noted as the green energy orb faded away, revealing Ino's form.

Ino was now taller and had curves, her previous pale skin was more a caramel color. Her hair was longer, stretching down to the middle of her back and it was in a braided ponytail as well. Ino clenched her eyes before they opened to reveal her platinum blue eyes that held flecks of jade green within them.

Ino rose up from the bed she was laying on and looked straight at Kairos. "How do you feel?" The Time Guardian asked.

Without warning, Ino threw a jab, which Kairos caught but a wave of green Edenien energy flew from her the back of her hand due to the impact. "My, what a way to say hello," Kairos noted dryly, hiding the pain her hand was in due to the impact of the punch.

"That was me telling you to never steal my body again," Ino told her with a glare.

"Noted. Welcome back Jade," Kairos said.

"Ino," Ino replied. "Jade was my past life and while I look to honor it with the skills I have been blessed with reuniting with, I am Yamanaka Ino so I prefer to be called that."

"Very well Ino," Kairos said as she released Ino's fist.

Ino nodded and stood up and said "I already know the logistics of my mission. You let me know if something happens time wise."

"I shall," Kairos said. "We are teammates after all."

Ino narrowed her eyes and said "Alright. I am returning to my real body now. So long."

Kairos watched as Ino walked off but Kairos gave a whistle, which caused Ino to pause. Kairos walked behind the hourglass and grabbed a metal staff and a razor-edged boomerang. "Catch!" Kairos yelled she tossed both weapons at Ino.

Ino caught the staff first and spun it over her head, behind her back and to her side before she caught the razor-rang and collapsed it. "I feel more at home with these in my hands. You kept them?" Ino asked.

"I had a feeling we would meet again," Kairos said with a grin.

Ino let a grin appear on her face as well as she said "I haven't fully forgiven you yet but this is a wonderful start." And with those words, Ino walked away and her body vanished in a green shimmer, leaving Kairos alone once more.

Kairos shook her head and returned to look at the hourglass of time, her eyes narrowed in thought.

Village of Hisako – Hospital
Rock Lee

"Sorry again for scaring you," Lee said as he gave a brief bow and walked out of the morgue, now dressed in his torn green uniform.

Now that he was free from that, he could find his two teammates. But he didn't have to wait long because he heard Tenten's agonizing screams coming from upstairs. "Tenten…" Lee said before he quickly rushed to the stairwell and ran up them at a speed he was slightly unfamiliar with.

He got to the first floor and listened for her scream but it was still a ways up so after going three more floors up, Lee found himself on the right floor. He ran down the hall, peeking through the windows of each hospital door before he found the the one Tenten was in.

She looked to be in so much pain but what disturbed Lee was that her arm was gone.

Lee shook his head and opened the door and pushed the three nurses and a doctor aside with a "Move out of my way!" before he sat by side, grabbed her good hand and said "Tenten-chan. It's okay. I'm here. I'm here."

Tenten's eyes fluttered open brieflt as sweat poured down her fear etched face. "Lee-kun! Make it stop! It hurts so much!" Tenten wailed in as she tossed and turned.

Lee felt his heart crumble at the sight of his normally strong teammate reducded to this. He placed a hand on her neck and pressed a pressure point, which caused his wail to die out into a faint murmur where she slept peacefully.

"Oh Tenten-chan…Did that woman do this to you?" Lee asked her sleeping form before he turned to one of the doctor's and grabbed his jacket and pulled him close as he asked "What happened to her? How did she lose her arm?!"

"Y-You're alive," The doctor said with shock. "I-I saw your dead body just last night…T-This impossible."

"Nothing is impossible when it comes to this realm," Lee said. "What happened to her?"

"R-Relax Shinobi-san….Last night, you, Tenten and Hyūga Neji were brought here. You were killed, Tenten-san was stabbed in the chest and her right arm was severed and the Hyūga's eyes were taken…" The doctor explained.

"Neji's eyes were taken?" Lee murmured as he released his grasp on the Doctor's jacket. He died…And Tenten and Neji lost a limb and eyes respectively.

This was truly dire.

"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have tousled you up like that. It's just she's my teammate and I hate to see her hurting like this…" Lee said with a frown on his face.

"It is fine," The doctor said. "We understand all too well considering our recent issues. We will take good care of them both, I assure you."

Lee nodded and then asked "Where is my other teammate, Hyūga Neji?"

"Nurse Rukia? Please take him to see his teammate," the Doctor said.

"Yes Doctor Kurosaki," Nurse Rukia said before she motioned for Lee to follow her. Lee turned to give Tenten one last look and a mental promise to see her again before he turned away and followed the nurse.

Lee was taken one flight down where he saw Sakura and Kurenai coming up the stairs. "Ah! Sakura-san. Kurenai-san," Lee said with a wave.

"Lee! We were told you were dead!" Sakura exclaimed but Kurenai merely let a smile appear on her face.

"I got better," Lee replied with a grin.

"Welcome back," Kurenai said.

"Thanks?" Lee said with a confused tone in his voice.

"Ahem," Nurse Rukia said dryly. "Can we continue?"

"Yes. Please lead the way," Lee said.

The nurse led the three to the room down a hall where the door was wide open, revealing Hinata sitting by Neji's side. "Knock, knock," Nurse Rukia said, which prompted Hinata to turn around. "More guests for the Hyūga gentleman."

The nurse then promptly turned around and left, leaving Lee, Kurenai and Sakura alone with Hinata and the unconscious Neji.

"You're alive," Hinata said as she slowly stood up.

"Well, again," Lee said with a shrug. "Nice to see you again Lady Hinata."

"You as well Lee," Hinata said before she asked "I didn't expect you to be the reincarnation of Kung Lao of all people but you don't seem as arrogant as he is."

"He grew and adapted to humbleness when we talked," Lee said with a grin.

"Wait…You're just like Naruto-kun, Tayuya-san and Hinata-chan, Lee-san?" Sakura asked.

"Aye. But enough about me…Has he awakened at all?" Lee asked, referring to Neji.

"For a few moments but then he went unconscious…This is all my fault. I should have never did this…" Hinata said with a frown on her face as she looked back at Neji's unconscious form.

"It's not your fault," Kurenai said.

"Yeah! Neji was an asshole who treated everyone beneath him. He needed someone to take him down a peg or seven," Sakura said.

"Admittedly they are correct," Lee said. "Tenten and I can vouch but he became so much better after what you did to him that date."

"He said the same thing and yet it doesn't change anything…I still feel guilty," Hinata replied. "But at the same time, all of you are still alive and had I not done this, Shao Kahn would have killed more I'm sure."

"I'm sorry, Shao Kahn?" Lee asked with surprise. "You guys fought Shao Kahn? First, how? Second, How?!"

"It's a long story but we should get out of here and return to the hotel. We can explain there," Hinata said. The trio nodded and together, the four left the room, unaware that a blindfolded spirit had heard the entire conversation.

Village of Hisako – Hotel
Uzumaki Naruto

Naruto opened his eyes and found himself staring at the sleeping Haku and felt a warm smile appear on his face. As promised, the Kyūbi had sent him back to his body once he was healed and well rested and now he was staring at the face of the woman he loved.

Naruto caressed Haku's cheek and murmured "Thank you for saving me…" before he placed a tender kiss on her forehead and watched as a dreamy smile appeared on her face.

Naruto quietly slid out the bed and made his way to the door.

Village of Hisako – Hotel
Cage Tayuya

Tayuya's eyes slowly opened when she felt something hit her lap and when she glanced down, she saw Fu's head on her lap, still sleeping after the rough day she had. Tayuya stared down at the teal haired girl and felt a tender smile appear on her face.

Tayuya had always been a flirt, in her past life and current life but there was something about the Jinchūriki that made her heart skip a beat.

Was it because Fu had defeated her in kombat?

That could definitely be the case. Tayuya was always known as the biggest, baddest bitch in the land but this sugary sweet girl managed to defeat her. Tayuya let a hand brush against Fu's cheek, which made the girl nestle her face on Tayuya's lap, making the girl blush faintly.

"Oi…As much as I would like to see you there, at least let me take you out to dinner first," Tayuya murmured with a small grin. She then heard the door open and looked up to see Naruto walk out of it quietly.

"Finally awake I see," Tayuya said as Naruto closed the door slowly and turned his head to look at her.

"Ah, hey Tayuya," Naruto said with a wave. "I just woke up. Haku is still resting and I prefer it that way." Naruto then quirked his right eyebrow and Tayuya immediately knew what he was looking at. "So is that official or what?" Naruto asked her.

"I mean, don't all rivals do this?" Tayuya asked.

"I don't remember Grand-master Kuai Liang doing that with m-" Naruto paused as a burst of cold air hit the room.

"Yo why the hell did it get so cold?" Tayuya asked.

Fu groaned and shivered as she opened her eyes and murmured "The air conditioning is off….Who turned it on?"

"Why is it so bloody cold?!" Anko shouted as she walked out of her room. Sasuke followed seconds later from his own room with a blanket around his body, a sour look on his tired face.

"It's freezing," Sasuke growled out.

"Don't look at me," Fu said. "The air conditioner is off so it shouldn't be so cold."

Anko looked down at Fu and then to Tayuya and gave a wicked smirk."Did we interrupt something?" Anko asked curiously.

Both Tayuya and Fu blushed heavily as Fu quickly removed her head from Tayuya's lap. "I-It was nothing," Fu said with an embarrassed tone in her voice.

"Right," Anko said before she looked to Naruto and said "Well look who is up and about. Shao Kahn's killer."

"Naruto," Sasuke said with a nod.

"Sasuke, glad to see you are uninjured...Although Anko-san…I thought you died," Naruto said as he looked to her.

"He got me in the first half, not going to lie but for some odd reason, I was in Ino's body and then I was returned to my living one. It was strange," Anko said with a shrug. "But I'm alive and I can't wait to train you."

"Train m-" Naruto was interrupted by the door down the hallway opening up. The group looked down the hallway, which began to frost over into solid ice. Tayuya stood up and almost immediately motioned for Fu to stand behind her in an effort to protect her.

Naruto let hellfire form in his hands and he said "Be on your guard everyone."

The shinobi nodded and seconds later, the door open to reveal Omoi's form but immediately, Tayuya knew something was amiss.

Omoi was taller and bulkier than he was before. His hair was white but there was a hint of icy blue and his forearms had a sheet of ice on them but it was his eyes. His eyes were an icy blue in color and there was a small grin on his face.

There was something painfully familiar about Omoi now that she didn't catch before.

"Wait…Cold…Icy hallway, Omoi…No fucking way," Tayuya whispered.

"All this for me?" Omoi asked with a tilt of his head. "I thought we had an accord back at the hotel Naruto? Or should I call you Grand-master Hasashi?"

"Naruto. After everything that's happened, at least I got that answer. As to that accord, it hasn't changed old friend," Naruto said as the hellfire faded from his hand before he walked up and held out his right hand. "Again we meet Grand-master Liang," Naruto said to Omoi.

"Again and always Grand-master Hasashi," Omoi replied as their hands clasped together, a burst of ice and hellfire appearing briefly from their hands. "I didn't expect us to meet again admittedly," Omoi said. "I died fighting Kang's army and then again fighting those replicants."

"Neither was Liu Kang's Netherrealm army and Shao Kahn was even worse," Naruto said.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, that guy is just like you, Hinata and Tayuya?" Sasuke asked curiously.

"Yes. I wasn't exactly expecting this however," Naruto said with a grin on his face.

Sasuke nodded and said "It seems like it happens every time someone dies. Well no offense but I don't want that power at that sort of price. Not anymore at least…Now if you need me, I'm going back to sleep."

Sasuke turned and walked away back into his room and shut the door.

"I missed something," Naruto muttered. "What did I miss?"

"I missed some stuff too apparently," Omoi said. "Who was that? Where are we? What happened to my team?"

"Well freezy pop, shit went down," Tayuya said, which caused Omoi to look at Tayuya and grin. "Nice to see you again Grand-master Liang. Or is it Omoi still?"

"Omoi. I may have his memories and it may take a bit for it all to settle but I go by Omoi now," Omoi responded. "But before I do, hello to you too Miss Cage."

Tayuya smirked before she noticed the confused look on Fu's face. "What's going on?" Fu asked Tayuya.

"It's a long story beautiful," Tayuya replied. "A story I will tell you as soon as I can."

"Well the gang is almost all here," Anko said. "Since you decided to ruin my beauty sleep, we might as well gather everyone and go over what the hell happened."

"That would be a good idea," Naruto admitted.

"I agree," another voice said, prompting everyone to look up to see a smirking Ino leaning on the banister. "Uzumaki Naruto, Omoi, Tayuya aka Hasashi Hanzo, Liang Kuai and Cage Cassie."

The three instantly got on guard as Ino leapt onto the banister and flipped down to the ground gracefully. Both Tayuya and Fu swallowed in unison at the sight of Ino.

She was a straight knockout now.

"Ino-san…" Naruto said. "Or Jade?"

"Ino," Ino replied before she leaned back against the wall and eyed the pair. "Glad to see some familiar faces," Ino said before she glanced at Tayuya and Fu and gave a wink before she said "As well as some new ones."

"G-Gee…" Fu mumbled while Tayuya forced down the blush on her face.

"Yeah, yeah. You're drop dead sexy now. I got it," Tayuya said with a grumble.

"Now, shall we find Lady Hinata?" Ino asked curiously. "For we have much to discuss."

"She went to the hospital to see Neji. He apparently fought some yellow eyed woman who struck him down," Anko said.

"I see…I shall get more information from her. Thank you Anko-san," Ino said before she pushed herself off the wall and said "Well guys? Let's get going."

But just a few seconds later, Hinata, Lee Kurenai and Sakura entered the room and paused when they saw the group standing there. "Okay, we missed something. What did we miss?" Sakura asked curiously before she spotted Naruto and shouted "Naruto-kun!"

Tayuya watched in amusement as Sakura's body slammed into Naruto's in a tight hug as Naruto took as step back only to return the hug with a soft laugh.

"Thank you for saving us from Shao Kahn Naruto-kun but don't you ever do that again! You nearly died!" Sakura said as she sniffled slightly.

"I will not do that again, I promise," Naruto replied before the two continued their embrace.

Tayuya then heard Hinata's sharp gasp, which caued Tayuya to look the stunned Hyūga princess. Hinata took a step back as she stared at Ino long and hard. "I-It can't be…"

Ino let a warm, love filled smile appear on her face as she brushed past everyone and stood in front of Hinata. "Hello, Lady Kitana," Ino said gently.

"Y-You…Ino…You are…" Hinata stammered out as tears fell from her eyes. "Jade!" She finally yelled before she hugged Ino tightly and began to sob against Ino's chest. "I looked everywhere for you in the Netherrealm but you were gone…Gone!"

"I was gone…But now I'm back Lady Hinata and I'm not going anywhere I can. I swear on our Edenian Spirits," Ino whispered as she hugged Hinata back, pressing a gentle kiss on top of Hinata's head.

"Ok, we really missed something," Sakura said with confusion.

"Hinata and Ino were best friend in their former life," Naruto said, which caused Sakura to tilt her head.

"I can kinda see that," Sakura responded.

"Meanwhile, a Shaolin Monk is in our presence," Omoi said as he looked to Lee, who gave a small wave in return.

"Hello Grand-masters," Lee said before he looked at Tayuya and said "Hello Slayer of Shinnok."

"Yo! Long time, no see Shaolin," Tayuya said. "Good or evil?"

"Redeemed good," Lee said.

"That's good enough for me," Tayuya said with a grin.

"Well now that the party is all here, let's wake up Haku and get Sasuke down here and give the full story because there is a lot both Kurenai and I have to explain," Ino said.

Village of Hisako – Hotel
Uzumaki Naruto

"And that is the end of it," Kurenai said.

"Wow…" Lee said. "I woke up in the morgue this morning and I thought my strange day would be over. Apparently not."

"So Karui was killed and Samui is in a coma…This doesn't bode well," Omoi said with a cross of his arms.

"So the barrier that hid Earthrealm was weakened by both me and Shao Kahn. That is a kick to the stomach," Naruto admitted with a frown. Haku took his left hand while Sakura took his right, which caused him to look at them both with a small smile.

"You did what you had to do Naruto-lun. You saved us all," Sakura said.

"Nearly at the risk of yourself," Haku added on. "But at least it can be healed and the others will be alive again."

"My brother is in Heaven…I'm actually glad," Sasuke said softly. "But this means we all need to get stronger in case the barrier does break."

"I agree but we're down four people," Anko said.

"I believe Omoi-kun, Lee-kun and I shall remain here until Kakashi-kun, Tenten-chan, Neji-kun and Samui-chan are up and moving," Gai said with a beaming smile.

"I certainly agree with Gai-sensei," Lee added with a grin on his face. "We will stay here to get them better then return to Konoha."

"Konoha…It feels like ages since I've seen it," Naruto admitted. "I would say I would hate to see it but you guys sacrificed a lot to get me to return."

"You don't sound thrilled Naruto," Tayuya noted.

"I'm not. Konoha and I have no love and I have a lot of anger towards the Hokage for keeping a lot from me," Naruto replied. "But if the barrier does break, we should go to Konoha to give them warning and then travel to the other villages and do the same for we will need all the help we can get to stop them."

"I doubt they would listen. Elder Gods, an evil realm in Hell, people dying and being reincarnated? It sounds like a fairy-tale, even if they have a way to find out we're telling the truth," Anko said with a grumble.

"We'll have to try," Kurenai said. "But for now, we go back home and try to convince the Hokage."

"Then it's settled. We leave tomorrow," Naruto said.

The group nodded.

It was time to return to Konoha.

Otokagure no Sato
Snake Sennin Orochimaru

"How disappointing, I was hoping he would last longer than he did," Orochimaru said with a sigh. "Ah well. Kabuto. Please bring in the next candidate for our new Sound Group."

Kabuto nodded and left the room only to return with a middle aged male with long silk black hair, a leather green vest with gilded edges, a leather coat and baggy green pants.

"And who might he be?" Orochimaru asked curiously.

It wasn't often someone came to his village to talk to him, let alone walk into the room as if he owned the place.

"Me?" The man asked, his voice low, smooth and confident. "I am here for to help you."

"Help me? And how will you do that?" Orochimaru asked in amusement.

"There are many things that I know about you Snake Sennin Orochimaru. I know you want to have the strongest shinobi around. I know that you wish to destroy your former home in Konoha and kill the current Hokage and your former sensei, Sarutobi Hiruzen. And I know that you want to live forever. My Lordess asked for me to humbly request your services in killing a few shinobi for her. If you comply, I will create very powerful beings in return as well as give you what you've always wanted…Eternal life and youth."

Orochimaru leaned forward in his chair, enraptured by what the man had said. "How do you know of all of this? Tell me know or face the consequences."

To Orochimaru's surprise, the man didn't look threatened.

In fact, he was amused by this threat.

"My Lordess has sent me to come to you to in order for you to hunt certain people down and exterminate them for her plan. She has told me what you seek and in turn, I am here to carry her will and offer you tribute should you agree to do it," The man replied.

"Interesting…And If I refuse?" Orochimaru asked.

The man smirked and suddenly grabbed Kabuto's neck, surprising the teen, and then moved his hand towards his face and began to move it back slowly. Kabuto began to scream as his soul was ripped from his body, leaving his body an empty and dead husk.

The soul floated around the man's body before slipping inside his chest.

Orochimaru stood up in shock at the act.

"Then your soul is mine to do what I see fit," The man replied. "It is your choice."

"Who are you?" Orochimaru repeated with a fearful tone in his voice. Kabuto was his strongest right hand man and to see him so easily dispatched unnerved him greatly, especially due to how calm and collect the man was doing it.

The man smirked and said "I am Shang Tsung and from the sound of your voice, you agree to our terms."

Naruto (Hellfire): Oh fuck!

Hinata (Edenien): Oh hell on earthrealm.

Tayuya (Emerald Light): Fuck off with this! Shang Tsung and Orochimaru?!

Rain: Yeah pretty bad. I decided to speed things along here because Naruto's return to Konoha is now happening and plus, the new villains have been revealed as well as a grand scope villain as well. And before anyone asks, For Ino's awakening, I mirrored Hinata's awakening scene due to Jade and Kitana being closer than sisters and thus living in the same palace on Edenia. Until the next chapter...

Mario: See you next time!