Disclaimer

I, Syraxes, do not own the Naruto manga, Naruto anime, Naruto Shippuden anime, the Boruto manga or anime, video games or Naruto novels. They are property of Masashi Kishimoto and Studio Pierrot. I am a fan making this for the enjoyment of other fans. Please support the official release

"Okay, we'll stop here," Mizuki called, slowly coming out of his jog. Sakura slowed her own pace, matching Naruto and Sasuke's. They came to a complete stop behind Mizuki. "Alright, this should be far enough. You know, I was a little surprised when you all came with me so willingly. I guess the village really does do a good job of instilling the chain of command, don't you think?"

The bad feeling Sakura had suddenly got ten times worse. "Of course. The chain of command is important," she answered.

"Undoubtedly. Without it, Konoha wouldn't be where it is right now, would it? In the middle of its golden age. I wonder if Orochimaru-sama's plan will work here. Or if he's not underestimating the village just a little bit."

Sakura felt like liquid ice shoot through her body. Her eyes unwilling turned to Sasuke, right to his neck; she couldn't see the black Cursed Seal, but she knew it was there.

"Oh, that's right. Orochimaru-sama marked Sasuke with his seal, didn't he? I wish I could tell you what it's for. I know he put it on two others since these exams begin. He gifts them to those he wants. Those he thinks are worthy, but beyond that, your guess is as good as mine."

Sasuke appeared to be frozen on the spot; he didn't speak, only staring intently at Mizuki. It was Naruto who asked the obvious question: "Just how long have you been working for Orochimaru?"

"For quite a long time, Naruto-kun. In fact, I took up the post at the Central Academy just to keep an eye on you. On Orochimaru's orders, of course."

"Did Orochimaru order you to bring us out here?" Sakura hissed at him. She reached behind her waist, slipping a kunai from its holster.

"Well, not out here exactly, but I was supposed to find you and get you away from anyone else, if possible."

"So those special orders? Were they a lie?"

Mizuki chuckled. "No. Not quite. We actually did have special orders in concerns to your team. We were supposed to hand you over to the Anbu as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Had I allowed you to be placed in Anbu custody, I doubt I'd be able to get you back. To many of the black ops crawling around the area for me to really get a chance to take you back. Even with my talents."

"Talents?" It was the first thing Sasuke said since they had started to follow him. Sakura noticed his eyes were crimson now, his Sharingan alive. "Every Academy instructor I've ever known has been a Chunin."

"Ah, so you've decided to speak, Sasuke. I was wondering if you were going to. I've heard you have a sharp tongue. To answer your question, I am a Chunin. I'm more than capable of handling you brats through, especially with this."

Mizuki reached into his flak jacket and Sakura though he was pulling out a weapon. In his hand wasn't a weapon, but a was a vial of red liquid. "Orochimaru-sama made this formula for me. To give me power, for all my years of loyal service."

This is bad. He's working for Orochimaru and has use right where he wants us. Sakura looked back where they had come; the arena wasn't too close and if he was faster than them, it wouldn't be likely they'd be able to receive support. Damn it.

"Oh, I wouldn't count on anyone coming to save you." Sakura looked back at Mizuki; he was staring at her. "I'd have to stop you before you could go and get help. Sorry, but orders are orders."

"What are your orders?" Sakura snapped. If she could keep him talking, it would give them more time for someone to realize they're mission.

"Orochimaru-sama really wants Sasuke. He's quite keen on getting him. So Sasuke, I'm either here to escort you to him or take you by force if you won't come quietly. As for your teammates, they have to die."

"What?"

"Sorry girl, but Orochimaru's orders. He really has it out for you two."

"Why?"

"I didn't ask. It doesn't matter anyway. So Sasuke, what will it be? You can come quietly; it should only take a few seconds to kill your former teammates and we can be on our way. Or we can do this by force."

Sakura looked at her teammates; her lips quirked.


Jiraiya couldn't believe his eyes; Minato, his prized student. Jiraiya had resigned himself to never seeing him again. He had taken Minato under his wing when he had first become a Genin; Fugaku, Tsume, and Minato, the only Genin team he ever led. Fugaku and Tsume went on to lead their respected clans, but Minato stayed with him. He became his apprentice. Someone who Jiraiya could pass on everything he knew too.

Those piercing blue eyes were Minato's. Jiraiya would know them anywhere. Minato was the only person he had ever seen that had that shade of blue. Well, other than Naruto.

"Sensei. It's good to see you again." He even sounded like Minato. Jiraiya extended his senses, reaching out to touch his chakra. Sensory shinobi were the best out of this; their reach would far extend that of any normal shinobi. They could really pick apart someone else's chakra in a way a non-sensory shinobi would never be able to do. But if one trained hard to sense chakra, they could achieve an imitation of a sensor's gift. Jiraiya lacked that gift but if someone else was close enough, he could feel their chakra if he tried. The feel of this chakra really was Minato's.

The transformation jutsu could copy an appearance, down to even the smallest aspects if one was skilled enough in it. If they've heard the target speak, they could even mimic a voice. Chakra, on the other hand, was so exceptionally hard to fake. Jiraiya only knew of one way; the Kedoin clan's Kekkei Genkai. That only allowed them to copy the chakra signature, not the power or amount of chakra. Jiraiya would never forget the feel of Minato's chakra; it was like a warm summer day. Open and free. But it was more than that; Minato's chakra always had an edge to it. From his countless battles, something cold and sharp. A certain ripple that Jiraiya had only found in a few shinobi that were of Minato's caliber. He didn't believe a member of the Kedoin clan could pull that off.

"Master Jiraiya." His eyes flickered over. Kushina's red hair fell freely down the side of her head. Her warm, open eyes met him and she gave him a smile. Her smiles always lit up her face. "How is he? How is my son? I hope his godfather is looking out for him."

That sealed it. Jiraiya had only been made godfather on the day of Naruto's birth; Kushina and Minato had told him in secret, promising to make the announcement once they had recovered. That had been the last time he spoke to either of them.

"Oh my, this is quite touching." A fit of sudden anger filled Jiraiya at that voice; he turned to glare at his old teammate. Orochimaru's lips split in a smile. "No time for reminiscing about the past, I'm afraid. I didn't know you were made the godfather of young Naruto Jiraiya. I would have offered my congratulations."

"Orochimaru. What is this? What have you done?" Saratobi-sensei's voice was raw; Jiraiya felt he could understand how he felt. After everything Orochimaru had done; Jiraiya couldn't believe his best friend had fallen so low.

"This is the reanimation jutsu, isn't it?" Jiraiya asked, his anger coloring his voice. The reanimation jutsu the Nidaime created, the one he had sealed away. His horrible creation he wanted to be removed from the world. it would be Orochimaru who found it.

"Jiraiya. My old friend. And sensei! Let me tell you, bringing them back to meet you was harder than you would have imagined. Kushina was easier; all I had to do was rob her grave and it was done. Minato though; he presented a challenge. Sealing his soul away in the Shinigami! Can you believe it? It's taken me years to find a way to crack that nut. There were nights when I had all but given up. When it truly seemed impossible to do. But I persevered. It's for you both; my gift."

Orochimaru started laughing. That horribly cruel laugh. Jiraiya felt his rage burn through him; his vision turned red. He pumped chakra through his legs and leaped forwards, straight where Orochimaru was standing. His fist never connected; a second before he could hit, Minato appeared in front of him, grabbing his face. His student brought his leg up and kicked him in the stomach. Jiraiya jumped back.

"I'm sorry sensei. I can't control my body."

"If any of you try to attack me, I'm afraid Kushina-kun and Minato-chan will have no choice but to protect me. I go through all the trouble of reuniting you with your loved ones and this is the thanks I get? I'm hurt Jiraiya. Truly."

"You will be hurt when I'm finished with you," he promised. Still, if the reanimation jutsu managed to bring Minato and Kushina back, with their skills intact, this wasn't going to be easy.

"I don't understand," Biwako said, stepping up beside him. "How someone trained by my loving husband, could turn out like this."

"Like this? I don't understand; shouldn't you be happy to see your student and his wife again, Jiraiya? Your successor, sensei? I can assure you, they're really them. They have all their memories and skills. I've never believed in an afterlife but since learning this jutsu, I must admit, the prospect doesn't seem so far-fetched as I once believed it was."

"Do you believe in an afterlife now? When I kill you, you can keep Minato and Kushina company on the way back."

"A touching sentiment, but I don't believe in such a thing. No, I hypothesize that chakra not only is a combination of physical and spiritual energy, but it's also something closer to that of a soul. It's a copy of who we are; our memories, experiences. Everything that makes use, use. None of my reanimated shinobi can recall anything of an afterlife; only their memories up to the point where they died. This seems to give credence to my theory, don't you think? Ah but you have me rambling. Sorry about that, I suppose we should get back to the matter at hand. We won't be interrupted here, so we can take our time."

Jiraiya scanned the area around them and quickly found what Orochimaru meant; all around them, four walls of purple fire, extending past the single window. This is the Shishienjin.

"You've gone to quite the trouble, Orochimaru." He commented, wearily turning back to face him. This wasn't good; Shishienjin was one of the most effective ways to trap a target. Getting out was virtually impossible from the inside. It was the same case for getting in, but at least on the outside, you had a chance of finding the jutsu casters and stopping them. That was the only way they were getting out of this barrier.

"Only the best, old friend."

"It seems you have us right where you want us. Why don't you tell us what this is really about, Orochimaru?"

"Always to the point, eh sensei? It's the duty of a good student, to come to pay his respects and see his master off before he dies. I've come to grant you the finest of funerals, Saratobi-sensei."

Orochimaru was here to kill the Hokage. Jiraiya wasn't surprised. And to do it, he'd summon Minato and Kushina back from the dead, using them as puppets. Jiraiya's anger was already past boiling, but he had to keep a cool head. Anger clouded the mind; it could consume you and all your thoughts. That was the last thing he needed.

Jiraiya had to think of a way out of here. Right now it was three on three. Minato and Kushina would be the perfect distraction, keeping them busy why he engaged sensei. Jiraiya didn't want to admit it, but sensei wasn't as strong as he once was. Age had dulled the blade that was the Sandaime Hokage and why he certainly had the ability and strength to continue to hold the title, that didn't take away from the fact his ability had diminished.

"A funeral? My husband has a good ten years left before we have to start thinking about arrangements."

"I would respectfully disagree, dear Biwako." Suddenly, a manic grin spread across Orochimaru's face. "How about we put that to the test?"


Mizuki didn't expect Sasuke to come quietly; not after he announced his intention to kill his teammates. Orochimaru had specifically ordered him to kill them and he was supposed to do it in front of Sasuke. Mizuki thought he might be a little confused; if he murdered Sasuke's teammates in front of him, on his master's orders no less, then obviously he couldn't be in the mood to cooperate. If Orochimaru really wanted the Uchiha, Mizuki would have that killing his teammates would be specifically forbidden. But orders were orders and honestly, he had never liked Naruto. Pretending day in and day out to be friendly with that monster wasn't high the highlight of his day.

Lo-and-behold, he was right; Sasuke broke into a charge, coming right at him. Of course, the brat wasn't just going to sit by and let his team be murdered. Well, that was fine with him. Kicking the shit out of three little Genin sounded like fun.

Mizuki got ready, the cocky smile pressed across his lips. He met Sasuke's eyes, coming face to face with the crimson of the Sharingan for the first time in his life. That was the whole reason why Orochimaru wanted him in the first place.

Mizuki easily stepped to the side of Sasuke's attack, elbowing the brat in the back of the head. The so-called genius went down without a fight. Mizuki quickly turned around and kicked the boy in the stomach before he could recover.

Mizuki heard the footsteps coming behind him and dodged out of the way as Naruto's fist hit the air where his head had just been. Mizuki laughed as he drove his fist into the boy's stomach, enjoying the painful chock he let out. As he fell to the ground, Mizuki quickly drew a kunai and slammed it into Naruto's stomach as the boy's body connected with the ground below him.

The cry he let outdrew his other team member out; Sakura jumped above Naruto, positioning her knee to slam in his face. Mizuki brought his hand up, grabbing her knee tightly and heaved his body back, slamming her to the ground right by Naruto.

The boy had a kunai shoved in his stomach, so Mizuki was more than a little impressed when the boy jumped up, slashing at his face with a hidden kunai. Of course, he never had a chance and Mizuki easily grabbed his hand, moving his attack safely out of the way of the incoming attack.

Mizuki punched him right between the eyes, his fist packed with chakra. He heard a satisfying crunch sound and Mizuki knew he broke a bone.

Naruto fell to the ground, clutching his face. Mizuki wasn't about to show the brat any mercy; taking another kunai, he leaned down and quickly shoved it in the boys back, electing another agonizing scream from him. He twisted the kunai.

Naruto would be dead any minute now, so Mizuki turned his attention to the girl. "Sorry about this pinky. It really is nothing personal. Orders and all that."

Channeling the chakra to his feet, Mizuki kicked her head. "Well, that's that. I don't know why Orochimaru-sama warned me not to underestimate you. How pitiful can you get?"

Mizuki turned away from the scene of the dead and dying, back to the unconscious Uchiha. Hauling Sasuke over his shoulder, Mizuki walked away.

"H-hey. Wait. You can't take Sasuke."

Mizuki stopped and turned around. Naruto was glaring at him through his broken and bloody face. "Hh. I can and will. By the way, I wouldn't linger too long in this world much longer if I was you. It'll only hurt more."

Then the brat started to laugh. "And you're supposed to be Chunin? What a joke."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Still haven't figured it out yet?"

The world around him began to crack. It shattered. Mizuki suddenly found himself standing where he had been when the battle first began, only Sasuke was much closer now. His knee slammed into Mizuki's face and he felt his nose break. "Ah!"

Sasuke dropped down and Mizuki's feet gave way. A moment later, he was flat on his back and Naruto was above him, his leg coming down. The pain of Naruto's dropkick flashes through him. Using his legs to kick up, Mizuki jumped away, his face feeling like it was on fire.

Genjutsu? Those brats trapped me in a Genjutsu? But when? Then it dawned on him; Mizuki had looked right into Sasuke's eyes. Those crimson Sharingan eyes. Of course, it had to have been at that moment. No wonder Orochimaru wanted him. Those eyes, what dangerous things.

The ground broke below him and the Sakura shot upward. Her fist made contact with his chin and Mizuki was thrown in the air, courtesy of the most brutal uppercut he had ever experienced.

Mizuki got up and engaged them again. Orochimaru wouldn't be pleased if he came back empty-handed. His offer of power might turn into being killed. Mizuki wanted power and Orochimaru was in the perfect place to give it to him. Those Cursed Seals were supposed to do just that and he'd get one once he delivered Sasuke.

Doing that was proving a lot harder than Mizuki originally thought. These kids; they weren't normal Genin. Slowly but surely, they were pushing him back. They worked together like a well-oiled machine. Everything he threw at them, everything he tried, they were able to counter. He was completely ineffective against them and it was only a matter of time before he lost.

No. No. Mizuki couldn't lose. If he came groveling back without Sasuke, that would be the end of him. He could run away now and try to live his life as a rogue shinobi, but if he did, Mizuki wouldn't be strong. Could he even survive? He'd be put in the bingo-book for sure after this stunt. He wouldn't have had a future.

Mizuki kicked Naruto away and jumped back, grabbing the vial Orochimaru had given him.

"If those kids put you in a tough spot, take this." Orochimaru handed him a small vial of red liquid. Mizuki gently grabbed him, staring at its contents.

"Orochimaru-sama, what is it?"

"Something to give you an edge. To give you power. That's what you want, isn't it? Oh but do be careful and only take it if you have to. It's not a permanent solution for those who do want power."

That's what Mizuki wanted. Power, Orochimaru would give him real power. Until then. this would have to suffice.

As the three Genin sprinted towards him, Mizuki querked the vial and down the red liquid.


Biwako never did understand how Orochimaru went so wrong. How someone under the careful and loving hand of her husband could turn out like the monster that was Orochimaru. She knew Orochimaru was Hiruzen's biggest regret and he could go to his grave carrying that regret. That he couldn't save Orochimaru from his descent into madness.

Hiruzen also carried the burden of what he had become. A monster in all rights, who would stalk this world forever if given the chance. She knew he viewed it as his responsibility to make sure Orochimaru was in his grave before he died. Could her husband go through with it? Could he finally kill that monster, the student he still moved like a son? Biwako believed he had the resolve; confronted with the issue, she had no doubt that Hiruzen could finally put his mistake to order.

But it wouldn't be easy. Despite what Orochimaru had done, despite him abandoning the village, despite everything, he still loved him. And putting Orochimaru down, though it must be down, might kill her husband.

If she could help with that burden, then Biwako would. If she could spare her beloved that pain, why wouldn't she? Biwako wouldn't let Hiruzen kill Orochimaru if she could stop it; she'd do the deed herself.

Orochimaru shot forward like a rocket, attacking Hiruzen before she knew what was happening. If she had been younger, Biwako knew he wouldn't have gotten by so easy.

She quickly turned around, weaving hand seals and running towards them. Biwako wasn't able to make it far before she was stopped; Kushina jumped in front of her path. It was all Biwako could do to avoid her kick. "Biwako-sama. Please forgive me. I can't stop myself. If you try to interfere, I have no choice; I'll have to stop you."

If he were still alive, Biwako would have scolded Tobirama for creating that accursed reanimation jutsu. Turning the dead into weapons to be used, stripping away any free will.

Orochimaru had much to answer for. "I don't want to fight you Kushina, but I haven't let Hiruzen fight him alone. Not if it's in my power to help."

She slammed her hands together, completing the jutsu. The air between the expanded, pushing Kushina away. It wouldn't last long, so Biwako sprinted forward, weaving more seals.

The floor below her cracked and caved in. Crumbling, Biwako turned her attention towards the ground and focused on making sure she avoided hitting the ground.

Kushina was waiting for her; as soon Biwako touched down, the air haired Uzumaki was right on top of her, Biwako brought her arms up, blocking her kick. Kushina countered her attack even easier, prompting Biwako to jump back and put distance between them.

She saw Jiraiya fighting Minato and her heart went out to him; Minato was his prized student and now he was forced to battle him, after already having lost him once. It wasn't fair to either of them. Biwako hadn't known Kushina, as well as Jiraiya, knew Minato, she knew this battle wouldn't be as hard for her as it was for him.

"Biwako-sama, I'm sorry to have to ask you this now of all times, but I don't know if I'll ever get another chance; how is Naruto?"

Biwako grabbed her fist, pushing the punch away from her face and it's intended target. "I don't as much as my husband. Hiruzen has been the one who has kept the closest watch on the boy. You would be better served to ask him."

Biwako ducked under Kushina, sweeping her legs. "But I do know that Naruto had graduated from the Academy. He's been put on Team Seven, under Hatake Kakashi."

Biwako was aware she and Minato were very close with Kakashi, even once the boy was removed from her team. She hoped that would bring Kushina some peace of mind.


There had been a time back in the Academy, where Naruto had been afraid of Mizuki-sensei. It was Naruto's fourth year in school when he had first seen Mizuki. At that point, he had never taken any of his classes, though Iruka-sensei mentioned him in passing.

At the time, one of the older kids was bullying one of the kids Naruto liked. He was two years older than Naruto himself and he'd passed the graduation exam. Naruto had stepped in and tried to stop him but that hadn't turned out as well as he hoped; the boy showed him no mercy and Naruto found himself eating dirt. That was when Mizuki-sensei involved himself; Naruto had just gotten up in his stupid belief that he could win if he just kept trying when Mizuki yelled at them to stop. Of course, the bully didn't stop and Naruto wouldn't have either if Mizuki-sensei didn't step in between the two of them. To his young eyes, who hadn't even grasped the concept of a jutsu increasing speed, it was like he appeared. He easily stopped the bully, who at that point was the person Naruto feared the most, even if he couldn't remember his name now. Mizuki-sensei had stopped him so easily when Naruto could do nothing to defend himself.

He had a healthy respect for Mizuki-sensei back then. Now though, the man had betrayed his village, gone to join Orochimaru, all in the quest for power. At the same time, he was weak; attacking together, he couldn't even defend himself. Naruto had the feeling if he went one on one with Mizuki-sensei, he'd come out on top.

"I think this is over," Sakura said, stepping beside him. "We should finish him and get back. Find some Anbu."

That was what the old man wanted. Mizuki-sensei was a traitor and Kakashi-sensei did say, that in most cases, treason against the village was a death sentence.

"Right." Naruto slipped out a kunai and moved forward to Mizuki-sensei. Naruto always had the feeling that Mizuki-sensei never did like him; he was relieved when Naruto failed the graduation exam. It wasn't out of anger that he was going to do it; it was a sense of duty. Traitors died.

Naruto froze, watching as Mizuki-sensei pulled out that red vial. His face turned into a sprint and Naruto bolted to him, his kunai aimed for his neck. Too late; he had already downed the liquid. Mizuki-sensei was engulfed by a sudden explosion of black chakra. He was close enough for it to throw him off his balance, if only for a second. When Naruto looked back, the man that was Mizuki-sensei had disappeared. In his place, a giant, tiger-man hybrid. Mizuki-sensei still had his blue hair, his face features more animalistic, but that was the most recognizable thing about him. His body was huge, ripped and most certainly resembled that of a tiger, down to the yellow fur.

Was this what the Cursed Seal would do? Would Sasuke become a monster like that if he let the seal take over?

Mizuki-sensei started to laugh; the black chakra seemed to be phasing into his fur, causing the light yellow to darken. "I can't believe it? What power-"

Naruto struck; he didn't want to listen to any more of Mizuki-sensei's ramblings. His hulking figure disappeared and Naruto's kunai slashed through the air. What?

"Behind you!" Sakura yelled. A flash of pain seared through his side and Naruto felt more pain explode through his body as he slammed into a tree. The world went dark, with Mizuki-sensei still laughing.

Damn Naruto! Sasuke jumped down from the branch, two kunai in his hand. His razor wire was wrapped around the handle of each of them, he threw the first one towards Mizuki. He didn't expect the traitor to react that quickly; he turned around on a dime, catching the kunai. Either way, it worked for him. "Raiton: Sāji."

His chakra changed nature, lightning streaked over the wire. Mizuki's reaction to that lightning wasn't what he was hoping for; he laughed, grabbing the end of the wire and yanking. Sasuke tried pumping more chakra into the jutsu, to increase its voltage. It didn't seem to affect him, and for all his effort, he got a fist to the stomach.

Sasuke dropped to the ground in front of him. He was just able to block the first kick, but the second one came out of his right and slammed into the side of his head. The next thing Sasuke knew, he was laying on the ground under a tree, ringing in his ear, vision splotched with black spots.

Sasuke pulled himself up, doing the best to ignore the throbbing pain in the side of his head. Naruto seemed to be back in action, him and Sakura engaging Mizuki. Sasuke wanted to help, but when he moved, his vision distorted; the world flashed white. He channeled chakra to his eyes and felt his Sharingan flare to life. The world around him truly seemed to come into focus and he could see everything.

This was better. His vision was clear. Sakura and Naruto were before him, fighting. It was his fault this Mizuki guy was here. He was after him and that brought Naruto and Sakura into the thick of things. Still, if there were two people he wanted most by his side for this fight, it was his teammates. If only they had Kakashi-sensei.

Sensei did leave him with one trick that might work. In those months of training and preparation for the Chunin Exams, Kakashi taught them many things, but each of them was taught a trump card. Naruto and the Yondaime's jutsu; Sakura and that woman's technique. And him...

Sasuke knew it was now or never; Naruto and Sakura were putting up a fight but if they kept going at the rate they were now, they couldn't win. Maybe it was time for a trump card. Shame; he had been saving this for the exam.

Sasuke thrust out his right arm. He gripped his left arm to his right arms forearm and began to channel the chakra through his body. He pooled it into the palm of his right hand. Slowly, carefully, he began the change of nature, molding it into lighting. Then came the change in form. Over the course of those months, the process had become familiar to him. Through continued repetition, Sasuke was able to call upon that jutsu.

"Chidori!"

Author's Note:

The red vial and the formula inside of it are from Naruto filler arc "Mizuki Tracking Mission." In the arc, he escapes a Konoha prison with the brothers Fujin and Raijin. Of course, the brothers aren't in this story at the moment, but they might be in the future.

Before anyone brings it up, I'm aware of the so-called "Pure Land" in Naruto. I showed this chapter to some of my friends who read this as I write it and they brought that up. At this point in the story, no one knows about the "Pure Land" as anyone Orochimaru has brought back, lacks any memories from it.

And lastly, we have the Chidori. Kakashi taught Sasuke the jutsu in less than a month in canon. This time, he's had much longer to use it.

Lastly, thanks to bluepincles, for her awesome beta work! She's a life saver.