The Pantheon of Nine

By: Finn Mertenz

A/N: Kamui5 - I really like Biwako and I feel like she's a solid replacement for Danzo. Taking his position as a village elder and the burden of Hiruzen's secret.

biginferno - I feel like you'll personally really enjoy this arc, and the next arc, because of Tayuya. There's a lot of flamboyant Tayuya moments in this arc, and the next arc revolves around her.

Tayuya is best girl, and, as the main ship of this story, she has to be the most developed. Tayuya's accepted Naruto, but now, Tayuya has to accept herself, and her own repressed emotions.

Because, if you don't love yourself, then you can't love anyone else.

Guest - I always love when someone reads chapter 1 and leaves a review for the entire story. This story has over 107 chapters and almost 800k words, but you're using one chapter to judge the entire thing.

You rush to complain about Naruto, even though you're one fucking chapter into the story. I understand why you hate canon Naruto, because I do too, but that doesn't excuse your lack of patience.

I want to make a joke about your review, but I won't even bother. Because, you're the best joke I could ever find.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN NARUTO.


Chapter 108: Awaken: Sage Of Six Paths! A Fight For Freedom.

Sunday 2:27pm, July 25th 58SSP.

Swishing her arms through a dark abyss, Tayuya's pale face was partially obscured by strands of wet hair. Swimming at depths that would crush a normal girl, Tayuya was casually drifting in place.

Defined by the blank expression in her eyes, Isaribi's webbed feet came into view, tinted with a dark tone of green. Exposing Isaribi's blue blouse and brown shorts, these pieces of fabric were tattered.

Ripped during her strange transformation, Isaribi's wooden sandals were completely destroyed. Also, the previous bandages across her body were torn loose, exposing a vast amount of green scales.

Propelled forward by her webbed feet, Isaribi surged through the dark abyss, lunging for Tayuya. Instead of dodging this attack, Tayuya and Isaribi became embroiled in an underwater wrestling contest.

Kicking and punching, Isaribi's hardened scales saved her from Tayuya's assault, absorbing the damage. Pushing this red-haired kunoichi further into the abyss, these battling girls eventually reached the ocean floor.

Surrounded by pillars of wet stone and plains of cold sand, Tayuya and Isaribi pushed off against each other. Unaffected by the extreme water pressure, these girls both slid across a tundra of sand.

Breathing under water, Tayuya didn't even question her strange assortment of new abilities. The ocean had become a second home for Tayuya, the deeper she swam, the more invigorated she became.

Suddenly, clumps of seaweed were pulled across the ocean floor, swirling around Isaribi before merging together. Held in place by green chakra, this seaweed enveloped Isaribi's entire body, concealing her from view.

Exposing the power of her Kaima Form, as a fish, Isaribi could freely manipulate seaweed. A monster of the deep, Isaribi was the demon that terrorized the Land of Sea, assisted by Suigetsu's Water Style.

Taking on the appearance of a gigantic seaweed golem, Isaribi stumbled across the ocean floor. Crushing the occasional rock under her feet, Isaribi soon reached out before grabbing a massive boulder.

Wrapping several strands of dense seaweed around wet stone, Isaribi hurled this large rock through the water. Gasping a mouthful of bubbles in response, Tayuya promptly swam out of range.

Evading multiple streams of seaweed, Tayuya soared through the water with remarkable speed. But clumps of seaweed continued to chase after her, propelled through the abyss.

Swimming across the ocean floor, Tayuya soon found herself between a flapping herd of sea turtles. Briefly mesmerized by these aquatic reptiles, Tayuya felt a strange connection with these turtles.

Dispersed by a large boulder, these sea turtles quickly fled as Isaribi stomped across the ocean floor. Throwing wet stone with each step, Isaribi's behemoth of seaweed charged at Tayuya.

Enraged by her sudden loss of turtles, Tayuya snarled in protest, grinding her teeth together. Clenching both fists, Tayuya stomped her right foot against the ocean floor, cracking the earth.

"Go away!" Muffled a mouthful of bubbles, Tayuya's statement was magnified by pillars of coral.

Rupturing out from the ground, these chakra-filled pillars radiated out in all directions. Creating a vibrant forest of coral in mere seconds, Isaribi's golem was impaled by various pillars.

Bisected by a radiant spear of red coral, Isaribi's golem was dispersed into a cloudy mixture of seaweed. Erupting from this swirling cloud, Isaribi surged forward at full speed, propelled by her webbed feet.

As Isaribi approached, she dove under a freshly created mound of coral, sparkling at depths beyond sunlight. After swimming for several moments, Isaribi was stumbled by a overhanging wall of coral.

Squeezing through ornate coral, Tayuya promptly taunted Isaribi, sticking her tongue out with displeasure. Enthralled by this display, Isaribi swam forward while Tayuya leapt at her.

Obscured by bubbles, Tayuya slammed her forehead against Isaribi's, cracking nearby coral. Eventually, this coral was completely shattered by a chakra-filled shockwave, concealing everything from sight.


Meanwhile.

"Eh, yo! Come out! I know you're not dead!" Suigetsu complained, raising his left fist into the air.

This white-haired shinobi was standing inside the Sage's Shrine, flooded to the brim with salt-water. Creating a distinct ripple across the water's surface, Suigetsu's shark-tooth smile could be seen.

"What have you done?! This shrine is sacred!" Suekoku panicked, clinging to an overhead rafter.

Rolling his eyes in response, Suigetsu used one finger to clean the water from his ears. Wiping this water against his outfit, Suigetsu released a dramatic sigh before scratching his nose.

"Relax, old man. The Sage of Six Paths is just a relic. No one cares about him, not anymore." Suigetsu muttered, swishing a dismissive hand through the air.

Releasing an abrupt gasp, Suigetsu was startled as Jūgo jolted out from the water behind him. Looming towards the ceiling like a giant, Jūgo towered over Suigetsu, dripping water from his orange hair.

"Oh, ya! A relic of the past! Baby!" Jūgo howled with a demonic tone.

Reaching out with both arms, Jūgo unleashed a crushing bear hug on Suigetsu, cracking his bones. Distracted by his own laughter, Jūgo didn't even notice as Suigetsu's body dissolved into a puddle of water.

Exposing his discolored skin, Jūgo raised his twisted face towards the sky before laughing without end. Soon, this laughter was muffled by a cracked ceiling from overhead, collapsing on top of Jūgo.

Struggling to cling too his own rafter, Suekoku was digging his nails against the sacred wood. Suekoku was just an average fisherman, he didn't have any talent for shinobi battles.

"That was weird...?" Suigetsu mumbled to himself, protruding out from the water.

Crouched outside the partially demolished Sage's Shrine, Suigetsu combed the water from his hair. Breathing a sigh of relief, Suigetsu's violet eyes bulged as a barrage of chakra-rods spewed out from the water.

Piercing Suigetu's torso, these rods pinned him against a collapsed wall, littered with debris and dust. Unable to liquify his body, Suigetsu became paralyzed as a pair of Rinnegan eyes pulsated through his mind.

Eventually, these eyes was emboldened by a hulking outline that towered over Suigetsu. Taking on the appearance of a distorted fox, this violet-eyed silhouette unleashed a hostile snort from its nose.

Battered against Suigetsu's twitching face, this rogue shinobi flew into a moment of panic. Not since the presence of Orochimaru had Suigetsu been so disturbed, sweating fresh water from his face.

"Terrorizing a small island nation... I thought you were supposed to be a great swordsmen." Naruto mocked, revealed by rays of sunlight.

Pulled from his daze, Suigetsu repetitively blinked each of his eyes, shrouded by Naruto's shadow. Instinctively trying to move, Suigetsu was still pinned in place, overwhelmed by an array of chakra-rods.

"Yea, well. I kinda lost my sword." Suigetsu muttered in response, rolling his violet eyes.

"Beside, I earn a cheap laugh every one in a while, so it's worth it." As Suigetsu spoke, he struggled to avoid Naruto's Rinnegan.

Interrupting this tranquil conversation, a howling Jūgo ruptured atop the water's surface, exposing his discolored skin. Charging across the water, Suigetsu was startled by Jūgo's rampant approach.

Undaunted by Jūgo's screams, Naruto didn't even turn around to confront his mindless friend. Instead, Naruto leisurely crouched in front of Suigetsu, allowing their violet eyes to meet.

"Jūgo, calm down please." Hearing these mumbled words, Jūgo abruptly froze mid-step, hovering mere inches away from Naruto.

Groaning with discontent, Jūgo dug several nails across his face, reverting back to his original skin color. Battling his own instincts, Jūgo soon became calm and tranquil, resembling the nearby water.

"Right, I'm sorry... Forgive me." Jūgo apologized, rubbing the side of his head.

Bursting out from distant water, Tayuya's soaked red hair was illuminated by glimmering sunlight. Partially muffled by her enraged face, Tayuya dragged Isaribi across the water's surface with one hand.

Defined by a strange assortment of green scales across her pale skin, Isaribi had reverted back to her human form. However, her previous bandages were completely ripped off, exposing her odd skin.

Isaribi's right leg was almost completely covered in green scales, similar to her neck and left arm. Also, a vast amount of Isaribi's face was stained with scales, giving the left side of her face a reptilian appearance.

Embarrassed by these horrific scales, Isaribi couldn't even look in the mirror anymore, she felt too hideous. Infact, that's the only reason why she followed Amachi, for a cure too her strange condition.

Throwing Isaribi on top of Suigetsu, Tayuya squeezed the water from her hair, drenching her outfit. Preparing a list of insults for Naruto, Tayuya snagged her panda hat out of the water.

"I'm soaking wet now! If you ruined my hat, you owe me another one!" Shrieking these words, Tayuya poked Naruto's chest.

Rubbing the back of his head, Naruto displayed a half-hearted smile, quickly dispersed by Tayuya's growling face. Hurling her wet hat through the air, this drenched fabric collided against Naruto's face.

Grabbing his belly with both hands, Suekoku soon approached these young love birds, standing between them. Snorting in response, Tayuya crossed both arms in front of her flat chest.

"Come on now! Let's play nice!" Chuckling his words, Suekoku released a booming laugh.

After speaking, Suekoku raised his nose towards the sky, drawing in a dramatic breath of fresh air. Basking in the ocean breeze, Suekoku felt like a child again, he felt hope.


Ten minutes later.

"So... This is the fabled demon?" Suekoku remarked, standing over Isaribi.

Hearing these words, Isaribi recoiled with embarrassment, pulling both knees against her small chest. Holding one hand over her face, Isaribi struggled to hide her scales, twitching with a nervous tick.

"Nah... She's just a little girl, I'm the real demon." Suigetsu cut in, sighing with boredom.

Speaking up, Suigetsu was pinned in place by several chakra-rods, impaled through his wrists and ankles. But instead of screaming with pain, Suigetsu had a casual expression across his face.

"She can't even preform jutsu, she's not a kunoichi. She's just a normal girl." As Suigetsu spoke, Isaribi was slouched beside him.

Inspired by these words, Isaribi downcast her face, gazing upon the green scales that stained her pale skin. The sight of these scales forced Isaribi's black eyes to narrow, filled with disgust.

Normal... A single word echoed through Isaribi's mind.

"A demon? You look like a little bitch to me." Tayuya blurted out, drying her crimson red hair.

Caught off guard by these abrupt words, Suigetsu briefly gasped before stuttering under his breath. Rushing to speak, Suigetsu accidently bit his own tongue, screaming like a little girl.

"Yep, just like I thought." Scoffing, Tayuya flung her vibrant hair over one shoulder.

Pulling her panda hat from a sunbaked roof tile, Tayuya squeezed the last ounce of water from this fabric. Sliding this fluffy hat over her head, Tayuya's face was framed by several bangs.

"Orochimaru abandoned this hideout months ago, why are you two still here?" Naruto questioned, standing in front of Tayuya.

Reaching out, Naruto yanked the chakra-rods from Suigetsu's body, freeing the white-haired shinobi. But instead of revealing blood, Suigetsu's impaled limbs were polluted by chakra-filled water.

Stretching in all directions, Suigetsu's wounds were leisurely filled by swirling water, soaking his pale skin. Standing up, Suigetsu combed one hand through his white hair, wrapping his other arm around Isaribi.

"This girl keeps griping about a cure... So I'm just keeping her company, until she gets it." Suigetsu remarked.

Mumbling a nervous response, Isaribi timidly twirled her fingers together, staring at the ground with blank eyes. Straining to speak, Isaribi was gripped by a harsh moment of hesitation.

"We-.. Well, Amachi said he could fix me. I could be a normal girl again." Isaribi mumbled.

Squinting his Rinnegan eyes, Naruto was sprayed by a fresh ocean breeze, forcing distant waves to swell. Wiping the water from his whiskers, Naruto took notice of Isaribi's depressed face.

"I don't know who this Amachi is... But please, young man, you must find the Sage of Six Paths." Suekoku proclaimed, pleading with Naruto.

"I already know where he is... There's only one place to hide him.' Naruto replied.

Releasing a gust of wind from her mouth, Tayuya blew strands of red hair away from her eyes, glaring at Isaribi. Trying to act casual, Tayuya yawned before leaning against a collapsed wall.

Scratching the side of his head with confusion, Suigetsu was startled by the repetitive squawks of Shisui. Soaring through the air, this violet-eyed raven unleashed a bundle of black feathers, obscuring everything.


Five minutes later.

Strolling across a rock-littered beach, Naruto, Tayuya and Jūgo were battered by an ocean-filled breeze. Trailed by Suigetsu and Isaribi, this traveling band of adventurers journeyed across the Demonic Isle.

"So... Do you know where you're going?" Suigetsu muttered, cleaning the water from his ears.

"If not, I'll gladly lead the way." Unleashing a shark-toothed smile, Suigetsu glared at Naruto's back.

Waiting for a response, Suigetsu was met by an awkward silence, sweating water from his face. At the same time, Tayuya rolled each of her brown eyes, pulling her panda hat further down.

"Hello?" As Suigetsu spoke, Isaribi struggled to hide her scales, filled with embarrassment.

"You talk too much." Tayuya spat out, crossing both arms in front of her chest.

Stuttering in protest, Suigetsu briefly spoke before Tayuya pushed him with both hands, baring her teeth like an animal. Losing his balance, Suigetsu tripped over a small pebble before face planting the ground.

Colliding with the earth, Suigetsu's skull erupted into a water-filled explosion, drenching nearby rocks. Twitching atop the ground, Suigetu's headless body struggled to stand up, grabbing Isaribi's hand.

Bubbling into place, streams of water merged into a new skull for Suigetsu, solidifying into flesh. Wiping the fresh water from his face, Suigetsu was defined by a single shark-tooth, jutting out from his mouth.

"We're here." Naruto cut in.

Standing in front of a massive iron door, this hidden entrance was carved into a cliffside of solid stone. Constructed by Orochimaru over ten years ago, this hideout was accessible only by a narrow ledge.

"It kinda reminds me of the northern hideout." Jūgo exclaimed, squeezing behind Naruto.

Quickly followed by Tayuya, Suigetsu and Isaribi, this traveling group assembled in front of the southern hideout. Shrouded by jagged rocks and partially eroded boulders, this hideout was barely noticeable.

"The northern hideout, eh... I guess Orochimaru kept you around too, huh?" Suigetsu questioned, scratching his nose.

"I actually didn't see him that much... Usually, he just asked for blood samples, or skin tissue." Jūgo remarked.

Interrupting this conversation with a hostile scoff, Tayuya stomped her tiny foot against the earth. Despite her small figure and size, Tayuya was determined to be heard.

"A glorified test tube and a dried up cum rag..." Tayuya mumbled, rolling her eyes.

"Listen up, losers! I was an elite bodyguard for Orochimaru!' Shouting these words with pride, Tayuya raised one hand towards the sky.

"Some bodyguard... You let him die." Suigetsu blurted out, forcing Tayuya to fall face first against a rock.

"Infact, I heard a blond runt did him in... Real strange." Humming these words, Suigetsu glared at Naruto.

Disturbed by jolting stone and cracked rock, the earth in front of Naruto was sundered by an unseen force. Shattered by this overwhelming shockwave, the iron door was torn from its hinges, falling to the ground.

"No more wasting time... Let's finish this and get sailing already." Tayuya spat out, pulling her face up.

Charging head first into this mysterious hideout, Tayuya was promptly swallowed by dense shadows. Unleashing a muffled sigh, Naruto trailed after Tayuya, beginning their journey for the Sage of Six Paths.

"Wait a second!" Suigetsu panicked, dramatically grabbing Jūgo's collar.

"Which one of us is the cum rag?!" Screaming these words, Suigetsu was met by a confused expression from Jūgo.

Encouraged by the distant squawking of Shisui, these three teenagers all charged into the hideout. Basking in a tranquil moment of silence, the Demonic Isle was eventually tainted by an eerie breeze.


Five minutes later.

Walking down a stone-paved hall, this isolated pathway was lined with faint lights on the wall, occasionally flickering. Devoid of windows or doors, this hallway appeared to stretch on without end.

Twirling her fingers together, Isaribi shuffled behind this traveling group, hiding her green scales from sight. Strolling beside her, Suigetsu was cleaning the water from his ears.

"If we're looking for that corpse... It's in Amachi's lab." Speaking with a lazy tone, Suigetsu flung the water from his finger.

"Ye-... Yea, sorry... Amachi said he could use it to cure me..." Stuttering each word, Isaribi stared at the floor.

Squinting his vibrant eyes, Naruto abruptly twitched after Tayuya stepped on a hidden trap, an obscured pressure plate. Jolted by an earth-shattering crack, the entire hallway began to collapse.

Caught by an awkward moment of hesitation, everyone glared at Tayuya, revealing the innocent expression on her face. Pulling her hat loose, Tayuya scowled before pointing down the hallway.

"What are you doing?! Run, losers!" After screaming, Tayuya dashed through the hall.

Chasing after her, Naruto, Jūgo, Suigetsu and Isaribi all surged down the hallway, evading a handful of falling rocks. Eventually, these fleeing teenagers approached a fork in the road, leading to three separate halls.

Confident in her own abilities, Tayuya charged into a dimly-lit hallway without warning, running down a stone staircase. Hastened by the sound of tumbling stone, Isaribi and Suigetsu were separated by a large boulder.

Unable to pause, Naruto, Jūgo, Suigetsu and Isaribi all charged out of sight, running into a distinct hallway. The entrances of these halls were then crushed by dense stone, blocking their escape.


Several seconds later.

"Great... I can't see anything." Tayuya talked to herself, glancing from side-to-side.

Tayuya stood at the entrance of a long and dark hallway, connected to the staircase she just ran down. Crossing both arms in front of her chest, Tayuya hummed under her breath.

Pulled from her thoughts, Tayuya was interrupted by the apparent footsteps of Isaribi, accidently bumping against her. Falling on her backside, Isaribi groaned before rubbing her butt.

"What the fuck are you doing here!" Spitting these words out, Tayuya pointed at Isaribi with an accusatory glare.

"O-... Oh, um... Sorry. I just kinda ran down here." Isaribi whispered in response, hiding her face with shame.

Disgusted by Isaribi's timid nature, Tayuya snarled before putting her panda hat back on. Blowing strands of red hair away from her eyes, Tayuya turned around before walking away.

"Bu-... But, um, shouldn't we wait for help?" Muttering these words, Isaribi slowly stood up.

Inspired by Isaribi's mumbled words, Tayuya flew in a frenzied rage, clenching both fists and her teeth. Turning around, Tayuya stomped in front of Isaribi, shoving their faces together.

"Help?! I don't need help! I can do everything all by myself!" Tayuya shrieked.

"I never rely on anybody! I can live all on my own! I always have!" Screaming without pause, Tayuya shoved Isaribi against a stone wall.

Whispering under her breath with a nervous tick, Isaribi cowered in front of Tayuya's presence. Staring at the floor with a downcast face, Isaribi didn't even notice the hateful expression in Tayuya's eyes.

"Wel-... Well, you're just..." Isaribi murmured, barely able to speak.

"Just what?!" Shouting at full volume, Tayuya grinded her teeth together.

"You're still just a child..." Hearing these timid words, Tayuya's eyes abruptly widened, exposing her black pupils.

Reaching out, Tayuya gripped the collar of Isaribi's blouse before slamming her against the wall. Pulling Isaribi close, Tayuya hovered mere inches away from her face, panting with rage.

"No I'm not! I'm not a child! I grew up faster then anyone else!" Tayuya boomed with anger.

"I didn't need a childhood! I didn't have a childhood! I'm more grown up than anybody! I'm an adult!" Repetitively slamming Isaribi against the wall, Tayuya lost all sense of self-control.

"O-... Okay... I'm sorry, sorry..." Isaribi pleaded with an apology.

Throwing Isaribi to the ground, Tayuya snorted a hostile gust of wind, panting rage with each breath. Turning around, Tayuya stomped out of sight, consumed by a shadowy hallway.


Meanwhile.

"Geez, how annoying." Sugietsu mumbled, brushing the dirt from his outfit.

Suigetsu and Jūgo both stood at the entrance of a well-lit hallway, paved with radiant lights on the ceiling. Drawing attention to Jūgo's bright orange hair, this young shinobi casually towered over Suigetsu.

"You know the way through here, right?" Jūgo asked, earning an exhaustive sigh in response.

"Yea... But Amachi will be pissed without an experiment." Sugietsu replied, scratching the back of his head.

"We'll be fine. I'm not worried about some old scientist." Jūgo exclaimed.

Met by an approving nod from Suigetsu, these shinobi quickly walked down an illuminated hallway. Muffled by the repetitive echo of footsteps, Jūgo and Suigetsu soon disappeared from sight.


Meanwhile.

Wiping the dust from his whiskers, Naruto stood in the partially buried remnants of an underground hallway. The abandoned ruins of Orochimaru's southern hideout, this hallway was barely used.

"Great. I get stuck in the worst one." Naruto talked to himself.

Standing up and stretching, Naruto popped a handful of joints in his lower back, polluting the hallway. Without delay, Naruto crawled over a large boulder before squeezing through a narrow crevasse.


Meanwhile.

Escorted by a poorly-oiled lamp that she tore from the wall, Tayuya journeyed through a narrow hallway. Trailed by the timid outline of Isaribi, these girls both traveled through the southern hideout.

"Of course, I get paired with the quiet loser." Snarling as she spoke, Isaribi was depressed by Tayuya's words.

Raising her chin towards the ceiling, Tayuya soon entered a wide lab, littered with tubes and jars of liquid. Defined by a prominent table in the center of this room, this surface was covered with a white sheet.

"Th-... That's the Sage..." Isaribi mumbled.

Exposing the outline of a corpse, the Sage of Six Paths was concealed by a white sheet, resting on Amachi's table. Rushing forward without hesitation, Tayuya gripped this sheet before throwing it to the ground.

Thrust into a dilemma of shock, Tayuya gazed down on the tan-skinned face of this legendary Sage. Despite his death almost a thousands years ago, the Sage's skin and spiky brown hair were radiant and healthy.

Propped on the table with both hands crossed atop his stomach, the Sage resembled a sleeping warrior. But in truth, he died centuries ago, brought to ruin by an endless horde of ancient demons.

"Bullshit! This dude looks like he's still alive! And he's way too young!' Tayuya snapped out.

Interrupted by the sound of clapping, Tayuya leapt back across the floor, sliding against an iron cabinet. Obscured by a curtain of shadows, Amachi's feet stomped into view, revealing the white trim of his lab coat.

"Yes... He's been dead for hundreds of years... But his body hasn't even decomposed." Amachi cut in, revealing his pale face.

"It's truly fascinating. In all my years as a medical shinobi, I've never seen such a thing." Exposing his twisted smile, Amachi was partially concealed by shadows.

Clenching her teeth with rage, Tayuya didn't have anything to throw, she left her shinobi satchels on Koyuki's ship. Brushing this regret to the side, Tayuya grabbed a nearby jar of glass, chunking it at Amachi.

Swept aside by a distorted blur, this glass jar was instantly shattered into hundreds of shards, polluting the floor. However, these glass shards were quickly crushed by Amachi's foot.

"I asked for more experiments, not an intrusion." Grunting these words, Amachi glared at Isaribi.

"I know... But, maybe, with help... You won't need anymore experiments." Stuttering her response, Isaribi rubbed the back of her head.

Instead of responding with words, Amachi inhaled a dramatic breath of air, causing his chest to swell. Inspired by this deep gasp, Tayuya leapt across the room, pushing Isaribi behind a stone counter.

Unleashing a Senjutsu-filled barrage of silky bullets from his mouth, Amachi gagged on a mouthful of spiderwebs. Fueled by Senjutsu chakra, these projectiles effortlessly cut through solid stone.

Bombarding the floor and distant walls, these spider-like bullets tore through Amachi's work station. Dampened by sound of broken glass and sundered earth, Tayuya and Isaribi were cowering for safety.

Stuck behind an isolated counter, this small pillar of stone eventually crumbled under Amachi's barrage. But instead of continuing his assault, Amachi paused at the last moment, saving Tayuya and Isaribi.

"I thought you would betray me... So I found my own experiment..." Amachi declared, stepping out from the shadows.

Revealing a pair of six arms that jutted out from his torso, Amachi also had a monkey-like tail on his backside. Each of these odd protrusions created a distinct tear in Amachi's outfit, ripping the fabric.

Oozing fresh puddles of chakra-filled slime from his sweat glands, Amachi was defined by his toad-like eyes. Also, Amachi had a snake-like tongue, similar to Orochimaru or Sasuke.

"Myself." Speaking this single word with triumphant, Amachi grinned from ear-to-ear.

"By injecting myself with the blood of the Sage of Six Paths... I'll become to next sage!" Raising three arms towards the ceiling, Amachi basked in his own power.

Through his recent experiments, Amachi had transcended the boundary between shinobi and sage. Reaching a level of strength beyond Orochimaru, Amachi had obtained all six forms of Sage Mode.

A wicked, twisted and heinous off brand of their originally forms, this amalgamation of chakra was beyond Kage-level. Barely able to withstand such chaotic chakra, Amachi's skin bulged with each moment.

"That sounds nice, next time, ask me if I care." Tayuya spat out.

Crouched behind stone debris, Tayuya pulled her silver flute into view, pinning the metallic object against her lips. Straining to play her music, Tayuya was startled by several spiderwebs.

Clinging to the floor like a wet noodle, this array of thick webs completely enveloped each of Tayuya's shoes. Yanking her feet from these trapped sandals, Tayuya leapt over a silky strand.

Using one hand to flip over a pile of shattered glass, Tayuya narrowly dodged a handful of silky bullets. Twisting through the air, Tayuya gasped as Amachi appeared in front of her.

Swinging her flute out, Amachi quickly grabbed this silver weapon with three hands, throwing it against the wall. Breaking her metallic flute in half, Tayuya grunted as Amachi kicked her in the stomach.

Spewing droplets of spit against the floor, Tayuya was flung across the room, colliding with an iron cabinet. Denting the rusty door of this weathered cabinet, strands of loose hair were knocked in front of Tayuya's face.

Blowing the hair from her eyes, Tayuya hastily rolled across the ground, avoiding a harsh foot-stomp from Amachi. Gripping a handful of Tayuya's hair. Amachi pulled this young kunoichi closer.

"You're quite skilled... For a child." Amachi mocked his young opponent.

Forcing her chest to violently throb, Tayuya yanked her hair free, polluting the ground with strands of red hair. But instead of retreating, Tayuya swung her fist towards Amachi, easily caught by four hands.

Wrapping his monkey-like tail around Tayuya's ankle, Amachi slammed this kunoichi against a stone counter. Raising three hands into the air, Amachi was promptly interrupted by Isaribi, blocking his path.

"Ca-... Can we find my cure without experimenting on people?" Isaribi stuttered.

Met by a sinister grin from Amachi, this distorted shinobi reached out with two hands, grabbing Isaribi by her neck. Lifting Isaribi towards the ceiling, Amachi chuckled with delight, exposing his snake-like tongue.

"Cure? I never cared about your pathetic cure. I just needed more experiments." Amachi snarled.

"I only kept you around because you were useful, until now." Speaking with a demented tone, Amachi squeezed down on Isaribi's throat.

Grunting with passive interest, Amachi used two hands to catch an approaching chakra-rod. Utilizing his deformed senses of Senjutsu, Amachi dropped Isaribi before turning around.

Bombarded by an unseen force of gravity, Amachi dug all six arms into the earth, holding his ground. Carving a deep crevasse with the weight of his own body, Amachi refused to back down.

Ignoring the chunks of debris that flew past him, Amachi casually headbutted a piece of stone, shattering on impact. Brushing the dirt from his pale hair, Amachi soon stood up, standing in a rock-filled crater.

Squinting his toad-like eyes, Amachi became intently focused on the whiskered face of Naruto. Standing at the entrance of a distant stone door, Naruto's vibrant eyes deeply contrasted the dark room.

Releasing a sadistic smile, Amachi clapped both hands into the tiger seal, causing his cheeks to swell. Spewing a condensed stream of slime from his mouth, this green liquid was launched across the room.

Failing to hit his target, Amachi's skin began to convulse and writhe, magnified by pain-filled screams. Eventually, Amachi tore his shirt off, exposing an odd distortion of bubbling flesh.

Crushed under the weight of his own chakra, Amachi's entire body ruptured like a geyser of blood. Spraying crimson ooze across Isaribi and Tayuya, this bright liquid perfectly matched Tayuya's hair.

Shielded by an unseen wall, Naruto strolled in front of Amachi's bloated corpse, deformed and twisted. At the same time, Tayuya wiped the blood from her face before jumping to her feet.

Accidently landing on a pile of broken glass, Tayuya bit her own tongue instead of screaming. Clenching each of her fists, Tayuya internally shrieked in her mind, dramatically breathing through her nose.

"Do you need help?" Naruto cut in, offering a hand too Tayuya.

Scoffing in response, Tayuya brushed this hand away before walking towards the exit, ignoring the glass in her feet. Leaving a trail of bloody foot prints behind her, Tayuya acted like nothing was wrong.


Twenty minutes later.

"Thank you, young man. Thank you so much." Suekoku cheered, standing in the Sage's Shrine.

Lowering the Sage of Six Paths back into his coffin, Naruto sealed this casket with an array of chakra-rods. Pinning this ancient wood in place, the Sage was finally put back to rest.

"With these rods, I'll notice if anyone tries to move him." Naruto explained.

Nodding in response, Suekoku displayed a wide smile, chuckling for almost a minute straight. However, this laughter was soon muffled by the sound of hammers striking wood.

Revealing a small construction crew, Suekoku was leading an effort to rebuild the Sage's Shrine. Laying ornate wood across the roof, the Sage's Shrine looked like a brand new building.

"With this, tourists will flock too our nation once again! You've saved us!" Suekoku beamed with joy.

"I didn't really do much... Tayuya and Isaribi deserve credit." Naruto remarked, rubbing the back of his head.

Glancing to the side, Naruto became focused on the distant silhouette of Tayuya, sitting on a wooden crate. Pulling a handful of bloody glass from her feet, Tayuya refused to accept any help.

"What about us?! It's not my fault we got lost!" Suigetsu cut in.

"Actually... It kinda is." Jūgo exclaimed, holding both arms in front of his chest.

Hiding the scales across her face and neck, Isaribi was standing behind Sugietsu, poking out over his left shoulder. Defined by her nervous tick, Isaribi twirled her fingers together.

"So... What happens now?" Isaribi mumbled.

"Well, you can always come with us. We're going to the Land of Waves." Hearing Naruto's words, Suigetsu wrinkled his pale nose.

"The Land of Waves? What's so special about that island?" Suigetsu murmured.

"Just a village... Some friends... A legendary Swordsmen of the Mist. That type of stuff." Naruto spoke out, forcing Suigetsu to hum with interest.

"A Swordsmen of the Mist, eh? That sounds pretty sweet." Speaking these words, Suigetsu wrapped one arm around Isaribi.

Ignoring this large group of friends, Tayuya pulled the last shards of glass from her feet. Promptly covered by a layer of hardened coral, Tayuya leapt up before putting her panda hat on.

"Bu-... But, are you sure? Most people don't like us." Isaribi muttered.

Enraged by these words, Tayuya stomped past Isaribi, shoving her to the ground with one hand. Also, Tayuya stepped on Suigetsu's foot, crushing it into a puddle of water.

"I can see why..." Spitting these words out, Tayuya ran outside, eager to leave.

Holding his damaged foot with both hands, Suigetsu's wound was quickly healed by rushing water. Helping Isaribi stand up, Suigetsu used one hand to brush the dirt from her outfit.

"Geez, what's her problem?" Suigetsu questioned.

Quietly clasping both hands in front of her small chest, Isaribi downcast her nervous face, staring at the floor. While this occurred, Suekoku was directing piles of lumber through the background.

"She hate's me, I know it... I said something that bothered her..." Isaribi whispered with a timid voice.

Shrugging his shoulders in response, Suigetso shook the water from his shoe before leaning against Naruto. Dramatically poking Naruto's face, Suigetsu was defined by his shark-tooth grin.

"Alright... We'll tag along, any excuse to find a new sword." Suigetsu groaned.

Dwarfed by the massive silhouette of Jūgo, Suekoku soon approached this small group of friends. Magnified by his ear-booming chuckle, Suekoku's bald spot glimmered like a jewel.

"I owe you a lot, travelers. We owe you." Suekoku proclaimed.

Encouraged by the distant screams of Tayuya, Naruto hastily nodded with agreement before running outside. Trailed by Jūgo, Suigetsu and Isaribi, these young teenagers were consumed by rays of the setting sun.

Naruto didn't know it, but he just gave Suekoku a forgotten gift from his childhood. He gave him hope, a valuable trait for anyone, especially an elderly fishermen.