Naruto smiled softly at the nostalgic return of an old acquaintance. Cypher Naruto Namikaze, or Namikaze for short, was a Cypher Naruto from a different timeline that wounded up having his soul bound to his. The story was a complicated one, but he knew Namikaze would help him out whenever there was a problem he couldn't handle alone. He heard his counterpart whisper in his mind as he began taking place in his conscious, hidden from the sights of Magatsu Arashi and his summons, but Tenryu and Naraku are already aware of Namikaze's awakening. He felt comfortable now, knowing he had a secret ace.

Things were going smoothly, but right now, he must take care of a loose end, or in this scenario, several. First is to find out what Konoha Nin want with him, second was to either tame or destroy the Fal'Cie Leviathan, third, kill the Mizukage Yagura, fourth step, add as many steps as necessary. First, sleep.

"Neh, Uncle Neji." Boruto spoke as he got Cypher Neji's attention. "Do you think we could stick around a little longer? I want to see my old man in action." He asked as Himawari looked at him with hopeful eyes. "Can we?" she asked as Cypher Neji took a step back and tried to keep a stoic face. He hated it when Himawari use that look. It was adorable and effective on levels it should be labeled as Kinjutsu! "Please~!" she begged, her tone matching the look on her face as Cypher Neji slumped with defeat in his tone. "Fine…"

"Yay!"

/Morning/

Sasuke's eyes snapped open at the sound of snapping twigs as the entire Konoha group immediately stood up with kunai in hand as they saw Naruto and his team walk in. "Jeez, can't believe you came here of a places Teme." Naruto grumbled as he scratched the back of his head with annoyance. Everyone eased as they knew this was definitely Naruto, his lack of respect for Sasuke was a key clue. "Hn, dope." Sasuke grunted with a small smile as Kushina eyed Kakashi who scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "They're former teammates and rivals." He explained as simple as he could. She nodded at this, recalling having a much more civil rivalry with Mikoto years ago when they were younger and trying to see which one would confess to the boys they fell in love with. It was good seeing that kind of rivalry in these boys, even now that they're friends (even if they both won't admit it).

"So tell me," Naruto began as he eyed the team in front of him. "Care to explain why you are here?" he asked in a stern tone. Kushina blinked at that tone he was using, she knew that tone anywhere, she remembered her father using that exact same tone whenever he was going to give her an extreme ass-chewing for doing something wrong. "We came here to help you out with this troublesome civil war going on." Shikamaru replied as Naruto narrowed his eyes as they felt him slowly emitting killing intent. "Oh really? Did it ever occur to you that Konoha might be in deep water if you guys die here or even get captured?" he asked in an eerily calm tone as his calm expression did not hide the fury behind his eyes.

"Kid, you're talking about a team of some of the most skilled ninjas, Genin, Chūnin, Jōnin, and one of the Sannin, either getting killed or captured. What have no faith in us?" Jiraiya asked as Naruto gave him a glare that sent chills down his spine. "Where should I begin?" Naruto asked before snapping his fingers and began one of his most 'popular' lectures during his time as a Cypher.

Lightning and Kushina had to admit after 30 minutes later that Naruto was quite terrifying when he was chewing people out for not thinking things through and not being responsible as everyone in Konoha's team were in seiza position and were trembling from Naruto's stern expression. In their opinion, he was living up to his past as a former king chewing out his loyal subjects for their stupidity and causing problems. Lightning knew this from her Cypher counterpart dwelling in her had experienced one of his lectures in her younger years as a Cypher, and Kushina because Naruto reminded her of her father when he did that and she was proud of him living up to their family reputation. They both mentally agree that Naruto was going to be a great leader and a father in more ways than one.

"Now that my lecture is out of the way, where is Leviathan at last time you saw him?" Naruto asked as Kakashi blinked at the name. "So that's the name of the sea serpent turning people into those…monsters?" he asked as Lightning instantly narrowed her eyes at that detail. Cie'th was running rampant again? Not on her watch, which means this Fal'Cie was an enemy to humans. "Any more of them popping up anywhere?" Naruto asked with a serious look on his face, resembling his L'Cie Master's fury and seriousness. "They've been gathering around the edge of the lake nearby, as if waiting for something or someone. They've only attacked only if one enters their territory." Jiraiya supplied as Naruto was quite for a minute. "Team, let's go greet our army." He spoke as he walked towards the direction of the lake the Cie'th were located as Lightning understood what he was saying as everyone was out of the loop.

As they walked, Kakashi noticed a familiar face on Kimimaro's back and his lone eye widened. "Rin…" he gasped out as he stood up abruptly and began to follow Naruto's team. Sasuke merely raised a brow and proceeded to follow his sensei, knowing that their mission was to aid the knuckle head ninja and make sure he stayed alive.

Jiraiya scrunched his face in disgust at the sight of the twisted beings remaining still as Naruto approached them. "Cie'th huh? So Naruto would become this if he fails this 'Focus'?" he asked as Lightning nodded her head. "That's right, a fate worse than death. Doomed to rot in your own body till you're put out of your misery." She answered as Jiraiya looked down with guilt and shame on his face. He had condemned his own godson to a burden worse than a Jinchūriki, and is forced to be a slave to the gods of a lost era that Lightning only knows about. All because he wanted the boy to use the Kyūbi's chakra at will. He was a terrible godfather he admitted. But he still cared for the boy. He was the one paying his apartment bills and sending him a monthly allowance that would allow him to get his groceries, get clothing, and purchase ninja gear.

But he couldn't be there for him, to train him and raise him like the godfather he should be. He threw himself into his spy network and 'research' for Icha Icha series, not bothering to once even check up on him until the Chūnin Exams. How can he face his godson when he learns of the truth?

He snapped out of his inner thoughts as he saw these Cie'th kneel before Naruto like he was their king, their groans were that of loyalty. He noticed Naruto and Lightning having some sort of telepathic conversation, to avoid some sort of eavesdropper from learning of them as he noticed one speaking in a strange pattern of groans and moans of agony. "No…gather them." Naruto replied as he turned his back as Jiraiya saw something disturbing in his eyes. "I will take them all." He finished as Jiraiya saw the cold emptiness of Naruto's grey eyes.

Kakashi caressed Rin's face with trembling fingers, trying to see if he was hallucinating or having a nightmare. Kushina explained how she was found, left barely alive until she was properly healed by Naruto. Kushina shared that her son sometime in the future must have time-traveled in some way to make sure Rin survived her untimely death. She was in a comatose state, but from Kabuto's analysis, she was making an excellent recovery and will be conscious within a week. The Jōnin had a weary expression as he eyed Orochimaru's former right hand as he diligently cared for injuries of his teammates. That man was capable of decimating the Anbu guards he assigned to Sasuke during the Chūnin Exams when he was in the hospital, and why were Orochimaru's men showing loyalty to his student Naruto?

He needed answers, but now was not the time for that.

"-y Luck really is on my side today. I'm so going to gamble when I'm old enough in salute of her favor." Naruto smiled as Lightning merely shook her head in mild amusement as Kakashi saw that the creature, Leviathan, was in front of his student as he patted its head. He turned as his grey eyes looked at Team Konoha as everyone was disturbed by the new eye color as they noticed that even when he was smiling, it showed no genuine emotion. Kakashi and Jiraiya summarize that his L'Cie burden is stripping him of his emotions, Sasuke thought the constant battles and loss of people he called friends was doing him in, as Kushina and Lightning knew that Cypher Naruto was beginning to manifest his true form into this world slowly. "This is our last battle here, our target, Yondaime Mizukage Yagura, and put down the Bloodline Purge once and for all."

His purple eyes surveyed the battlefield as his men were falling one by one to these beasts. They were numerous and his shinobi were exhausted from the numerous battles as they were being overwhelmed. Yagura did not like this one bit as he personally decided to end it himself. "Bijū Mode…" he mumbled quietly as the red chakra enveloped his form as a massive creature took place, towering over everything in sight. A giant turtle with a crab-like shell and three tails resembling those of shrimps as the beast roared with unbridle fury. From the depths of the water, Leviathan erupted as he bellowed his challenge to the Tailed Beast. The Three-Tails hissed in hostility as both partners in crime remember this serpent of the seas. It had destroyed his army with tidal waves and turning them into abominations that fought against him. It was an unforgivable affront to the Mizukage as his monstrous form roared as he charged.

Barrages of crystal arrows collided against the Three-Tails as they exploded into spheres of blades made of wind tore through his side. The Three-Tails screeched in pain as Leviathan fired a Blizzaga spell to engulf it in ice as it instantly broke apart from a kinetic force as the Three-Tails was thrown back by the force.

"Nice shot," Naruto commented as Kidōmaru smirked as he notched another crystal arrow and fired it. "No problem Naruto-sama, I take time to grind and level up my archery skills to max stats." He replied as Naruto's emotionless smile grew dangerous. "Well, make sure to work on your dodge and parry skills." He told him as he poofed away, revealing to be a Kage Bunshin as Kidōmaru was swallowed up by a wave from the shockwave of the attacks he fired. "He's got a point there…" Kidōmaru mused mentally as he tried to get to higher ground to take aim again.

Naruto blinked as he looked at Jiraiya and nodded his head. Grinning, the Gama Sennin bit his thumb and began weaving through the hand signs and slammed his hand to the ground as he summoned Gamabunta to the water. And one thing is for sure, he was not happy with what he was facing. "Jiraiya…" the Chief Toad growled out as the Sannin was on his head. "I am not some suicidal fool. I fought Kyūbi thirteen years ago and then Shukaku just a while back. There is no way in hell that I'm-"

"Ah, come on Chief!" Naruto called out as he jumped on top of his head. "Don't you think it'd be awesome for the Toad Summons to get an awesome reputation of helping taking on not one, not two, but three Tailed Beasts and live to tell the tale? That would make you sound like a total badass!" he reasoned as Gamabunta thought about it for a moment and a puff of smoke escaped his lips. "Point taken kid, and from the looks of it, that serpent there is our ally…" Gamabunta mused as he drew his massive blade from his side. "Consider it a done deal!" he roared out as he charged forward.

Kick, barrel roll, punch to stomach, left uppercut; Sasuke did those moves as he downed the next opponent as the Cie'th army charged and took down other Kiri Shinobi with their unnatural strength and powers . He didn't like them one bit. They were unnatural, twisted, empty, and dead. This was the fate of his final teammate when the time limit was up. He was not going to give up on his teammate, the one who understood the pain of loneliness he had when his clan was slaughtered by his brother. The one who always helped be the push to make him try and be stronger, the one who drew him into a connection. Sasuke had realized then, he had a bond with a fellow orphan whom he could relate to, and they both bear brands of cursed powers on their bodies. They were both seeking seemingly impossible goals in life, there were two girls that liked them and they are both dead, and they were searching for power. But there was a big difference in that sought after power; Sasuke was becoming aware that to acquire such power, one must give something of equal value in return, and he was seeing the toll it was taking on Naruto.

It terrified him on the inside, to know that every second counts before you're times up and a fate worse than death is set upon you. Desperation to stop it will make one go through drastic means to make sure one's life is still beating. He was seeing Naruto's inner self coming out, an empty person born from loneliness fighting against all odds against him. Sasuke had a family at the start; Naruto had none at the start, while Sasuke soon lost his, Naruto regained his mother. But instead of being happier, Naruto seemed to become darker, colder, and distant. It was unnerving, and he knew Naruto was supposed to be a ramen loving, carefree energetic idiot of a loser that works hard and wants to one up him in some way. It was as if he was a different person all the same.

I am the bone of my crystal

Those words, he remembered those when Naruto went to face Orochimaru, the fury in his eyes, the power he unleashed and used to slay the madman with. It was an aria, one that told him of what Naruto was.

Earth is my body, and fire is my blood

He was saying things that describe what crystals were made from. The raw materials of the earth make the crystal body, as the fire used to mold it acted as lifeblood to forge the crystal.

I have witnessed the story of the Crystal Legends

From another area observing this, Boruto and Himawari were at the edge of the lake, leaning forward in excitement as Cypher Neji held them by the back of their shirts so they don't fall in. He would not want a repeat of treating them well when they had colds thank you very much.

Unknown to Darkness, nor known to Light

Boruto, Himawari and Cypher Neji knew of Naruto's path, of his past, and the journey he's enduring. He was a being that walked in-between good and evil. Suffering and healing at the same time as he endured through numerous battles barely clinging to life, but still a victor at the end of those journeys.

Have withstood pain to create cherished and unbreakable bonds

Kushina lowered her head, knowing that both her son and the Cypher Naruto that has taken over for him have both endured enough suffering from this painful loneliness she had been spared of. Knowing that both of them even have at least one bond to cherish brought hope to her as a mother.

Yet, even in the depths of the Void, I continue to shine

Lightning drew her blade as she activated her Grav-Con device as she walked on the water with the AMP technology while drawing upon her Eidolith as Gamabunta, Jiraiya, and Naruto himself drew nearer to the transformed Mizukage as Leviathan slammed his opponent into the lake floor.

Boruto and Himawari charged in, much to Cypher Neji's sudden surprise as he saw their determined expressions as they went to the battlefield to reach their father. They wanted to be by his side and are willing to risk the danger of their existence to help him like always, and would not let a freaking Tailed Beast of all things ruin the bond they have!

As my life begins anew in Fabula Nova Crystallis

The world was engulfed in flames as Team Konoha, Team Oto, and the Cypher Uzumaki were taken in to the new reality.

The Three-Tails blinked in confusion as Yagura was trying to comprehend this new world engulfed in crystal. He could not comprehend it or his Bijū as well, it was an alien world and also, his opponent had companions, as a giant toad was involved. "Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!" Jiraiya called out as he breathed fire as Gamabunta shot oil at the Bijū as the collaboration technique collided against the hard shell of the turtle. "Anyone up for turtle soup?" Jiraiya asked cheekily as everyone, even Gamabunta face palmed at the question. The mass of flames spun and died out, revealing a pissed off Three-Tails as it bellowed angrily at them. "Tch, gonna bring out the big guns." Naruto grumbled with a tone of annoyance as he summoned his Eidolith as he threw it in the air as it shattered as his summon heeded the call. "Shinryū!" Naruto called out as the sky of the Crystal Realm shook as thunder roared in the dark skies.

By Grace of Etro, let destruction herald your awaking. Come forth, Lord of the Rifts. A name in blood, a pact of dragons. Shinryū shall rise, his bond eternal and unyielding.

The dragon bellowed as the world shook from its roar as Shinryū launched Flare as the mighty explosion collided with the Three-Tails as Lightning charged on in with Odin as their blades left deep marks on the shell of the Bijū as the Three-Tails coiled up and began spinning rapidly towards Shinryū. In response to the attack, Shinryū merely activated Mighty Guard as the Three-Tails collided with the barrier and all efforts were for naught, as the attack could not crush the barrier. That was when Shinryū's maw glowed an ominous orange, which caused Yagura's instincts to kick in as he willed his transformed self to bounce away as Shinryū casted Atomic Ray in the area.

As Yagura bounced away from that attack, he felt a strong and powerful gaze onto his transformed self and it was very unnerving. "Lock…on!"

Before the transformed Mizukage could comprehend it, the mighty Tailed-Beast was knock to its side as it felt intense pain from the insides as Himawari with Byakūgan activated, poked at certain areas on the Three-Tails' body as Boruto fired off one of his special projectile Rasengans right in the eye as the beast howled in pain. Naruto was honestly caught off guard by their appearance in this battle but allowed it, he knew these two were strong in their own ways, and Namikaze was assuring him as well.

Kushina used her Adamantine Sealing Chains and binded the massive turtle as Yagura struggled violently against the restraints as Himawari began striking certain pressure points on the creature as Boruto delivered one of his special vanishing Rasengan to the side, causing the transformed Mizukage to be knocked onto his back as he struggled to turn rightside up. "Now's our chance!" Lightning called out as Odin activated Zantetsuken, Gamabunta utilized his Toad Blade Cut Technique as Shinryū drew power from Fabula Nova Crystalis and activated Chaotic Deluge as he unleashed the power of the Four Fiends into a pillar of destructive light as everyone shielded their eyes from the combined attack's brightness as a massive collection of dust kicked the air from a resulted explosion.

"Urgh, careful guys, he's pissed ya know!" Kushina called out as her chains were shattered as a menacing growl echoed out.

"Tailed Beast Bomb Barrage...!" Yagura growled out as Naruto's eyes widened. "Shinryū!" he called out as the dragon Eidolon knew his summoner's intent and quickly scooped up Boruto, Himawari and Kushina and activated Mighty Guard once more as the destructive volly of concentrated chakra exploded the world. Lightning was safe due to Odin, and Jiraiya quickly did a reverse summon with Gamabunta to get away from the attack. But one person was not so lucky...

"Tou-chan!" Boruto and Himawari called out as Kushina's eyes dilated at the sight of her son being engulfed by the attack as the Fabula Nova Crystalis was destroyed and they were all returned to the normal world as Yagura's Tailed Beast Mode grinned. "It's over, with your pathetic leader, its over assassins!" Yagura laughed. Kushina was about to erupt, until she felt a release of a massive amounts of chakra that caught everyone off guard as a figure stood in the dust, his silhouette visible. "Don't underestimate me-ttebayo!"

*Naruto the Last OST: The Last*

Thousands of clones appeared, chakra gathering in their hands as it glowed with unbridled power as they dived like a barrage of energy missiles. "Naruto 2K Spiralling Barrage!" they roared out as their assault smashed right into the Three-Tails as an explosion of pure chakra erupted as the beast roared out as its massive form shrunk and was sent into Version 2 Mode of the Bijū Chakra Shroud. "Wha-!?"

"Bloom and scatter elegantly in the battlefield..." Naruto's voice rang out as Yagura felt a chill down his spine as he turned to see Naruto wield a sword glowing a menacing blood red and was looking right at him. "-CHIZAKURA!" he roared as he swung the blade, unleashing a straight line of crimson lightning as it collided against his Version 2 cloak, causing an unsurmountable level of pain as he was forced into Version One. "Lightning, Odin, Shinryū, Aesir!" he called out as he summoned his other Eidolon as the four came to his side as they made their move.

"I control my own fate!" Lightning called out as she assaulted Yagura with her Army of One skill, her relentless barrage of sword strikes, punches, kicks, and bullets flowing faster than what the human eye can see as Odin began his relentless barrage right after, utilizing his Flourish of Steel, breaking his blade into two to deliver the Crushing Blow, and then a Skyward Swing. Aesir preferred his trusty spear Gungnir and with speed and grace his attacks connected blow to blow onto Yagura's body as Naruto charged in with Leoedge and Eloedge in hand and threw them like shuriken as they spun with speed and slashed at the Mizukage before flying off as Naruto loaded the Crystal Origin Bullet in the Contender and fired it as the bullet's power took effect the minute it pierced the chakra shroud and into Yagura's flesh.

Yagura screamed out in pain as he felt his chakra network being crystalized and body feeling weakened by the lack of chakra as the blade spun back to their owner and master as he slashed at him, kneed Yagura in the ribs, delivering an X-slash across the chest and a roundhouse kick in the head as Naruto knew this was the last chance to deal some lasting blows, the Stagger state on Yagura was activated. "Mom, Boruto, Himawari, let's show him the might of the Uzumaki clan-ttebayo!"

"You got it!-ttebane/ttebasa!" Kushina, Boruto and Himawari called out as they charged forward. Boruto started first, passing Naruto while taking Leoedge and started a palm strike in the adomen, as a Kage Bunshin manifested itself carrying Leoedge and performed a horizontal slash as the real Boruto threw his projectile Rasengan. Himawari was next as Naruto passed her Eloedge as she carried it on her back as she utilized the Gentle Fist and delibrately struck certain pressure points that were crystalized as the pressure and force behind them caused them to snap as Yagura howled in pure agony as Himawari drew Eloedge as it shifted into a gauntlet onto her hand and her eyes glowed dangerously. "Lock...On!" and with only her index finger, struck right into Yagura's stomach as he was sent flying towards one Kushina Uzumaki who was smile as a menacing red aura surrounded her.

"My blood is boiling!" she snapped as Yagura landed right in front of her and was scared right out of his mind from the scorn of this angry mother as her footsteps shook the ground. "Time for a royal beat down..." she growled as she grabbed him by the scruff of his collar and with her right hand, clenched it into a fist. "One ripe tomato, coming right up!" she shouted as she began decking his face in as the ground below them started cracking as Yagura in his dazed status, could have sworn he was being beaten down by a sadistic demon instead of a woman with the way her face was glowing demonically with that cruel smile on her face.

With one more punch resulting in a crater and a sickening crunch, Yagura was sent flying as Naruto stood his ground as he slowly opened his eyes as the Nenshō Byakūgan blazed in his eyes as chakra surged from his body as he charged forward, a Rasengan in his left hand as it turned white as another, foreign chakra began manifesting and combining itself with the jutsu in the form of a majestic lion head over the sphere.

I have enough to help you one more time...Naruto-kun

Thank you Hinata, for being there for me across time and space, or should I say...Cypher Hinata?

Naruto knew this truth now after all this time, only Cypher Hinata would follow him and will do whatever it took to help him on his journey with each death and rebirth. He had a feeling, that version of Hinata he kissed and bid farewell was the Cypher version in disguise. Even when she's not here, remnants of her chakra was still capable of doing her will for this one last task. And to pull of a collaboration technique

"Gentle Step Spiralling Twin Lion Fists!" he roared as he slammed the jutsu into Yagura as the incredible surge of chakra from the attack enveloped the two Jinchūriki

in a bright light.