The Fast and the Maelstrom

by ReaperOfBalance

Growing up as the son of two racing legends, Naruto has always been around vehicles, boards, and other items that have shaped him into a competent and skilled driver, fixer, and fighter. Now he's about to meet someone that's going to give him a new family: Dominic Toretto. Starts in the Fast franchise then branches off into other items with the Fast franchise being the focal point.

5. Chapter 5: Anaconda

Hello all and welcome back! This chapter has Naruto in the Amazon helping a friend with a documentary, hopefully nothing happens that complicates things.

Quick note for you all: Nicholas St. Patrick that I mentioned last chapter is the reincarnation Naruto that is the star of Shawn129's fic "Maelstrom Kingpin" and it can be found on Archive of Our Own. It was on FF but he left FF because he's been getting pissed at FF for stupid shit they keep pulling. Anyway, just wanted to let you all know since I forgot to mention it at the end of last chapter.

I believe that's it since I addressed the reviews that needed addressing, so let's get this show on the road.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, the Furious series, or anything else I add into this fic. Be nice if I did.

"Speech"

"Thoughts"

"Radio, TV, or altered voice"

"Book, Computer, Letter, Text Message"

*see bottom for note

[Translation]

CHAPTER 5: ANACONDA

ARIAU JUNGLE HOTEL, BRAZIL: DEEP IN THE AMAZON

A young Latina woman named Terri Flores was sitting in her hotel room going over some documents for her upcoming job while wearing a tight fitting nightgown that showed off her curves counting her big bubble butt and D cup breasts. The job in question was directing a documentary of one of the few Amazon Tribes that had yet to be caught on film: The Shirishama aka the People of the Mist. At the moment, she was just waiting for a few more of their crew to show up: Their expert, two capable guides, their driver/boat owner, and their narrator/host for the documentary.

A knock at her door made her stop her work before she put a robe on over herself before walking over to the door and finding an older man dressed in some safari style clothing with black hair that was giving a salt and pepper look from the grey/white that was coming in and a small goatee. "Miss Flores." The man stated with a smile at seeing one of his promising students.

Terri smiled in return, "Professor Cale. Come on in." She stated letting him inside her room, "When did you get in?" Terri asked as Cale put his backpack down and pulled a map out.

"Couple days ago, been talking to different local guides about our mysterious tribe. I know we've got two experts, but hearing from the locals could give some insight for a general direction in case things have changed." Cale stated as he put the map on the table, "There's good chance that they exist and we'll find them… or at least that's what I told the university." Cale stated making Terri smirk. "Anyway, they should be around here, according to my sources, as that's where one of their signs were seen." Cale stated as he pointed to a smaller branching path of the main flow of the Amazon river.

"Well, that's good right?" Terri stated and Cale nodded.

"There's a reason to hope." Cale stated and Terri shrugged.

"Hey, you find them and I'll shoot it and get a great documentary. Worst case scenario, we have a nature documentary of the local flora and fauna of the Amazon." Terri stated making Cale snort in amusement as he sat back.

"So you get word from Naruto yet?" Cale asked and Terri nodded.

"Yup, he should be here in a day or so, and he's bringing a friend to help since she knows the jungle as well." Terri replied with a small smile.

"Good, there a lot of dangers in the jungle that even I'm not aware of. The more capable hands, the better the chances we get through this without any problems." Cale stated as he looked at the map intently wanting to be sure he knew which way to go or ask the boatman about.

NEXT DAY

Naruto was standing at a bus stop waiting for someone to arrive while dressed in black cargo pants, hiking boots, red shirt, and a cargo vest with multiple pockets. As he waited for the transport to arrive, he thought back on the things that had happened over the past few days.

After Diggstown was fully acquired, Gabe and them had celebrated and Naruto began setting up a safe house and crash pad should he need it. Robbie has taken over as manager of the gym and was determined to do his best. Gabe and Fitz had sold part of the holdings in town to Naruto since they didn't need them nor were they country living type people, and Naruto then began moving money to fix up all the properties as well as working out deals for each of the families to own their farmland again. Jugo was gonna stick around for a while to not only watch the place and ensure no one else tried to muscle in, but also teach the local boxers how to really box.

Red had bought a few places as well to use for his own purposes and had Slim and Ham working for Jugo to keep the town safe. Luli took Emily under her wing in the art of banking, business deals, money moving, etc etc and Emily seemed to take to it rather well. Miya and Letty had hung around before taking off back to LA when Naruto left, though Naruto gave them a good cut of the cash to keep supporting them.

Right now, he was alone because Lai had to return to China for her father's funeral and will reading and he had sent Nanette with her so Lai wouldn't be alone. They also had Luli, Emily, and Tenten with them since Luli would help handle the financial affairs for Lai ensuring she got the best price for anything and everything she wanted to sell off. Emily was so she can get her first glimpse at foreign affairs and transactions and Tenten was for security and teaching Nanette, and the others if they wanted, how to fight and use a gun properly. Naruto had already started with Nanette but hadn't gotten to any in depth items for her yet.

So now, here he was in the Amazon because a friend from college wanted his help traveling through the jungle since he had been here before for an… extended period of time. He knew the jungle and quite a few of the tribes, including a few members of the Shirishama. Though, at the time, he didn't know that was such a big deal, but hey it would help now at least.

He broke from his musings as a bus pulled up and a few people got off as he waited before smiling at the sight of a woman in her mid to late 20s with brown hair done in a braided ponytail, full pouty lips, and tanned skin get off the bus. She had a pair of ray bans sunglasses and was dressed in a grey crop tank top that was borderline a sports bra as her E cup breasts pressed against the fabric. Down lower were a pair tan low cut hiking shorts that didn't even reach halfway down her thighs, white socks, fingerless black leather gloves, and tan hiking boots. She also sported two thigh holsters with H&K USP Match 9mm pistols with contour grips, extended mags, easy release, and integral muzzle break. On her shoulders were two straps holding a backpack and a pair of ice axes and he knew she had a pair of knives in her boots and around her waist, and in her left hand was a military issue duffel bag.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in: Lara Croft, the infamous Tomb Raider." Naruto stated as the now named Lara smiled and dropped her bag before rushing over to him and jumped his arms while wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist as she kissed him heatedly and Naruto was happy to return it as he held her by her ass.

The two continued to kiss until the need for air grew too much and they separated with Lara hugging him tightly, "It's great to see you." Lara stated causing Naruto to chuckle as he hugged her back.

"I couldn't tell." Naruto teased as he set her down and she disengaged from him and grabbed her bag. "It's been way too long." Naruto stated with a smile as she nodded.

"Yeah, at least five years or so." Lara stated as they walked towards the docks with Naruto grabbing his own bag off a bench as they passed. "So Terri is directing a documentary on the Shirishama?" Lara asked for clarification and Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, and since I've met a couple and we've both had to deal with the threats out here on more than one occasion, I invited you after she called me up." Naruto stated making Lara nod as they saw the barge that they were going to be aboard.

"Here's to no big snakes, and as few mosquitos as possible." Lara stated making Naruto nod his head as they approached the boat that was docked with Terri and the rest of her crew standing around it.

"Well, as I live and breathe, is that THE Terri Flores, big time director and all around nice girl?" Naruto called walking up making Terri smile as she came up and hugged Naruto, who gladly returned it. Pulling back, Naruto motioned to Lara, "You remember Lara." Naruto stated as Terri nodded and hugged Lara.

"Yeah, been a long while." Terri stated as Lara nodded and they got on the boat.

"What's up Goldilocks?" Danny Rich, the cameraman, called while wearing a pair of black basketball shorts, black t shirt, blue and black bandanna as a sweatband, baseball cap, and sneakers making Naruto laugh as he hugged him.

"All good on my end, how about you man?" Naruto asked and Danny shrugged.

"Can't complain man, just here to support my girl getting her own award winning documentary." Danny said slinging an arm around Terri's shoulders with a grin.

Terri just shook her head with a smile before motioning to two others on the boat: a scrawny white guy with shaggy blonde hair wearing an undershirt and Hawaiian shirt with some shorts and tennis shoes, and a woman with rusty brown hair, blue eyes, and wore a white sports bra under a vest that showed off her DD cup breasts, a pair of hiking shorts that hugged her hips and large ass, and a pair of hiking boots with a pair of sunglasses hanging from her vest. "This is Denise, our production manager, and her brother Gary, in charge of sound. Denise, Gary, meet a friend of mine, Naruto Namikaze." Terri stated as Naruto shook their hands.

"Pleasure." Naruto stated as Denise eyed him up and down with a smile.

"Beside him is his friend Lara Croft." Terri stated making the two widen their eyes.

"Lara Croft? As in-" Gary started before she cut in.

"The Tomb Raider? Yes." Lara stated as she put her bag down while the boat captain walked down dressed in an open button down shirt, loose hiking pants, boots, and an undershirt.

"Ah, perfect timing, Naruto this is-" Terri started before Naruto chuckled and gripped the man's hand before hugging him.

"Mateo, how you been brother?" Naruto asked as the now named Mateo smiled.

"Better now that I know you're coming, Jefe." Mateo stated as they pulled back.

"You know each other?" Terri asked and Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, I was helping a friend with a hunting trip, Mateo was the driver and I saved his ass and his boat quite a few times." Naruto stated only for Mateo to shove him slightly.

"Hey, I help you too. I'm not just baggage and driver that time." Mateo stated as Naruto laughed and nodded.

"True enough." Naruto stated with a smirk as Cale came over and shook Naruto's hand.

"Nice to see you again, Naruto." Cale stated as Naruto nodded to him, "Mateo, wanted to talk to you about our course." Cale said as he showed the map and pointed to a part of the river, "I'm told this is an effective way to reach our intended destination." Cale stated as Mateo looked it over before pointing to another section that was smaller.

"This way, better. Take a little longer, but safer during this season. Flooding and animal migrations make this other path harder and will risk the boat." Mateo stated making Cale nod.

"It's only a couple miles out of the way, so that's fine." Cale stated as Naruto looked at the map.

"We may also have to go up one of these branching paths since we're in the middle of the wet season, so depending on how much rain has been here, the river would have risen and driven them further inland to higher ground. Depending on if they had fishermen or hunters out, they could have gone either way at this fork here." Naruto stated since he was supposed to show them where he met some of the tribesmen.

"All right then." Cale stated as he folded the map up and began moving some oxygen tanks with Naruto's help.

"Mr. Cale." An older voice called and Naruto turned to see a man in safari type gear with a rifle on his shoulder walking up to them.

"Ah, Mr. Vanpelt, welcome aboard. Naruto this is Alan Vanpelt, he's a safari and jungle guide that the university hired as extra insurance. Mr. Vanpelt, Naruto Namikaze." Cale introduced as Naruto shook his hand.

"Oh yeah, the African Outdoorsman, your reputation proceeds you." Naruto stated as Vanpelt smiled.

"As does yours Mr. Namikaze. I've heard of some of your hunting exploits and I must say they are impressive for one so young." Vanpelt stated and Naruto smiled.

"Thank you, I had good teachers and friends that helped make me into a hunter that I am today." Naruto stated as Vanpelt nodded and went to store his things in the boat.

"Did Westridge get in all right?" Terri asked coming over to them after asking Mateo to drive past a riverbank nearby for some footage.

"Last night, but you know him, he's probably getting his beauty sleep." Cale stated before shouting was heard making them see an older man wearing an aristocratic type outfit, though admittedly lighter due to the humidity, carrying two suitcases and shouting at one of the workers for the hotel that was carrying two other suitcases.

"Will you be bloody careful! There are wines in there that cost more than you'll make in your entire life!" The man shouted angrily as he followed the employee down the dock to the boat. The man then looked up towards the boat, "Morning. I'd say good morning, but it's honestly been bloody awful." He stated as he approached the boat and saw Denise. "Ah! You there, take these to my room." He ordered as Denise just looked at him in annoyance.

"How about you shove them up your ass? I'm the production manager not a bell hop and you're not on some pleasure cruise sweetheart, you're here to work just like everyone else." Denise stated with an annoyed look clear on her face as she moved away and the man merely stared at her in shock.

"You know, in some countries it's considered a sign of true friendship to be asked to carry someone's bags." Gary stated as Demise just pushed him over as she went over some paperwork.

"Mr. Westridge, Terri Flores." Terri introduced as Westridge removed his fedora and shook her hand.

"Terri, a pleasure to meet you. Professor Cale showed me some of your short films, I found that they were quite… inspired." Westridge stated before grabbing his bags before Terri could reply, "God, it's hot here. Are you sure we're on the equator?" He asked walking off to one of the few rooms on the boat.

"I think he likes you." Naruto stated with a smile as Terri nodded with a 'yeah right' smile.

"You felt that too huh?" Terri asked as Naruto chuckled and helped ensure they were ready to shove off.

"All right, check your gear, make sure you have everything you need, and hope you didn't forget your bug spray." Cale called as he wanted to be sure they wouldn't need to turn back for anything especially since their course would force them to fight against the river if they tried to turn back.

What that meant was what took hours going one way could take days going the opposite way. That was time they couldn't afford to waste.

Shortly thereafter, they set off with Danny being the camera man as Westridge was narrating for the documentary. "And so our adventure begins. Our journey through the Amazon in search of one of the last few mysteries this wonderous jungle holds: The Shirishama tribe, the people of the mist. Our trip takes us up river by River Barge in hopes of finding clues and signs of the mythical tribe. Will we find what we seek or will our hopes be met with the Jungle's refusal to let another of its mysteries be solved? Joining us on this expedition is none other than renowned safari and jungle guide and huntsman, Alan Vanpelt. Mr. Vanpelt, could you tell our viewers about some of the local wildlife of the Amazon?" Westridge spoke as he did motions towards the surrounding jungle while looking right at the camera before having Vanpelt come over and began a discussion between the two over the different subjects that they were using both as filler and in the off chance they couldn't find the Shirishama.

"He's a pompous pain in the ass, but he's good at what he does." Lara commented from above the crew with Naruto beside her, who nodded in agreement.

"There's a reason he was hired for this." Naruto reminded as Lara nodded before she laid her head on his shoulder.

"I really have missed you." Lara stated with a smile as Naruto returned the smile and kissed her head.

"I missed you too. Anything big that I missed?" Naruto asked he leaned on the railing.

"No, I went on some digs and nothing exciting happened." Lara stated before lowering her voice, "I haven't found any more of them either or any of those items you wanted me to look for." Lara stated quietly since not only was she hunting for some items and people, but Naruto had an interest in some specific items that he wanted acquired.

"Don't worry, they'll slip up sooner or later. As for the items I'm looking for, it's not that important right now, I just wanted you to keep an ear to the ground since you've got more contacts in the archaeological world than I do." Naruto stated as Lara nodded before she kissed him lightly.

"I know, but I still want to help." Lara stated as she kissed him again. "What about with you?" Lara asked and Naruto shrugged a bit.

"Nothing much beyond the usual trouble I get into. Got shot at, drove fast cars, met up with some old friends, made some new ones, fucked some beautiful women, took down a drug smuggler, a human trafficking ring, and a con man who liked to think himself a mob boss. You know, the usual stuff." Naruto stated with a grin as Lara scoffed and shook her head.

"You're still just a magnet for trouble." Lara stated as Naruto chuckled and kissed her cheek.

"Maybe, but it's also how I met you." Naruto stated making Lara smile.

"Me and the other girls you've gotten addicted to your dick." Lara teased making Naruto chuckle since she wasn't quite wrong in that.

"Not my fault I'm that good." Naruto stated with a wide grin as Lara shook her head with a smile.

She really did miss him.

LATER

The weather had taken a turn as it was raining hard and fast that if it got any worse Naruto would classify it as a monsoon instead of a simple storm. Thankfully it wasn't hitting that level, but it was still a bit annoying and was making the river more hazardous.

Still, it wasn't anything they hadn't accounted for when planning the route and trip.

However, they weren't planning on coming across a run aground boat with three men waving their arms and calling for help. "Mateo! Pull alongside, we'll bring them aboard." Naruto called from the deck while Lara was above with her pistols ready in case they were hostile.

Walking to the edge, Naruto waved to them, "Come aboard." Naruto shouted as the three men jumped across with some bags and a case. When he helped the first up, he was surprised to see a friend of his, "Paul?" Naruto asked making the oldest of the three look at him in surprise. The man was white and at least in his 50s with a ponytail going down to between his shoulders and wearing a red Henley shirt, khaki pants, and black boots. He also had a scar down the right side of his face.

"Naruto?" The now named Paul asked before laughing, "Truly the Lord works in mysterious ways my friend, it's good to see you." Paul stated before hugging Naruto and then turned to the other two, "Let me introduce my partners-" Paul started before Naruto interrupted him.

"Kiba Inuzuka and John Clayton." Naruto stated as he looked at one of the biggest pain in the asses he had ever met and one minor annoyance and they mirrored his excitement at seeing him again.

"That's right, you know them?" Paul asked over the raging storm.

"Yeah, and not in a good way." Naruto stated making Paul frown since if Naruto didn't trust them, then he may have made a mistake getting into business with them.

"Listen, we can't take you back to the resort, we're heading up river." Cale stated and Paul nodded.

"Not a problem, I know people at the next village, they'll help get our boat unstuck from the tree roots so we can continue with our own journey." Paul informed making Cale nod.

"Always at the mercy of our machines, right?" Naruto stated making Cale nod as Mateo pulled away from the riverbank and tried to find a calmer section of river to hold up for the night. Paul of course laughed and hugged Mateo while also greeting Lara.

The whole time Kiba Inuzuka and John Clayton were eying Naruto with frowns on their faces. Kiba was a tanned skin young man around Naruto's age with shaggy brown hair, red markings on his face, a grey jacket, jeans, and hiking shoes. Clayton was an older man, but younger than Paul, who had a balding head of black hair, a trimmed black goatee, cleft chin, and wore a yellow dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, grey hiking pants, and brown leather boots.

The two eyed Naruto in annoyance knowing that him being around made their plans that much harder. Though Kiba's was closer to a scowl than anything.

NEXT MORNING

Naruto and Paul were both on large tree roots with sharpened branches before they both jabbed down into the water and brought them back up with fish skewered on the ends. "Fish, river style." Paul stated as he held the fish in the air before he and Naruto started moving back to the boat keeping the fish in the air.

"Wow, we'll have to get that on film next time." Terri stated as Naruto and Paul got back on the boat and started butchering the fish.

"So where are you from Mister?" Cale asked as Naruto and Paul both started cutting.

"Serone, Paul Serone. As for where I'm from, I was born in the states and then my parents and I came south on a mission trip, only the Lord apparently decided to test me by taking them away via Earthquake and I found myself living in Paraguay. I was studying for the priesthood, but just before my final test, I felt the Lord speak to me to go out and see the real world, rather than the black and white picture the priests wanted me to see. I traveled a great deal and now I find a new calling among the rivers and jungles, where I met Naruto here." Paul informed as he descaled the fish.

"And what exactly is your calling?" Westridge asked.

"Animal threats, particularly snakes." Paul stated as he passed his fish to Naruto to fillet since he was better at it.

"Snakes?" Denise asked and Paul nodded.

"Yes, among other animals, I catch them, hunt them, or help others do so. But I am no poacher, I take jobs mostly for animals that local governments want removed from the local wilderness. Around this jungle, there's no one wanting to keep the different snakes around, especially Anacondas." Paul informed as he began chopping the bones of the fish since they could be used for soup.

"Ana-whata?" Danny asked and Naruto smirked.

"Anacondas, REALLY big ass snakes. Specifically for this area, the Green Anacondas. The smallest are only a couple inches, but there's been ones seen up to 40 feet long. Many so called experts consider the stories of them attacking and eating humans to be a myth, but they aren't… at least not in this jungle. They strike quickly with a bite to an incapacitating point, generally the shoulder or neck, and then pull you into a coiled embrace. They then proceed to flex themselves closed around you tighter and tighter before you get the pleasure of hearing and feeling your bones break before your organs and blood vessels burst." Naruto stated as he finished cutting his fillet as everyone but Lara, Paul, Vanpelt, Kiba, and Clayton looked disturbed by the information.

"There are many collectors who want one either dead to display or alive to keep in their own private zoo. Personally, I think the world would be a much nicer place if they were all wiped out." Paul stated as he finished carving his fish.

"And the two gentlemen with you?" Cale asked and Naruto snorted.

"Kiba Inuzuka and John Clayton. They're poachers, though Kiba started with dog fighting before he amped it up to poaching when he was put on watch lists in different cities. He usually goes after different cats while Clayton will hunt anything for the right price and has at times gone after endangered species, damn the consequences. Granted, Clayton isn't always poaching, but he doesn't care what the animal in question is as long as he's paid well enough. " Naruto stated as he glared at the two while they frowned at him.

"Well, I am hunting snakes, so I saw no reason to worry about them killing any. We were going to meet with Mako further in, but then our boat got caught." Paul stated knowing he'd be keeping a better eye on the two since Naruto not trusting them was enough for him.

"You didn't send Mako all the way in did you?" Naruto asked and Paul shook his head. "Good, though I wouldn't count on these two to watch your back. Kiba's more likely to drive the knife right into your spine the moment the chance for more money came up and Clayton will ditch you if he wants to save his own skin." Naruto stated as he looked at the duo.

"Come now, Naruto, that's all in the past." Clayton stated with a friendly smile on his face. "I admit last time was bad, but I've changed since." Clayton stated as Naruto rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, you're already a snitch, why cause problems when we're just hunting snakes." Kiba stated as Naruto just looked at him.

"Go fuck yourself, you're already lucky I don't throw your ass in the river and be done with it for some of the shit you've pulled." Naruto growled as Clayton frowned at Kiba.

"There some history here?" Terri asked and Naruto nodded.

"I turned Kiba in when he was dog fighting after beating his ass since he was a pathetic excuse for a so called rival as he liked to call himself and he tried to put his hands on some female friends of mine, despite them clearly saying no. Clayton nearly got me and a friend killed with his recklessness while hunting and hiring thugs to transport and help him hunt." Naruto stated as he cleaned the fillets a bit and ignored Kiba scowling at him.

"And you then killed those so called thugs." Clayton stated and Naruto glanced at him while a few people got uncomfortable.

"I didn't kill them, I just didn't try to save them when they got in over their heads because I knew they were fucked and nothing I did was gonna change that. It's what you get for messing with Mangani in their nesting grounds." Naruto stated as he flipped the fish over and ensured there were no other scales on it as Clayton winced remembering that particular occurrence.

"Well, does salad go well with river style fish?" Denise asked and Kiba smirked.

"Guess we got a baby bird here." Kiba stated with a smirk making Clayton look at him disapprovingly before Naruto threw the knife between Kiba's feet.

"Keep being insulting on this boat and you may still end up in the river." Naruto stated as he glared.

"Insulting?" Denise asked and Naruto nodded.

"Baby bird is a way of saying you're a naïve child. A baby bird is an inexperienced creature that's never been outside the nest, it has no idea what the real world is like and has been coddled all of its life." Lara stated as she glared at Kiba along with Denise.

"May I ask what you people are hunting?" Paul asked wanting to defuse the situation before it got bad.

"We're looking for the Shirishama Tribe." Cale stated as he adjusted his glasses.

"Ah, the people of the mist." Paul stated as he and Naruto lit the grill for the fish.

"That's right, you heard of them?" Cale asked and Paul laughed.

"I've seen them. They've given me shelter at times when the weather got bad or I was injured by unseen prey." Paul stated gaining Cale's attention.

"Really? Think you could show us where that was? Naruto has met a few of them, but there's a chance they could have moved on from where he met them." Cale asked and Paul nodded.

"You people save my life, I'd be glad to show you." Paul stated much to the ire of one his partners.

"Hey! We got a schedule to keep old man." Kiba shouted annoyed at their guide essentially just bailing to help these losers.

"If you've got a spare boat to use then we can go. If not then you can sit down and be quiet like a good dog because until we get our boat, we have nothing. Personally, I do not like taking the Lord's kindness and tossing it back in his face, if you wish to then go ahead and start hiking through the jungle while we continue on our way." Paul stated as Kiba growled before Clayton pulled him back to sit.

"No, no, it's fine, Mr. Serone, Kiba's young and brash. He'll learn patience with time." Clayton stated while giving Kiba a look to make him be quiet. "Kiba, these people saved us and are giving us a chance to continue our hunt, behave." Clayton ordered/warned as Kiba scoffed.

"That's good, always good for a child to learn patience before they get disciplined." Paul stated as Kiba scowled at him before shrugging off Clayton's hand and walking to a different part of the boat.

THAT NIGHT

The boat was pulled over to the riverbank for the night to ensure the boat didn't drift while they slept. Naruto was playing cards with Terri, Lara, and Danny while Cale and Lara were off to the side talking about their course and Paul was up in the wheelhouse with Mateo at Naruto's asking since he didn't want either of the two retards to try anything with the boat while no one was watching. He knew those two were after more than some simple snake, they likely were after Jaguars and Anacondas and damn anyone who got caught in the crossfire while they were trying to catch or hunt them. So, he wanted to ensure neither of them were left alone on the boat since it could lead to more headaches and problems down the line.

Turning his head, he saw Denise there with Gary and they had their sound equipment, "We're gonna try and get some local wildlife sound for the documentary." Denise stated and Naruto frowned before he stood and grabbed his bag before opening it and pulled out a hunting rifle.

"I'll come with, don't want to risk getting caught by any of the local wildlife. There's about 20 different predators in the jungle, and about a dozen hazardous animals, so better safe than sorry." Naruto stated as he checked his rifle before the three headed into the jungle.

Gary and Denise listened to the various sounds of the jungle from frogs to birds to insects to primates all around them while Naruto kept an eye out for any threats that may be lurking in the plants and darkness. However, he paused as Denise began rubbing herself against him, especially her ass against his groin while running her hands over him.

Raising an eyebrow, he looked at her as she looked back and gave a sultry smirk while licking her lips. Naruto merely shook his head with a smile as Denise seemed to be getting a thrill and arousal from the various mating calls of the animals as well as the primal nature of the jungle.

Naruto didn't mind and just let her get a bit of fun in, though he wasn't helping her if her brother turned around and saw her acting this way. That was her problem for wanting to get a bit of fun/release while her brother was right there to see it if he turned around.

However, a few minutes in, Naruto stilled as he realized something. Grabbing Denise's arm, he made her stop as he started looking around, "Denise, Gary, get back to the boat, right now." Naruto stated as he held his rifle and began scanning the tree line.

"What is it?" Denise asked in concern as Naruto looked around.

"Don't know, but something is here, otherwise the noise wouldn't have stopped." Naruto stated as he looked around, "Go, as fast as you can." Naruto ushered them and Gary moved over to them and started moving back towards the boat with Denise before a low growl was all the warning Naruto got before he twisted and blocked a pounce from a jaguar using his rifle, but the force still forced him onto his back on the ground as the rifle went off and hit a nearby tree.

"Naruto!" Denise shouted as Gary held her back.

"Just get out of here! Go!" Naruto shouted as he struggled with the cat knowing he couldn't throw it off of him while they were still there. He could handle himself but they'd be dead if it decided to chase easier prey.

Gary grabbed Denise and started running back to the boat as Naruto finally kicked the cat off of him making it slam into a tree causing it to growl threateningly. However, his rifle was a bit mangled and the bolt had been broken so there was no chance of him just shooting the cat and being done with it.

Naruto got to his feet and stared down the cat as he kept the rifle in his hand anyway since it could still be used as a club or deterrent for the claws and teeth. He did twitch though as he felt a bit of pain along his left side and assumed the cat's back claws managed to catch him, but he wouldn't look since the pain would only register fully and distract him.

Against a jaguar, it was better to keep focus, especially as the cat began stalking him again. However, Naruto wouldn't let it leave his sight, knowing that he may not be as lucky the next time it jumped at him. Apparently, the jaguar saw some opening as it growled before running at him only for Naruto to be ready.

The moment the cat jumped at him, Naruto moved to the side and caught the cat in the shoulder strap of his rifle and pulled back as he twisted the rifle around. The cat roared/howled/growled as it tried to get free of the strap, but Naruto had wound it nice and tight from turning the rifle and pressed his feet against the back and pulled hard. The cat thrashed and tried to get free or get at the presumed prey that was behind it, but the more it struggled the tighter the strap got until eventually the cat stopped moving and hung there before Naruto did a hard twist snapping it's neck just to be sure.

Sighing to himself, Naruto grabbed the rifle and started dragging the carcass back to the boat, no sense letting a pelt and good meat go to waste. However, he picked up the pace when he heard another gunshot.

Coming through the trees, he found Clayton there with a still smoking double-barreled shotgun while a wild boar laid on the ground with a hole in its head. Behind Clayton were Denise and Gary as the others on the boat nearby looked on in relief. "I think it would be wise if we all stayed on the boat from now on, especially at night." Clayton stated as he shouldered his gun while taking an interest in the jaguar Naruto had.

"That's probably a good idea." Paul stated as he hopped off the boat with Mateo. "We'll carve him up, food for the next few days." Paul stated as he and Mateo grabbed the boar and got it back on the boat as Naruto got back on and dropped the jaguar on the deck.

"You can carve that too, though try to keep the pelt as intact as possible." Naruto stated as Paul nodded while Naruto went to his bag and got out peroxide, a stapler, and a large bandage before he went about cleaning his wound, which was three claw marks in his side just under his ribs.

Lara quickly came over and helped ensure it was clean before he stapled it closed and then let Lara put the bandage over it. Naruto then tossed the torn shirt aside and put a new one on giving the women a bit of a show. Naruto didn't care much about the rifle, it was easily replaceable and he had other means of defending himself in the jungle if it came to it.

Right now, he had a pig and jaguar to help carve up.

NEXT DAY

It was smooth sailing so far that day, but Naruto knew it wouldn't last too long. As they came to a bend, they found a totem of a man being eaten by a large snake or at least that's what it looked like. "This totem here, is made in respect to Anacondas for their hunting and killing prowess, but also as a warning. They will eat man, crocodile, panther, jaguar, anything they can catch and they've caught all creatures in this jungle. It also speaks to a legend, passed down through the tribe from generation to generation, you must pass by the great watcher of hunters. Once passed, you must get through a guarded gate that many warrior snakes protect and watch. Afterward, you must follow the river for three days until you come to the new gate protected by a water fall, so tall it appears as a moving curtain from the heavens. Then you must pass it and continue down the river until you come to a wall so high that it blocks the sun, follow that wall for two days and you come across the head of a giant Anaconda who was killed by the Shirisama's hunter god with the aid of animals and man with the knife he used still plunged into its head. Passed the great Anaconda is a sacred land of the Shirishama where they go in times of strife or troubles." Paul supplied having spent many a night with the Shamans and elders of the tribe. "The land on the others side is sacred due to the legend of the Anaconda's fall. When the Hunter god killed the Anaconda showing that there was no greater Hunter than he, it's blood fertilized the land, giving birth to the great rivers and jungle you see, but it also cursed the land as the Anaconda's offspring would forever hunt these lands and never allow man nor creature to ever know peace in the jungle. However, the hunter god took pity on those who helped him, he laid his spear down to block the offspring from ever gaining access to the lands on the other side even if it cost him his life later on as he had no weapons any longer. To this day, the Shirishama have never seen an Anaconda or any other snake within their sacred lands nor do they believe that they will so long as the spear and knife stay. If they were ever removed, the offspring would flood all lands and the great anaconda would rise again to consume all it can. They still cross back to the other side of the wall to continue the hunter god's work in slaying the Anacondas and give both man and beast rest from the creatures." Paul added making many look on in wonder as he finished.

"We'll have to have you tell that again on film." Terri stated knowing such an interesting legend and story would be sure to add to the documentary.

"I'd be glad to help with your filming." Paul stated as Naruto smirked at him.

"Hey! Jefe, professor, which way huh?" Mateo called from the cockpit.

"Pull along shore and wait!" Paul called making Cale look at him questioningly. "The village used to be here, but with the water rising, they could have moved to higher ground. However, it would depend on if the water rising was the reason they left or if something else was the cause." Paul explained and Cale nodded.

"Everyone stay on the boat while we check it out." Cale stated as he moved to go with Naruto and Paul.

"You sure? There's about a dozen different things in this river that can kill you? Paul and I can handle it." Naruto stated as Cale nodded.

"Yeah, I'm getting a bit stir crazy just sitting on the boat, do me some good to get a bit of exercise. Although, I won't lie and say I'm not worried about getting to be on the unfortunate end of the Candiru, but better than staying on the boat and get driven stir crazy." Cale added making Naruto shrug.

"The candi-what?" Gary asked and Naruto shook his head.

"You really don't want to know, it's a vicious thing that no one wants to be around." Naruto stated as Gary just looked at him making him sigh," It's a parasite that swims up a urine stream and then attaches itself inside the urethra and you can't get it out, so they have to amputate." Naruto stated as Gary, Kiba, Denise, Terri, and Danny all took a large step away from the water.

Grabbing a machete and pistol, Paul and Naruto hopped into the water while Cale grabbed a flare and followed the two. Moving in towards where the village would be, the trio found signs of fighting evidenced by different spears being stabbed into trees and the ground. The first thought was that another tribe had attacked them, but that was shot to hell when they came across the real threat.

Laying dead in the water and on a couple huts and trees was a large Anaconda easily 45 feet long. Thankfully, it was dead, which was evidenced by several spears being stabbed into it including two arm thick spears stabbed into the head of it. However, there were different bodies of tribal members that were crushed or partially digested before the snake spit them up. That plus the fact that other huts were destroyed and the chaos around them was any indication, it was a hard fought victory over the snake.

"Geezus." Cale stated as Paul and Naruto nodded and kept an eye around them. "If they killed it, why did they leave without burying their dead?" Cale asked and Naruto frowned.

"One of two options, and neither of them is good at all, but they likely wouldn't have taken the chance that either was possible." Paul stated as he eyed the surrounding area.

"And what are those options?" Cale asked a bit nervous since this wasn't supposed to be a trip that had giant snakes involved.

"Either A) This snake had a mate and they got away while it was still digesting someone. Or B) it's mating season and so there's no marked territory for the snakes anymore and thus more snakes are coming through here looking for the females. This village could have been dealing with anywhere from 1 to 15 snakes all at once while they tried to find the female and get food for the mating ball." Naruto supplied as Cale gulped.

"We should be getting back on the boat and get out of here. Any stragglers will go for where more food is and us sitting on the boat is going to be enticing to them if it is mating season. If it's not, then the mate may still be in the area and may be looking to get more food for any young she has." Paul stated since he really hoped it wasn't mating season.

"Agreed." Naruto stated as he grabbed three of the nearby spears before they turned and headed back to the boat.

"Find anything?" Lara asked as they began to carefully make their way back.

"Nothing good. Mateo! Start the boat, we need to keep moving." Paul called as Naruto helped him get on the boat after putting the spears there.

"What's going on?" Denise asked and Naruto sighed.

"Village was attacked by a large Anaconda. We need to move in case it has a mate or in case mating season is here. A normal snake is bad enough, but a female that wants food or a swarm of males? Yeah, we need to get the fuck out of here." Naruto stated as he was about to help Cale onto the boat.

"He's right, let's-AAAH!" Cale shouted as the water started moving around him and red started to show.

"Shit!" Naruto shouted as he grabbed Cale while Paul and Clayton both dove and grabbed ahold of Cale's arms.

"Something's got his leg!" Lara shouted as she grabbed ahold of him while Naruto grabbed one of the spears and stabbed down hitting something before he pulled back and stabbed again and again before roaring and stabbing down and twisting feeling a crunch go through the shaft.

Naruto then dove down and found a dead black caiman clutching Cale's leg in its jaws with the spear stabbed straight into the beast's skull. Naruto grabbed hold of the jaws and pried them open enough for the others to pull Cale out and get him on the boat. Climbing up, Naruto found them trying to make Cale comfortable as Clayton took his belt out and began tying it around Cale's leg above the knee as tight as he could get it while Terri had Cale's head cradled on a towel and it was clear that Cale has passed out from the pain.

Naruto climbed onto the boat and took a look at his leg with Paul, "How bad?" Naruto asked and Paul made a face.

"It's not good. His femur is in multiple pieces, his muscles are shredded, and he's losing a lot of blood. If we don't stabilize this, he could lose the leg and infection could set in before we get help." Paul stated and Naruto grunted before thinking.

"I need shoe laces, at least six. I also need a hatchet and some of the tableware, right now!" Naruto ordered making Gary, Danny, and Denise nod as they hurried to get the supplies. "Mateo! I need your flask. Lara, get me a couple bullets and some pliers as well as a wooden spoon." Naruto ordered making the two nod and get what he needed.

"You sure about this?" Clayton asked having a good idea what Naruto was going to do.

"No, but it's the best way to ensure he stays alive." Naruto stated and Clayton nodded before he got the tableware and hatchet and quickly slammed the hatchet down taking off the heads of the spoons and forks before Mateo came with his flask. Naruto undid the top and poured the whiskey over the now flat pieces of metal and his knife along with the shoelaces. "Hold him down, this is gonna hurt a lot." He ordered making them nod as he handed Terri the spoon, who guessed that it was for him to bite on and held it in his mouth.

Naruto took a deep breath before he made a clean cut into Cale's leg, taking care not to cut the femoral artery since that would near guarantee that the leg was lost. Once he had a good enough cut, he pulled it open carefully letting him get to the bone and pressed on it to get the pieces closer together, which caused Cale to jolt awake and scream in pain as the others all held him down before Naruto tied the shoelaces around the pieces of metal and the bone securing the bone in place for now. He then pulled the bullets out of the casing and poured some of the powder towards where the heaviest bleeding was before pulling a lighter out and ignited it setting the powder and some of the whiskey on fire causing Cale to scream in pure agony before he fully passed out.

"Okay, that should secure him for now." Naruto stated as he took the stapler and closed the wound enough to lessen infection, but not so closed that the wound would stitch itself back 100%, the doctors would need to get in there to fully fix his leg. He then took some bandages and wrapped his leg up, not too tight but not loose either for the same reason as the staples and to help ward off infection.

"All right, we need to carefully move him and then get him to a hospital as fast as we can." Clayton instructed as they carefully lifted him with Naruto and Lara ensuring his leg was stable and carried him to the largest room. "Miss Flores, if we have any mosquito netting, put it up around him since there are many insects here that can either give a disease, parasite, or infection to him." Clayton advised and Naruto nodded to her.

"Mateo, let's get going, head down the right side. It's faster." Naruto called as Paul and Clayton both nodded.

"Aye, aye, jefe." Mateo called as he turned the wheel and sent the boat down the side branch of the river.

Naruto went over and patted Terri's back, "It's gonna be all right, just keep an eye on him and let me know if anything changes." Naruto stated as Terri nodded. "Westridge, Paul, Danny, Gary, let's get some shots of the totem and you two talking. Might as well get what we can while we're going down the river." Naruto called since there was no reason not to get some footage since they couldn't do anything else but head down the river, he also noted someone pulled the caiman on board and had removed the spear from the head.

The group nodded knowing they could at least get a bit of work done to salvage something from this expedition.

"Our first sign of the Shirishama tribe. A totem paying homage to the Green Anaconda, a local predator and snake that is both vicious and brutal in it's attacks. Here with me is Mr. Paul Serone, a local expert on and friend of the Shirishama and a hunter of large snakes. Mr. Serone, could you please tell us about this totem and your experience with the great snakes known as Anacondas." Westridge stated as Paul nodded and began telling the viewers the story about the legend and the different facts he knew about snakes and the Anacondas including what the Shirishama had told him from their experience hunting.

Nearby, Lara was cleaning Naruto's wound from the jaguar and replacing his bandage since being in the water that long wasn't a good idea for it. Last thing they needed was for Naruto to be incapacitated due to fever or infection on top of Cale's problem as well. Lara would honestly want all the others to be incapacitated in some way rather than Naruto, not out of cruelty or callousness, but more out necessity since Naruto could do any and all jobs that they could try to do and it would help keep them all alive longer.

Off on the other side of the boat, Kiba was scowling as he talked to Clayton. "What the hell are we doing?! Now we're on babysitting duty with that old geezer. Just throw him in the river and be done with it." Kiba growled causing Clayton to frown before he punched the younger man in the face/ knocking him down and making him look at Clayton in shock.

"Listen here you snot nosed brat, you are not in charge. You would do well to remember that as well as the fact these people saved our lives. If we miss out on a few days of hunting then so be it, but you will watch your mouth or I'll ensure you never use it for anything other than sucking on a straw again." Clayton ordered making Kiba scowl as Clayton walked to the other side of the boat.

"Just you wait, old man, you won't be top dog forever and the less there are of you, the more money for me." Kiba growled as he rubbed his sore face and got off the ground.

He just needed one person to follow his lead and then he could start making money especially with the jaguar, boar, and now black caiman hides right there for the taking.

LATER

Naruto was leaning on the railing of the boat as they floated towards a wooden gate blocking the river. Naruto sighed and walked over to his bag before pulling out a couple sticks of dynamite, "Remind me to apologize to the Shirishama if we end up finding them on this trip." Naruto stated to Lara, who nodded as she helped him get it ready.

"Whoa! You're not seriously thinking about blowing that up are you?" Terri asked in shock as Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, only way through, we double back all the way we lose three days, if we go down the other path of the river we lose four days. Going through here is the best way right now, it's not like we'll be messing with the ecological environment of the river since the Shirishama put this here to stem the flow of creatures through the river. However, we have no choice right now and need to get through to get Cale to a hospital." Naruto stated as he and Lara got the dynamite ready before grabbing the small inflatable raft they had and putting it in the water.

"Everyone who doesn't want to help clean the boat off of any native wildlife in the water or in the gate should get inside the boathouse and close up the doors and windows." Lara stated drawing confused looks from the city people. "The explosion is going to launch things into the air and towards the boat, meaning snakes, frogs, lizards, etcetera, etcetera, are going to be flung at the boat. We don't want any inside the boat or possibly getting near Cale, so please go inside and close it up before we blow the gate." Lara explained patiently making everyone nod as Naruto and Lara got in the raft and headed towards the gate while all but Paul, Clayton, and Mateo got inside, something that wasn't missed by Paul and Clayton since Kiba was fully capable of helping.

"Mateo, get the hose, it will be faster." Paul ordered making Mateo nod since Paul was the friend Naruto talked about when Terri tried to introduce Naruto to Mateo.

Naruto and Lara rode the small boat to the gate, "Top or bottom?" Naruto asked making Lara smirk at him.
"I'll get in the water, no reason to have your wound submerged in the water again, not when I just replaced your bandages." Lara stated as Naruto nodded and handed her the sticks she needed to set up while he stopped the boat and tethered it to the gate as he climbed up on top.

Lara hopped into the water and began setting up her sticks and ensuring the line was wound correctly to give them enough time to get back to the main boat. She paused however and glanced at the water as she could tell they had some crawlers swimming around down there, no doubt from the gate being a natural shelter for them to use.

Once she was done, she climbed up a bit to get back into the raft easier only to slip causing Naruto to catch her, "You're getting rusty." Naruto teased making Lara roll her eyes.

"More like trying to ensure I don't step on any of the friends down in the water." Lara stated as Naruto smirked before he got her in the raft and then lit the fuse before joining her and heading back to the boat.

They had just gotten onto the main boat when the dynamite exploded sending debris all over and sending the local wildlife onto the boat. Primarily it was dozens and dozens of snakes, including a few baby/recently hatched anacondas. However, some of the debris also hit the fuel barrels they had secured, but apparently not secured enough as the rope snapped releasing the barrels, but Naruto was able to lunge and catch two of them before they rolled into the river.

Paul, Clayton, and Lara began scooping and tossing the snakes back into the water while Mateo sprayed down the deck washing the debris and other snakes off into the water. Naruto, however, grunted as one of the baby anacondas bit his ring finger on his right hand. Looking at it, he frowned as it tried to work it's jaw down and swallow his finger before Naruto grabbed it just under the head and pulled it off. "Learn to bite something that you can actually swallow." Naruto before he flung it back into the water and made sure the fuel barrels were fully secured.

"Two barrels? That will get us about 200 miles." Lara stated as Naruto nodded and Lara grabbed his hand before bandaging it after cleaning it.

"That'll have to do. Mateo! Let's get going." Naruto called making Mateo nod as he put the hose up before heading back to the wheelhouse and driving through the now open river.

The trip continued without any more incidents until the next day when Paul was sitting on the edge of the boat eating an orange when he saw something. "Mateo! Stop the boat!" Paul called drawing attention of the others as they came over.

Terri was the first to arrive and saw what looked like a beat up boat in the tree line, "You know that boat?" Terri asked and Paul nodded.

"I think so, though it makes me worried that it's there in the tree line." Paul stated as Naruto came down and looked.

"Shit, is that Mako's boat?" Naruto asked and Paul nodded.

"It looks like it." Paul stated and Naruto frowned.

"I thought you said he wasn't going this far into the jungle alone?" Naruto asked and Paul nodded.

"I did say that, because that's what I told him. I have no idea why he is this far, but then again, he could have been forced to abandon his boat and it floated here." Paul stated while both he and Naruto frowned since they knew Mako was too careful to get caught in things that would overwhelm him.

"We may as well check the boat, there could be fuel there." Naruto stated as Paul nodded before grabbing his rifle and shot in the air waiting for a reply.

"I get the distinct impression that no one's home." Westridge commented dryly making Naruto and Paul glance at him before they both grabbed a light while Naruto also grabbed a machete.

"Hold up, I'll get this on film." Danny stated knowing it could be an interesting bit for the documentary.

"I'll come as well, it's been bloody boring on this ship all day." Vanpelt stated as he rolled his sleeves up and grabbed a light before joining them.

"Just stay close, and watch where you step. I don't want a repeat of what happened to Cale." Naruto stated making the two nod as they headed towards the boat.

"Anyone else got a bad feeling about this?" Lara asked making the others nod a bit.

Back with Naruto, they reached the boat seeing several animal cages that appeared to have been torn into scattered everywhere. Naruto climbed in first before helping the other three up, "Okay, look around for anything that can be useful, the priority is fuel." Naruto ordered making the three nod as they started spreading out and looking all over.

Naruto found the main room of the boat and frowned seeing a large broken hole through the hull, something punched right through the floorboards and into the cabin. Following the path that Mako would have likely taken if he wasn't caught immediately, he headed up before finding a spent revolver and a splatter of blood and brain matter. Naruto sighed seeing that something, most likely an Anaconda, chased Mako up here and rather than let it kill him, he chose to take the painless route.

Admittedly, Naruto may have done the same if faced against a large enough Anaconda with only one bullet and no other options.

Sighing, he went back down before nearly running into Paul and Danny, who had a large trunk. "What's that?" Naruto asked as he looked at it.

"Mako's maps, journals, and hunting gear. I figure it could help should one of the Anacondas show up and I remember him mentioning an old fuel station further along the river, I'm hoping he made a mark of it on one of his maps." Paul stated as Naruto nodded before he helped Danny and Paul down before passing them the trunk.

"Mr. Vanpelt! Let's go." Naruto called since they didn't need to leave the old man behind.

"Coming! Coming! Just doing a last minute look." Vanpelt called before frowning as he found a rifle that had been bent and broken. Dropping it, he was about to start to follow when he heard a noise coming from below the ship. Frowning, he carefully moved towards the edge where he could begin moving back to the boat, he didn't have his rifle on him and right now he was kicking himself for not bringing it.

However, just as he neared the edge, the planks he was standing on were suddenly hit from below sending him into the air and back into the water making him shout in surprise as he fell back into the water.

Rising up, Vanpelt coughed and sputtered as he tried to get the grime out of his eyes so he could see. However, he froze as a hissing sound came from behind him and he looked just in time to see a large snake launch forward and bite him at the junction of his neck and right shoulder. Before he could even comprehend screaming, the snake had yanked him back toward it and coiled around him before it began tightening and tightening around him.

His air supply was quickly cut off silencing any hope of screaming for help.

The next tightening he felt his ribs crack.

The next they broke.

The next his arms broke.

And the next one he blacked out from feeling his lungs burst before his heart followed on the next.

The snake hissed before it opened it's jaws as far as they could and expanded it's throat before swallowing Vanpelt whole and forcing him deep into its belly. Once its meal was fully situated in its stomach, the snake slithered away back into the jungle.

Over with Naruto and the others, they lifted the trunk onto the boat, "Where's the fuel?" Denise asked and Naruto shook his head.

"No fuel, but we're hoping there's a map that shows where an old fueling station is. Even if it's years old, it should still be usable." Naruto stated before Terri frowned.

"Where's Mr. Vanpelt?" Terri asked making the three frown.

"I don't know, he was right behind us." Danny stated as Paul and Naruto looked at each other.

"Shit." Both of them stated before they went back towards Mako's boat.

"What's wrong?" Gary called as Paul and Naruto rushed through the water.

"Just stay on the damn boat and watch the water." Naruto ordered as he and Paul went through the tall grass and began looking around.

"Vanpelt?" Paul called as he had his rifle up and was looking around while Naruto was right beside him with the machete out.

"Hey man, if you can hear us, shout or hit on something." Naruto called as the two kept looking before finding his flashlight just floating in the water. Naruto grabbed it and saw that it appeared to have been crushed. "Damn it, come on we need to get out of the water." Naruto stated as Paul nodded and they went back, only this time they went slower with Naruto leading and Paul scanning behind them as they moved back to back.

They knew it would be very easy for an Anaconda to ambush them, especially since they'll gladly eat/swallow something/someone and then spit them out to eat/swallow something/someone else just because they could. A few researchers think it's because they feel threatened and as such want the food out so they can move faster.

Personally, both of them thought it was because they were brutal assholes who just enjoyed killing and used their eating habits as an excuse/reason to kill all that they wanted.

It took them a couple more minutes, but the two made it back to the boat, though Paul didn't turn his back to the water until Naruto was on the boat with his own gun out and ready.

"Did you find him?" Terri asked and Naruto shook his head before tossing the crushed flashlight onto the deck.

"He's dead. Anaconda did it. No blood, no clothing tears, no screams, no body, just the crushed light and no other sign of him at all." Naruto stated with a sigh.

"N-now c-c'mon, he's probably just lost." Denise stated as both Paul and Naruto gave her a deadpanned look.

"It's a straight walk to and from here, Denise, there's no way in hell someone like him could ever get lost on such a simple route. And do you honestly think he wouldn't have shouted out to us if he felt he was going the wrong way?" Naruto stated then asked as Denise merely gulped.

"We should get going, if it saw us it may decide to keep hunting." Paul stated as Naruto nodded.

"Mateo! Let's get going." Naruto ordered as Mateo nodded and started up the boat sending them off, "Let's look at that map." Naruto stated as they opened the locker and began moving the tools and items needed to capture Anacondas before finding the map and Naruto and Paul began looking over it and comparing it to their own map to see if there were any points that were different or any markings unique to it.

Kiba meanwhile smirked as he saw Gary looking at the snake skin that was in the trunk in shock, "Surprising isn't it? Dangerous too, but then danger is exciting." Kiba stated as he had a chance to talk to Gary alone since Clayton was helping Paul and Naruto while the girls went to check on Cale and Danny was getting some footage of the jungle as they traveled.

Gary looked at Kiba and took an offered beer, "So this thing is really out there?" Gary asked and Kiba nodded.

"Yup, hunted a few myself, they're not as dangerous as that idiot Naruto or the old man would have you believe. They're just dumb animals, but they're animals easily worth over $10 million alive." Kiba stated making Gary look at him, "Of course, catching one a lone isn't that hard, but it's easier if you have a partner, someone to watch your back." Kiba stated before mentally adding, "And to be the snake's meal if needs be." Kiba mentally added as he resisted the urge to grin as Gary showed interest.

The next morning, Naruto frowned as he saw Gary and Kiba messing with the reptile tranquilizer and had a dead monkey with them too. "What are you two doing?" Naruto asked with a frown drawing the others' attention.

"Getting things ready to catch an anaconda." Kiba stated with a smirk as Naruto frowned.

"Hmm… let me think about it… nope. If one of those things show up, I'm killing it." Naruto stated as Kiba scowled at him.

"Come on Naruto, the documentary is dead anyway with Cale out of commission, why not salvage something?" Gary asked and Naruto just looked at him.

"The documentary is NOT dead as Cale wasn't going to be on screen anyway. Now you both can either knock this shit off or I can beat your asses and throw you in the river." Naruto stated and Gary frowned.

"C'mon man, we're talking $10 million here for a snake captured alive." Gary tried to reason though none of them seemed to care.

"And I'm talking about that I will throw you in the river and leave you behind if you don't shut the fuck up and get over it." Naruto stated as Gary frowned at him.

"Not happening." Kiba stated as he had a pistol pointed at Naruto only for Lara to pull her two on him.

"Kiba! Stop this right now!" Clayton ordered as Kiba sneered at him.

"No, I thought you had a set of balls on you given your reputation, but I can see you're just a pussy with a gun. We've got a boat, gear, and plenty of bodies to catch one of these for a payday plus those animal skins, but all you want to do is be a good little guest on the boat. Well fuck that! I came here to get paid and I'm going to get what I deserve one way or the other." Kiba growled as Naruto just looked at him while Clayton scowled.

"You keep pointing that gun at me, I'm likely to take it and shove it down your throat before I empty the clip." Naruto stated as he glared and Kiba snarled at him.

"Big talk from a wuss that couldn't even avenge his mom and dad right." Kiba stated making Lara, Terri, Danny, Mateo, and Paul freeze in fear as Naruto glared intensified.

Naruto started walking forward making Kiba frown as he cocked his pistol and Naruto didn't break stride as he kept walking. Kiba fired and hit Naruto in the arm, but Naruto didn't even react and before Kiba could get over his shock and try to shoot again, Naruto was on him. Naruto pushed the gun out of the way and punched Kiba hard in the gut causing him to hunch over and puke before Naruto elbowed Gary in the face sending him to the ground as he cradled his nose.

Naruto then wrenched Kiba's arm back making him drop the gun before Naruto started punching him repeatedly in the face and torso while holding his arm tight before Naruto lifted him and slammed him into the deck.

"Tie him down and make sure he can't get loose." Naruto ordered making Clayton and Paul nod as they grabbed the rope and dragged Kiba off while Naruto grabbed Gary and stood him up before slamming him onto a table, "If you ever pull that shit again, I will, I promise, feed you to the local wildlife in pieces. Do you understand?" Naruto growled making Gary nod, clearly terrified of Naruto.

Naruto simply pushed him off to the floor before he sat down and grabbed one of the few remaining table knives. Before he could work though, Lara came over and took it while holding his hand tightly in hers making him nod as she gave him his knife to bite down on the handle, though he just put it back and motioned for her to continue. Naruto didn't even flinch as Lara dug the bullet out of his arm, nor when she poured some alcohol on it, and then stitched him up since staples wouldn't work that well in this case.

Once she finished, Lara grabbed his hand and took him to her room where she promptly pushed him on the bed and closed the door before kissing him with all the passion and love she could muster and Naruto gladly returned it as the two didn't leave the room for quite a few hours.

Lara knew how to help him destress and relax.

The next day, the group came across a large waterfall with a lagoon type area that then flowed back to the river. "Oh my god, Danny, get some footage of this." Terri called as Danny nodded and got his camera up and rolling.

"Seems the legend was right." Paul stated enjoying the view before them.

However, the mood was ruined as the boat suddenly lurched forward making them all try to catch themselves. "What the bloody hell was that?!" Westridge shouted as Mateo came down cursing and shouting.

Naruto looked and frowned, "We came up on a sand bar, we're gonna have to winch ourselves loose." Naruto stated making a few grimace since they were hoping to stay out of the water right now. "I'll wrap this rope around that stump there, someone needs to get another rope around that boulder over there and that tree there to get us out of here or we can hike." Naruto stated before Paul put his hand on his shoulder.

"You've done enough, my friend, we can handle this. Besides, this water is not good for those wounds of yours, no sense risking you getting an infection." Paul stated as Clayton nodded and the two took the rope towards the stump.

"He's right, just remember the goal is in and out, quick and clean. No lingering, no taking in the view, just get the lines secure and get out." Clayton instructed as the rest nodded.

"We'll get the rock." Denise stated as she took off her shirt leaving her in her bra and shorts before she and Westridge jumped in and went towards the boulder.

"We got the last one, jefe." Mateo stated as he and Danny jumped in and headed for the tree.

Naruto sighed while shaking his head as he got Paul's rifle and made sure it was loaded while Lara waited in the wheelhouse in case they needed her to work the engine.

Unknown to the group, Kiba was working his ropes against the wooden post that was used to give the boat a canopy on the deck and was rubbing the ropes rapidly against a corner slowly building friction. If he could get enough of it while the other idiots were off the boat, he could get one of the guns and make sure they did what they were told.

Back on the other side, Naruto watched as they each secured their rope and he started up the winch before he saw some aquatic plants moving, "Shit! Back to the boat now!" Naruto called making them quickly start moving except for Westridge, who was finishing the rope to ensure it didn't come untied.

The anaconda rose up to bite at Paul, only to get a shot into it's torso making it screech in pain as Paul and Clayton moved faster. "Over here you ugly old bastard!" Westridge called as he slapped the water and drew attention to himself knowing Naruto couldn't get a shot while it was still in the water.

It seemed to work as the snake began moving towards him making Westridge curse as the others kept moving back to the boat. Naruto cursed and steadied himself as he aimed while Lara and Gary were helping the others get on the boat.

"Denise! Come on!" Gary yelled as Denise was the furthest away.

"I'm caught!" Denise shouted as he shorts was entangled on some underwater trees.

"Dammit." Gary shouted before jumping in and swimming to his sister as Westridge was now climbing the cliff by the waterfall to give Naruto a better shot.

"C'mon you son of a bitch." Naruto growled as he tried to get a shot at the anaconda.

He got one just as it was slithering up a tree to reach Westridge, but before he could pull the trigger, he was tackled by Kiba making him miss the shot. "You're not killing my payday!" Kiba growled as Naruto grit his teeth before he elbowed Kiba off of him and then kicked him away as he got up.

"Get the fuck out of my way." Naruto growled as he turned the gun towards Kiba, only for him to knock the table towards him as Naruto shot putting holes in the table. Kiba was then tackled by Paul and Clayton who started punching him down as Naruto aimed at the snake only to widen his eyes in shock as the tree it was on was coming down while the snake had Westridge in his mouth.

"Look out!" Naruto shouted as it came down on the boat making everyone quickly move with a few ending up back in the water.

Naruto surfaced with a gasp as he looked around for the others and got back on the boat before he saw Kiba trying to drive a knife into Lara. Naruto tackled Kiba and threw him away as he rolled on the deck. "Find the others." Naruto ordered as Lara nodded and went to see if she could find the others.

Kiba snarled as he brandished the knife, "I'm going to enjoy this. I've been waiting to gut you since the day you got me arrested." Kiba growled as he slashed at Naruto, who dodged and evaded him before delivering a punch to his face and then kick to the groin making Kiba hunch over. Naruto then grabbed his arm as Kiba tried to stab him and began applying pressure pushing the knife back towards Kiba who was grunting and struggling. Naruto calmly pushed the blade back towards Kiba inching it closer and closer to his throat as Kiba tried to push him back.

It wasn't meant to be though as Naruto grabbed hold of Kiba with his other hand and pulled him in making the knife go straight into Kiba's throat making his eyes widen in shock as he was stabbed. Naruto tore the knife out and stabbed up into Kiba's jaw through his palate and into his brain before giving it a sharp twist and pulling it out and then pushing the new corpse into the water.

"GARY!" Naruto turned at Denise's cry to see Gary being bitten by the anaconda and wrapped up tight and cursed as he quickly tried to find the gun.

Finally, he just said to hell with it and jumped back into the water towards the snake. "Over here! C'mon!" Naruto shouted drawing the snake's attention as it hissed at him. Naruto grabbed a piece of wood and threw it at the head making the snake hiss angrily as it released Gary and took off for Naruto.

"Naruto!" Paul and Terri shouted as the snake went at him as he brandished the knife.

"Get Gary!" Naruto shouted as he backed up until he had better footing as the anaconda bared down on him forcing him to jump to dodge its tail before he went to stab it only to get smacked by said tail. Naruto grit his teeth as he dodged a lunge from the snake before he slashed at the side of it making it hiss angrily at the pain from the cut.

Naruto dodged the next lunge, but wasn't ready for the tail to swipe him knocking him down and before he could get up to defend himself, the anaconda bit into his shoulder making him shout in pain as it began pulling him into a coil. However, the snake had underestimated its prey as Naruto quickly starts stabbing it in the head making it give off shrieks of pain as Naruto kept stabbing and stabbing not caring how many times he did it or how much blood came out. He just kept stabbing until he finally roared and stabbed straight through it's head and twisted the blade for good measure.

Naruto dropped his arm to his side as he panted and breathed air in and out. He sighed as he felt the snake's grip laxing around him before he got out of it and fell to his knees panting. Glancing at the head, he was only mildly surprised to see that it looked like minced meat from the amount of stabs he did.

Not that he cared anyway.

Ignoring the pain in his shoulder, and the protesting of his muscles of his body, Naruto swam back to the boat and was grateful for Paul and Clayton pulling him on board. Looking to his right, his expression turned sad as he saw Denise crying over the still form of Gary. Apparently he wasn't able to get the snake to let him go fast enough, likely his lungs were punctured or ruptured from his ribs breaking and there was no saving him.

Paul and Clayton both helped him to a chair as Terri and Lara looked over his shoulder making sure there was nothing too deep and pulling a couple of the small teeth out of him as well. "Just sit there, my friend, the tree knocked us loose so we should be able to proceed shortly." Paul stated as Naruto nodded and sat in the chair still trying to catch his breath.

"C'mon honey, let's get you laid down." Lara stated as she helped him up and got him to lay down as the others got the boat free and continued down the river. The others had already found Westridge dead and he had been floating down the river just after the tree fell.

HOURS LATER

The remaining members of the group watched as Mateo pulled up to the refinery that Mako had marked on his map before his death. "Mateo, pull up along the dock, we'll go in there and find some fuel." Paul called as Mateo nodded and pulled along the dock.

"Denise, stay here and keep an eye on Cale and Naruto, we'll be back in few minutes." Terri stated as Denise nodded with her face showing she had been crying the whole time.

"Maybe you should stay too, miss Flores, we can handle this." Clayton stated since five of them going was more than enough.

"No, me going means we can get at least 3 barrels a trip, which means we get the hell out of here even faster." Terri stated making Clayton nod in acceptance as they headed in.

The six; Mateo, Terri, Danny, Clayton, Paul, and Lara; moved carefully not wanting to risk there being another snake around and losing one of their numbers while Paul had his rifle, Clayton had his shotgun, Mateo had Vanpelt's rifle, and Lara had her pistols out as they were all scanning and keeping an eye in all directions possible. Arriving at the central part, they saw it was run down and starting to get overgrown, but what caught Terri's eyes was the large snake skin in the middle of the floor. "Let's get the fuel and get the hell out of here." Clayton stated making them all nod as they started searching the barrels and found several with fuel inside before Clayton shouted and they turned to see him pulling a dart out of his neck. "Run." Clayton said before he swayed and fell to the floor before Paul and Danny both got hit as well.

Terri and Lara quickly moved for the exit with Mateo aiming the rifle to cover them before a gate closed cutting off their exit before all three were hit with darts.

The six groaned as they slowly started to awaken and found themselves tied up in different spots around the main room trying to figure out what happened. "Kukukuku. So nice of you to drop by, we so rarely get visitors these days." A silky, slimy, male voice stated as they looked to see a pale skinned man with black hair and yellow eyes giving a sinister smile down at them while wearing black pants, shirt, boots, and a doctor's coat while petting a viper that was on his shoulders.

"Who the hell are you?" Terri asked as she was still groggy from whatever the hell was in that dart.

"Oh dear, how rude of me. My name is Orochimaru. I'm somewhat of a snake enthusiast you see and this is my home and lab where I've been treating them to make them even an finer species and predators. My finest specimen is going to be home soon and she's going to be rather hungry, you all just happen to provide a fine feast for her." The now named Orochimaru stated while giving a sick and twisted grin as they stared at him in horror.

"You're sick man!" Danny shouted as Orochimaru just chuckled.

"Many have said that, not that I care, this is after al life science." Orochimaru stated as he walked away as they began struggling to get free.

A hissing sound then began to fill the air causing Terri to look up, "Oh my god." Terri stated making the others look up and they stared in horror as a colossal anaconda that was black with red markings entered the building from above. It had to be at least 80 feet long as it was able to slither from the top of the refinery down to the floor and still be touching both parts with length to spare.

The snake slithered up to Terri and hissed at her making her flinch before it twitched as a glob of spit hit it. "Over here bitch." Mateo said as he spat at it again while the others were trying to get free. The snake hissed at Mateo before it launched and bit his shoulder easily encompassing the entire thing with its maw and wrapped around him making him shout as it began tightening while the teeth dug him into him. Mateo glared defiantly as he spat at it again, hitting it in the eye and making it release his shoulder as it recoiled.

Before the snake could try anything else, a spear was thrown into it making it howl in pain as it turned to see Naruto there glaring at it as he had the other two spears in hand and Clayton's machete on his back. "This way dumbass!" Naruto called as he threw another spear as the anaconda ducked and chased him as he led it further into the facility.

Paul reached out with his legs as Naruto had managed to toss the spear near him and grabbed it before pulling it back to start cutting himself loose.

Naruto meanwhile was moving as fast as he could knowing the snake could easily out speed him. Ducking under a cargo net that was full of different crates and barrels, Naruto climbed up onto the side of it and waited. Moments later, the snake began moving past only to screech as Naruto dropped and drove the spear down through it's body and pinning it to the wooden floor. Naruto then pulled his pistol out and shot the rope holding the cargo dropping it on the snake and pinning it further in place as Naruto ran back to help the others.

Arriving, he found Orochimaru standing over Paul with a tranquilizer gun and quickly tackled him and began trying to wrestle the gun away from him as Paul got up and went to cut the others free.

Kicking Orochimaru away, Naruto quickly caught the viper as it tried to bite him only for Naruto to clench his hand crushing the snake's neck before he quickly threw it at Orochimaru, making him shout in surprise as the snake's fangs dug into his face as he tried to get it off.

Naruto got up just as the anaconda came back in and Paul had gotten the others free, "Get them out of here, right now!" Naruto ordered as he backed up slowly and had the machete in hand as the snake was much more interested in him than the others at this point. Lara quickly led Terri and Danny out of the way while Clayton, Mateo, and Paul tried to find something to help with especially the guns.

The anaconda lunged at Naruto, who side stepped barely and kicked it causing it to merely shift slightly before it launched at him with its tail and caught him in a full bind making Naruto shout in pain as he dropped the machete. "Yes, that's it! Feed! He'll make you stronger." Orochimaru stated as he had gotten the dead viper off of him and he had two large holes in his face now.

"Naruto!" The others shouted as they tried to find something to use as the snake kept getting tighter and tighter.

"Ah!" Naruto shouted as he felt his bones groaning as it tightened even more around him.

That all you got? I expected more from you kid, getting beaten by some dumbass snake of all things.

Naruto groaned as he heard that voice again, but it didn't sound like one he knew or recognized.

I thought you were a maelstrom? A force of nature. Nature does not bow to some dumb reptile with teeth. Get the fuck up and show this bitch just who the fuck it is messing with!

Naruto grit his teeth as he glared at the snake and began pushing back against the snake's body. He roared through the pain as he felt different pops and cracks through his body before he got his arms free and grabbed the snake by its jaws as it was preparing to eat him. Naruto growled as he began pulling with his hands not caring about the teeth that were digging into them and was making progress to it evidenced by the snake screeching in pain and it's body losing its strength as it was focusing more on getting its mouth closed.

"No!" Orochimaru shouted as he quickly looked for his tranquilizer gun and saw it on the floor the same time Paul did and both dove for it and began struggling.

Clayton rushed to help, but the snake's thrashing body slapped him away and made him land on his arm making him shout in pain as he felt it break.

Orochimaru snarled as he bit Paul making him shout before Orochimaru kicked him away and pulled the gun on Naruto and shot him with the tranquilizer dart.

Naruto grunted feeling his body getting sluggish, but he would not be denied. He was Naruto Namikaze and he was NOT getting eaten by some fucking snake. Roaring as he pushed all of his strength into his arms, he pulled harder and harder before a crunch was heard indicating the snake's jaw was broken. Naruto then grabbed the machete and hacked at the neck making the anaconda howl in pain before he hacked again and again before the head was severed.

Naruto sighed in relief as his body hurt all over before he was tackled by Orochimaru, who was screaming in primal rage as he tried to drive a scalpel into Naruto's eye. "You killed my perfect snake!" Orochimaru roared as he tried to stab Naruto, who was holding him off barely.

Orochimaru then yelled as he was attacked by Paul, who drove an axe into his back followed by Mateo stabbing him with the spear letting Naruto push the scalpel into the floor beside his head before he drove the machete up through Orochimaru's chest.

Orochimaru sputtered out blood as he grit his teeth and tried to strangle Naruto only for a shot to go through his head as Clayton found Paul's rifle and shot the bastard near point blank range. Naruto rolled him off and sighed as he panted for air before Paul and Mateo helped him up as Clayton was cradling his arm.

Naruto nodded to his friends and to Clayton, who he may now consider a friend after all this shit, before he took the machete out and just for good measure cut off Orochimaru's head as well. The four hunters all nodded to each other as they panted, "Let's get that fuel loaded, blow this place to hell, and get the fuck out of here." Naruto sighed as they nodded as Clayton and Mateo helped Naruto get back to the boat as Paul began moving the barrels until Terri, Danny, Denise, and Lara could help him.

None of them wanted someone else finding Orochimaru's research and trying to replicate it. Lord knows what would happen if someone tried to weaponize it.

Minutes later, the boat set off as a fuse was lit before the refinery went up in a large ball of flames and debris. The group breathed a sigh of relief seeing the refinery gone and with it any and all so called specimens that Orochimaru may have been keeping along with his research.

With any luck, they should arrive at the tribe's village within the next day and they'd get some help and rest.

NEXT DAY

Naruto sat in a hut with the head shaman of the Shirishama Tribe as the others were either filming or getting checked out as the tribe had a couple members that had learned modern medicine and were helping ensure Cale wasn't getting an infection in his leg. The reason Naruto was here was because the Shaman wanted to speak to him in private.

"It has been some time, friend Naruto. You have grown far passed what anyone would have believed at the time." The shaman stated as Naruto bowed his head a bit.

"Thank you, I've tried my best to improve myself, though sadly even I have limits." Naruto stated as the shaman shook his head.

"No, my friend, the only limits you have are what you've set upon yourself. You are touched and blessed by the great spirits and your resolve is admirable and inspiring." The shaman continued making Naruto sigh.

"Look, I'm not being disrespectful, but I don't believe in your spirits." Naruto stated and the shaman smiled.

"And yet they believe in you. On your way here you kill Jaguar, black belly crawler, a great snake, a demon snake, and a cursed one all without the use of your outside weapons. You did all of this while being battered and bruised and still recovering from a fight you had in your country that involved your hand being broken while worrying about your racing friend that had to flee your country." The shaman stated as Naruto looked at him in surprise, "As I've said, you are blessed and touched by the great spirits, Naruto, and as such they are more than willing to tell those who listen to what you've endured. Now, you have earned their favor even more for slaying the cursed one who sought to free the great anaconda from its prison and make its children stronger. As such, I am to give you this." The shaman stated as he produced a small bowl with a strange liquid within.

"What is this?" Naruto asked since no one in the tribe had ever mentioned something like this.

"It is a rare mixture taken and made from fruit that grows in our sacred land, the trees only bear fruit once every 15 seasons. We collect and make the fruit into this mixture for those who have earned the spirits favor, this will help you transcend your limits and show you what you're truly capable of. It is, of course, up to you if you wish to take it. The great spirits and the earth mother want you to have it, what you do with it is up to you and you will not offend if you decide to leave it." The shaman stated as he placed the bowl before Naruto before standing.

"What will happen if I drink it?" Naruto asked since he felt a pull towards it.

"I cannot say, each person is different and it is for you to know. However, I must warn you that drinking it may also draw more attention to you by cursed ones and the enemies of the spirits, though you have their attention already as the spirits have tried to protect you at times and wish to see you stronger." The shaman informed as Naruto sighed and nodded.

The shaman then left him and came across Paul and Lara, "I thought you worshipped your gods, not spirits." Lara stated as the shaman nodded.

"We have both, the gods fear the spirits and rightly so since they held back the great snake before the great hunter killed it and fell in battle later on as he gave up his weapons to ensure we were protected. Him falling to the earth mother's offspring was tragic, but he was able to protect the earth from harm as a result." The shaman stated as Lara nodded and she and Paul looked to see Naruto staring at the bowl in contemplation.

"Will he be all right?" Paul asked in concern as the shaman was silent for a long moment before nodding.

"I believe so, he is strong and his will is unbreakable. His life is going to be hard especially since he takes on others' burdens, but I suspect that's why the spirits favor him. He could bear his burden alone, but he continues to bring others onto his shoulders to lessen their struggle and doesn't ask for anything in return. However, if he himself is not supported, then he will fall and I fear the consequences will be severe not just for him but for us all." The shaman stated ominously as Lara and Paul frowned wondering if maybe the shaman had been smoking a bit too much.

"Then it's a good thing he's never alone." Paul stated as Lara nodded.

The shaman merely smiled before nodding his head and leaving as the two looked to Naruto.

Naruto stared at the bowl for a long while contemplating on if he should drink it. Something in the back of his mind said yes, but he couldn't help but feel some trepidation and slight fear in doing it.

"Remember Naruto-chan, even if you're afraid you should still do something if your heart tells you to. It's natural to feel fear, but you can't be ruled by it, an Uzumaki bows to no one, not even fear." Those had been his mother's words to him when he was younger and was telling him stories about his extended family and her life.

Smiling fondly at the memories, he grabbed the bowl and downed the contents in one larger gulp before putting the bowl down. Naruto groaned as a wave of dizziness hit him like a ton of bricks before he clenched his jaw as a burning sensation flooded his body before he hunched over and started dry heaving as he struggled to control himself.

However, the dizziness and pain came faster and faster before he finally couldn't take it anymore and collapsed out cold, his last thought was that the feeling was strangely familiar to him.

Paul and Lara rushed over to check on him and breathed a sigh of relief that he had apparently just passed out and sat with him to keep an eye on him and make sure he was comfortable.

DAYS LATER

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Naruto blinked awake as he heard his phone going off and groaned a bit as he got his eyes focused and saw Terri, Denise, and Lara in his bed with him, all naked of course. They were back at the resort relaxing and calming down after their little adventure. They had plenty of footage for the documentary, including plenty of footage of the Shirishama since they had stayed in their village for two days as they were checking on and ensuring Cale was fine and safe, so they were set on that.

Cale would live and keep his leg, though he'd likely be walking with a limp and cane from now on but it was better than the alternative.

The rest of them all had some minor injuries to get checked out. Denise and Terri had some scrape sand scratches.

Mateo had the bite and some cracked ribs from the massive anaconda.

Paul had a large gash along his back and a cut on his left arm.

Clayton had broken his right arm and had a few minor scratches.

Danny had a mild concussion and some bruises.

Lara had a few scrapes, gashes, and bruises but nothing she hadn't endured before.

Naruto was the worst over all given his different minor injuries just adding up in addition to the bites he suffered and over exerting his muscles and body as a few of his tendons popped and his muscles tore from the exertion of fighting off the anaconda's hold. He was lucky that none of his wounds were seriously infected. The claw marks had a slight infection, but it was one that had only just set in and the doctors were able to clean it thoroughly and gave him some antibiotics to ensure it didn't become worse.

He frowned as he thought back to when they were in the Shirishama's village. He had woken up the next day with a splitting headache and aching all over, but beyond that he was fine. The shaman had just given him an encouraging smile the entire time and wouldn't speak on what happened or anything before he sent them on their way back to civilization while bidding them good fortune and for the spirits to watch over them.

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Oh right, the phone.

He grunted as he shifted slightly since he was still sore and recovering and got one of his arms free and answered his phone, "Hello?" Naruto asked quietly.

"Hey, you need to get your ass here now." Luli stated over the line with her tone waking Naruto up right quick.

"What happened?" Naruto asked and Luli sighed on the other end.

"There's been some complications and trouble here, Lai is holding up with Nannette's help, but…" Luli stated and Naruto frowned.

"What about Tenten?" Naruto asked knowing Luli would be more panicked if something had happened to her.

"She's the one who told me to call you." Luli stated making Naruto's frown increase.

"I'll be on the first available flight." Naruto stated before hanging up with a sigh.

Could he not get a few months rest before something else happened that he needed to fix or stop?

Probably not knowing his luck, but he was stuck here for at least another day before he'd be able to catch a flight anywhere.

DONE! Hope you all enjoyed the nice 17K word chapter, no lemon this time since no where felt right to me no matter where I tried to have one.

Next time is going to be a chapter inspired with a bit of a modernized mashup of a movie series that I enjoy.

For those who missed it, I've started a Pat-reon (remove the – for those unfamiliar with it) to help get some of the stress off my life and thus make it easier to get chapters out for you all. If you'd like to become a patron for me, you can find me on pat-reon under my writer name. If for some reason that doesn't work, you can find a broken up link in my "Heads Up" "story" on here or you can go to my heads up item on Archive of our own (same writer tag) and a full link will be there for you to use.

To those who don't know what Pat-reon is, basically you guys sign up and pledge a certain amount of money a month to me to basically make it easier for me to produce content for you and depending on how much you pledge you get different perks such as a shout out in chapters, a look at what I plan to do for future chapters, pick a pairing for me to do, pick someone to bash/kill, early warnings for when I am about to do release a chapter, a look at future fics and chapters that aren't next to be posted, and even giving me an Omake to do. I plan to add more benefits/perks later on as I get more patrons as I can focus more on my writing and rewarding my patrons, I also plan to do Pat-reon only polls in the future so there is that incentive as well. I've recently added commissioning One Shots from me to the top two tiers of my Pat-reon so there's that incentive as well.

Speaking of: shout out to my Patrons on Pat-reon: Lyndsay Schwartzkopff, Jeff Broderick, Taurus Frederick, Andrew Stephens, Hober Granados, and charger2040. Thank you all for the support and for the future support!

That should be it, see you all next time!