Chapter 4 - The Beginning of The End
The castle, night of the chunin exams
Naruko looked through a portal. From there she could see that Menma was hard at work under Kingu's guidance. Having earned his sister's trust, Menma was gifted with some of Kushina's scrolls for kenjutsu and fuinjutsu. This just showed the blond boy how far outclassed he was in his current condition and also surprised him how much the elderly hokage was hiding from him. The old man claimed that most of Minato and Kushina's belongings were destroyed or locked away.
Clearly they were ALL locked away and meant to be kept around until the hokage believed Menma was loyal.
"Disgusting." Naruko muttered at such a thought.
A moment later, Ana had appeared before Naruko and kneeled, "Milady." she said.
"Yes Ana? Are you here to report on little Roxas?" Naruko asked.
Ana nodded, "Roxas-sama is recuperating well and still trying to adjust to adjust with his body." she said.
Tsunade was successful in the operation. It took over a week, but the boy in container was able to live without being dependant on it. Roxas was what Naruko named the boy and he was still having difficulty adjusting to the world seeing as he was just born and is currently observing life. So basic factors such as breathing and walking are still foreign to him.
"I see, I hope the poor boy can adjust soon. Though it's still not safe for him to go into the outside world." Naruko said with a sad sigh. "I know that he wants to live life to the fullest, but I can't cope with him being in danger." she said as Ana understood.
"Family is most important milady. You are correct in thinking of your family first." Ana stated without realizing she actually spoke instead of thinking. "Pardon me milady! I should not speak out of place!" she exclaimed.
Naruko stood up and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, "There is nothing wrong with your way of thinking Ana. After all, you lost everyone before I found you." she said. "Now then, we have last minute preparations before the exams tomorrow." she said as Ana nodded.
"Yes milady." Ana said as she had to prepare for the worst tomorrow.
With Kingu and Menma
"Keep it light Menma-san. You will need to prepare for the exams tomorrow and with Orochimaru's interference. You can expect the worst to possibly happen." Kingu said as he watched Menma fight the golems that Naruko sent for Menma to combat.
After destroying the last one, Menma started panting and put his sword away.
"That reminds me. After our latest trek to Uzushiogakure. We had come across many blueprints and I believe from what we have produced. This one may interest you." Kingu said as he pulled out a storage scroll and revealed it's contents.
The weapon itself was a strange looking sword with the guard and handle in the shape of a trigger. As if it were intended to look like a ranged weapon. On the blade itself, the silver material had a black outline of a lion sticking out. The ferocious and majestic beast was waiting for it's companion to join him in battle.
"What is it?" Menma asked.
"This is called the gunblade. There is still little we know about the weapon and it's capabilities. However Naruko-sama believes you are capable of figuring it out and making your family name proud." Kingu said as he gave it to Menma.
The blond boy nodded, "I can do it!" he proclaimed as he took the sword and wielded it high into the air.
"Very well. I suggest resting for now. As I mentioned, there are many threats tomorrow and there is no purpose in exhausting or potentially injuring yourself." Kingu said before leaving.
Menma sighed, "Tomorrow sure is going to be filled with hell, but I'm not letting nee-chan down." he said as he knew there was no room for mistakes tomorrow.
The next day, final exams
Hiruzen Sarutobi was not in high spirits. First things were bad when the Witch had taken Naruko away and now Menma has been very distant and rarely seen. Jiraiya even informed him that he had the toad elders keep tabs on him, but even then they couldn't reverse summon him. As if something was blocking him out since he was very alive and hasn't had his name removed from the summoning scroll.
The sandaime Hokage feared that he was losing his influence on the boy. Can Menma not see that he's doing this for Minato's wishes? Some sacrifices must be made for the village to prosper.
That didn't matter now as Hiruzen planned to fix things after the exams had ended. It was already stressful enough as the newly appointed Mizukage had arrived to watch the exams unlike the Raikage or the Tsuchikage who had other matters to deal with first. So they could only support their shinobi from a distance while the Mizukage was mainly here to show the strength of her village and potential of Chojuro who was said to succeed the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
It was also important to remember the Kazekage as well. Or at the very least, the veiled man who was claiming to be the Kazekage and sat down in attendance. After greeting both of the respective kage and taking their seats. Hiruzen began to announce the beginning of the exams.
"Welcome everyone to the final stage of the chunin exams! Where all the young people you see before you prove the strength and greatness of their respective villages! As about all our competitors come from the main five hidden villages along with Otogakure! Please give a round of applause for all these brave patriots!" Hiruzen announced as he could hear the cheers of everyone in attendance. "And now, may the finals begin!" he added.
Genma stepped up and pulled out a packet from his flak jacket, "Ok everyone, before we get started. You should all see that fighting bracket has been changed up." he said as all the competitors as they took a look at the changes.
Menma Uzumaki vs Gaara
Sasuke Uchiha vs Naruko Uzumaki
Kankuro vs Winner of Match 6
(A/N: Sorry I forgot Kankuro last time)
Those were the only changes in the matches and no one really cared. Except for the fact that three of those fighters weren't currently present. Which did make Gaara feel peeved that his opponent was not here to "feed his mother" as he muttered.
"Everyone but Gaara and Menma Uzumaki exit the arena." Genma ordered as Gaara stood in place while everyone else left.
After a few minutes people were demanding for Menma to be disqualified. Unlike Kakashi and a few other high ranking individuals. The public was not aware of Menma being the son of Minato Namikaze. Though a few people outside of the village were either aware or had a theory that he was the yondaime's child. The Raikage being one of them since he knew Minato on a personal level and was aware of his relationship with a certain Uzumaki woman.
"Are the villagers this annoying Hokage? Because I swear I'm gonna turn some of these people black and blue." A threatened.
"A rowdy bunch of spectators." Mei commented.
Hiruzen didn't know what to say and felt rather nervous. However things were cleared up as someone started to approach the arena. The individual was a young man of average build with straightened medium length hair. His clothes were composed of a black jacket with fur around the color, a white undershirt with black pants and boots.
(A/N: Squall Leonhart clothes)
"And who might you be?" Genma asked.
"Menma Uzumaki, I didn't feel like standing around under the hot sun." Menma said as he pulled out his gunblade and hanged it over his shoulder.
Genma nodded, "Very well, the match between Gaara and Menma Uzumaki may now begin!" he announced as both took their stances.
"Impress me Menma Uzumaki." Gaara demanded as he launched a giant wave of sand at Menma.
(Final Fantasy VIII OST - Force Your Way)
Menma quickly avoided each attack before creating a few shadow clones. After scattering them, Menma proceeded to form a couple of hand seals to combat the sand.
"Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!" he called out as he blew up the wave of sand and turned a portion of it to glass. Noticing Gaara's grin, Menma continued to counter the sand as each clone took a position and prepared themselves, "Lightning Style: Lightning Dragon Jutsu!" he called out as he drilled a hole through another wave of sand.
"Make me feel alive Uzumaki!" Gaara yelled.
"Attack all at once!" Menma said as he shunshinned away.
Little did Gaara know, all the clones charged up various lightning jutsus and fired them all at once at Gaara. All knowing that he would defend himself with his sand defense. At the very least they were hoping to test his speed and durability since sand would be turned into glass when struck by lightning.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Dragon Jutsu!" the clones yelled out as they all converged their attacks onto Gaara who quickly surrounded himself in a wall of sand that quickly fell apart into glass.
However it was far from over as Gaara continued to grin like a madman despite his armor starting to crack open. The pain only encouraged Gaara to make his attacks much more vicious and more likely to kill his opponent. Menma predicted this as Naruko gave him the intel on Gaara's past and psychological evaluation as to how the boy reacts. A raging jinchuriki is something to be cautious of, but thanks to Kushina's scrolls Menma was more than prepared to stop a jinchuuriki before they were hit a stronger transformation level.
However Gaara didn't necessarily have the potential to use a second stage cloak. The Ichibi isn't as potent, but it does lead him to being closer to reaching his bijuu transformation which is just as bad. Though it doesn't help that Naruko's intel also stated that the woman who worked on Gaara's seal had very poor skills in fuinjutsu.
'If I get close enough to restrain him with kaa-chan's adamantine chains. I can place the seals on him and knock him out.' Menma thought as he rushed at Gaara with his gunblade. "Hey I need one of you to hit the sword!" he said to one of his clones.
"Hold still boss!" one of the clones said as he casted a small jutsu from his hand and hit the gunblade.
"Sand Burial!" Gaara yelled only for Menma to shunshin behind Gaara who created another wall of sand.
"Sword Magic: Lightning Slicer!" Menma yelled as the lightning infused gunblade cut through the sand.
"Sand Shuriken!" Gaara called out as he tried to hit Menma.
Menma sliced through each shuriken with ease before landing a devastating series of hits.
"Renzokuken!" Menma called out as he slashed Gaara about 8 times before slashing at Gaara and jumping into the air. "Rough Divide!" he said as small earthquake appeared under Gaara and blasted Gaara and sent him flying away.
Gaara screamed in pain as his sand armor had completely fallen apart, "That hurt. THAT HURT!" he yelled as his eyes become bloodshot. "YOU WILL DIE UZUMAKI! MOTHER DEMANDS YOUR BLOOD RIGHT NOW!" he yelled in his crazed state as he started to enter his bijuu form.
"Damn, time for my back up plan." Menma said as he pulled out a card from his jacket. "Quezacotl!" he called out as a storm started to appear in the skies.
Soon enough, a large green avian coated in lightning had appeared. Hearing it's screech, the spectators witnessed as the creature had unleashed a powerful blast of lightning onto Gaara. Once again, Suna's jinchuriki was ill prepared and was heavily damaged by the summon. Afterwards the summon left Menma's side and the sky had returned to it's plain blue color.
"I'm ending this now!" Menma said as he summoned an adamantine chain from his body wrapped up Gaara's body before he had a chance to recuperate.
"NO! I WILL NOT LET YOU END MY EXISTENCE!" Gaara yelled as he struggled to break free.
It was already over as Menma slapped a seal on him and formed a single hand seal, "Fuin Kai!" he said before Gaara's chakra network was restrained before falling unconscious from severe exhaustion.
"Call the match. He's done." Menma said as he swung his gunblade around.
Genma nodded dumbly, "Winner Menma Uzumaki!" he said.
(Victory Fanfare!)
Many cheered at the sight of the amazing match. Menma had barely taken a scratch or any real damage. Which left the Suna jounin, Baki, with his mouth agape as to how easily Gaara was dispatched and no doubt the seal placed on him would be difficult to remove. While he hated to admit it, Baki was not aware of anyone in Suna let alone in their current forces that could remove the seal. If the boy was a real Uzumaki, then there was no hope to release Gaara's bijuu any time soon.
Orochimaru had the same idea, but still had some belief that he had enough skill to remove the seal himself. Though he didn't have as much confidence in his subordinates as most of them haven't picked up a paint brush. Then there was the fact that he already had his plan to kill the sandaime in mind. So leaving now would draw suspicion and likely ruin his plans.
Meanwhile the exams continued onwards as Gaara was taken away and Menma walked the waiting area for the other competitors. He also found Hinata sitting on his lap while noticing her strange black leathery outfit. For some reason the formerly shy Hyuuga heiress also carried a large sword that had to be at least seven feet long. Menma did not want to find out why she carried such a large sword and just tried to remain calm as Hinata was trying to get closer to him.
"Sasuke Uchiha and Naruko Uzumaki please come down." Genma said as no one showed up for a few minutes until a strange black mist appeared.
From it, Naruko appeared in the same armor as she wore during the preliminaries. Genma acknowledged her appearance and left everyone waiting for the Uchiha. However most who were from outside of Konoha were becoming annoyed and exhausted by the wait. The many nobles and rich nobles were becoming quite irritated as well. Especially when Genma received new information from Raido who had spoke to Hiruzen a minute earlier.
"The match between Sasuke Uchiha and Naruko Uzumaki will be moved to the end!" Genma announced as many people booed for different reasons.
Naruko scoffed, "If a weak willed man bends to a child pink eye. I cannot fathom how much longer this village will last." she said out loud that earned many glares.
"That's your commanding officer you are referring to." Genma said critically.
"And he should have stayed in retirement. I care little for your opinion or that of the other inhabitants of this village." Naruko said before joining her brother with the others.
Meanwhile as others called Naruko names and other offensive comments. The nobles looked disgusted.
"Ridiculous, they expect me to pay for a single individual? One that can't guarantee their arrival?" asked a pompous looking noble.
"No sir, it is clear that Konoha has no concern for your thoughts so long as you give them a portion of your wealth." said the servant of the noble.
The noble scoffed, "I see, how about that Kiri ninja? He looks nervous, but at the very least he is more concerned with his task than his personal feelings." he said.
Many of the other potential clients murmured amongst each other. Many deciding that perhaps a single individual defines Konoha's strength as being weak.
"What about the Uzumaki boy? He was trained by the sannin Jiraiya was he not?" asked another noble.
"Yes milady, however he has yet to summon toads. He either failed as an apprentice or perhaps the sage has failed as a teacher since the Yondaime passed away." said their servant.
Soon enough Temari and Shikamaru had their fight. Shikamaru had the potential to win, but the Nara gave up claiming that he was almost out of chakra but clearly held the Suna kunoichi in a predicament where he could have defeated her. At the very least the Nara could have won then given up before the next match.
"He quit because he was tired!? The bandits will not care if you are tired! I'm already tired of such poor skill!" said an annoyed noble that made quite a few Konoha merchants look nervous.
An outside merchant nodded, "Is there a refund system? How can I depend on someone who quits from suddenly quits before winning a fight?" they asked.
Then Suzumebachi and Shino had their fight and the latter won due to superior techniques with his insects. The kikaichu had more variant skills in draining the Kamizuru of her chakra as her wasps were only good for head on attacks which were quickly avoided. At least now the potential clients didn't have something to complain about now.
Moving on, Hinata stepped up and revealed her new personality and outfit as the busty Kumo kunoichi stepped forth.
(Final Fantasy 7 Remake OST - One Winged Angel Rebirth)
It was a massacre for the poor Kumo kunoichi. Samui was more than prepared for a Hyuuga as she knew the basic essentials in fighting one. Never engage them in taijutsu, maintain your distance and avoid using illusionary genjutsu were just some of the basics to know when fighting one. However Hinata suddenly developed a strange kenjutsu skill and enhanced speed.
Despite being a kenjutsu user herself along with having a strong lightning affinity. Samui wasn't quick enough to avoid the various sword strikes and Hinata somehow proved to be quite nimble despite having a sword that was bigger than her entire body. Seriously, it looked as if Hinata was able to fly with how high she was able to jump and her speed literally had no other way to be described!
Then suddenly Hinata jumped high into the air and made on hand seal, "Supernova!" she called out.
Suddenly Samui found herself being able to see far into outer space. Her vision was obscured by the various quantum physics formulas that were being written down before watching a large meteor going into it. From there it passed through all the asteroids in the way began to heat up to the point it blew a giant hole into the planet of Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system and making it implode! Thus the meteor continued it's trek and hit the sun before making it explode as well.
The sun's explosion was so powerful that it immediately devoured planet Mercury. Venus had followed shortly after as it was decimated before the explosion reached the Earth. Samui turned pale and started to sweat as she could feel the intense heat making her skin started to dry up and blister. However it was all fake.
In reality, Samui just stood there with her eyes dilated. Where Hinata was actually looking for a hefty looking rock before chucking it at Samui's forehead and knocking her unconscious.
"Winner Hinata Hyuuga!" Genma announced as everyone was just surprised by such an amazing display of power.
However it was pathetic that Samui was defeated by having a rock hitting her right in the forehead. Another good reason to keep the forehead protector tied around your forehead.
Hinata looked up to the other competitors and blew a kiss to Menma who shivered, 'Hinata-chan is pretty and all, but her womanly ways scare me.' Menma thought as he wasn't aware of how badly he was going to be dominated later.
Moving on, Chojuro stepped up and overcame his nerves as he engaged Karui in a kenjutsu battle. After steeling himself and finding a way to counter her lightning release. Chojuro managed to disarm Karui and force her into surrendering the battle before moving on to the next round. Which only left the spectators having to wait even longer as Sasuke Uchiha had yet to arrive while Naruko scoffed at the Uchiha supporters who kept arguing for Sasuke's sake.
Eventually, Kakashi arrived with Sasuke as the two were back to back. Almost as if they assumed that their presence had fixed everything.
However the Daimyo believed that their tardiness did fix something, "Inform the Hokage that I want that man demoted." he told his aide.
The Daimyo believed that the proper ranking system needed to be fixed. Time is money and clients do not wish to spend more than they need to. While the village was also meant to be used as a safeguard for the country. Missions were a way of keeping an economy and thus the ninja were commodities. The daimyo does not wish for his commodities to be worth less than what they charge for. To think that once the Yondaime died, his own student assumed that shirking off his duties was suddenly fine.
"Tch, so the son of the White Fang was fine with his father dying, but the Yondaime dies and he's useless?" asked a noble.
"Perhaps he never honored his teachers." said another.
The match continued anyways, "The match between Sasuke Uchiha and Naruko Uzumaki may begin." Genma announced as both took their positions.
"Your place is beneath me!" Sasuke said with a smirk as he formed hand seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" he called out.
"Blizzard." Naruko called out as she blocked the attack.
Sasuke quickly ran up to Naruko to use Gai's Dynamic Entry only for her to grab his leg and toss him away. Sasuke quickly recovered and tried to use a watered down version of Konoha Senpuu only to get hit in the abdomen with the back of a sword. Sasuke used all his speed to try to kick and punch Naruko only to keep being shoved back or blocked before being struck by an elemental attack.
"Just hold still!" Sasuke demanded only to be struck by lightning.
"Thunder." Naruko said as Sasuke hit the ground hard. "Idiot, you stole goken techniques and yet no matter how fast you are. You lack stamina and will fall soon." she said as Sasuke was already panting.
Luckily the idiot was wearing weights or he would have already fallen down due to exhaustion. One idiotic spectator tried to distract Naruko by throwing his drink at her. Instead Naruko moved out of the way as Sasuke was hit square in the face by the beverage.
"AHHHHH! I HATE DIET!" Sasuke yelled as he tried to wipe his face only to get hit with the shield before being kicked in the abdomen.
"KILL HIM! HE HURT THE UCHIHA" yelled the other civilians as they dragged away their fellow man who hit Sasuke.
"No please! I was just helping! I don't understand! I thought we were peaceful!" said the hypocritical man yelled as the other villagers dragged him out and crucified him.
Naruko shook her head at the stupidity. Even the villagers were ready to turn each other at the littlest things. Meanwhile Sasuke took this as a chance to attack Naruko with a brand new jutsu that Kakashi managed to teach him. However it was difficult as the man was turned to stone, but freed after a golden needle was found in a letter with instructions on how to free the jounin. It was suspicious but helped the man out despite the fact that he had lost his fingers with no way to help with the fact that he was crippled.
Being crippled in the hand also meant that he had greater difficulty with hand seals. Sasuke needed the whole set of hands in order to properly copy the jutsu. So that left him with actually having to try hard and learn how to use a jutsu as well as mastering it.
"Chidori!" Sasuke yelled out only for Naruto to lift her hand up.
"Aero!" Naruko countered as a giant dome of wind surrounded her.
Sasuke saw the technique as a weak and cowardly attempt to defend herself. Sadly Sasuke focused on firepower and gaining jutsus. He would never beat Itachi with those no matter how many he gets. Because even an academy student would know that lightning is too weak to combat wind. However theoretically with enough power, it might push through or cancel out.
With that said, Sasuke was able to push his hand far enough to get his entire hand inside. However that was as far as he could go, but even then the wind was far stronger than it appeared. The lightning gave out and left Sasuke's hand to be shred up and twisted painfully.
"Aeroga!" Naruko called out as the wind applied more pressure and continued cutting up Sasuke's hand before forcefully pushing him away.
Sasuke screamed as he sent crashing and rolling across the ground before smacking into the wall. As he struggled to stand up, Naruko casted one last spell hoping to put the arrogant Uchiha down.
"Earth." she said as two large stone hands appeared behind Sasuke.
"What the hell is this?" Sasuke asked.
"A thousand years of death apparently." Naruko said as both stone hands jabbed their fingers up Sasuke's ass and sent him flying into a random part of the audience.
"Sasuke-kun!" Ino and Sakura yelled as he landed in their laps.
Genma decided to end the fight at that moment before Sasuke got raped by his fangirls, "Winner by ringout, Naruko Uzumaki!" he announced as the booing from Konoha was silenced over the clapping and cheers from everyone outside of the village including a few nobles.
Meanwhile Hiruzen was concerned that he was losing control of the Uzumaki twins and was planning on having Jiraiya get to them after the exams ended. The last thing he wanted was for the false prophecy to take place as Jiraiya had yet to tell him of the change. However if fate were such a thing that existed, Hiruzen Sarutobi was clearly not in its favor.
Meanwhile, outside the village
Kimimaro Kaguya and Jugo were two of Naruko's newest allies. Both were freed from Orochimaru's grasp and while it took some convincing. Both realized that the snake sannin only needed them for their abilities with one of them being a potential body. Naruko was different, she provided them with a new life without suffering and were even given an option to leave should they wished for it.
After some consideration, both friends agreed that it was best to stay with the young sorceress. Naruko hasn't been harsh to them and only saw potential growth in their skills as well as providing the medical needs to better their health. Jugo had managed to calm down and would now be able to control the senjutsu he absorbed and Kimimaro was healed of his illness. Now both watched as they stood in front of an army crafted by the clay used to forge such creatures like Kingu and similar to the massive earth golems.
Naruko had prepared this for years, but since Kingu's birth. She had massed enough energy and clay to store over a couple thousand soldiers made from clay. They still lacked training and not all of them were complete. But like Kingu, they were zealous followers and besides, many of them could be repaired at a later date so long as they have a good amount of material left. At the very least, like Kingu many of them possessed magic and used the Forest of Death as a training ground since many of them were meant for direct combat and defense.
Kingu and Ana stood next to the two boys along with, surprisingly, another Uzumaki. One named Karin who worked for the snake sannin as well while working as a kunoichi of Kusagakure. Her mission was originally to participate among the chunin exams but one of the clay soldiers found her after her teammates were killed by a bear. Initially the soldier was on patrol thinking he sensed Naruko due to her Uzumaki reserves even though they were converted to mana. The soldier was still in the prototype phase and realized its mistakes quickly.
Thus Karin was taken prisoner for a while before meeting Naruko and being given an option by Ultimecia who was just another doppelganger in disguise. Naturally Karin, despite being scared, joined Naruko's cause as she wanted to be around her family since her mother was killed on a mission in Kusa.
Now she stood with the men and Ana as they prepared to announce the next stage of their plan.
Kingu was the first to speak, "You know who I am. You know who you are. But do you know who you serve!?" he asked.
"Artemisia!" they army said at once.
"Good, as you are well aware. We are not conquerors. We are not murderers. Well not blood thirsty ones anyways." Kingu said correcting his last statement. "Today, we prove Konoha's weakness. We destroy the invaders and anyone who dares lay a finger on milady!" he continued as the army raised their weapons into the air.
That's when Jugo stepped forward, "Soldiers! What is your profession!?" he asked.
"AHOO! AHOO! AHOO!" they all yelled out.
Karin then stepped up and took a deep breath before speaking, "To Mordor!" she yelled.
Everyone remained silent as Karin felt stupid, "What is Mordor?" Ana asked.
"I thought it sounded cool." Karin said while scratching the back of her head sheepishly.
"To Konoha!" Kimimaro announced as they lead the army to a certain area.
All they needed to do was wait for Orochimaru to begin his attack. From there, that's where the army would begin their counterstrike.
Back at the exams
Seeing as the first round has officially ended as Kankuro forfeited. Hiruzen only had one idea to turn the children back to his side or at least shake Naruko's faith in the witch and make her loyal to him again. At least that's what he thought.
"Before we begin the next round of the exam. I have an important announcement!" Hiruzen stated as he stood up.
Everyone was silenced and paid close attention to what the sandaime had to say. Naruko smirked knowing that Hiruzen believed that he could still regain control. The only way to destroy hope was by unleashing true despair. That was all the sandaime deserved and Menma was more than willing to agree.
"Long ago we suffered a horrendous attack by the Kyuubi no yoko. The demon itself could not be killed and what you don't know is that it's been in Konoha's history since the shodaime's era. As he was the one to wisely believe in capturing and dividing each bijuu as a way to promote peace among each hidden village." Hiruzen began to explain.
"Duh, everyone knows that." Temari said having been given this lesson while just about everyone looked like a confused child.
"T-That's r-right, the previous M-Mizukage was a jinchuriki of the Sanbi and we also used to have the Rokubi." Chojuro muttered to himself.
"Even then the shodaime, who was hailed as the Kami no Shinobi could not kill the Kyuubi. It was a mass of chakra and would keep reforming no matter how much damage it had taken. In secret, the Kyuubi was passed down to subsequent jinchuriki until the night it was ripped out from Kushina Uzumaki, the wife of our Yondaime Hokage." Hiruzen continued as many people were muttering about not knowing about the marriage.
A few civilians were muttering about an "island whore" when they were much worse. To the point that they assumed their natural citizenship meant they were in the right. So no matter how much they wanted Minato's fortune and reputation, they were still good people as they were from the same village.
"The details are still unknown to this very day. However, what you do not realize that in his union. Minato Namikaze bared two children and used one of them to use as a human sacrifice to contain the Kyuubi. They are none other than Naruko and Menma Uzumaki. Two siblings that have been separated at birth." Hiruzen stated as a few people were gasping with quite a few politically powerful figures raising their eyebrows. "Before you cast any extra judgement, while you are aware that an Uzumaki is the jinchuriki. I have in fact deceived you for your own good." he added.
"You're damn right you old senile bastard!" Menma announced as he jumped down from the competitors area.
'What is he up to.' were the thoughts of the jounin as Menma made his way towards the center of the arena.
"You old man are nothing but a spineless coward that would listen to an old pervert that listens to a bunch of toads." Menma began to say as he pointed at the hokage accusingly.
"Hey kid back off, the hokage is trying to speak." Genma said only for Menma to shove him away.
"No I am not going to shut up and be the good little dog. Hiruzen Sarutobi is nothing but a scheming and manipulative man that allows others like Jiraiya and Orochimaru get their way!" Menma accused as many people gasped.
Naruko smiled, "Hinata-chan, please keep a close eye on Menma-kun. I will be fulfilling my own task." she said.
"Is that an order?" Hinata asked curiously.
"It's a request, not just as your future sister-in-law but as your fairy godmother." Naruko replied as she left a smiling Hinata.
Hinata giggled loudly enough to terrify the other competitors, "I guess I'm not the only one with plans." she said as she started cleaning her massive sword. 'Masamune will see blood very soon won't it?' she wondered.
Meanwhile Menma still continued his rant, "And most importantly, you lied about my sister's status and purposely put her in danger!" he yelled.
"What the hell are you talking about kid?" Genma asked.
"Menma I was just about to say..." Menma cut off the elderly kage.
"That you lied about my sister being a jinchuriki while you dumped me off with Jiraiya. All the while you lied saying she was fine and happy and was treated like a hero when she was actually turned into a human punching bag! Were you just gonna keep letting happen or were you planning on keeping her around until you sold her to some noble for her clan name!? Or was that unless she was killed or raped first!?" Menma accused as many members of the crowd started to murmur amongst each other.
The hokage looked gobsmacked that Menma would believe such a thing, "M-Menma I wouldn't do such a thing! I view the two of you as if you were my grandchildren!" he claimed.
"Oh really? Then I suppose separating your grandchildren from each other is a common norm then! While I'm at it, I suppose it's natural for one to be fed blind patriotism and the other is not even fed at all while having to live like a wild animal!" Menma argued.
"ENOUGH! I am the hokage! I am the sandaime and have faced all three shinobi wars! I was the one chosen by my sensei, Tobirama Senju, to be the best fit for the title of hokage! I KNOW when I am right and you are a naive child that has yet to face the darkness of this world!" Hiruzen yelled as he had enough of the child's defiance. "You are officially disqualified Menma Namikaze!" he exclaimed until malicious laughter could be heard.
"BWAHAHAHA! Such foolishness, you still believe that you are in control sandaime?" everyone turned to see Naruko had appeared. "Only now you believe that you deserve control. That these mongrels would suddenly become good regardless of whoever contained the beast. It's only human nature that these disgusting worms would find another reason to hate someone as they refuse to believe they were ever wrong." she said as many villagers continued to yell at her from the stands.
"You are a demon regardless!"
"Whirlpool trash!"
"Bastard child!"
"You hurt the Uchiha and showed your true colors!"
"Both you and your dirty brother are monsters!"
The sandaime couldn't believe his ears as he could still see that the villagers wouldn't let go of their hate.
(Final Fantasy 8 OST - Premonition)
"BE SILENT!"
Naruko's command was powerful enough to create a large shockwave that forcefully silenced the crowd. Which only left the foreigners and nobles murmuring about the disgusting behavior. The daimyo was the absolute opposite of pleased when seeing that his villagers were acting like neanderthals.
"As I was saying you are all low lifes. Shameless dirty wretches, you love and honor the yondaime hokage as if he were your god. You celebrate his sacrifice and honor in the form of your sick and twisted machinations. That so long as you act like the victim, you believe that you are in the right and exempt from any crime. Now that the foolish ape has explained the truth, you continue to act high and mighty. Do you still see yourselves as heroes? That I and my brother are the combination of the nine tailed beast that wreaked havoc? It no longer matters, as you are all useless worms that fail to realize how weak and pathetic you really are. HAHAHAHAHA!" she laughed maniacally as several explosions went off in the background as feathers surrounded the sky.
"Ah, here begins the end of your era. Sit back and enjoy the show as no one is here to help you. You are all alone now. May your sins against me be paid in interest as your punishment has arrived in the form of that snake, Orochimaru." Naruko said as a pair of wings appeared behind her back and she started to float.
Those who had yet to lose consciousness. They witnessed as Naruko's armor was placed by a purple cloth dress with black flat shoes and a dark purple coat surrounding her shoulders with a black staff in hand.
(A/N: Medea Caster outfit)
Back with Menma, the boy nodded knowing his sister had every right to say those things. Though that didn't stop him from worrying about the Suna ninja that were jumping down and surrounding him and Genma. However before either could worry about the threats, a massive golem surfaced from the ground and started swiping at all of them before crushing a few of them with earth style magic. Menma kept his distance from the golem until the creature took a knee and handed him a metallic shoulder piece.
"Thank you!" Menma told the golem as he slapped the armor on his shoulder and channelled some chakra into it before some armor appeared over his body. The armor itself was red and gold with a large cape over his back, "Time to clean up this place up!" he said as he got his gunblade ready.
(A/N: Terra's Lingering Will)
Just as Menma was ready to cut down the first wave. He was surprised by the sight of Hinata decapitating the first group with great precision and amazing speed. Afterwards, she turned to Menma with a bright smile remind him that she hasn't completely changed.
"Go Menma-kun, your sister needs you more." Hinata said as the golem helped her fend off the incoming Oto ninja that were assisting Suna in the invasion.
"Thanks Hina-chan! I owe you!" Menma said as he ran after Naruko who was making her way to where the other kage were.
With the kage
Mei Terumi and her guards got into a fighting stance as the Sound Four surrounded them in a barrier along with Hiruzen. Then revealing that the Yondaime Kazekage was actually Orochimaru in disguise.
"Orochimaru!" Hiruzen called out as he removed his robes and revealed his battle armor.
Orochimaru chuckled at his former teacher's expression, "Sarutobi sensei, has your age withered you so much that I've become unpredictable? Perhaps you are a foolish ape as the Uzumaki brat said." he taunted.
"Once I have dealt with you. I will save Naruko and Menma from the witch!" Hiruzen proclaimed as he summoned Enma to his side.
"It doesn't take spying on the village to see that the girl has no love for the village. Clearly it's safe to say that the other gaki is like his father and saw through Jiraiya's buffoonery." Orochimaru continued to say as he pulled out the sword of the Kusanagi from his mouth.
However just as the fighting had begun. Naruko arrived and stared at Sakon/Ukon who was helping hold up the barrier. The sorceress grinned as she raised her hand over the strange shinobi.
"What are you trying to do? Teach me sign language?" Sakon taunted.
"Doom." Naruko casted as numbers appeared over the man's head. "I wonder if it will take you both or will it only have an effect on one." she said as both men tried to hide their anxiety.
"Heh! Lame ass genjutsu!" Sakon taunted.
"Kai!" Ukon said only for the numbers to continue moving downwards.
"Just enough time for my reinforcements to arrive." Naruko said as Kingu and Ana arrived by her side with a few of her clay soldiers.
"Milady Artemisia." both servant greeted.
"Oh good, has the army already made their way in?" Naruko asked.
"Hai, Jugo and the others are defeating the invaders from outside of the village as well as the stragglers coming in." Ana answered as they saw explosions in the distance.
Along with a few snakes in the distance, they could see a few large wolfs combatting the reptillians. That only left a small smile on Naruko's lips as she could see that one of the divisions in her army was combatting the summons.
"And which soldiers have you brought with you?" Naruko asked as five soldiers bowed.
"I am a knight, I will be your shield!"
"I am a dragoon, I will reach any target!"
"I am a ranger, I will hit anyone regardless of position!"
"I am a black belt, I will lend you my fists!"
"I am a sage, I will curse your foes and heal your allies!"
Naruko nodded as she heard Sakon and Ukon yell in pain as their lives had ended. Looking back, she saw the barrier had fallen as Sakon and Ukon's position had given out upon their death. The group made their way inside to see Orochimaru had already begun to summon several coffin from the ground. Both Mei and Hiruzen prepared to fire their jutsus on the coffins and sannin until Naruko stepped in.
"Mei-sama, please stand back. This is a part of my plan." Naruko said as Mei looked in surprise.
"Artemisia-sama?" Mei asked.
To keep a story short, Naruko had previously made her debut as Artemisia the apprentice of Ultimecia to Mei over a year back. It was during the bloodline purge where the experimental clay soldiers and Guardian Forces were still being tested for combat. Using her expertise in fuinjutsu, Mei's forces quickly defeated the previous Mizukage's forces as their chakra was sealed and Yagura had difficulty entering his bijuu transformation.
It didn't help that Bahamut also cancelled it out due to it's Megaflare being able to cancel properties similar to magic and anti magic defense. The Sanbi was already strong with it's shell and resistant to the elements which made it easier seeing as a chakra cloak was not enough of a defense. Now Mei Terumi made a small friendship and pact with the young girl despite the fact that Naruko wore a headpiece during the time they met to conceal her identity at the time.
"There are some things you should avoid stepping into. Though I don't want to sound rude, but this is not your fight. So you are free to leave if you wish." Naruko said as she signalled the Sage to step forth.
"Ninja Art: Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!" Hiruzen called out as he tried hitting the coffin marked "yondaime" from rising up.
Instead the Sage got in the way, "Wall!" he casted as a large glass like wall appeared and blocked the attack despite cracking heavily under the attack.
"Hahaha, Hiruzen you won't get away from punishment that easily." Naruko taunted as more coffins came out.
Naruko recognized them and knew ahead of time of what Orochimaru planned. Though it did frustrate her to no end as the filthy snake dared messing with more innocent figures. It didn't matter in the end as the sorceress planned to rid the world of Orochimaru for good unlike the spineless old codger the village calls a hokage.
"Naruko! Can't you see that Orochimaru is summoning the dead!?" Hiruzen yelled as more coffins appeared and opened.
"I know, but you will find a real reason to fear the dead old man." Naruko said as she marvelled at her actions.
The shodaime looked around in curiosity before noticing his brother was with him, "Tobirama, it appears as someone has used your jutsu." he said.
The nidaime didn't like hearing that, "And it appears whoever summoned us is forcing us to face Hiruzen." he added.
"Saru? You've grown quite old." Hashirama jokes.
"Now is not the time sensei. For a traitor has turned you and members of your family into his slave to fulfill his bidding." Hiruzen said as they were shocked to see who else came out.
Mito Uzumaki, Hashirama's wife and Tsunade's grandmother. Nawaki Senju, it only broke Hashirama's heart to see his grandson die so young. However he couldn't recognize Kushina Uzumaki, Naruko and Menma's mother, despite only knowing that she was an Uzumaki due to her red hair. With the final one being Minato Namikaze, the yondaime hokage, though neither hokage was aware of him or his title.
"Mito-chan, Nawaki-chan, all of you are being manipulated as well?" Hashirama asked only to hear Naruko laugh.
This only confused them both, "And what are you laughing at young lady?" Tobirama asked.
"There is still one person left that has yet to join the party." Naruko said.
"Naruko-chan?" Kushina called out as she slowly approached the middle ground.
"Hello okaa-sama, I wish we would have met under better circumstances. Though you can blame the fool you call husband." Naruko said as Kushina frowned.
"Naruko-chan that is no way to speak about your father!" Kushina reprimanded.
Naruko shook her head, "Then you are as foolish as the hokage okaa-sama. Did you know that Jiraiya-teme separated me and Menma from birth as well as the old ape deliberately told everyone that I was the kyuubi jinchuuriki?" she asked.
"Then they should have seen you as a hero! Like I said with Menma!" Minato spoke up.
"That is why you are a fool like the other hokage." Naruko stated. "It does not take mastering every element, winning a war, subduing a bijuu or even creating a new nation to notice stupidity." she said as she began her own summoning.
In a matter of moments, a large magic seal appeared in the ground before her. The dark magic that surrounded it had started to spread miasma which made the living people around Naruko start to feel weak and ill. It was not too long that a large coffin covered in various seals and chains had been revealed. Tobirama had assumed it was a watered down version of his creation, but that was not the case.
"No, you couldn't know about that woman." Mito said as her face was full of fear as she could sense the magic leaking from out of the coffin.
"Oba-san, please tell me Naruko-chan didn't summon her!" Kushina pleaded.
Naruko chuckled at the various reactions. Even the little Nawaki boy whimpered at the sight of the coffin despite not knowing what it was or it contained.
"WHO!? Who is she summoning?" Hashirama asked as even Orochimaru's interest was peaked by the summoning.
"Well shodaime, imagine if Madara was more dangerous." both brothers didn't like the idea. "Now imagine he was female." she added.
Hashirama giggled and blushed at the idea of a sexy female Madara. Tobirama shivered at the idea as he couldn't imagine the Uchiha being female. Mito however slapped her husband after believing that her husband was having perverse ideas.
"And finally, that she was from the Uzumaki clan." Naruko said as she tapped on the coffin causing the seals to burn away and the chains to shatter.
"Naruko-chan! How could you summon someone so evil!?" Kushina asked frantically as the power emanating from the coffin.
Soon enough, a hand came out from the coffin and opened the doorway. Hiruzen paled as he was shocked by who had come out. Orochimaru was curious and excited as he believed he could manipulate this woman to fight for his side as well. Then maybe experiment on Naruko to find other secrets within her. However his excitement turned to fear as the woman released a killing intent that made the atmosphere's temperature drop significantly.
"I am alive. Who has summoned me back to the world of the living?" asked the woman.
"I did ancestor." Naruko said as Ultimecia had returned to land of the living.
(Final Fantasy 8 OST - The Extreme)
Ultimecia narrowed her eyes as Naruko, "And who might you be young one?" she asked.
"Naruko Uzumaki, before you ask ancestor. I am only half and our clan has been dead for three decades and Uzushio has been destroyed as well." Naruko answered as she turned to everyone else.
"How are you here!? You've been manipulating Naruko to turn on her village!" Hiruzen demanded.
"I do not like your tone." Ultimecia replied as she summoned various projectiles to attack Hiruzen who was not quick enough to block them and was hit in various parts of his body.
"Saru!" Hashirama yelled out before forming hand seals. "Wood Style: Nativity of the Trees!" he yelled out.
"Water Style: Water Colliding Wave!" Tobirama yelled out.
Naruko and the sage channeled their magic to surround themselves and their allies in a barrier to avoid both attacks. Ultimecia however, took to the skies and avoided both attacks. The ancient sorceress's guard was still up as she proceeded to trap herself in a sphere made from chakra chains. At that moment Minato appeared and repeatedly barraged the sphere with his hiraishin. Not wishing to stay in the defensive, Ultimecia caught the yondaime by the leg with her chains and slammed him back into the earth.
"And who might you three be that you wish to attack me so viciously?" Ultimecia asked.
"They are the hokage of the village of Konoha ancestor. They were allies of Uzushio and yet they allowed it to fall in a world war war which there have been three since the shodaime's failed attempt at peace." Naruko answered.
"Fire shadows? And what was the cause of their failed attempt?" Ultimecia asked seeing as her patience was running low.
"They sold the bijuu as commodities. Believing that dividing the power meant equality and peace." Naruko said as that was all her ancestor needed to hear.
Ultimecia snarled, "You FOOLS!" she yelled as her killing intent had skyrocketed. "The bijuu are not pets to sell! They may be beasts but they are sentient and loathe humanity! By granting them to others you've given away weapons that will not stop until their enemy has been destroyed!" she yelled as she channeled her magic.
Minato quickly tried to stop her only for Naruko to get in the way, "Reflect!" she called out.
At the last minute, Minato had attempted to use a low powered Rasengan to push his daughter away and attack the sorceress. Instead he was sent back flying by his own jutsu much to his surprise.
"Naruko-chan move out of the way! The witch is manipulating you!" Minato said in denial.
"You really are an idiot. You put more thought into jutsus than you do into logic." Naruko replied before casting her own magic. "Curaga!" she casted hitting Minato who sent flying back further.
Naruko laughed seeing as her theory worked. As everyone was revived with the nidaime's forbidden technique. They currently fall under the category of undead and are heavily susceptible to healing magic which damages undead fiends. Now the only thing Naruko needed was Menma who was running late. However her thoughts were broken as Kushina tied her up with her chakra chains.
"I'm sorry musume, but I can't let the witch control you mind." Kushina said desperately.
Naruko scoffed, "Now you are siding with Minato? You didn't seem adamant to side with him when he turned by brother into a jinchuriki who was taken away from me at birth." she replied as she didn't struggle to break free.
"How do you know that?" Kushina asked curiously.
"I've become powerful and succeeded my ancestor. After all, it was those villagers that destroyed my chakra coils when I was a child." Naruko replied as Kushina was heartbroken by the news.
That left her wide open for Menma to shatter her grip on Naruko by slicing off the chakra chain.
"Where have you been?" Naruko demanded.
"Too many invaders got in the way and your clay army just arrived in the arena." Menma said as he got his gunblade ready.
"Menma-chan?" Kushina asked as she was surprised to see ancient Uzumaki armor.
"It's me kaa-chan, Naruko told me the truth and now I'm fighting for what really matters and that's family." Menma said with a look of determination beneath his helmet.
"What truth? What's going on!?" Kushina asked frantically.
"As I told you, they separated us. Blamed me for something I had no part of. As well as living a life of suffering that no child should have to go through. All because your husband had faith that his villagers were saints." Naruko answered just as a large toad had landed in the arena. "Jiraiya is here, perhaps you can ask him and listen to his nonsense." she said just as the toad sage was making is way over.
With Naruko's group at the same time
"Kimimaro you bastard! Did you really betray Orochimaru-sama!?" asked an angry Tayuya as the last Kaguya and Jugo also arrived.
"I will not listen to a lab rat. Under Naruko-sama, my suffering is over and I am free to leave whenever I wish of it. Jugo is no longer a slave either." Kimimaro replied as his former comrades snarled.
"You'll pay for your treachery!" Jirobo said as he tried to punch Kimimaro only for Jugo to catch his fist and slug his chin with his free arm.
"I'll deal with the overweight one." Jugo said as he picked up Jirobo and tossed him onto the arena ground to fight him on his own.
That left Tayuya and Kidomaru alone to face Ana, Kingu and Kimimaro, "I repay Artemisia-sama for her generosity." Kimimaro said as his bones started to pop out of his body.
"Very well, Ana, I leave you to assist Kimimaro while I deal with the snake and anyone else who gets in milady's way." Kingu said as he pulled out his staff and went back to the main fight.
Tayuya immediately picked up her flute and started playing only for the clay soldiers to stop her, "Thundaga!" the Sage yelled as the flute was destroyed by the lightning.
"We will gladly assist you and Artemisia-sama at the same time Ana-sama!" said the Dragoon.
Ana nodded as she grabbed her lance and charged at Tayuya while Kimimaro engaged Kidomaru.
Back with Naruko and Menma
Jiraiya soon arrived and was shocked to see his student was brought back with the accursed jutsu. However skipping formalities they quickly ran beside Kushina who was still confronting her children.
"And the filth arrives." Naruko comments as Jiraiya scowls.
"Menma how could you side with the witch? She's manipulating your sister!" Jiraiya said trying to reason with his current apprentice.
"You're the delusional one Jiraiya! You ripped me away from my sister's side to fulfill your own insanity!" Menma argued.
This caught Minato off guard, "Sensei, did you really?" he asked.
"I needed to fulfill the prophecy and made sure Konoha would remain safe!" Jiraiya argued.
"Sensei I only followed the prophecy because you said it promised peace!" Minato replied.
Naruko scoffed, "He believes there is no peaceful world without Konoha. Like the ape who is willing to use and dispose of others for his ego. Like all hokage, you see the village as needing to be a strong military rather than pursuing the end of suffering." she said as she drew a single card. "A simple village is made from various materials that can be found anywhere. The shodaime preaches about family and security yet you believe more in materialism." she stated.
Jiraiya glared at the twins, "Well I'm going to put a stop to the both of you. I'm going to seal away your abilities so you can never harm Konoha!" he promised as he prepared another summoning.
Naruko laughed, "You fool, out of all this you assumed we're trying to destroy your disgusting village. No, we are merely taking away your power and cleaning up your mess." she said before tossing the card up. "Bahamut!" she called out as the large dragon had been summoned as Gamabunta and the elder toads also appeared.
"Jiraiya-chan, what are we doing here?" Shima asked.
"Naruko has been working with the witch the whole time! Now we need to stop her and Menma who she manipulated!" Jiraiya claimed as the toads were about to climb on his back only for Kushina and Minato to stop them. "What are you two doing!?" the pervert asked.
"Sensei, it doesn't take my own wife's sensory skill to tell who's really delusional. I'm ending this pointless fight and making the right choice for once." Minato said as she restrained Gamabunta with her chains.
"Hey who's side are you on!?" the boss toad asked only for Bahamut to fly down on him.
"Bahamut, use your Megaflare on the nasty creature!" Naruko ordered as the dragon fired a powerful white beam at Gamabunta who fell down into the arena. "Also, you may call me Artemisia. The successor of my ancestor Ultimecia. Now, witness his and Hiruzen Sarutobi's crimes! Memory Compression: Experiences of Change!" she casted as red orbs exited her body and entered Minato, Kushina, Mito, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Ultimecia.
The Sorceress closed her eyes and drank the whole thing, "Now I see it. My technique worked to an extent." she said before turning to the kage and her kinsman who looked at Hiruzen as if he were their enemy now. "Pathetic senile man, you really have no idea what kind of damage you have done and my own clan had the audacity to call me evil." she said her opposition had changed targets.
Ultimecia now found interest in how her apprentice wishes to change this village. Should Naruko, now dubbed Artemisia, attempt to make her wishes come true. Then she should have planned this thoroughly. Is this the end of the Will of Fire or the beginning of a new flame?
TO BE CONTINUED...
Notes: The next chapter might be the final chapter. If not this will end in six chapters. Everything else will be explained in the end.