Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto Franchise that belongs solely to Masashi Kishimoto; I do not own Heaven's lost Property, High School DxD or any other Anime I borrow themes from. The only thing I claim is my OC's and original Story Plot.
Author's Note (A/N): Hey guys I'm back again and with a new chapter. Now right off the bat this chapter is super short. Way shorter than any chapter I've posted in a very long time. My usual limit in my chapters is around 8000 words and once I hit that threshold I start to wrap up my chapter and bring it to either a close or a cliffhanger. A lot of times the chapter then ends somewhere around 9000 words or if it's an important chapter it will end somewhere in the 10,000's which happens more often than nought especially when you add on the footnotes and annotations I have on to the top and bottom of each chapter.
The reason we have such a short chapter today is because the other day me and my best friend sat down and had a conversation about how the next few chapters of the story should go and he told me to give Sakura and Ino's fight it's own chapter. We sat down and rewatched their episode where they had their match to refresh our memories of how it went and we decided that this would be a very good place to add in some much needed character development for Sakura and Ino and help push Sakura along and shine a better light on her. It would also be a great way to give her a bit more of a fleshed out backstory. He told me of an interesting twist we could go with her backstory and when he explained it to me while we were watching the episode it had me begging for more. The idea is very simple and not complex at all, yet if I can pull it off correctly will hopefully add a few extra layers to Sakura's character.
At the time I only had what this entire chapter consist of written down. At the very end of the chapter it kind of feels like I was going to transition into Sakura and Ino's fight right away which was my plan until we had that conversation. So I decided to just end the chapter there resulting in approximately 4155 words of actual content. Next chapter will be Sakura vs. Ino. I'm very glad we had that conversation, he helps me out big time with this story so a shout out to my best friend as well as a pat on the back goes to him. Thanks bro.
Chapter 42
Sōkyoku's Warning
"This room will suit our needs perfectly." Kakashi stated as he walked Sasuke into a dark room in the basement of the combat tower. The room had thick columns arranged in rows that helped support the many floors above. Since it was a maintenance room and not many people go down their it was poorly lit with not a lot of light. In fact, there was no electrical lighting anywhere in the entire room. No windows for natural light since it was the basement level and no outlets for small lighting fixtures either. Instead the room had small torches hanging from certain columns.
As a Shinobi one is expected to be able to see well in the dark as that is an environment in which a ninja works best so the low light wasn't really a problem for them. Walking into a wide-open space between a group of pillars Kakashi told Sasuke to stand off to the side. Taking out a kunai from his pouch Kakashi streamed his Lightning Nature Chakra into the small knife and traced a perfect circle in the floor and then traced a second one inside the first one. Kakashi then proceeded to stab the kunai in his hand into the groove of the circle. Taking nearly a dozen more kunai out of his pouch Kakashi stabbed several more kunai into the groove of each circle.
Taking a scroll out Kakashi opens it up to reveal a complicated sealing formula written down on it. The unique thing to note was that the formula was written in blood. Going through several hand signs Kakashi activated the sealing formula which leapt off the scroll and arranged itself on the floor in a pattern while leaving a small space in the center for a person to stand.
"Ok it's ready Sasuke, come over here and take off your shirt. I want you to sit down in the center of this sealing array." Kakashi instructed as he stepped off to the side. A rustling in his pockets got Kakashi to focus in as a bright golden light shined through the fabric of his pants. Taking it out it was Iris's teddy bear shaped pendant. Once it was in his hand Kakashi saw the pendant give off a brighter light and in its place stood Iris holding onto Kakashi's hand while her other was holding onto her precious teddy bear.
"Iris why did you come here? What's going on?" Kakashi asked as Sasuke took his shirt off and sat down as instructed. His curse mark was in plain sight. "I wanted to see something about Sasuke's curse mark. There is something that I must confirm." Iris spoke but she didn't exactly sound like a little girl. Her accent was a lot thicker but her eyes remained blue. Her mannerisms were not completely the same either. It was as if someone was speaking through Iris or feeding her lines to say. She was in a halfway state so to speak.
"Something that you have to confirm?" Kakashi repeated as this didn't sound good in his mind especially with the suspicious glances Iris was sending towards Sasuke's shoulder. "What's going on?" Kakashi asked with caution in his voice as he watched Iris walk up to Sasuke. Iris had a frown on her face as she reached out with her tiny little hand towards Sasuke's shoulder. "What are you doing Iris?" Sasuke asked as he wasn't sure where this was going. This was the same question Kakashi had in his mind.
Iris's perfectly manicured hands touched the curse seal on Sasuke's shoulder and immediately Sasuke screamed in pain as a dark mist of energy flowed out from the mark. Sparks of light surrounded Iris's hand as she pulled away from Sasuke's shoulder.
The frown on Iris's face increased tenfold as a tiny growl left her lips. Iris glared at the mark on Sasuke's shoulder as she clenched John Paul in her arm. "What was that?" Kakashi demanded as he pulled on Iris's small little shoulder and pulled her to him. "This mark is special. It was imbued with the power of a God. A mortal is running around, blessed with the power of a God and now he is taking a special interest in Sasuke." Iris explained and by the sound of her voice she didn't seemed pleased.
"Iris what are you talking about? How do you know these things?" Kakashi questioned with caution in every word he spoke as he watched the anger in her eyes not match the youthful face she had. "Kakashi seal up Sasuke's curse mark immediately. Unfortunately, I can't aide you or do it myself in the condition I'm currently in." Iris stated and this time her voice was very different. It was thick with an accent and it had a commanding tone to it. For some reason Kakashi felt compelled to listen to Iris even though he didn't know why.
"Sasuke before I do this I just want you to know that this Curse Mark on you is a very powerful one. This Jutsu that I'm about to use won't be strong enough to completely suppress it. Therefore, what's going to happen is this suppressing seal will be powered by your will. The stronger your will is, the strong the Seal becomes and the better chance it has of stopping the curse. However, should at any point you doubt yourself the seal will fail and the curse will be unleashed on your body. Do you understand?" Kakashi warned as he wanted to make sure his student understood exactly what was about to happen to him. "I understand. Do it." Sasuke agreed as he braced himself. He was ready.
Going through a long sequence of hand signs Kakashi placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and once again the boy screamed in pain. "Fūinjutsu: Curse Sealing." This time however, all of the seals that were on the ground passed through the kunai Kakashi previously placed down and traveled up Sasuke's body where the condensed themselves down until they formed a ring of symbols around the original curse seal.
"It's done." Kakashi sighed as he watched Sasuke pass out from the pain. Iris watched Sasuke's still form with an unreadable expression on her face but the sound of hissing caught her as well as Kakashi's attention. The sound grew louder until the two-conscious people in the room found out what was making that sound. Hundreds of snakes were surrounding them and they were all letting off a chorus of hisses. A large horde of snakes appeared next and coalesced into a human shape.
"Humhmmhmm…" A creepy laugh vibrated off the columns of the room as a person walked out from behind a nearby pillar. "My look how you've grown. You're now strong and skilled enough to use the Curse Sealing Jutsu. Time sure does fly huh Kakashi." Orochimaru stated as he walked out of the shadows wearing the uniform of the Hidden Sound Village.
"Orochimaru… what are you doing back in the village traitor?" Kakashi growled out as he stood protectively in front of Iris and Sasuke's prone form. "Oh, it's simple really… I've come with the intention of taking that boy behind you. And apparently to meet that mysterious little girl as well." Orochimaru answered as he took notice of Iris who was peeking at him from behind Kakashi's leg. "You won't be getting your hands on either one of them. Whatever plan you have will fail." Kakashi forcefully replied as he watched Orochimaru start to walk in his direction which caused sweat to form on the silver haired Jōnin's face.
"And I suppose you will stop me from taking the boy right now?" Orochimaru questioned as a dark purple sickly miasma radiated out from his body in waves that washed over Kakashi like a harsh gale. "STOP! Don't take another step closer! I don't care if you are a member of the Three Legendary Sannin. Take one more step towards these children and one of us will die here!" Kakashi snarled as he held out his hand and a massive field of electricity surged around him before condensing into a small orb of pure lightning that was so potent and packed with chakra that Orochimaru could feel it from where he was standing.
"My, would you look at this… you truly have grown. I've heard stories of this famed Jutsu you had created. The Lightning Blade, was it? Said to be able to spilt a real lightning bolt in half with its raw power. Your talent and fame never ceases to amaze me Kakashi. But you're still far too inexperienced to be of any serious threat to me." Orochimaru chided as he unleashed a potent blast of his killing intent mixed into the miasma that was permeating the air which had the effect of making the veteran Jōnin shake like a leaf. Kakashi's breathing was erratic as he tried to keep his hand holding his powerful Jutsu steady.
Orochimaru kept his slow and calm deliberate steps the same as he slowly closed the gap between himself and Kakashi who was trying to keep his composure. "I have so many questions for that little girl behind you. She is a very big mystery and she's managed to upset and capture the attention of some very powerful individuals. I would very much like to study her as well as her sister. Angeloids are pretty much unheard of in our little world." Orochimaru let slip purposely as he eyed Iris who was hugging her precious teddy bear to her chest. She was scared right now since she couldn't even use her powers to defend herself. Even then, if she had her powers she wasn't so sure she could beat the man in front of her. The amount of power she would need to exert would be more than what she was capable of as well as the strain would be too much on Naruto. It might kill him if she was to go over her bodies limit.
'Angeloid? He knows what Chaos is? Even after all this time Naruto really hasn't spoken much about what the girls are. I know he knows but he's kept that close to his chest. But I've never heard that term and from what Orochimaru is saying even he doesn't know what Iris is. Neither do I for that matter.' Kakashi thought to himself as he would be the first to admit he doesn't know what Iris is at all and while he's seen some of the odd stuff Chaos can do with her body that never really explained what she was. If anything, it just raised more questions. It could be said that while it was common knowledge that Chaos was very dangerous and powerful there was just something about Iris that made the hairs on the back of Kakashi's neck stand on end. Iris was something entirely different and much more powerful.
"You're not getting your hands on the girls Orochimaru. I will never let that happen." Kakashi said as he found his focus and drive. Not only was his student in mortal danger right now but also Naruto's children. They're barely even seven yet. Kakashi tightened his grip on his hand as more electricity sparked to life.
"I'm curious… what will you do if I back you into a corner?" Orochimaru said from right in front of Kakashi. The far more experienced shinobi had one hand on Kakashi's extended arm holding it down in case he tried to lift it completely cutting Kakashi off from using his Jutsu while his other hand was in front of Kakashi's face near his eyes. Kakashi tried to leap away but he couldn't, at his feet were dozens of snakes and they were pinning his legs to floor with a vice grip he just simply couldn't escape from. "Maybe I should just take your Sharingan now. It would be a worthy specimen to add to my collection." Orochimaru hissed as his tongue slid out of his mouth.
"Iris take Sasuke and run! Go get Lord Hokage now!" Kakashi yelled as he tried desperately to struggle out of Orochimaru's grip. Quickly trying to do so Iris went to grab Sasuke's body but a horde of snakes surrounded her cutting her off from even moving. "No stay back!" Iris shouted as she sounded very much like a scared little girl instead of the proud and mature young lady she would have you believe. She swung her arms out hoping that she could generate some wind or produce any of her fire but with her connection to her father blocked by Orochimaru's tampering of his seal it was useless to even try.
"Iris no!" Kakashi yelled as he tried in vain to struggle out of the bind he was in. Whatever Orochimaru was doing to him it was preventing him from using his chakra. His lightning Blade fizzled out of his hand which shocked Kakashi deeply. He could see a dark purple energy surrounding Orochimaru in a haze and that same haze was surrounding his snakes and engulfing the entire room. "Let me give that little girl a gift. I'm sure she will thank me for it in the future." Orochimaru taunted as he looked from Kakashi over to Iris who was being trapped by a large snake nearly five times her little size. It's ability to constrict a target wasn't what Iris needed right now. "NO! Get off of me. Kakashi help!" Iris screamed as she felt her entire body being squeezed by the large snake.
"IRIS!"
The snake without mercy bit down into Iris's neck causing the child to scream out in pain but soon everything stopped. Iris's eyes turned a powerful emerald green color as the snake constricting her was literally disintegrated in Nano seconds.
["How dare you!"] Sōkyoku screamed as Iris's face twisted into a nasty snarl. Without any kind of warning the entire room was suddenly engulfed by a raging inferno of red hot fire. Meanwhile Iris's hair was burning with embers of white fire that contrasted against the blinding radiating emerald color of her eyes. A presence and pressure unlike anything both veteran Shinobi have ever felt in their entire lives slammed into their shoulders with the force of an avalanche and it brought both men down to their knees in an instant. For Kakashi, this unimaginable force felt a hundred if not a million times more powerful than the night the Nine Tails attacked the village. However, he could feel that power pressing down on his body start to lift and not affect him anymore.
"What is this?" Orochimaru wheezed as he tried to get back to his feet. ["How dare you try and touch me with your tainted power child!"] Sōkyoku questioned as she raised her hand and a wall of flames separated Orochimaru from Kakashi and Sasuke's unconscious body. "What are you?" Orochimaru questioned as he backpedaled away from the flames. ["I'm the one asking questions little snake."] Sōkyoku said as she lowered her hand and Orochimaru fell to his knees. ["You will not take this boy today is that understood child!"] Sōkyoku demanded as her power spiked and Orochimaru felt as if he was going to throw up. "Tell me what are you? Are you a God?" Orochimaru questioned as a hint of fear could be seen in his eyes. Kakashi wanted to know the exact same thing as even though Sōkyoku's power wasn't directed at him anymore he still felt frightened of what he assumed Iris was capable of.
["I am much more than just a God child, I'm more than what any deity can possibly conceive."] Sōkyoku responded with the glare that made Orochimaru feel really small. "How could a child be more powerful than a god?" Orochimaru wheezed as he attempted to stand. The power rolling off of Iris was immense. It was unlike anything he's ever felt before. What Orochimaru didn't know however was that outside the room not a single drop of her power could be felt. The entirety of her presence was confined to the inside of the room.
["Don't let my vessel's appearance fool you my boy, the entire length of not only you and your ancestors but of any of your descendants will pass by me with a simple blink of my eye. Just a grain in the endless sands of time."] Sōkyoku said with a dispassionate voice as she shook her head slowly at Orochimaru who was sweating bullets right now. ["Now leave."] Sōkyoku commanded with a stern glare as Orochimaru now found that he could now rise to his feet.
'This little girl is beyond dangerous. Lilith is right to fear her; this power is unlike anything I've ever felt before.' Orochimaru assessed as he slowly backed away. "My, this is certainly an interesting development. You are full of surprises little one. What is your name?" Orochimaru asked as he tried to save face with his creepy aura returning to him. ["You may not know my name mortal. None can speak it, especially without my permission."] Sōkyoku stated as she saw Orochimaru's jaw twitch in annoyance.
"I see… I will take my leave then, but I must warn you I always get what I want and the Uchiha boy will be mine. Watch yourself child, you and your sister will soon belong to me as well." Orochimaru stated as his body started to turn into snakes that slithered away in different directions. "Kakashi I want you to reinforce my warning to Sarutobi Sensei. If he cancels the Chūnin Exams I will destroy the leaf." Orochimaru jabbed in as a final parting shot before his entire body disassembled himself and exit the room. The fire was still in the room and the hard stare Sōkyoku had on her face was still very much there as well she panned her eyes up towards a certain spot on the ceiling.
["You should leave as well little girl, you've already crossed me once."] Sōkyoku spoke as a small golden mirror could be seeing floating far off near a column and while Kakashi initially didn't know who Sōkyoku was referring to his sharp eyes managed to catch a glimpse of a small little girl, a fairy to be more exact standing on what appeared to be a mirror. Just one look at her and Kakashi knew she was bad news but from what he was seeing she had a look of loathing and weariness in her eyes as a magic circle opened up with the pattern of a sunflower on it and swallowed her up teleporting her to the unknown.
Once the room was calm and secure the fire started to recede and dissipate as Iris's hair which was glowing with fire returned to normal. The powerful presence she wielded also disappeared as well. "Iris what was that? What are you?" Kakashi quietly asked as he gently and cautiously placed his hand on Iris's shoulder. ["You may call me Iris if you want young one but know that isn't my true name. Unfortunately, mortals can't even speak my name, it's forbidden. The vast majority of the Gods and deities that exist don't even know of my existence. A pity really, how time makes you forget your humble beginnings."] Sōkyoku spoke in a much softer, warmer tone to Kakashi while grasping the hand that he placed on her shoulder and transferring it to her tiny little hand. Now they were holding hands as the much smaller girl leaned into the silvered haired Jōnin's leg.
"What are you?" Kakashi reiterated as he listened to Sōkyoku ramble on, she sounded like an old woman reminiscing about the past. Unknowingly to Kakashi but that thought is a huge understatement. ["It's as I've already stated little one. I'm much more that what can simply be comprehended. Thankfully my little ruse worked. I wouldn't have been able to defend myself should that little snake decided to attack. His lust for power is most concerning."] Sōkyoku revealed as her breaths were starting to come in shorter waves. This was something Kakashi only now noticed. Sōkyoku was holding her breaths in during the entire conversation when in reality she was growing more and more exhausted as time passed.
"You were bluffing? But that power…?" Kakashi asked as shock was the least of the emotions he was feeling right now. ["…Was just a ruse. I squeezed out what little power I was willing to exert in order to scare those assailants off. My avatar is currently blocked from using my powers normally thanks to that dreadful seal placed on my host. Once it's removed Iris as you call her will regain the ability to use my powers. Even then if that was the case she wouldn't have been able to handle the two of them. Even working together with you. My power is not to be taken lightly. I only acted as if I was using a lot of power but in reality, it was almost an illusion. Neither my avatar or my lovely little host can handle a single ounce of my actual power. They would die."] Sōkyoku explained as her body slumped down against Kakashi's leg. Her eyes were fading to blue ever so slowly as Sōkyoku relinquished her control back to Iris.
Kakashi closed his eyes as he took in all that Sōkyoku had to say as he tried to process the craziness that unfolded before him. "When you say host… you mean Naruto don't you?" Kakashi asked for clarification. He already suspected he was right but he wanted Sōkyoku to confirm it for him. Iris shook her head yes solidifying Kakashi's earlier suspicions. "Do you intend to harm Naruto?" Kakashi asked with an edge in his voice. Sōkyoku's eye briefly lit back up as she craned her neck to look at Kakashi.
["I would never. Trust me child. I'm the living impediment of good. You don't know evil like I do. That boy will never come to harm by me."] Sōkyoku stated as her eyes faded away quicker this time. ["Take care of my avatar for me Mr. Kakashi and make sure you watch over the young Uchiha. His destiny will take him down a dark path. Evil is not yet done with him, be very careful of the moves you make. Farewell Mr. Kakashi until we speak next."] Sōkyoku gave her final warning as her eyes returned to blue as Iris took back control.
"Mr. Kakashi…" Iris whispered as her body went limp against Kakashi's leg. Iris had passed out. Picking the small child up Kakashi noticed how warm Iris's skin was. It was way warmer than anybody he's ever touched before but he put that thought aside as he grabbed Sasuke and left the room. 'There are many strange and powerful things out there in the world that I don't understand. But why are they centered around my students? I just hope I can protect them.' Kakashi silently thought to himself as he carried out his business.
Naruto's Mindscape
Sōkyoku opened her eyes as she took a deep breath. 'That was close.' She thought as her massive emerald green eyes peered out of her bird cage to the surrounding clouds and mountains in the distance. "For a being like Lilith to be present alters future events. Then again it is my fault for choosing this dimension to escape too…" The ancient entity thought to herself as she gazed passively out at the world. "I think it's now time for me to start teaching my host a thing or too. His body should be able to handle some of the strain… besides with that eccentric old man soon entering his life it truly marks his humble beginnings on his rise to power." Sōkyoku mumbled to herself as she twitched and ruffled her majestic feathers like a bird would normally do.
"Oh, what is this… oh… it looks like his teammate is about to have her match. Let's see how this differs from the original…" Sōkyoku rambled to herself as she sat herself down and got comfortable. Sōkyoku pulled one of her gargantuan sized tail feathers out in front of her and on the surface of the large feather was an image of the real world through the vision of Naruto. She could see that Sakura was making her way down to face her rival and frenemy Ino Yamanaka.
"She' still going to lose you know, nothing differs that much." Chaos said from the very tip of Sōkyoku's beak. The Angeloid was like a tiny speck compared to the massive Phoenix but she didn't care. She had front row seats right now. "Be that as it may that is still not a nice thing to say young one." Sōkyoku reprimanded as she watched Chaos giggle with that ever-present smile on her face.
Jutsu Library
1.) Fūinjutsu: Curse Sealing - This technique is used to suppress technique-induced marks on a person. Marks of weaker power can be completely suppressed by this technique alone, but for marks of higher power, it will cause the seal's power to become dependent on the recipient's own willpower to some extent, especially if the sealer is not experienced enough to strengthen the seal with his own power. It is also capable of holding back certain kekkei genkai. This seal requires a high number of hand seals to be performed and consumes large amount of chakra from the user. Preparation for this technique requires two concentric circles with kunai placed in intervals along the circumference, in addition to a number of characters written in blood that radiate out from the center of the cursed seal.
2.) Lightning Blade - A technique that was created by Kakashi Hatake. It is a S-Rank Jutsu that is made for one hit kills and assassinations. It is so powerful that it was said Kakashi split a real lightning bolt in half with it. It is a more concentrated and enhanced form of the Lightning Style: Chidori Jutsu the parent Jutsu to the Lightning Blade and also a Jutsu that Kakashi created. It is also the very first and his only original technique that he has credit for using. All derived Jutsu from the Lightning Blade was also created by Kakashi unlike the hundreds of Jutsu that he knows that he did not create.
Author's Note (A/N): So guys how was that? Sasuke gets his curse mark sealed up but Iris has a lot to say about this whole situation. A lot was revealed during this chapters with quite a few little hints dropped here and there for other characters and their backstories. A mortal running around blessed with the power of a God? I think we can all take a guess at who that is, it isn't that much of a mystery. Again we get another mention of both Angeloids and of this being called Lilith.
We also see an inkling of how Sōkyoku acts when angered or enraged. She has a dispassionate and pessimistic outlook on events because of her knowledge and experience. She speaks and acts her age which is unknown to all including Naruto. She also reveals tiny snippets about herself and others, as well as history through her dialogue and we get to see a tiny (as far as she is concern) drop of her power and just how much it dwarfs everyone and everything. We also she her speak to Kakashi for a brief moment which further expands upon her character and her intentions.
Finally we see what she thinks of the future and how she plans to handle it.
Ok guys I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I had a lot of fun making it. The next chapter will be up as soon as I can make it. It will be called: Elimination Match: 4 Kunoichi Power. That was the original name of this chapter before I had that conversation with my friend and decided to change up the game plan.
That's the end of Chapter 42 I sincerely hoped you enjoyed it.
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Please leave a review explaining what you liked, didn't like, and any positive criticism that can help me in improve in the future. Every review helps me in the long run. Thank you and stay safe everyone.
Published: 2/16/2017
