Placement Exam: Final Round
Even Kakashi and Tsunade were anxious to see the match between Sasuke and Karasu, everyone around the pair watched them closely. They had erected a barrier around the onlookers at Karasu and Sasuke's request, even Naruto was forced to agree that it would be a good idea to do so. Karasu smiled mischievously at his uncle, a glint of determination in his white eyes. Sasuke returned the smile, his mind wandering to moments like these in the past.
"Just like when we were kids," he said to Karasu.
"Don't hold back this time," Karasu said.
Sasuke activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, intending to draw Karasu into a genjutsu the way Itachi had taught him. Karasu broke the genjutsu before Sasuke could completely form it, his now active Ryugan allowing him to see through the illusion. While Karasu had told his uncle not to hold back, Sasuke knew that Karasu was holding back. He had already seen a hint of what Karasu was capable of, though he had yet to unleash even half of the power he had used on their trip to the Hidden Leaf Village. Sasuke tried using the Amaterasu on his nephew, not realizing that Karasu's bond with the dragons would turn the eternal black flames to his benefit.
Karasu hadn't moved when Sasuke launched the Amaterasu at him, letting the black fire wash over him. Everyone's eyes went wide as the flames coalesced into Karasu's hand, swirling into a ball. Wisps of white and red began to swirl within the sphere, rotating the ball of fire at an angle.
"Did he just make a Rasengan out of Sasuke's Amaterasu?" Tsunade asked Kakashi, unable to believe her eyes.
"I think he did. Those eyes of his must have seen through Naruto's Rasen-Shuriken, but to think he could adapt the technique in such a way after only seeing it once? That man's ocular gifts make Madara look like an under-developed child," the former Sixth Hokage replied.
"That's a terrifying thought," Tsunade said distractedly as she watched Karasu launch himself towards Sasuke.
Sasuke had been slow to react to Karasu's ability to harness the Amaterasu in such a way, having been just as shocked as the others. He threw his sword at Karasu as he charged in, using the Rinnegan to switch places with it just before Karasu could hit him with the black Rasengan. His eyes widened in surprise when Karasu opened a rift like the ones Kaguya had used, diving through and appearing above him. Sasuke summoned his Susano'o, the ghostly armor fully forming almost instantly. Nobody could believe their eyes as the Amaterasu Rasengan collided with the Susano'o, several large cracks forming in the armor. Karasu's attack didn't hold as long as Naruto's, but it exploded with a force and display of colored flames that would have made Deidara a happy lunatic. Cracks began to form in the barrier around the viewers, causing those inside to redouble their efforts to keep it intact.
When the smoke and the cloud of debris cleared, Sasuke looked haggard within his Susano'o, the armor having been reduced to the early skeletal form. He slowly began building it back up, but Karasu had no intention of giving him the time. He had activated the cloak made from Aka's skin with the mask, making him look like a humanoid dragon with skeletal wings. Red flames ran along the bones, while the "membrane" was made of Koku's black fire. A narrow trail of white flames ran from the crest of the dragon mask, down his back, and extending beyond his body to form a tail.
"What is that?" Naruto asked aloud, not really expecting an answer.
"He's basically a Jinchuriki, but it's not any of the Tailed-Beasts that are sealed inside of him," Usagi said in answer.
"Huh?" The current Hokage asked dumbly.
"We discovered that the Otsutsuki created living weapons that were the embodiment of their ocular abilities in their perfect forms, three dragons with ocular powers that were on par or above even their creators'," she replied, going on to explain how the dragons' souls came to be within him and how he obtained the Ryugan.
"So because of his mixed heritage, Karasu is basically a modern Otsutsuki? The closest to the original line anyway?" Kakashi asked when she was done.
"Yes, it's one of the reasons he usually keeps that mask on. It helps cover how white his skin became after awakening the Ryugan, as well as the Rinne-Sharingan on his forehead," Inu replied, taking over the explanations while Usagi returned her attention to the match.
Sasuke and Karasu were closing repeatedly, neither seeming to gain any ground. Sasuke had called Kirin, the large dragon of lightning. Karasu met its attack head on, unleashing another modified Rasengan, this time with dragon fire. He focused the blast as best as he could, creating a swirling tornado of multi-colored dragon fire that consumed Kirin in the span of a heartbeat before clearing even the clouds from the sky. The flames didn't dissipate after consuming Kirin like Sasuke had expected, instead they took on a shape similar to Kirin's. It descending towards Sasuke and Karasu with a mighty roar that shook everything, generating an explosion that made Pain's attack on the village seem like a pebble dropping into a lake. They closed their eyes as the shockwave raced towards them.
"Open your eyes," Karasu said.
Everyone looked around in shock when they saw everything back to normal, as though the dragon had never exploded. Karasu stood smiling at Sasuke, his uncle unable to believe that he had cast a genjutsu of such magnitude at the last second.
"When did you…" Sasuke began to ask.
"When all of you were looking up at the swirling flames. They did dissipate, I just wanted to have some fun with the idea," Karasu explained with a grin.
"You got everyone in that genjutsu?" Sasuke asked in disbelief.
Karasu nodded and pointed towards the others, who were looking around from inside the barrier in bewilderment.
"That was amazing!" Naruto exclaimed as he and the others dropped the barrier and approached.
"You guys have definitely earned Jonin rank on an official level, but I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking you guys could be the new Sannin," he added, the two former Hokage beside him nodding their agreement.
"I'd like to help Usagi in her training, and I think she could greatly benefit from some training with Naruto," Tsunade said.
"I would be honored to learn from you," Usagi replied, bowing deeply.
"We've passed your tests?" Inu asked.
"Yes, you all pass. Welcome to the ranks of Konohanagakure's shinobi," Kakashi said, his smile evident through his face-mask.
"How may we best serve the village?" Karasu asked the former and current Hokage.
"We'll have to go over what mission requests we have, but I believe your skills would be better suited to aiding Sasuke," Kakashi replied, the others agreeing.
"I may be the Hokage recognized by the village, but Sasuke is basically the Hokage serving from the shadows," Naruto explained, a wide grin plastered on his face.
"At least my position means less paperwork," Sasuke interjected, making Naruto scowl in annoyance.
"We would be happy to help however we can," Karasu replied.
"Might I make a suggestion?" Inu asked Naruto, who nodded for him to proceed.
"Perhaps Usagi should begin her training with Lady Tsunade and Lord Naruto, while Karasu assists his uncle and I help the Inuzuka regain their former power," Inu said.
Naruto and the two former Hokage stepped aside to discuss it, only needing a few seconds to reach a consensus. They agreed to Inu's suggestion, adding the condition that when he and Usagi had completed their mission that they would rejoin Karasu and act as a second team to Sasuke's mission.
"I look forward to working with you and finding out more of the Inuzuka's past. One of our early leaders destroyed almost everything pertaining to our clan before joining the Hidden Leaf," Kiba said to Inu, his tone one of shame as he spoke of the deceit of his predecessors.
"When we're done, you can bet that the Inuzuka will be among the village's top clans," Inu replied with a smile.
They left the Forest of Death a few minutes later, having to work out other details of Karasu and his team's first assignments. Sarada was the first to congratulate her cousin and the others for their performance and subsequent acceptance into the village's ranks, a wide smile plastered on her face until they got home.