AN: Sigh. I want to say I could have written sooner but I really doubt it. Turns out my country has decided this is a fantastic time to start school again. (I'm beginning a post graduate course in Orthodontics)
All this has amounted to, though, is me flying to a different state to be quarantined there. #facepalm
But I promise to make the most of it in my down time (and what little time I have left before the course starts)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Naruto
Beta: Devoid-Black
Happy Reading!
Chapter 10: An Uphill Battle
"He who learns but does not think is lost.
He who thinks but does not learn is in Great Danger"
-Confucius
The sky was coloured a brilliant pink hue when they sped towards tall metallic buildings with a single minded purpose. They had decided to go through Ame. It wasn't the most sane plan, she admitted to herself. But they really did not have the energy to take the scenic route; not to mention all signs of 'stealth' were blown to smithereens. In an effort to conserve their energy, they had decided to forgo the use of chakra.
Tsunade huffed, wet from the rain as she lugged Jiraiya over her shoulder. And Jiraiya, for his part, was babbling nonsense: 'Ooo.. Foxy little thing, aren't you? How do you feel about toads though, hmm?'
She frowned; Where did he come up with these atrocious pick up lines?
She shifted her hold of him over her shoulder and he slid down a little. Jiraiya, who was hung over her back, giggled. He then ghosted a palm over her ass and squeezed. Tsunade froze.
"Tsunade, move it!" Orochimaru snapped.
"If you weren't drugged to your balls, I would have chopped them off" She muttered darkly, not slowing her sprint. Jiraiya burst into giggles behind her.
"Here!" Orochimaru jumped into an alcove in the rocks, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She was tired to the bone. Urging her body to move -just a little bit more- she collapsed on the floor, disregarding the dirt. She began disrobing her large teammate, frustrated beyond belief. He needs a drip. Saline! And he needs to sleep off the chakra exhaustion. We all do! When she removed his vest, her heart stopped.
The stench of bile permeated in the air and she forced herself to look at the injuries without vomiting.
Tsunade was usually a clear headed medic. But this is Jiraiya! She was breathing faster.. hyperventilating, she dully realized.
How did I miss this! She screamed internally. She could only blame her already exhausted state. The gash on Jiraiya's abdomen was large and scrambled mess, his innards spilling out. Clumps of undigested food floating in the Red... Red... Red…
FOCUS.
A sharp inhale made her look up.
"Orochimaru" She gasped at the wide-eyed man. He had looked over while he was still laying traps at the mouth of the cave.
He visibly shook himself out of his stupor. "What is the prognosis?" Orochimaru asked.
Tsunade's picked out the debris methodically. I need to wash this out.. Oh Kami. She ran through her bag.. They needed to prevent an infection. Her hands lit green again healing.. healing..
She didn't know how much time had passed. Stupid Jiraiya. Idiot Jiraiya. Did he not have the sense to tell her he was injured? Did he not trust her? Idiot.
Memories of an exuberant boy ran through her head; white hair and red markings... annoying her… teasing her... 'Will you not go out with me, Hime?' a smirk and punch. Lots of clobbering. But no matter what he was always there. When she was upset. Sad. Happy. Angry. He. Was. There! To share it with her. To make her feel better. Him and Oro.
But now… He was bleeding out.. He was dying- HE WOULD NOT DIE. Not when SHE had something to say about it! Her hands were shaking. No! Her hands were steady. (Mito-obaachan would have her hide if she saw her cracking under pressure) Jiraiya.. Jiraiya was convulsing! He was going into shock! SHIT! She gave him another blood pill and started wrapping his stomach. He needed every last bit of her chakra.
"Tsunade" Jiraiya whispered, his eyes were unfocused and he was shaking like a frail leaf. Jiraiya? Frail? She almost snorted.
A spastic hand wiped her cheek.
When did she begin crying?
She looked up to face the stoic face of her third teammate. He looked pale. But then again he always looked pale.
"Incoming Tsunade. Thirty Signatures. Feels like Iwa."
She shuddered, trying to overcome her exhaustion. Of course, the cowards would want to pick them off when they were at their weakest.
"Tsunade... how much time does he have?"
Tsunade flinched. Her lower lip wobbled.
"Tsunade, please." Orochimaru rasped making her look up in shock.
"If you want.." He hesitated. "I can do it. It will hardly take a second, we need to flee."
For a second, she did not comprehend.. and when it dawned on her she reeled back as if physically struck.
Her head was bowed and though she shook with rage, tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
"How dare you?!" She growled clenching her fists, wanting nothing more than to beat the man into pulp.
Orochimaru sighed.
Before he could carry on with his despicable suggestion, a cough pulled their attention to their felled teammate.
"He's.. He's right, Hime" Jiraiya coughed, breathing shallowly.
Anger coursed through her veins like fire. How. Dare. They.
How dare they ask her to sacrifice a teammate like a lamb?
Her hands lit up and she was working again.
"Tsu-"
"Leave, Orochimaru." She paused the process of revitalizing the cells for a second. Just enough time to look up and catch his eyes with a penetrating gaze.
"Flee if you want, for I do not leave my comrades behind"
He stared at her blankly and hate zipped through her spine as he walked out of the cave. She did not bother wasting any more energy on him and got back to her task, oblivious to the world.
…
An hour later when the man walked back into the cave bloody with a Konoha team with him, she almost fell with relief.
"Where were you?" She whispered.
"Iwa platoon is taken care of" Orochimaru said blankly and promptly dropped like his strings were cut off.
"Chakra exhaustion.." A man, the Jounin Team Leader presumably said with a frown. "Overdid it, didn't he? You are lucky we have a medic with us."
Tsunade looked at her teammate gobsmacked before unconsciousness took her too.
Tom dazedly walked back to his apartment from the library. His reading started slow but eventually, he caught steam. Never let it be said that Tom dawdled when what he wanted was within his reach.
Chakra? Tenketsu? Jutsu?
A bubble of hysterical laughter rose from his chest. If he didn't know he was in a different world, he would think he was dreaming. This culture was just so intrinsically different.. it turned the world on its head. Did the Healers at St. Mungo's know of the Tenketsu? Perhaps. Tom mused. Probably not in detail.
Was the anatomy of the humans here different from back in his world? ...That was the big question, wasn't it? Did the segregation of this society completely change their physiologies? Did their bodies now evolve to harness their powers in different ways? Did this mean then.. that the Shinobi could not wield the wand and the wizard could not conduct chakras?
A frown marred Tom's porcelain face as he walked through a sea of curious stares.
Research. I need to research.
Merlin, didn't that make him feel giddy. It has been a few years since something caught his interest like this. And if he wasn't mistaken, there was the entire elemental nations to cover.
A smirk took over Tom's face as he unlocked his apartment with his key and let himself in.
A worthy project. He grinned, And who knows, there might be more hidden civilizations like this one. All I need to do is look for it!
Overcome by this conclusion, Tom turned his mind to the second problem that was troubling him. He sat down on his bed with his back against the wall, crossed his legs and took a deep breath.
In. Out. In. Out.
He phased into his mindscape and opened his eyes. Sharp, gray eyes took in his surroundings.
The fire crackled merrily and Tom went to stand in front of the library to take out a very new looking book.
"Hmm.. so let's see shall we.."
Long, piano- fingers stroked the spine as he sat gingerly on the plush armchair.
He opened it.
Tom Riddle, Nara Yoroi, Yamanaka Inoki and the Hokage were seated around a conference table.
"So.." The Nara began. "How does this work?"
The corner of Tom's mouth twitched.
"The Unbreakable Vow is essentially a binding magical contract that is fatal when broken."
The temperature in the room dropped.
"Fatal to both parties?" asked Sarutobi.
"No. Only to the one who breaks it" Tom said in wry amusement.
"The two parties must be kneeling or be standing opposite each other and must clasp each others right hands. A third party must hold their wand, or in this case chakra must be applied. He must stand close to the pair holding hands and place the top of their wand onto the linked hands, acting as witness."
"Then the first will ask a certain number of vows of the other, whereupon each time the second accepts a term, a thin stream of fire will be emitted from the witness's wand, weaving around the hands of the pair taking the vows. Upon the vow being completed, should the one who accepted the terms break any of them, they die."
"That's.. quite straight forward" Yoroi mused. "How does the witness access this power?"
"They will it" Tom stated simply.
"Will it?" Inoki said dumbfounded.
"Intent, Yamanaka-san, can change everything." Tom smirked.
All three Konohan men sat straighter contemplating the implications of that statement.
"That is.. quite a fair bit of crucial knowledge you have bestowed upon us without prompting.." The hokage said cautiously.
"Think of it as good will" Tom shrugged. "Regardless, you will your chakra to emit red light and take your stand as witness for … whatever deity you worship for your powers. We personally worship Mother Magic, herself."
"Kami" Inoki intoned. "We worship Kami-Sama"
Tom hummed. "The spell itself is advance, it is not used often for it is difficult to learn and access the power. Magic calculates your worth as a witness, as well as the worth of your vows. This magic is not used lightly and only in matters of strict confidence, therefore is should not be invoked between the underage. "
"From what I have researched and witnessed, the lesser the number of clauses, the more tightly bound the contract. I also recommend having no more than 3 clauses, the optimum number being 2. It is also better to have the same number of clauses by both parties."
"There are, of course, other less fool-proof ways to establish a contract. The Blood Pact, A Magical contract..."
"And why don't we do those?"
Tom's eyes snapped to Yoroi.
"I figured" Tom said with a shark like smile. "We begin the basis of our relationship with the strongest binding possible"
Yoroi didn't break contact for 10 whole beats.
He looked away and towards the Hokage. "I suggest we write down the clauses beforehand"
"Of course" Tom allowed, making Inoki throw him a disgruntled look.
"Come Inoki, try expelling your chakra from your hands like this" Tom lifted his hands to demonstrate.
..
3 hours later..
"Are you done yet?" Yoroi asked, irritated.
"Why don't you do it, if you're so smart" Inoki snapped back.
"Are you sure we shouldn't do this tomorrow?" Tom whisper-asked the Hokage.
Sarutobi chortled in good humour, "No, I would prefer if the basics of our relationship were established today."
Tom nodded.
Another 3 hours later..
"Not bad.." Tom mused. "I only beat you by.. 3 hours"
Inoki grunted from the floor, exhausted beyond belief.
"It is not like I had any other choice"
"It is still better than a lot of people I know" Tom said condescendingly. "People usually take 2 weeks to learn it!"
"2 weeks!" Inoki gasped and his face crumpled.
"Despicable, right!" Tom mused in derision. He looked over Inoki in consideration.
"What?" Inoki snapped.
"You're competent." Tom said slowly.
Inoki grunted and Tom shook his head.
"I have never been so pushed in my life. Even when my life was on line. You are a slave driver, you are!" Inoki bitched.
"I wish I could recruit you." Tom muttered under his breath, making Inoki go through a full body shudder.
"Oh Kami!" He moaned.
"If you two are done being dramatic" Yoroi called. "We are ready to start"
"This spell has a lot of chakra expenditure" Tom stated blandly. But even Inoki knew the cold man had straight up given a warning.
Yoroi chuckled looking at the awestruck expression on his friend's face. This venture had to be taxing but at least Inoki had earned Tom's (dubious) respect.
"Ready?"
The Hokage kneeled with Tom and waited for Inoki to pop a Chakra-pill before joining them.
Tom looked at the pill in fascination. "Later" A now rejuvenated Inoki whispered.
Inoki's hands lit up red and clasped the their arms.
The Hokage gave Tom a tiny nod, allowing him to start.
"Do you Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Hokage of Konoha, taking responsibility for Yamanaka Inoki and Nara Yoroi, vow to keep my secrets and to only divulge them with my explicit and willing approval that is not given under the influence of drugs, spells, jutsus or other acts of unwilling coercion?"
"I do"
I thin strip of fire raced around their entwined wrists, the men watched captivated.
"Do you Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Hokage of Konoha, taking responsibility for Yamanaka Inoki and Nara Yoroi, vow to never harm me, Tom Marvolo Riddle, my person or mind without giving me a forewarning or seeking my counsel and without explicit proof of wrongdoing?"
"I do"
A second ribbon joined the first, looking very snake like. Tom nodded at the Hokage.
"Do you, Tom Marvolo Riddle, vow to aid and protect Konoha to the best of your abilities?"
"I do"
Funny, how he practiced saying his name to get it right. Funnier that he only included Konoha and not the Hokage explicitly. A strip of fire crossed over their forearms.
"Do you, Tom Marvolo Riddle, vow to take on a minimum of two apprentices in Konoha and to teach and cherish them to the best of your abilities?"
"I do"
The strand of fire that erupted was a blindi ng white, it looped between their arms like a bow and fell.
Inoki let out a shuddering breath.
"I, Yamanaka Inoki, stand as witness to this ceremony. Let Kami herself bless this binding with her powers. So mote be it."
Tom looked into Hiruzen's brown eyes.
"So mote be it" They said in unison and closed their eyes at the onset of a blinding light and pulse of energy.
The memory faded.
Tom quietly put the book back into the shelf and sat down.
The rest of the agreement was made on a contract paper. There was no clause making them share all their knowledge, but Tom played a tactical retreat hoping to earn their good will before making more demands.
But what was he missing? Was he missing anything? There were loopholes. So many loopholes.
They were Ninja and he was a Slytherin. After hours of diplomatic drivel, this was the best he could bargain on, in such a situation.
Tom absent-mindedly, twirled his wand between his fingers. He was worried. Why was he worried? He paused.
It was a game of chess and he didn't know all of the pieces.
The sudden clarity of that thought made him sigh in relief.
And now that he knew, he would remedy it.
Tom slipped out of him mindscape, a weight lifted from his shoulders. He got under the covers.
Tomorrow was a long day and he needed his sleep.
The next day saw Tom at the Hokage Tower at 1000 hours. He stood at the reception desk looking at the woman in front of him in disgust.
"I keep telling you ma'am, the Hokage requested my presence-" Tom was saying with a frown on his face. The receptionist cut him off.
"I'm sorry Shinobi-San, you aren't scheduled in for a meeti-"
The door to the Hokage's room swung open dramatically and the Hokage walked out.
"Oh there you are Voldemo-san, what kept you?"
Tom ground his teeth together before he said something he couldn't take back.
"Hokage-Sama" he said finally.
"Come on in then.."
Tom followed him in after throwing the receptionist a scathing glance.
"Sit.. sit" the man invited amicably.
"Now, before we begin, I would like to let you know that today's agenda is to assess your abilities in order to ascertain your skill-set. So that we can assign you to the appropriate division, and find out what we have to teach you."
Tom nodded. "May I ask who will be present?"
Hiruzen gave him a lopsided smile. "You're asking the right questions. Other than my trusted advisors Jonin commander Nara Yoroi and T&I .. that is Torture and Interrogation.. Head, Yamanaka Inoki and your sensei, Jounnin: Hatake Sakumo, the council of the elders will be present as well."
"Hm" Tom took in the wording of what he said. And here come the chess pieces. Tom smiled.
"Then.." He hesitated. "What shall I display?"
The Hokage gave him a wry smile. "Only what you use regularly."
While Tom considered this statement, Inoki and Yoroi walked in.
"So, you're putting on a show for us?" Inoki grinned.
"Of course" Tom said sardonically.
The door opened again to reveal three Shinobi who were around Hiruzen's age and Sakumo, who gave him a blinding grin.
The Hokage stood up. "Ah. You're here. Voldemo-san, this is Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura; The council of elders. Since your skill-set is unknown, they are here to evaluate."
"Good Morning" Tom said politely, but for all he could tell, he was talking to a brick wall. The man called Homura looked at him in disdain.
"And of course, your Sensei, Sakumo. Come, let us get going. There is much to do."
They made their way out to a chamber further down the hallway. It seemed to be covered in.. some strange sort of runes. Tom squinted.
"Now then, first an endurance test!" Called Yoroi and Tom grimaced.
"My physical fitness is in no great shap-"
"That is for us to decide" Danzo cut in. "You will follow your orders."
Tom's eyes blazed, instantly cutting to him. Follow orders?!
"Come Voldemo" Sakumo's low tone pulled him out of his rage. "Show them what you can do"
He was going to hold back before. Screw them.
"What do you want me to do?" He asked.
"Take as many laps of this room as you can. At least 10."
Tom shot off in a jog. He realized, belatedly, that he should have stretched before this nonsense. He kept it up though. He was not lying when he said his physical fitness was atrocious. By the eighth round, he was sweating bullets. He dragged himself to do two more, despite feeling utterly dehydrated. He would not give them the satisfaction of being right. He ran one more round for good measure, and by the time he was done his rage earlier... well it was not forgotten, but it simmered.
"Hiruzen, why are we wasting our time?" Koharu asked.
"50 pushups, 50 crunches, 50 pull-ups. Go!" Sakumo barked.
Tom grit his teeth and got to it.
When he finished an hour later, he made his way back to the council.
The Hokage gave him a measuring look. "Are you ready to continue, Voldemo-san?"
"Yes" Tom panted.
"As we know, Voldemo-San has no experience in Taijutsu, Genjutsu or Ninjutsu-"
"Then what exactly are we doing here?!" Homura burst out.
"Hiruzen, I must agree with Homura. Why are we here? What is the point of this foolishness?" Danzo asked.
"Voldemo-san, has a Kekke Genkai.. As he is sole survivor of his clan , he came to us for asylum." The Hokage smile turned brighter like a shark smelling blood. He repeated what they had already discussed. This would be their cover- story.
"And what.. clan is this?" Koharu addressed him in utter disdain.
"Slytherin." Tom said, standing a little straighter.
She sniffed. "Never heard of it."
"That would be because we were hidden on the islands, madam" he said giving her a charming smile. To his utter amusement, her frown only became more pronounced.
"Let us see what your.. Kekke Genkai can do, shall we?" Danzo spoke, reevaluating Voldemo; if the gaze that washed over him meant anything. Tom held back a shudder.
He snapped his hand and grabbed his wand.
What followed looked like a magical show. Of chairs turning into ravens, of arrows appearing out of nowhere and hitting a target, of conjured flames, and tidal waves, objects flying around the room, what seems to be a mock battle with flying spells at a dummy…
"Kai" Sakumo whispered to dispel the illusion. Nothing happened.
Koharu slowly shuffled towards a chair and sat down. "Dispel your systems of any foreign chakra!" she barked to the audience. They obeyed with haste.
"Now.." Koharu said. Looking at Tom. "Lift the chair, boy"
Tom scowled but wordlessly did as told.
"It is real?! Kai!" Power raced through her frail visage. Seeing nothing change, she jumped off the chair and landed in a graceful crouch.
"These are not illusions." She told them.
When he returned to the spell-bound audience, they were slack-jawed and wide-eyed with wonder. Like little children at a magic show. Tom swept his gaze over them. I take it back, that one there looks positively.. hungry.
Tom got a mild déjà-vu of Orochimaru hungering over this power. He shook himself out of his stupor when Danzo finally broke the silence.
" .that?" Danzo did not lift his gaze from Tom's wand.
"Magic.." Tom said guilelessly.
"And that in your hand?"
"Is called a wand. It is a mere conduit to harness my power. Although," Tom shot Danzo a sharp look. "A wand is unique to the caster and be sometimes harmful to anybody else."
"Was everyone in your clan capable of such feats?" Koharu asked, her voice a squeak.
Tom raised an eyebrow at her. "What I just displayed? Yes. All students that completed 5 years of education were capable of this power. These spells were just the basic, I could do these without a wand."
"Just basic he says" Yoroi whispered.
"And how powerful are you?" How many more threats are out there, the Hokage didn't say.
Tom paused.
"I admit.. My skill level is far above the average wizard. This is due to multiple factors that include my heritage and perseverance. If I have apprentices here, I would like for them to learn under my clan name, Slytherin. There are.. very few of my.. clan who could compete with me. If any of the others did survive." Tom grimaced.
"And how do we know you will not use this power against us?" Homura said shrilly.
Tom raised an eyebrow. He supposed it would not be prudent to say that if he wanted to harm them, he would have done so already.
"That is between the Hokage and I" He said instead. Sarutobi for his part pursed his lips and shot him a look of betrayal. Tom smirked.
"Come Hiruzen.." Danzo sneered. "It seems.. that you have forgotten to keep us informed of crucial information"
Tom raised both his eyebrows at the impudence.
The Hokage gave Danzo a long look, when Danzo huffed and stalked out with rest of the council.
"Hokage-sama"
"Yes, Voldemo-san" Sarutobi looked at him, still a little dazed.
"Are you in a relationship with Shimura Danzo?"
"What?!" Sarutobi spluttered, while the men around him paled.
"Well.. it's just that-" A hand smacked on his mouth cutting him short.
"I apologise on behalf of Voldemo-san, Hokage-sama" Sakumo snapped up quickly with a beaming smile.
When Sarutobi eventually regained colour, he snapped out orders. "Inoki-kun, Yoroi-kun and Sakumo-kun.. the three of you are in charge of filing a detailed report of Voldemo-san's capabilities. What the file contains.." he trailed off looking at the door. "Is up to your jurisdiction. But I do require an additional verbal report tomorrow at 1200 hrs. Understood?"
"Hai!" They said in unison.
"And Voldemo-san.." Sarutobi placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a kind smile.
"Yes, Hokage-sama?"
"It is not required of you to explain the how's and why's of your Kekke Genkai. That information is your own, and no one can force it upon you. Additionally, I implore for you to be careful. Even inside the village." Sarutobi's eyes grew hard. "I am placing additional guards on you. You will be introduced soon."
Tom nodded at the man and watched him walk away. Was it strange that he offered assistance? What was his agenda?
He turned around to face his.. allies. They were an interesting mix of curious, excited and cautious. Tom sighed.
"Take me to a private training ground, and I will answer all of your questions."
Sakumo whooped. "Training ground 50!" he yelled, before they all sunshinned away.. to find out more about the mystery that was Tom Marvolo Riddle.
AN: This fic is written by GivemeRiddle and can be found on AO3 under the same username; please do not copy this to any other site.
