A Dull Edge

by greyblueflames98

Abandoned for an unknown amount of time, weakened from battle, Soul Edge remained alone. His power and wickedness drained through unknown means, the sword sat in silence waiting for someone- anyone- to release him. That day finally came, now it was up to his new owner whether the once cursed sword would find redemption or begin the Nightmare anew.

2. Chapter 2

A Dulled Edge

"Speech"/ "Thoughts"

"Soul Edge/Nightmare Speech"/ "Thoughts"

"Tailed-Beast Speech"/ "Thoughts"

Chapter 2: Setting the Stage of History

Outside of the cave Naruto's exploring, his teammates and sensei sat around a campfire while they waited for his return. The team's leader, a silver-haired man named Kakashi Hatake sat cross-legged on the bare earth as he watched the lone female of the group prepare a small treat for herself. She had taken two graham crackers, a marshmallow and a chunk of chocolate, sandwiching the latter two between the first.

Biting into her treat, a face of pure delight accompanied by sounds of enjoyment made the teacher smile at his pink-haired student behind his mask. Turning his gaze from Sakura to Sasuke, a black-haired boy in blue squatting down on flat feet, he saw his other student passing the time by repeatedly tossing kunai at a dead tree, forming a fan shape in the likeness of his clan's symbol. Despite the long time they sat waiting, they showed no sign of impatience – something Kakashi was grateful for.

Then again, they were the ones to push Naruto into coming here, with Sasuke even threatening to drag him here – to the former island home of the blonde's clan. Sakura just supported her crush, not particularly caring about Naruto's background. He was her teammate – that's it. Well-liked, yes, but not to the point she'd go out of her way to accommodate him.

Still, it was a rare moment of emotion from the usually stoic Uchiha.

"Even if they're not here now, don't you at least want something to show they were? Something you can use to remind yourself of their values, so you can uphold them in their stead?"

With those words, Sasuke had convinced a hesitant and unsure Naruto to journey to his ancestral home, and retrieve as many artifacts as he could. When Kakashi inquired as to why Sasuke felt so strongly about Naruto coming here, the reply revealed much about Sasuke's feeling regarding his own lost family.

"I… I have memories and pictures. I know not only who my parents are, but I can also trace my entire family line. Naruto was denied knowing even a single name. He should at least know how his potential relatives may have looked or acted."

Both Naruto and Sasuke were the last of their people – the only difference being Sasuke knew his, like he explained. Naruto at first had tried to reason coming here was meaningless, as everything important would've been either destroyed or looted. Sasuke had immediately shot that reasoning down, stating even a fragment would be worth the trip. In fact, while they waited for Naruto to search the vaults, Sasuke had taken to searching the ruins for trinkets and potential artifacts.

'Yes, it seems Sasuke still misses his family greatly' Kakashi solemnly noted as he watched the Uchiha retrieve his weapons. Knitting his fingers together, the sensei wondered if this was a turning point in team 7's dynamic? Could the shared common ground between the two, though tragic, be the key to bringing the whole team together?

Hmmm… perhaps this was why the Third insisted the entire team be present when he told Naruto of his ancestors. Kakashi felt a pang of sadness Naruto still didn't know who his parents were, but that time would come eventually. For now, this might be enough to at least answer some questions.

Speaking of answers, Naruto would have to give one as to why he had taken all day to search the clearly finite vaults. Being thorough was fine, but their exploration shouldn't have taken this long, especially if one factored in possible looting. Some movement from within the cave signaled to Kakashi his last student was returning, though. Steel glimmered as the orange-clad sixteen-year-old walked out into the moonlight, a large double-edged sword held in place by a chain glistening with multiple seals and a large scroll rested on his shoulder.

"Welcome back," Kakashi greeted Naruto, drawing Sasuke and Sakura's attention to their teammate. The four now sat around the fire, Naruto propped the scroll aside a tree while Soul Edge laid on his lap, the weapon's features striking – the eye in particular.

"What? Am I that alluring?" Soul Edge asked, used to fearful gazes rather than curious, his eye shifting between the three, causing them to jump in surprise.

"It talks?!" Sakura screamed in alarm, while Sasuke and Kakashi stared bug-eyed at the weapon.

Naruto erupted with laughter at the display, while his new companion glared at the pink one. "My name is 'Soul Edge'. You would be wise to remember it," the offended spirit sword indignantly stated. Sakura nodded quickly with an apology – anything to get the evil eye off her.

Pleased he's made his point, Soul Edge scanned the environment around him. Sasuke stared quietly at the weapon, still in disbelief at its voice. Kakashi, meanwhile, was the least affected, having seen far stranger sights "I'm guessing he is why you took so long Naruto?" Kakashi correctly assumed, seeing Naruto nod in affirmation.

"Yes… as the most powerful weapon the Uzumaki created, I had to be sure of a few things." Soul Edge explained, the two agreeing it would be best to hide the true origins of the weapon until they reached Konoha.

"And I suppose the chain is a precaution?" Kakashi inquired, adding, "My fuinjutsu knowledge is limited, but those are purity seals, correct?"

"Yes, they are for the safety of my wielder so they do not suffer any negative affects from my power," Soul Edge answered, deciding a little openness would lower potential suspicions.

"And what exactly can you do?" Sasuke asked, curious about the weapons abilities.

"I'm afraid due to long periods of inactivity, I myself do not know what I am capable of anymore."

This was technically half-true, as Soul Edge knew what he should be able to do, but without any easily available souls and his corruption, he had no idea what he power he still possessed. It was entirely possible unless Inferno be reawakened, Soul Edge would only possess nigh-indestructibility as a redeeming trait right now – a far cry from the potentially world-ending fire and lightning he once possessed. Fortunately, he still had his soul-devouring abilities given how he could feel the presence and potential nourishment the three offered him.

Of course, he couldn't eat them due to his and Naruto's deal. Despite his treacherous past, the current Soul Edge would uphold his end of their agreement and only feed when allowed. While old habits may die hard, his were lost through sheer isolation.

"I see…" Kakashi accepted the weapon's answer, while Sasuke let a flicker of disappointment cross his features. Sakura remained silent, having nothing to add. "I guess you'll have to learn about your weapon as you go along, then, Naruto."

Naruto nodded at his teacher before yawning. Deciding to retire for the day, the blond retrieved his scroll and bid the rest goodnight before heading to his tent. Along the way, Sasuke silently held out a smaller scroll to him.

"What's this?" Naruto asked as he accepted the offered storage device.

"I searched the ruins. Didn't find much." Sasuke quickly explained before turning away from Naruto, giving no response when his teammate thanked him.

Not surprised at his teammate's behavior, Naruto pocketed the scroll and entered his tent. He lit a small battery-operated lantern, before noting, "That went well."

"I suppose." Soul Edge somewhat agreed as he was laid on the floor of the tent. "Your sensei was a bit more inquisitive than I would've liked, but he accepted our story well enough."

Despite feeling bad for lying to his team, Naruto knew the whole truth wasn't an option. Then again, he wondered how much of what his new companion told Kakashi earlier were lies. Taking off his jacket and sandals, Naruto questioned his sword on this, listening while he rolled out his sleeping bag.

"Aside from the obvious, most of my words were true," Soul Edge admitted. "I know what I should be able to do, but until we are alone, the extent of my abilities cannot be tested."

"Anything you do know?"

"I am still able to feed on and sense souls. Your male team members, in particular, are interesting."

"…how so?" Naruto hesitantly asked.

"Your teacher's is powerful and filled with a juicy amount of guilt. Blood-stained, yet not overly so," Soul Edge commented on Kakashi, before switching to Sasuke, his tone becoming more excited. "Sasuke, on the other hand, is generously filled with hate, regret, pride and ambition! His power is more on the mid-tier side, however – not quite a full meal. He's more like a very savory appetizer."

Naruto felt a few beads of sweat on the back of his head as he saw the ravenous look in Soul Edge's eye. That look completely faded when he asked about Sakura.

"Completely unappetizing. Bland in flavor and barely a morsel of nourishment. She'll only be useful as an emergency healing method for you – such is the quality of her life force if stolen."

"Is that harshness really necessary?"

At the question, Naruto saw the eye turn to him emotionlessly. "We have a blood bond. Unless you give me a reason not to, I will do whatever is needed to keep you alive." Soul Edge answered monotonously, sending chills up Naruto's spine.

"N-Nice to know you care." Naruto stuttered slightly.

"I don't like swapping wielders," Soul Edge plainly answered, closing his eye. Naruto deactivated the light, getting comfortable inside the sleeping bag. Despite the uncomfortable end to their conversation, Naruto felt fine resting near Soul Edge, considering the weapon showed no sign of going back on his word… so far. Soon enough, Naruto fell asleep.

Sensing this, Soul Edge sighed to himself. "I'm really doing this, aren't I? I actually want to start over."

Thinking privately to himself so as not wake Naruto, Soul Edge pondered over his new course. Attaching himself to Naruto benefited in much more ways the boy wouldn't know, aside from the obvious. When they bonded, Soul Edge immediately searched through the entirety of Naruto's being, his soul included. There, a feast of loneliness and despair awaited him, accompanied by the surprisingly sweet taste of chakra. Soul Edge liked to feed on this new energy , and wondered if he could drain the chakra of others to fuel himself if souls weren't available.

While looking through his new host, the spirit sword also noticed they weren't alone. He sensed a total of four other beings inside – two of them fragments of souls; another being one half of immense darkness, excessively negative and powerful, much to his delight; and lastly, a separate persona of Naruto, given it was everywhere while the other three were confined to well-defined sections Naruto's stomach.

Now alone for the night, Soul Edge decided to investigate these strangers. Focusing, he projected himself within Naruto's soulscape – a dimly lit sewer with faulty plumbing, if the piss-water was any indication.

"Powerful despair indeed," observed Soul Edge, now using the last representation of the Azure Knight as his avatar, stating so as he walked down the halls. His armor lightly clanked and splashed the strange water around as he made his way. Within a few minutes, Soul Edge reached his destination, a large open area dominated by a cage. A small piece of paper with an odd series of symbols was the only decoration on the black bars.

"Interesting. What slumbers inside my wielder? SHOW YOURSELF, KNAVE!"

His shout seemed to do the trick, as a rumbling roar filled the air. Chuckling to himself as a torrent of rage, hate, and pure killing intent assaulted him, Soul Edge excitedly watched as two red eyes glared at him.

"Knave, am I?!" A deep masculine voice roared as a gigantic orange fox slammed its head into the bars, a paw thrust between its prison in attempt to squish the intruder, yet falling short by a few meters. Snarling, the fox snapped its fangs at Soul Edge. "You dare insult ME?! The mighty Kyuubi no Kitsune!?"

"I not only dare!" Soul Edge shouted back, "I'll do so again, you insolent wretch!"

With another roar, the fox glowered at the blue figure, both pairs of crimson eyes burning into the others. "Parasite!" The beast clipped back. "State your business!"

"I've already achieved it, as I only desire to see what else inhabits this body."

To Soul Edge's delight, this further enraged the fox. "You dare to waste my time?! I WILL KILL YOU!"

"Threats do not intimidate me, especially not ones delivered from within a cage." The weapon cackled, earning more roars of anger before the fox turned away.

"Now, to find the rest." Soul Edge spoke to himself, having analyzed how these fragments were kept. "They seem to have a limited time once activated… and are connected to my wielder via his bloodline."

With this new information, Soul Edge decided to wait until he could extend their time, perhaps even bring Naruto with him. Yes, given the connection, the meeting may be good for him. Of course, this would likely require souls to make possible. A problem for another day.

With the first detectable two temporarily inaccessible, Soul Edge left the Fox's prison to find a more suitable location to meet the last inhabitant of this body. Exiting the way he came, the knight walked a few meters before pausing. Why should he trudge through this piss-water to find this separate persona… when he could bring it to him? With a smirk beneath his horned helm, Soul Edge concentrated for but a moment, before the world around him shifted to a place he deemed appropriate and familiar.

His former headquarters and seat of power, Ostrheinsburg Castle. Of course, he kept the Fox's dungeon untouched with the exception of adding more piss on the floor. Opening his eyes to a torch-lit room, Soul Edge scanned the treasure-laden room for his last objective.

"There you are," Soul Edge greeted a seated figure who looked exactly like his wielder, but with red irises and black sclera.

The lookalike grinned at him sinisterly, negativity radiated off his being. "That's quite the story you told me, partner." Stated Not-Naruto, getting off his seat and walking towards Soul Edge. Partner? What was this persona talking about?

"We are not partners," Soul Edge corrected, to which the lookalike laughed.

Wiping away an imaginary tear, Not-Naruto stopped a foot away from the knight with a malformed arm. "Yes, we are," the persona insisted. "Listen, I know you viewed all of my memories – you know exactly what I am!"

Soul Edge had indeed done exactly that while Naruto was searching the last vault. From his third person perspective, he saw his wielder's entire life. He knew exactly what this persona was. "Yes… you are his repressed anger and vindictiveness."

Nodding at Soul Edge's answer, the lookalike's grin grew a fraction wider. "Not quite. I'm the real Naruto."

"Explain," Soul Edge stated monotonously.

Unfazed by the sudden lack of emotion, the grinning figure resumed talking. "Look, let's be honest here – there's no way that jolly idiot is the real Naruto…" began Not-Naruto as he turned his back to Soul Edge. "After everything he's been through? All the negligence by the orphanage and living on the streets? Fat chance anyone is coming out of that with an ounce of happiness in them."

"Get to the point." Soul Edge growled.

Frowning, he did as he's asked. "The point is… what you see is just a coping mechanism which somehow became permanent, while I – the rationale and actual humanity – was locked away in here, waiting for my chance to take back my body."

"And I'm that chance," Soul Edge stated evenly.

"Yes! See, you get it right?"

Seeing the armored form nod convinced Naruto he had gotten through.

"So, if this is your body, how do you plan to wrest control back from the usurper?"

"Simple: We kill the fake personality, and I take over," Naruto answered with a grin. "Follow me; I know the way."

Doing as asked, Soul Edge followed him through multiple hallways and stairs to a room Soul Edge recognized as belonging to Nightmare. Naruto looked at Soul Edge, red eyes glinting with excitement. "He's in there… We just need to go in and snap his neck." Once more, he had turned his back to Soul Edge.

"I have a better idea."

Before another word could be said, Not-Naruto felt a searing not pain in his midsection, a dribble of blood dripping from his mouth as his red eyes slowly gazed down… to the malformed arm of Soul Edge, glistening with blood, lifting Not-Naruto into the air.

"W-WHAT?! WH-WH-WHY!? I'M-"

"Nothing. You are nothing," Soul Edge answered, matching Not-Naruto's low tone but for different reasons. "You were correct in saying you are Naruto's rationality and suppressed feelings, but the real him? Nein! You are just a separate persona! A mental construct with no connection to his soul, unlike myself!" Soul Edge whispered harshly, before his voice evened again.

"However, you are also correct in that I haven't bonded with the real Naruto, as you are both needed – it's just that you are the missing piece. Allow me to fix this."

With a single motion, Soul Edge messily yanked out his trunk of an arm and caught the body. He began to tear away at the unnecessary bits until only the raw emotions and mental facilities remained, reorganizing the body to cup filled with a syrupy dark liquid.

Silently opening the door, the consciousness of the incomplete Naruto laid soundly sleeping, smiling and unaware of Soul Edge approaching, nor of his intentions. Gently, so as not to awaken him, Soul Edge used his unwieldy limb to tilt Naruto's body up before bringing his gauntlet-covered arm to bring the cup to his mouth.

"Drink," Soul Edge softly commanded, pouring the thick liquid down Naruto's throat.

When the cup emptied, Soul Edge watched as the smile became an aggravated frown, eyebrows furrowing, before a more neutral expression remained.

His deed done, Soul Edge vanished from Naruto's mind. Though the mental adjustments would take a few days to take effect, they would gradually appear. If Soul Edge had lips, he would've smirked.

"I believe I have found an interesting wielder."

As Soul Edge himself drifted off to slumber, around the world, other events were happening. His scattered fragments reactivated, pulsing with malicious energies set to corrupt whatever environment they dwelled at. This activity did not go unnoticed, as multiple individuals sensed a return of either an object of dread or a symbol of strength.

- Demon Country -

Screams echoed in the night as a small village burned to ground, cultists of a forgotten god rampaged through the area, sparing not even women and children. One in particular, a hulking mass of muscle armed with a great axe, gleefully swung through another group of foolhardy weaklings who thought they could challenge him. His axe split limbs and heads from bodies with fountains of silky red. Cackling in his madness, reveling in the slaughter – nothing could make this night better!

Then, he felt it. The fragments stirred.

"Heh… heh… HA HAHA HA! I'M COMING FOR YOU, NIGHTMARE! HA HA!"

This village no longer interested him, not when HE had finally come back. Zeroing in on the direction the fragments gravitated towards, he began to run, crushing man, animal, wall and tree alike. Nothing would stop him.

- Land of Iron -

Outside a small house stood a man with a multitude of boulders cut cleanly in half. A flaming katana rested in his hands. As he prepared to strike another boulder, a warmth from his necklace made him pause in shock.

"It cannot be?!" He gasped, looking at the small shards of metal pulsing red. Determination filled the man's eyes. He would not fail. Running into his home, he began to gather the necessary items for his journey, his destiny now at hand. Packing clothes, ensuring he had his passports and other identifications, the man stepped outside before walking to a shrine. He immediately knelt down, his sword held in front of his face with both hands before slashing the air with such force and speed the sword caught on fire.

Standing tall with flaming blade, thrust in the direction the shards indicted, he began to run.

"On the honor of the Mitsurugi clan, I will not fail!" His vow was heard by his neighbors, who held their swords up for him, for they knew a samurai had just been called upon by his destiny.

- Somewhere in the Mountains -

Sitting in a meditative stance, an older bald man with a body betraying his years sat inside a cave silently. Every muscle suddenly tensed as his eyes snapped open. Quickly standing, he sprinted outside, head swiveling randomly until he settled on a direction.

"So you've returned… and here I thought I could spend my days in peace." His head lightly turned to the left, eyes fixated on an object he could not see. "Find him, and assess the situation."

From behind, a feminine figure nodded before dashing off the sheer cliff.

Wishing his companion success and a safe return, the man returned to his cave, beginning preparations for an inevitable confrontation.

- Somewhere at Sea -

"Good job, men! That was the last pot!"

The crew of a crab fishing vessel cheered at their captain's encouragement, hurrying to finish getting the crustaceans out of the cage and into the crab pot. As the sailors sorted their catch, they heard one of the mates call out in alarm.

"Man off the port-side bow!"

Scrambling to save the endangered individual, one of the crew threw a life preserving ring attached to a strong rope out to the man. To their relief, he grabbed hold of the ring, allowing them to pull him up. Onboard the wooden deck, the crew wrapped the red-clad man in towels, and immediately brought him to the galley for a hot meal. Before leaving, the captain promised the man free transportation and board back to port.

The man quietly ate his soup, focused on the pull he felt.

"I will find what is MINE!"

- Northern Fire Country -

Inside a moonlit room, a woman sat at a desk studying a circular stack parchment of odd runes, with symbols on them branching off in all directions. A few gold coins alongside bars of steel laid near her. Clapping her hands together before placing both palms on the paper, a flash of light accompanied by some smoke temporarily hid the objects for a moment, but it disappeared quickly, revealing only shiny gold bars.

Grasping one, she grabbed a well-used kit to test its purity, unsurprised it passed testing as perfectly as the rest. Placing the gold bars in a drawer, she stood up to check another project when she heard a clinking sound. Turning a curious eye to the source, her expression became somewhat reservedly grim. She saw a metal fragment trying to break through a tempered glass sphere. Leaving this room, she crossed a hallway and went up a flight of stairs. Now inside of a foyer, a maid approached, telling her dinner was almost ready.

"Very well. Tell me, has there been any news lately?"

"No, ma'am. I'm afraid things are quiet."

Nodding, she left the area, heading to the dining area for her meal. 'I'll wait for more information so I can properly form a plan of attack.'

- Somewhere in the Land of Sound -

In the middle of a green field, a woman sat with a bloodied ring blade, courtesy of the fresh body laying a few feet away. She currently had a bored expression.

"Well, that was boring. Next time, Snake Face better give me a stronger target!"

Sighing as she stood up, she made only a few steps before pausing and whipping her head towards the sky. She watched as a black hawk flew towards the corpse, landing on their head and staring at her with a pure red eye. At the sight, she felt emotions swelling inside, a collection of childish joy and elation she hadn't felt since…

'Wait…! Jolly, don't-'

"WHOOHOO!" The woman shouted, her entire body language changing as she cartwheeled to the bird, letting the avian sit on her hand as she petted it. With a kiss, she released the hawk, merrily skipping and laughing after it with another exclamation. "Lead me to Soul Edge!"

As she followed the bird, she tossed away a headband with a metal plate engraved with a single musical note. Snake Face could find a new assassin – her one and only master waited for her!

All of these warriors – and a few more – recognized the call of the cursed sword; some for good, others for evil, and a few for their own reasons.

However, another being now stirred awake as well.

In a long-forgotten temple, a blue light began to shine brilliantly.

CUT! CHAPTER OVER!

AN: OK! A bunch happened in this chapter but like the title says- this is setting the stage. I know some of you are going to dislike Sasuke's actions but don't pay too much attention to it as he's not really important to the story, I figured I'd write a nicer Sasuke. And Yami got the ax because he has no purpose in the story other than to be used to fix Naruto's protag syndrome.

Also, Soul Edge meddling with Naruto's mind, while a breach of their deal, is something beneficial to the latter so Edge doesn't see it as worthy of dismissal. And for visual reference, Soul Edge was using the body of Nightmare from SCV as I find it the most aesthetically pleasing whereas Naruto's armor will be the SCVI Nightmare armor. Pairing is still up in the air but it's not important right now, I might even just wait for characters to start interacting and see where that goes. Anyways, that's it for me from now, special thanks to ekaterina016 for Betaing this and last chapter.

Remember read and review! Your opinions matter to me!

Later! Greyblueflames burning out!