a/n: i finished this in one siting so its unedited heheh, i was excited to post it, so if you see any mistakes or anythin feel free to point them out
thank you as always for the warmth, i hope you guys enjoy readin this as i have writin it
OOC-Kabuto (sorry:))
Chapter viii: Oblivion
Oblivion (n.) state of being unaware of what is happening around you
A few moments before the encounter…
The sudden flickering of the candle light from within the quaint room Danzo was in was a sure signal that he was sure something was up. He lifted his brush and continued to write his reply on the missive he had just received. A form began to emerge from the floorboards of his office, without looking up he already knew whose Shadow Technique it belongs to.
"How goes the fox hunting?", he voiced out towards the nin whose head remained bowed in respect towards him.
"We lost the Jinchuuriki, the Nara heir used a Jutsu I haven't seen. We are currently in pursuit." Danzo chuckled as he shook his head but a certain interest that he didn't have towards the young Nara Heir piqued him. He knew that it would fail, the only good thing about Mizuki's plan was that it would cause a lesser amount of trouble if the Jinchuuriki suddenly disappeared without a fuss.
Rather than having the village point out fingers towards another. They cannot afford to have another war when their greatest weapon was still a mere child. It may be the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi but they cannot allow it to be damaged and accidentally release that particular monster. It would be troublesome to lose such an asset.
"As long as the Jinchuuriki falls under my command I don't care what method you both decide to use.", the nin nodded his head but didn't leave and instead uttered.
"What do we do if Orochimaru suddenly appears?", Danzo could feel the heavy eyes of one of his most prized nin, the fruit of his labor and the experiment that he had achieved from Orochimaru's theory. Such a shame, Orochimaru hadn't been with him to watch the child who had survived and had fully obtained the prized Jutsu of the First.
Kinoe, awaited his command just as every loyal Root operative loyal to him. There truly is none like him, it was right of him to raise him himself as much as he could.
"Exchange with your original body and when Orochimaru does arrive, well—escape. I cannot allow you to meet him yet.", he nodded his head but he still looked reluctant to leave, thus Danzo allowed him to dare ask what was on his mind as he settled his brush down.
"Why aren't you-"
"Concerned?", Kinoe nodded his head and Danzo showed one of his rarest smiles as he lifted a missive, he had received half a day prior. Kinoe stared at it, then as if seeing a familiar mark, he nodded his head in understanding.
"I will be back soon, Father.", Danzo smiled at the word, it faded as soon as Kinoe was out of sight. He held out the missive towards one of the candles by his table and watched it burn leaving no trace left.
He knew what Orochimaru's early arrival meant, it either means that the Hokage has now decided to remove him from power or Orochimaru was planning something else in store for him. Well, no matter he wouldn't allow this to derail his plans. His goal is far more than what the Hokage envisioned for Konoha along with the change that Orochimaru had always desired.
Everything happened so fast at that single moment, that Naruto had no idea as to why—or where she is right now. She was staring down at the water by her feet almost reaching her knees. It splashed as she turned and assessed her current location. How she got here she had no idea, but she has to get back, she had to know what happened to Shikamaru and the other nin who helped them.
She ran towards the tunnel looking for any exit or sign but no matter where she runs, she always ends up in the same place where she once stood. She, however, didn't feel any kind of exhaustion from all the running that she did, which she found strange.
She blinked—once, twice and suddenly a huge archway she hadn't seen a while ago loomed in front of her. She slowly approached it, and her eyes widened at the huge gate that stood in front of her. At the center of the gate was a somewhat keyhole, she couldn't figure out what kind of key she would need to open it since a paper with writing on it was preventing her from studying it further.
Before she could fully approach the cage, she stopped as she remembered something from what was written on the paper. Based on the books she had been reading, by sneaking into the Library she had once seen something similar—a sealing scroll.
She took a step back realizing what was beyond that gate. There was only one thing that was she was sharing her body with. As soon as her thoughts caught up with her, she heard the growling and a rough voice who called out to her.
"Get out!", she watched as the silhouette in the darkness seemed to have stood up to look down at her insignificant form.
She had her doubts of whether there was truth to what Mizuki-sensei had been saying, but right at that moment there truly was no question to it. Two glowing red eyes with black slits stared down at her, it shone with so much hate and contempt that she almost missed the fact that this creature in front of her was known to have caused destruction in its wake.
Unconsciously she almost stepped back from the huge creature looking down at her small prone form. How something so overwhelming was sealed within the confines of her small body without her feeling its presence was almost impossible to comprehend.
She could feel herself being pushed out, but she hesitated. With a determination she didn't know where it had sprung from, she shouted at the beast, her right hand held out as if to reach out towards him or onto anything to hold on.
"Wait!", the creature just retreated back to its original position its head turning away from her. But before she could fully be kicked out, she once again screamed in desperation.
"Help me, nanodayo!"
She opened her eyes to see that she was back at the cave, the creature's eyes on her filled with a mix of emotions. What they are, she could only figure out a few—shock and disbelief. Then, suddenly the Kyuubi's laughter echoed.
"Interesting—don't you know what I am?", Naruto released a breath she didn't know she was holding on to before she replied facing the Kyuubi head on.
"You're the Kyuubi.", the fox huffed out cockily, staring down at Naruto as if she knows so little of what that entails.
"Yes, and to you humans—I am a creature of destruction.", Naruto flinched at this remembering what Mizuki-sensei had told her about the fox. She believed his words as easily however, even she could not deny the fact that Mizuki-sensei had lied to her. Her doubts began to grow, then she remembered something.
"If you only know of destruction, then why is it that even if I get injured, it easily gets healed?", there was something that flashed within those red eyes filled with hate as she uttered those words. A single blink and the Kyuubi was back to those same eyes filled with hatred, only a shred of it faded from his eyes.
"I merely made sure that you won't end up dying while I am inside your body.", he looked down haughtily at Naruto who felt utterly small. But there was something within the fox's red eyes—a glint, and her instinct screamed at her to stay away. But she felt frozen under the fox's gaze not knowing how to respond.
"Shall we test it out? I will lend you the help you seek but—", his voice became gruff, cold and dark and somewhat amused. As if an idea had sprung to him. The stale air within the chamber seemed electrified, somehow. The goosebumps on her skin growing as she suddenly watched as red bubbles began to flow from within the cage slowly reaching her.
"—whether you will be consumed by my chakra or survive from it. Now that would be interesting.", the red bubbles began to surround her where she stood as she watched not knowing what to do. But she steeled her resolve, if borrowing the power of the Kyuubi was the prize to save Shikamaru then so be it.
"I won't lose.", her eyes resolutely stared back at those red eyes who seemed ready to consume her whole. "Not against anyone, not even from you."
The Kyuubi's eyes flashed with something before he chuckled darkly. "We shall see, brat.", the bubbles closed in on her and she could feel the overwhelming power trying to take over her body, it pulsed, it lulled her and she was slowly slipping away.
'I need to protect them.', her mind screamed and she felt something hear her call. She unconsciously grabbed hold of it knowing it would help her, it was a warmth so familiar but so unknown and foreign towards her but she embraced it all the same.
Before the red chakra overtook her body, something erupted from the ground where she stood. She watched hazy, as countless chains began to grow like vines surrounding her—cocooning her from the power of the red chakra overtaking her.
She heard a growl in the background, in her semi-conscious state she didn't realize the Kyuubi growling at the chains that enveloped her. Nor did she understand what kind of ability she had just awakened.
"Even dead you still try to bind me—", the rage within his roar was something that reverberated within Naruto. She could hear the growls and protests and the banging beyond the cage but it all soon faded away as she was cocooned in warmth.
For a small while she could feel herself gaining just a little bit of control over her body. Her mind screamed for protection, against the power of the red chakra that screamed for blood and destruction. She just hoped her body would listen towards her will along.
Kabuto must've used up all the luck he has in his entire lifetime, or it was just his usual bad luck coming back to bite him in the ass. He had no idea what he should feel in their current situation.
At first, he was able to marvel at the beauty and danger of seeing the long lost Jutsu of the Senju. Which was honestly speaking, utterly just jaw dropping, he would literally want to learn more about it, study it closer. However, it truly was such a shame that it belongs to one of the enemies he is currently facing.
Really, a shame. He huffed in annoyance.
Then, suddenly he stood shell shocked at seeing another lost Jutsu sprung from Naruto. The ever-powerful Chakra chains, that only the Uzumaki Clan could produce due to having the innate ability of having huge chakra pools.
He should rather focus on the situation they were in, honestly. He thought his surprise would end there. But as usual, he found out he was wrong.
Now finally, seriously—what kind of situation was this?
"Where was Orochimaru-sama when you need him?", the gods must be having a laugh at him at that moment. He watched as the Kyuubi's powers manifest from said child. The red chakra that said to have burned bright and only brought destruction at its wake, now enveloped Naruto's small body along with the chains.
Kabuto was feeling the urge to grab a hold of his hair and start to pull, or maybe he wouldn't need to do that due to the heavy stress his brain was pulling on right now. His hair no longer needs to turn gray as it already is, it's probably waiting for this moment to fall off his head. Calming his mind, he would not allow himself to stay lax, he isn't sure whether Naruto or the Kyuubi is in control right at that moment.
Honestly, the chains right at that time was looking more and more like tails due to the red chakra enveloping it. That very power easily splintered the Wood Jutsu that almost enveloped to take them. The particles of wood fell to the ground, and before another wave of it hit them, the chains or more like tails whipped in its direction creating a dome of protection on the unconscious Nara.
Kabuto wanted to laugh at the situation, really—what a crazy situation!
But as he watched wary if the Kyuubi would take over Naruto's body and wreak havoc. The very action when she protected Shikamaru was proof enough that she somehow holds some kind of control over it.
He betted it was the result of the Chakra Chains. That jutsu would without a single doubt protect her unconsciously from the Kyuubi's control and Chakra. Her crystalline blue eyes seemed hazy, as if she was fighting an internal battle within herself and Kabuto found that he may have been right.
From the stunned image of Mizuki, he leapt towards the direction of Naruto and Shikamaru to test his theory. He was clearly being brave at that moment. His sensei better be on his way.
When he was almost near the dome, hoping and praying that those chains or tails wouldn't swap the hell out of him—else that would just be lame. And literally would hurt like hell.
He almost laughed when the dome welcomed him inside its confines. He grinned it seems his bet with himself was right on the money. Oh, luck was truly on his side right now.
He watched as another barrage of the wood technique began to assault them head-on but the dome stood strong. He watched as the glazed eyes of Naruto watched as those tails destroyed their attacks easily and then proceeded to attack the two nin. Chasing them and almost hitting them accurately.
Mizuki spat blood as one of Naruto's attack reached him. His eyes were filled with rage that if this wasn't such a serious matter Kabuto would've been grinning at his situation. No one could touch them at the moment, before he could forget he then proceeded to continue healing the young Nara as Naruto was going wild against them.
"Mizuki", the voice came from the wood user and Kabuto glanced at them as Mizuki cursed loudly before they stood side by side the tails preparing to aim for them. Kabuto had no idea what they plan to do but he watched while continuing to heal the Nara kid.
"Naruto.", Mizuki called out and suddenly the tails that was about to aim directly at him stop mid-air. Kabuto's eyes widened as his eyes snapped towards Naruto whose eyes were trembling.
"I knew you wouldn't hurt me directly.", he smiled and Kabuto couldn't understand why or what the hell was happening. What or who is Mizuki to Naruto that he would have some sort of control over her? But Kabuto understood something at that moment.
Mizuki is dangerous. Just like how this child he was currently healing holds a sway over Naruto, so does he.
Before Kabuto could even move or do anything drastic, he felt the sudden difference in the air. He almost sighed in relief as he felt the familiar aura of his Master finally arriving.
'About time.', he watched as Mizuki's faced twisted in rage however as is he had confirmed something as well, he controlled his expression and once agan spoke towards Naruto.
"Naruto, wait for me. I will take you back with me soon enough.", he uttered those words not caring whether the girl heard no comprehended him before they both disappeared.
'Tsk', he had hoped they had stayed just a few more minutes and Orochimaru-sama would've hauled both their asses out. But then again, he realized something, he looked toward the still dazed Naruto and the sudden alarming presence of nin's coming their way.
'She won't attack them, right?', however as soon as Orochimaru-sama, the Hokage and the Nara Clan Head stepped in to the scene the frozen Naruto once again moved.
This time she jumped from where she stood next to them and directly clawed out at Orochimaru-sama. Before she could even strike, Orochimaru's jutsu caught her off-guard as she was then bound to the ground. Without a moment's hesitance the Hokage placed a seal upon her forehead. Soon enough the red chakra faded away along with the chakra chains that erupted from her body.
Kabuto could only sigh in relief as he then turned his head towards the boy. He felt the sudden presence of the Nara Head just in front of him. He knew he had a lot of explaining to do but right now he needed to focus on the kid.
"Kabuto", he almost flinched at the heavy voice of his Master.
"A lil busy Orochimaru-sama.", he was sure he would receive hell for being cheeky, but they have to understand. What he went through was a whole lot dizzying and confusing and just messed up. But he had kept his cool.
"Hoo, as usual even in this situation you are still you.", Kabuto had the urge to fix his glasses but his hands are currently occupied.
"If you are all wondering if Naruto went berserk and wounded this kid here then the answer is no. Instead she used the power of the Kyuubi to protect him.", a gasp came from in front of him. He could also feel the sharp eyes of several nin's on him as if unbelieving.
"H-how is he?", he could hear the gruffness, the worry and the fear laced within the voice of Shikaku Nara as he asked about his son's current condition.
"He has an internal injury due to the backlash of overexerting his chakra circuits and depletion. I cannot move him at the moment, but overall, he will be fine.", Orochimaru-sama then crouched near them after he fully made sure that Naruto was secured.
"What an interesting child. You raised him well Shikaku.", he then proceeded to assist Kabuto in healing Shikamaru. After he formed a few katas, he nodded towards Kabuto, which he took as a sign.
"Go with Kabuto, Shikaku, I know how worried you are about your child.", Kabuto watched as Shikaku seemed hesitant to leave as his gaze feel towards the now unconscious Jinchuuriki.
"What will happen to her?", the Hokage then proceeded to carry Naruto in his arms.
"Nothing you would have to worry about, Shikaku. I will assure you she will be safe.", Kabuto was doubting that very much but a silent conversation seemed to be happening and then Shikaku relented.
He and Kabuto then proceeded to head towards the Hospital. Kabuto held onto the young Nara Heir with care as he wondered just how the Hokage and Orochimaru-sama would deal with the aftermath of the situation.
Once the Council finds out that the Kyuubi manifested itself from Naruto, he would very much doubt that the Council would ever allow the girl to see the light of day. He shivered at the thought.
However, he also had a huge faith towards his Master. Maybe they could take her along with them in their travels. Besides, as long as Orochimaru is present Danzo won't be able to do as he pleases.