Power

Shambal frowned as the chains around his body disappeared, slowly going back into Naruto's body. Naruto frowned as well, watching as the man stood from his downed position. That was...unexpected. He had felt it, the mans strength draining from his body. It was like it was sealed within him. It was an...interesting feeling. The idea of having complete control over someone when they were powerless.

"Your power seems to be a mutation of my own," Kushina stated. "Only instead of restraining Bijuu you can restrain people in general."

Naruto made no comment, instead focusing on the man that stood before him. Shambal grinned, looking down at Naruto. "You're an interesting brat you know that. Haven't met many kids that could use magic in such a way. Who taught you that?"

"No one," Naruto lied. "Just comes to me naturally."

Shambal snorted. "Alright. A magic that allows for you to create chains, generate fire, and drain strength? Can't say I've heard of that before. It takes on so many aspects of the basic types, but maybe it's a sub-type. Who knows?"

"Types," Naruto questioned.

Shambal nodded, blinking. "Yeah. I'm no expert kid, but I know my basics. Magic is broken down to eight major types. There are more of course, but the main ones exist. I'd think your magic would revolve around Strength Magic and Heat Magic. But your chains...never quite seen anything like them. I'd recommend talking to an actual Magician if you want more information."

Naruto frowned. 'That's more information than I've learned from anybody else. I'll talk to Scheherazade about it. She won't like me knowing more about magic, but it might give me more insight on how to use my powers.'

"Be careful," Kurama stated. "The woman is unlikely to offer you any useful advice. She doesn't like the fact that your magic comes from Black Rukh."

'I'll be sure to keep her in the dark. Either way I need to learn more about this power.'

Kurama shook his head. "I still don't think you should use it. If Tou-san was so worried about it you definitely shouldn't be trying to learn it. He was the most powerful man on the planet when he was alive, and even he feared its power. That means something Naruto."

"Maybe he just went about it the wrong way," Naruto hissed.

"What," Shambal stated, confused, causing Naruto to blink. He had said that out loud.

"Nothing. I appreciate it. I'll do some more research into it as I'm mostly self-taught. IF you don't mind I would appreciate sparring against you occasionally."

Shambal grinned. "Of course. Not a problem with me kid! Keep getting stronger and hopefully you'll give me a good fight."

Naruto nodded, before he turned to leave feeling good despite his situation. He had secured someone he could practice on, without being under the watchful gaze of Scheherazade. As the blonde left Shambal glanced at Kezrah.

"So, are you curious as to why his powers don't resemble magic as well?"

Kezrah nodded. "Yeah. Sure I've seen Magicians use magic without a wand, but none of their spells were especially powerful. I have no doubt they probably could make them more powerful, but they were all trained. This kid is different."

Shambal nodded. "Different indeed. Worth keeping an eye on. Never know, he might surprise us."

"You think he's a Magi?"

"No way," Shambal stated, laughing. "All the Magi are accounted for. But he's definitely not a Sorcerer either. He's something else."

"A new type of creature, ha! I think you're talking crazy now Shambal!"

Shambal shook his head, a small smile playing on his face as Naruto disappeared from his vision. "Yeah...maybe."

Shikamaru was struggling. Dosu was making quick work of the humanoid blobs of ink Sai had lent him. There was no way he would be able to keep them around until Sai recovered, that much was obvious. Dosu was far to strong. He had already lost four of his remaining nine, and it had barely taken any time. The fact that Shikamaru was completely unused to manipulating so many shadows in combat at once was no doubt only assisting his hasty retreat.

That was when it clicked for him. Four of the remaining five blobs lost their shadowy tethers, causing Dosu's eyes to narrow, only for his eyes to widen as a fist swung out from one of them, smashing into him and sending him skidding backwards. Dosu grunted, glaring at Shikamaru.

"Smart bastard."

Shikamaru gave a cheeky grin, charging towards Dosu despite being far from the man. But he did not want a physical confrontation. The remaining blob charged Dosu as well, shadowing Shikamaru's punch, only for Dosu to duck underneath it. Before the man could destroy the humanoid figure however another appeared at his side, launching a kick that Dosu was forced to block. Dosu was prepared this time however, launching a blast of sound as the kick impacted against his Melody Gauntlet. The inky blob, destabilized, exploded in a storm of ink.

Dosu grit his teeth as he landed, the force of the kick having sent him backwards. Shikamaru smirked, drawing kunai and launching one at the Oto shinobi, only for Dosu to leap into the air away from it. The free ink monstrosities launched themselves at Dosu, a barrage of punches and kicks flying towards him. In the air Dosu was unable to do much but block, grunting as he was sent flying towards the ground from the force. Shikamaru's controlled ink creature was there waiting, lashing out with a punch that sent Dosu flying. Dosu grit his teeth, flipping midair as his feet pressed against a nearby tree before he quickly overloaded his chakra, exploding forwards. The speed surprised Shikamaru as the shinobi-turned bullet smashed through his controlled ink monstrosity. Shikamaru had no time to react as he was quickly tackled by Dosu, falling to the ground in a heap with the teen on top of him. Dosu grinned, raising his Melody Gauntlet for a blow only the remaining three ink creations to swarm him, tackling him away from Shikamaru.

Shikamaru leapt to his feet, gritting his teeth before he leapt away falling into the nearby bushes to hide from Dosu's sight as the Oto shinobi tried to fight off the remaining creations. This fight was not going well. Dosu was more skilled than him that much was obvious. There was no way he would be able to defeat him without Sai's help. Something needed to be done. Shikamaru then looked at the puddle of ink on the ground from the destroyed blobs, noticing how not all of the ink that should have been required to create the creatures was visible.

Shikamaru's eyes widened before he grinned. Quickly making handsigns his shadow shot forwards, quickly latching onto all three of the ink blobs again. Dosu blinked at the strange action, but quickly took advantage. He knew his opponent wouldn't be able to effectively fight like this, but if his opponent was going to willingly make himself weaker that was not a problem in his book. Desperation caused people to mess up. Dosu swung his arm forwards, his Melody Gauntlet smashing the ink monstrosity before him to pieces, ink raining down on his arm. Dosu smirked, ducking to avoid a clumsy strike from one of the ink puppets before he smashed that one with the same arm, smirking as he turned to the remaining creature.

One to go.

Shikamaru grunted, engaging in a shadow fight against the air as he controlled the humanoid puppet, but Dosu was too good. It wasn't long before he smashed his arm through the figure, destroying it and cancelling Shikamaru's jutsu. The Oto shinobi dashed towards Shikamaru, the teen raising a kunai in defense as he blocked Dosu's attack. Dosu smirked, not that Shikamaru could tell.

"That won't help you," Dosu cried, only for his eyes to widen as Shikamaru did not stumble or howl in pain.

"What?"

Shikamaru smirked, pushing Dosu's arm away before launching his kunai forwards, the blade stabbing into Dosu's chest. Dosu grunted, stumbled backwards before Shikamaru launched a chakra-enhanced kick that sent him flying, Dosu stumbling against the ground before he stood.

"What? How did my Melody Gauntlet not affect you!"

Shikamaru smirked, tapping his head. "Your gauntlet works with sound. It magnifies sound waves. It was a simple task to fill those holes in the gauntlet with ink in order to make that impossible. You can't use that attack anymore."

Dosu's eyes widened at the realization. It explained why the Konoha brat had taken control of the figures before. He knew he couldn't fight effectively controlling all of them but did it on purpose to make sure that they were destroyed in order to fill his gauntlet. That way engaging him in taijutsu wasn't nearly as dangerous. Dosu growled. He had underestimated his foe. The Nara was clearly more intelligent than he had given him credit for. He had instantly converted a disadvantage into an advantage.

"To bad for you I'm not a one trick pony," Dosu stated, ripping the kunai from his flesh before he charged once more. Shikamaru braced himself, but was unable to stop the sheer speed Dosu showed, smashing into Shikamaru with a hard right before launching a kick that sent him flying. Dosu smirked as he watched Shikamaru struggle to catch himself, charging forwards once more.

His killing intent flooded the battlefield.

Kurotsuchi glared at Zaku, watching as the teen waved his arms forwards. Kurostuchi immediately began to weave through seals, recognizing the technique. Just as Zaku called out his attack Kurotsuchi completed her jutsu, her teammates already formed behind her.

"Zankuha (Decapitating Airwaves)!"

"Doton: Doryūheki (Earth Release: Mud Wall!"

Kurotsuchi grunted as the wall just barely raised in time to stop the attack, the edges of the wall being sent flying from the intense attack. She grit her teeth. This was clearly a powerful opponent. That much was obvious. It was impressive that a single blow from his attack had managed to accomplish that much. He would have to be put down quickly.

"What are you doing," Choji asked, getting the girl to glance at him.

"Settling the score," Kurotsuchi muttered, before she glanced at her teammates. They nodded, each of them leaping away causing Kurotsuchi to smirk. Zaku was taking the beat if his roars were anything to go by, another wave of his attack echoing in a different direction. Kurotsuchi took advantage. If he was foolish enough to forget he was dealing with multiple opponents that was his fault. Kurotsuchi shot out of the earthen wall, handseals flowing smoothly.

Zaku glanced at her, raising another hand. "You think I can't handle you too bitch! Zankuha (Decapitating Airwaves)!"

Kurotsuchi's eyes widened, leaping onto a nearby tree, watching as the attack plowed through where she had just been standing, cratering the ground. Glaring at the Oto shinobi, she drew a kunai.

"Let's try this," she muttered, launching a kunai that Zaku dismissively sent away with another blast. Kurotsuchi grunted, leaping away from the approaching attack, smirking as her teammates appeared next to Zaku in bursts of chakra-enhanced speed, engaging the teen in a spat of taijutsu. As they distracted him she landed, quickly weaving through handseals before she slammed her hands onto the ground. Zaku was clearly bad at taijutsu, having been pushed back from the onslaught of the two Iwa shinobi, but it wouldn't matter at all. As the first of the earthen spikes began to appear her Iwa teammates leapt away, causing Zaku to frown. Turning he saw Kurotsuchi grinning.

"Doton: Doryuso (Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears)!"

Zaku smirked as the immensely powerful attack approached him, raising his arms. "Please. Pure airwaves can handle this. Zankuha (Decapitating Airwaves)!"

Kurotsuchi's eyes widened as her attack was shattered and she was sent flying backwards, smashing into a tree with a loud thud. Grunting Kurotsuchi opened her eyes, her vision swimming. She was barely able to notice her teammates pressuring Zaku in a burst of rage-enhanced taijutsu, but he seemed to have improved slightly from their earlier engagement. He was capable of standing his ground this time. Maybe it was just her teammates being sloppy in their rage.

Kurotsuchi slowly got to her feet, stumbling forwards before she sighed, steadying herself. She couldn't waste the opportunity her teammates were giving her. Zaku had to die now. She doubted she could take another one of those hits. He was strong. No wonder a Konoha shinobi couldn't handle him. But an Iwa shinobi...that was another thing entirely.

Kurotsuchi formed her handseals once more, leaping into the air. If Zaku could stop her attacks with such ease she needed something a bit more dangerous to send flying. And she knew just what to do. As her handseals finished she released her jutsu down towards him.

"Yōton: Sekkaigyō no Jutsu (Lava Release: Quicklime Congealing Technique)!"

Her teammates leapt away at the call of her attack, Zaku glancing upwards. With a snort he blasted the attack with his Zankuha (Decapitating Airwaves), sending the attack all around. Kurotsuchi smirked, weaving through handseals as she fell, Zaku immediately distracted with her teammates once more.

"Suiton: Mizurappa (Water Release: Water Trumpet)!"

Kurotsuchi aimed for the quicklime Zaku had launched around him in a circle, the water spreading the quicklime and solidifying it. As the quicklime surged her teammates leapt into the air to avoid the attack, Zaku's feet getting caught in the quicklime before he realized its threat, the quicklime solidifying and routing him in place.

"Fuck!"

"You're dead," Kurotsuchi called as she landed, weaving through handseals. "Doton: Dosekidake (Earth Release: Earth and Stone Bamboo Shoot)!"

Zaku's eyes widened as earthen spears launched themselves at him from four different directions. He couldn't leap away, not in his state as he had yet to get out of the solidified quicklime. His regular technique couldn't stop all four of those spears either. He had to amp up the power for that. Growling the Oto shinobi raised his hands, channeling as much chakra as he could.

"Zankūkyokuha (Extreme Decapitating Airwaves)!"

The massive attack launched forwards, the sound waves and airwaves shredding everything in their path. The quicklime exploded away from Zaku, freeing his ankles, not that he needed to move. The attack had shredded the stone spears, causing Zaku to smirk. He was safe. His arms were strained, and he doubted he could use any of his jutsu for a brief while, but that was fine. He just needed to not be caught off guard and take the ninjutsu expert out of the fight. That was possible.

Only Zaku lost concentration as he fired the attack and didn't see where Kurotsuchi went. So when she popped out of the ground in front of him, kunai in hand, he was completely unprepared. Kurotsuchi grinned as her kunai flashed forwards, Zaku's throat slit as blood shot from his mouth. The man's hands instantly went towards his neck, trying to keep the dark liquid inside only for Kurotsuchi to lash out again, jabbing the kunai into his skull with chakra-enhancing her strength.

Zaku crumpled to the ground, dead.

Choji stared at the Iwa shinobi, fear in his eyes. If she had done that to an opponent he couldn't hope to defeat what would she do to him? They may have defeated her before, but they had planned and had the element of surprise on their side. It was clear this Genin was far above him. Was she angry? She did save him, but maybe she just wanted him to herself? But why not kill him when she had the chance? To showboat?

Kurotsuchi turned to Choji, smirking as she realized the feat he was in. He had soiled himself. Was this his first time seeing death, especially so close to him? Did he fear for his life?

Kurotsuchi grinned before she nodded to her teammates. The group turned to face the rest of the Konoha shinobi only for their eyes to widen at the scene before them. Another Konoha shinobi had showed up, and Kurotsuchi could tell with ease that he was strong.

Rock Lee stood before Kin, a frown on his face as he saw the Oto kunoichi slowly standing, clearly stunned by the force of the blow.

"Who the hell are you," Kin muttered, groaning as she managed to pull herself to her feet. Lee frowned, dropping to a stance, Kin's kunai in hand.

"I am the handsome devil of the Leaf Village. And my name is Rock Lee!"

"What are you doing here Lee," Sakura stated, slowly rising to her feet.

"I will always appear, anytime and anywhere you are in trouble Sakura! The shouting in the forest was a clear giveaway to your location! Brilliant!"

Sakura blanched, remembering what had happened before the fight had begun. The one who was shouting was Ino, not her! Still, it had worked out in their favor in this instance. She'd take it.

"I don't care who you are! Stop this whole reunion crap," Kin stated, drawing senbon. "You being here just means another dead Konoha shinobi! Now die!"

Lee frowned as he saw the senbon launch forwards, deflecting them with the kunai in hand before he dashed forwards. Kin's eyes widened, surprised at Lee's speed before she felt a blow slam into her chin, lifting her into the air. Lee grunted, leaping up before he spun, launching a kick that smashed into her chest throwing her against a nearby tree with a heavy thud. Lee grunted, launching her kunai at the Oto kunoichi, the blade stabbing into her clothing and holding her in place, not that it mattered in her unconscious state.

"That is one enemy defeated," Lee stated, before he glanced back at Sakura and Ino.

"Are you two alright?"

"Yes," Sakura stated. "Thank you, Lee."

"Who the hell is this guy," Ino whispered. "He beat that girl like it was nothing!"

"He's Rock Lee," Sakura stated. "He's a Konoha genin. He's really strong."

Lee smiled, tears falling down his face as he heard Sakura's praise. However, before he got carried away he turned to Shikamaru, watching as the teen struggled against the other Oto shinobi. Lee grunted, glancing back at Sakura. She could handle the rest, Shikamaru needed help currently. With a burst of speed Lee appeared before Dosu before he had any time to react, launching a kick that slammed into the teen's face, sending him flying.

Dosu grunted, slowly raising to his feet as he saw Lee standing before him.

"Who the hell are you," Dosu hissed. Lee smirked.

"The one who has defeated your teammate!"

Dosu paused, glancing around to see that Lee was indeed correct. Kin lay connected to a tree, completely unconscious, and Zaku was dead in a puddle of his own blood, numerous earthen weapons surrounding him. The Iwa team that had killed him stared at Dosu and the Konoha group. Dosu grit his teeth, realizing the problem at hand. He was alone, against all of the Konoha shinobi. He doubted he could convince the Iwa shinobi to assist him either considering they killed Zaku. He had to run and he wouldn't even manage to make it out of this exam due to Zaku being dead. There was nothing to gain from a continued engagement.

Slowly Dosu raised his scroll, the Earth Scroll tantalizing in the light before he placed it on the ground. Shikamaru understood the nonverbal surrender, nodding at Dosu. Dosu nodded back before he leapt towards Kin, retrieving the girl before he dashed off into the darkness of the forest.

Shikamaru glanced at Lee who smiled back at him. Shikamaru sighed before he turned towards the Iwa team, noticing Kurotsuchi glaring at him with a vicious grin.

"What a drag."

Naruto frowned as he walked back into his room, idly wondering the lack of questioning he got as he reentered the palace. It was strange. All of the guards seemed to know who he was, despite having been in the city for such a short period. It was...strange. Then again considering who likely told them about it it wasn't surprising. Naruto shuddered, sitting down on his bed before closing his eyes to meditate.

Scheherazade's presence in this city was almost overwhelming. He had to fix that.

"Kurama!"

The Kyuubi opened its eyes, surprised to see Naruto standing in front of him. Kushina pushed herself off of the wall from near the seal, blinking in surprise as well. She was not expecting to see her son.

"Naruto why are you here?"

"I need to clarify some things," Naruto stated, thinking back to his fight with Shambal. "I have a question for you, specifically Kurama."

"What?"

"Have I been running?"

Kurama blinked, not having expected the question. "Running? What do you mean?"

"From my problem. The problem that caused this all in the first place. Am I running from Konoha?"

"Not really. I don't see how you would be."

"Because I haven't gone back," Naruto paused. "Look at the power I just used with my chains! I can restrict people's power. I drain them, I felt it. My chains don't just bind a person physically, but the bind their power to being completely inside of their body and weakens it for as long as my chains are in contact with them."

"An upgraded version of my own chains," Kushina muttered. "But Naruto-kun just having those chains doesn't make you invincible. Konoha would capture you if they saw you again."

"Yes I know it doesn't make me invincible, but it makes me more powerful. If I can harness their power, along with the Spirit-"

"No."

Naruto blinked, glancing at his mother. "What?"

"No. You will not use the Spirit."

"Why not!?"

"Did you not hear what Hagoromo stated?" Kushina raged. "Kurama told me all about it! You could end up screwing over yourself and who knows how many people all in pursuit of some petty little power. No. You will not use the Spirit. I forbid it."

Naruto growled at his mother, irritation in his eyes. "Kaa-san with this power I was able to match opponents I previously was not able to!"

"A power that even you must acknowledge is dangerous Naruto." The blonde turned to face the fox, the closest thing to an expert when Hagoromo was not there. "I saw what happened to Asura when he began to succumb to its power. It was...disturbing. He became eerily similar to his brother Indra. Darker even. It was a miracle we managed to pull him back from the brink. I cannot allow you to fall down that path as well."

"So what!" Naruto hissed. "You're just going to have me squander a potential power!"

"No," Kurama stated. "I think I understand what you're getting at. You want to make Konoha pay don't you?"

Naruto blinked before he nodded. Kurama snorted. "Of course. Revenge. Such a simple goal. Revenge on Hiruzen and Kakashi specifically, but on Konoha as a whole as well correct?"

Naruto nodded once more. "Now do you see why I require power to do that? I can't just charge into Konoha with no firepower."

"You couldn't do it even with the Spirit," Kushina interrupted. "No one on Earth is powerful enough to charge into a Hidden Village by their lonesome and take it down. Only Hashirama and Madara could do that, and debatably your father. All of them are dead."

"So I merely need to reach their level," Naruto muttered.

"And you can do that without the Spirit," Kushina stated.

"I could surpass them, with it."

Kurama groaned, realizing the duo were once more at an impasse. One he could solve.

"I have a solution," the fox stated. "You want power Naruto, I understand. But if there is something on Earth that has the power to charge into a Hidden Village, it's a Bijuu."

Naruto blinked, and Kushina glanced up at Kurama in horror. "I will train you to use my power brat. My real power, not the Spirit. That should more than make up for any gaps in strength. Besides, I have to pay that village back for all the suffering it's caused me as well."

Naruto grinned, nodding. "Great idea Kurama."

"I disagree with this you know," Kushina stated, getting the duo's attention. Naruto frowned, nodding.

"I understand Kaa-chan. Konoha is your home. You met Minato there, you had me there, you made friends there, you trained there, all of your good memories are in Konoha. I have no doubt that the village means a lot to you. But it's your home...not mine. I don't know what Konoha you grew up with, but it's not that anymore if they would lie on their own shinobi."

Kushina frowned. She wanted to argue. She did. But she couldn't. Because deep down she agreed. Not with destroying the village, but Konoha wasn't the same. Something at the core was deeply wrong with it. Something that needed to be fixed in order for it to return to what it once was. In order for Naruto to become a Konoha shinobi once more. Minato and her had always hoped that he would become the Hokage after them. If he could root out the evil in Konoha to bring it back to the village it once was, maybe it would be possible to convince him to come home? He had good relationships with some people. Shikamaru, Choji, Sasuke, and even the shy Hyuga. It was a possibility.

One that Kushina was willing to bet on.

"This is my goal," Naruto stated, clenching his fist. "When I'm strong enough I'll go back to Konoha, and destroy it."

Amemasu slipped into the window that she knew held one of the younger members of the Fanalis tribe, glancing around the room quickly. No one else was in the room other than another child. Good.

Amemasu immediately appeared before the the bed of the child, a pulse of directed ki waking the child up with a sweat.

"Wha-"

The child was caught.

A few moments later Amemasu left the room, no memory of her presence in the child's mind before she slipped downstairs into the still lively group of soldiers and adult Fanalis downstairs. This would be harder. But in this instance she didn't actually need to gather information through genjutsu, merely overhearing conversations. With that she sat down at a bar, ordering a drink.

A girl in a room with soldiers?

There was an easy way to get information.

And as a man walked up to her in a soldiers outfit she realized just how easy it would be.

"So here you are Lee."

Lee and Shikamaru glanced upwards, Lee's face widening with surprise as he saw Neji and Tenten on a tree above him. Kurotsuchi frowned as she saw the extra Konoha genin. More of them. Her team against three teams, even injured, were not odds she favored.

"And near Iwa trash as well," Neji muttered, glaring down at her.

"The hell did you say," Kurotsuchi hissed, clenching her fists as she glared at the Hyuga. "I don't wanna hear anything about trash from some white-eyed motherfucker!"

Neji's eyes narrowed, killing intent blasting from his body.

"Tch. You Iwa shinobi. So irritating, you need to be taught your place in this world. You fruitless efforts to struggle against a greater shinobi village. It's worthless."

"What did you say?" Kurotsuchi hissed, grabbing a kunai.

Shikamaru tensed, drawing a kunai as well. The Nara watched as Lee dropped into a fighting stance, while Sakura and Ino rushed over to cover their flanks, weapons in the hands of each kunoichi. Sai was still behind him, likely getting closer to recovering. But where was...Shikamaru's eyes widened in horror.

Kurotsuchi leapt backwards, grabbing Choji before pinning him to the ground, a kunai at his throat. "Make a move and your teammates dies!"

Shikamaru grit his teeth. He knew Choji had been defeated and saved by the Iwa shinobi but he thought he had moved. But it seemed he was wrong. Kurotsuchi's teammates had made sure he couldn't escape and thus he was now a hostage to be used against them. Neji snorted, his Byakugan activating as he glared down at the Iwa shinobi.

"You won't even get the chance. Let's do this full power Tenten, Lee."

The two nodded, preparing to move. Kurotsuchi frowned, drawing the kunai closer to Choji's neck, the Akimichi squirming in a vain attempt to get out of her grip. She couldn't very well kill the Akimichi, her team would instantly be overrun by furious Konoha shinobi, but she had to make sure that it seemed like she would. The Akimichi was valuable, especially when facing a Hyuga. She didn't know where the Uchiha was, but if he was anywhere nearby she didn't like those odds. A Nara, Hyuga, Yamanaka, and Uchiha? That was not a match-up anyone wanted.

"Nevermind," Neji stated, deactivating his Byakugan, and getting everyone to look at him.

Tenten and Lee were confused, but it was Kurotsuchi who voiced her opinion. "Oh? Realized I'm being serious then huh! Good, now give me your scroll!"

"No, it's not that," Neji stated. "It's just that the matter has been taken out of my hands."

That was when the everyone felt it. The aura that began to permeate the air. Purple wisps of chakra surged into the air as a hand reached out from the tree trunk Sasuke was being held in, the energy slithering over the ground and into the air. Killing intent flooded the air, paralyzing Sakura and Ino, the duo completely unprepared for the intense blast. Fear crept into Kurotsuchi's eyes as Sasuke emerged from the trunk, the crimson eyes of the Sharingan blazing.

The situation had just got from bad to worse.

Kurotsuchi froze as those eyes snapped at her, but for some reason she didn't feel like she was being looked at. She felt like she was being looked through.

To her credit Sasuke was not looking at her. The Uchiha could only see the younger version of himself in front of him, a sea of yellow surrounding him. The crying young boy had his hands on his head, muttering incessantly.

"What," Sasuke whispered.

"Because I was weak," the younger version of Sasuke stated. "Everyone died. I couldn't save them. If only I'd been stronger!" Sasuke's eyes widened as the scenery around him began to change, the feeling of living through Itachi making him murder his clan once more flashing through his mind. Suddenly his mind came to rest on a single image, Sasuke standing before his brother, his parents between the duo on their knees, eyes closed. Itachi raised his blade. Sasuke ran forwards.

"Maybe I could have saved them! If only I'd had more power!" The younger Sasuke suddenly looked upwards, his eyes locking with Sasuke's and causing him to freeze in place. "Instead, you stood by and watched them die." The young Uchiha gripped his right eye, the squelching sound of rubber echoing through the air. Sasuke shuddered. "Like lambs to the slaughter. If only you were stronger."

Something about the voice. Something about the voice was different. The younger Sasuke was talking more smoothly, like silk, like...like...Orochimaru. The child began to pull down its eye, the flesh ripping to reveal Orochimaru's face and eye underneath, leering at him. "If only you had more power!"

The world became clear for Sasuke once more, the Uchiha staring down at the Iwa team in front of him, this team actually able to see them. The black markings that covered his face and body caused the Iwa team to take a step back in fear, but Sasuke didn't care. He relished it. Their fear. Their fear of his...POWER.

"Sakura," he hissed, his voice deeper than usual. "Who did this?"

The girl to stunned to answer, only whimpered. Sasuke quickly grew annoyed, taking a step forwards. "Who was it?"

"Sasuke what," Sakura stumbled over her words, gulping. "What happened to you?"

The Uchiha raised his hand, ignoring the Iwa team to look at it. He could see. The whips of chakra that floated around him. The terror felt by the surrounding shinobi. It felt good.

"Don't worry. I'm alright. It's only the power flowing through me," Sasuke stated, before he grinned as he looked at Kurotsuchi. "In fact, I've never felt better. He gave me this gift, he made me realize what I am. I'm an avenger. To follow my path I must have power at any price. Even if it means being consumed by evil."

The Iwa genin panicked, drawing the kunai closer to Choji's neck. That was the wrong call. Sasuke flashed forwards, moving faster than anyone could react and appeared behind Kurotsuchi. The Iwa shinobi turned, preparing to attack Sasuke only for her eyes to widen as the teen raised his leg and smashed a kick into her mouth, sending her flying. Her teammates cried out, rushing him with kunai only for Sasuke to almost lazily break their wrists, the kunai dropping from their hands. With a mere flick of his wrist he caught the weapons before he drove them into the Iwa shinobi's chests, the duo falling to the ground. Sasuke then turned to face the now rising Kurotsuchi, blood on her lips.

"It looks like you're the only one left. I hope you make things more interesting than your friends did."

"Bastard."

Sasuke smirked, disappearing in a burst of speed again, appearing in front of her. Sasuke smirked, reaching out before he smashed his fist into her gut, kneeling her over. With a grunt he lifted her up into the air by the throat, squeezing, a grin forming on his face. Ino watched in horror.

"His chakra," she whispered. "It's darker...more violent. Can that really be Sasuke?"

"You like to talk a lot," Sasuke stated. "Such an annoying voice, should be silent!"

Kurotsuchi tried to scream as Sasuke squeezed with all of his might, but found she couldn't, pain enveloping her body. Sasuke snarled, watching as she began to pass out, only for him to feel arms envelop him.

"Don't do it," he heard, the words muttered into his back. The Uchiha looked down, crying emerald eyes meeting his crimson. The duo stood there for a moment, Sasuke's hand not loosening.

"Stop...please." Sakura cried.

Sasuke stared, and then suddenly his hands lost their strength. Kurotsuchi dropped to the ground, unconscious. Sasuke's arms fell limply to his sides as the black markings receded back into their original sealed state. The Uchiha grunted, suddenly losing all of his strength. He fell backwards, landing on his bottom as Sakura sat next to him. The Uchiha began to pant, shaking in visible exhaustion.

"What...was that," Neji muttered, staring at the Uchiha.

"I don't know," Tenten muttered.

Neji shook his head, Lee landing next to him. 'That was no normal chakra. I had no idea the Uchiha Clan was so strong.'

Neji frowned, glancing at Sasuke. He knew something. He wanted to fight him.

"Let's go," Neji muttered, his team disappearing into the forest. Shikamaru nodded as they left. That was more comforting. Less potential enemies. Still, what Sasuke had just done was worrisome to say the least. What type of power had Orochimaru given him for the Uchiha to turn into...that. From the way Sasuke was shaking and muttering to himself, it sounded like he was asking the same questions.

And meanwhile, with a calculating eye, Sai watched it all.

Ok so one, I am sorry this came out so late. I got hit with a literal shitstorm of sickness back-to-back so it just was not working out. But that's really just excuses (although I don't have liver damage so that's good!).

Anyway now I can finally get to the point where I can stop focusing so intensely on this exact period and skip a few days (probably only like a day) into the future in this story. Everything I wanted done is done. The next chapter wraps up the Second Exam and begins the prelims. I'm gonna try and keep them short, because I want to get into the month long training period, which will heavily focus on Naruto.

To the point of this particular note: Some people don't think I'm showing Naruto's depression well enough. That's a reflection on my writing more than any interpretation, but I wanted to clarify. Obviously I'll try and improve this in my writing, but because so many people have PMed me about it I felt like I'd talk about it in the grand scheme here. In my research of depression (specifically male-depression), guys tend to act out more when they have depression. It's not like the kind you typically see advertised, but instead a representation of them acting out more and more. And Naruto's behavior throughout his time in Rukh should show that, especially when he met Scheherazade.

Just wanted to make that clear. Of course if anyone wants to comment on that please do. And if you're an actual psychologist and I'm wrong (or if you know I'm wrong in general), then please tell me. Naruto's mental state is kinda critical to the story.

Now to be fair to everyone I think I should make an announcement. I don't know how long I can keep updating this story consistently. While I enjoy the plot for this story it's just so long that it's hard to get to consistently with my other stories. Literally every other stories plotline is much more straight-forward and/or flows smoother due to the lack of so many elements so early on (even though the elements in this story being there early are kinda necessary for it to exist). So I'll probably update this story in particular slower than my others. I'm sorry for everyone who really enjoys it, but it's the only decision that makes sense to me.