Hanzo Hasashi, formerly the specter known as Scorpion, lay dying in the arms of his son. As he faded, his mind drifted to those he would soon be reunited with. 'Harumi,' he thought to himself. 'Satoshi…' The Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu passed painlessly as the poison injected into him by D'Vorah numbed his senses, a small mercy from the wicked Kytinn. But instead of arriving in any sense of an afterlife, Hanzo found himself in a large field. He blinked and looked around. "Where am I…?" Hanzo jumped to his feet and looked around as he heard screams filling the night air around him. He turned around and froze at what he saw. A giant red kitsune with nine tails and firing energy from its mouth. "What hell have I landed in?" Hanzo hid as he spotted people running towards the beast, rather than away, and at speeds most couldn't dream of reaching on foot without cybernetic enhancements.
"What the hell is the Kyuubi doing here," exclaimed one of the men.
"No idea," shouted a woman. "But we need to help with evacuations, now!" Hanzo watched them run towards where the giant beast stood and saw a village beneath the towering mass. Hanzo moved to see if there was anything he could do when something else caught his attention. An explosion. Figuring whoever those people were could handle the giant kitsune, Hanzo moved to the explosion to investigate. As he arrived, he noted two men fighting one another, one seeming to teleport in a flash of light, an odd kunai in his hands. The other seemed to phase through any solid attacks the first threw at him. Hanzo observed the fight before his attention was drawn to the village once more. The giant fox seemed to be under attack. The Grandmaster pulled out a pair of binoculars and focused on the fox and saw something… off about its eyes. They were red with black tomoe surrounding the irises.
Hanzo looked at the fight beside him and frowned as he managed to catch a glimpse of the masked man's eye from the singular eye hole in the mask. The eye looked the same as the fox's. 'He controls it. Now I know my target,' thought Hanzo. He teleported behind the masked man and sent out his Kusari Kunai into his back. "Get over here," he shouted. Hanzo pulled the masked man to him and wrapped his fist in his chain before punching the man repeatedly and grunted as the man phased through his hands, now aware there was a second opponent he didn't sense before. Hanzo raised his hood and placed the mask of the Shirai Ryu on his face. "I do not know what is going on. But I know you are linked to the beast attacking that village. I will stop you."
"A friend of yours, Hokage," asked the masked man.
"At this point I'll take whatever help I can get," said the man. He looked at Hanzo. "Thanks."
"This man is dangerous," said Hanzo. "We need to break whatever hold he has on that beast."
"Yeah, and I have a means of doing that. I just need to get in close."
"Then allow me to help." Hanzo roared and Hellfire erupted from the ground beneath the masked man. Not expecting the attack, the man hopped away from the flames, his robes catching on fire. He grunted as a burning spear impacted with his chest. "Come here!" The masked man reacted quickly and reached for the former specter in an attempt to absorb him. Hanzo phased behind him and kicked him in the head, stunning him.
Minato took the opportunity to teleport to the masked man and placed his hand on the man's chest, sealing away his control over the Tailed Beast. He didn't know who his flaming new friend was, but he didn't care. He seemed to want to protect Konoha, and that was enough for the Yondaime. Minato formed a Rasengan in his over hand and slammed it into the man's chest, sending him into a tree before he slumped to the ground.
Hanzo looked to the village and saw the Kyuubi still attacking. "It's enraged."
"You would be to if you had your mind controlled."
"And I have…" Hanzo blinked as the man disappeared in a flash of light and a second later, so too did the Kyuubi in the distance. Hanzo phased in front of the man's wife as the fox was suddenly in front of them with the man on its head. The blonde man's wife looked at Hanzo as he held up his Mugai Ryu out of reflex at the sight of the beast before him.
"M-Minato can handle it," she said. "What's your name?"
"Hasashi Hanzo."
"Uzumaki Kushina. Thank you for your help, Hasashi-san."
"Outside help was the only way he would survive that fight."
"Thank you. Minato may be Hokage, but he's not invincible."
"Hokage?" Hanzo blinked as Minato reappeared beside them.
"You rang," asked the blonde man.
"So. What is your plan for him?" Hanzo looked up at the Kyuubi as it snarled down at them.
"I'll tell you if you can tell me your name."
"Hasashi Hanzo."
"Hanzo. I need you to promise me something. Whatever happens, help my wife protect our son, Naruto."
"You speak as though you will die."
"The Kyuubi is too powerful for a traditional sealing jutsu. I have to use a specific sealing to place it in Naruto."
"In your own son?"
"It's not something I want to do. We had planned to redo the seal that kept the Kyuubi in Kushina. But that man attacked, killed the Anbu selected to help protect her and unsealed the Juubi. Kushina is too weak to place Kurama back into her. I don't want to do this, but I can't ask anyone else to do this if I'm not willing to do so myself."
"Anbu?" Hanzo shook his head. "It seems I have arrived in a strange world indeed."
"What do you…?" Hanzo noticed a glint and reacted quickly. He phased behind Minato and deflected a pair of poison laced shuriken from hitting the man. He glared into the forest as he saw the yellow mask with the red eye with black tomoe staring at him.
"I saw how quickly you two were reacting. I don't know how long I can keep him occupied, but you have my word as Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu I'll hold him off as long as possible." Before Minato could comment, Hanzo erected a wall of Hellfire between the family and the forest and phased behind the masked man before slicing through with his Mugai Ryu, only to slice through a log and looked around. "Coward."
"Your interference was unexpected," said the masked man. "But your speed and my own are drastically outclassed."
"Maybe so…" Hanzo phased away and blocked a strike from the man before shooting a fireball into the man's chest, knocking him away after an attempted attack from behind. "But your personal skill requires improvement." Hanzo kicked him in the head before raising a burning inferno beneath his opponent. The man disappeared before appearing behind Hanzo.
"Your jutsu is formidable. But they are nothing when compared to the Sharingan." Hanzo felt something pulling on his back and he phased above the man to the branches above. Hanzo then swung down and kicked the man away before throwing out his Kusari Kunai, the spear impacting with the man's chest.
"Get over here!" Hanzo pulled him in before sidestepping and slicing the man down the back. The masked man grunted in pain and growled. He turned to face Hanzo once more only to find the former specter covered in flames and rushing forward. He barely had time to react before Hanzo shot behind him and grabbed him before slamming his head into the ground. The Grandmaster breathed Hellfire onto him before backing away as the robes lit up like a bonfire. The masked man growled as he felt the fire burn him. It was unlike any jutsu he had ever encountered before and was also performed without hand seals. Whoever this shinobi was, he was skilled and not to be trifled with.
"It seems I've underestimated you."
"You can stop holding back then. I've seen enough Kombat to know when one is not truly trying."
"Then I shall oblige you." Hanzo phased instantly and grunted as he was met with a kick to the chest. He ignited his sword before slicing through the air again and grunting as he was kicked behind him. This man was fast, faster than even Kabal. But at least he learned how to deal with fast opponents. Hanzo ignited his own body once more and breathed fire before backing up to it, limiting the number of potential blind spots for as long as his Hellfire remained lit. "Clever. Using your invulnerability to fire to stop my attacks. Not many would think to do that."
"Not many have Hellfire burning in their soul." Hanzo closed his eyes as he tried to zero in on his opponent's movements. This fight was proving more stressful than he had originally anticipated. Hanzo started forming the Kuji-in Kiri and stayed focused on the subtle sounds of movement around him. Hanzo's flames turned blue once he was done performing the Nine Cuts and he felt movement heading to the clearing he'd left Minato and Kushina in. A quick glance showed the Hellfire starting to die down. He phased and landed an axe kick onto the man's head, cracking the mask and sending him to the ground. Hanzo watched the man cover where the mask had been broken.
He watched the masked man growl and disappear before seeing the Kyuubi attempt to raise its arm to swipe at Minato who had a pure white specter with a tanto in its hand behind him. Golden chains seemed to be holding the fox in place, coming from the ground and connected to Kushina's back. Hanzo saw three men try and step to them but be repelled by a barrier as Minato placed his son, Naruto on an alter that rose from the ground. "We can't get through," shouted one of the men as he faced a man with a black apparel a wielding a giant staff that should weigh more than himself.
"I can!" They turned to him, two of them drawing out kunai at the newcomer. "There was a man in a yellow mask who attacked them. He was controlling the beast." Hanzo phased to the man with the large weapon and placed his hand on the man's shoulder. "Hold your breath!" Hanzo surrounded them with flames before they appeared beyond the chains between the fox and the family. Minato glanced at them.
"Hanzo," he exclaimed. "Sarutobi-san!"
"What is that thing?" Hanzo stared at the specter as it gazed at him.
"The Shinigami," exclaimed Sarutobi. "Minato! What are you thinking?!"
"He said he would never do this to another's family if it wasn't something he was willing to do himself. What is he talking…" Hanzo saw the fox start to move, red eyes fixed on Naruto and acted quickly. He phased above the beast's paw and threw his spear into the back of it before swinging around it. He landed on the ground and pulled tout before looking at Sarutobi. "It's after the child!"
"It knows it's about to be sealed! Songoku!" He tossed his weapon into the air and grabbed the chain alongside Hanzo as the staff changed into an armored ape, yet another oddity Hanzo would need to ask about as it also aided in their attempt at restraining the beast's paw. Hanzo watched as the Shinigami lined up behind Minato as a red essence trailed from the Kyuubi to Minato before a blue essence connected to Naruto.
"No," shouted the Kyuubi, almost jostling Hanzo enough to drop the chain.
"Just hold on! The seal is nearly complete!"
"It's rage is driving it," shouted Hanzo. "Something I know all too well! Great beast!" Hanzo saw its eye turn to him. "If you continue to let your rage burn, only suffering will follow you! A fact I am familiar with all too well! And your would-be master is running for his life! I will aid you in seeking justice, but you must be sealed for now! Let your rage simmer! Please! Justice will be yours! I promise!" The fox snarled before its attention was drawn back to the Shinigami as it swung its tanto down.
"No," it shouted once more as it broke the chain around its paw and tried to kill Naruto again, only for Songoku to kick the paw away. Hanzo grunted the ape was swatted into him and he was knocked out.
When Hanzo awoke, he was met with the sight of fluorescent lighting above him. He groaned as he sat up and gripped his head. "Was that only a dream…?"
"I'm afraid not," said Kushina beside him. Hanzo turned to the scarlet-haired woman and saw her holding a bundle in her arms, no doubt Naruto. "Otherwise, Minato would be sitting here beside me, thanking you for your help."
"So he is…" Kushina nodded. "I am sorry, Uzumaki-san. I did not know him. But I could tell he was a good man."
"He was." Hanzo looked up and saw Sarutobi enter the room with a couple of other people wearing green flak jackets.
"Sarutobi, yes?" The man nodded.
"I am Sarutobi Hiruzen," said the man, now wearing long white robes. Head of the Sarutobi family and Sandaime Hokage of the Hidden Leaf."
"Hokage? I had heard Kushina call Minato that."
"You are Shinobi and do not know the title of Kage?"
"I am not of this world. I was told of other worlds by my son but… I did not think I would find myself in one."
"Your son," asked Kushina.
"A member of my clan. A hero, though he would claim otherwise. I am not of this world. I am supposed to be dead."
"You expect us to believe something like that," exclaimed a man with short black hair. "You know how insane it sounds, right?!"
"I assure you; it is the truth." Hiruzen hummed to himself before turning to a corner of the room.
"Find Inoichi," he said. Hanzo assumed that there was someone hidden nearby, awaiting orders, based on how Hiruzen seemed to be in charge. Hanzo rubbed his head where it had impacted after Songoku was knocked into him. "How is your head?"
"Sore. The fox was strong."
"And yet you helped us restrain him long enough for Minato to finish the seal."
"Where is it now? The Kyuubi?"
"Here," said Kushina as she showed him Naruto. Hanzo noticed a grouping of markings on the child's stomach. "This is the seal that was placed on me when I was acting as the Jinchuriki for the Kyuubi."
"Jinchuriki?" Hanzo sighed. "I should've enquired my son about other worlds."
"What is the Shirai Ryu," asked Kushina. "I recall hearing you swear by it."
"The Shirai Ryu is my clan. I am… was the Grandmaster."
"What happened?"
"I… died." Hanzo looked up as a man with long blonde hair entered the room and looked at Hiruzen.
"Hokage-Sama," he said.
"Ah," replied Hiruzen. "Inoichi. Good."
"Is there something you need?"
"I need you to probe this man's mind, learn everything you can about him." Hanzo tensed slightly before sighing.
"It seems you're taking my claim with a grain of salt. Not that I blame you," said Hanzo. Hiruzen nodded and turned to Inoichi who nodded back and placed his hands together before aiming at Hanzo. Hanzo grunted as he felt another presence enter his mind. He'd had his apprentice, Takahashi Takeda, do the same, but this felt different. Then Hanzo noticed it was like seeing his body move on its own while he watched from outside his body Hanzo struggled to wrangle control of his body before forming the Kuji-in Kiri as he felt someone probing through his memories. Before he could finish the Nine Cuts, the memory of his clan's massacre at the hands of Quan Chi flashed in his mind. And with that, the familiar burn of Scorpion started pushing through as his anger started to rise. "St-stop…" Hiruzen watched cautiously as Hanzo seemed to be in pain and Inoichi started sweating from the exertion as he sped up going through Hanzo's memories, feeling a new presence start growing in strength. "G-get out… now… before he…"
Inoichi grunted as he was forced out of Hanzo's mind before looking at the man as he was suddenly set aflame. Inoichi stood between the specter and the Hokage with a kunai drawn. "Damn," he muttered as the specter glared at him. "I just saw this man's history. This is not good."
"Put him out," shouted the Jonin behind Hiruzen.
"No, stop! You'll only piss him off more!" Inoichi glared at the specter. "So. If the man is Hasashi Hanzo, then you must Scorpion. I learned what happened to form you. And with no focus to aim, you're nothing but rage with no target. And it was enough to force me out. Hasashi-Sama! If you can hear me, overcome him! I've seen your strength! Focus!" Scorpion growled and slowly stood up before focusing on Inoichi. He started slowly advancing before pausing as something caught the specter's attention. Scorpion turned to Kushina as the child in her arms started crying, the entity dwelling inside was reacting to the anger of the Netherrealm specter and causing the child to cry from the hostility. Scorpion growled and leaned in close to the child. Scorpion grunted as he was punched away and impacted with the opposite wall from Kushina.
"Stay the hell away from him," she yelled as she glared at the flaming skeleton. Scorpion roared and breathed fire above him before glaring at Kushina and pausing as he saw the woman right in front of him, her son in Hiruzen's arms. "I don't know what you are, but if you ever threaten my son again, I will send you back to whatever hell you came from!"
"You have no idea how bad of an idea that is…"
"I'm not killing you right now because of you helping my husband and saving me and my son. But don't think that for one second I won't hesitate to break every bone I can find!" Scorpion glared back, as only a skeleton can.
"You will burn before you ever get the chance," growled the specter. "And the child was not who I threatened. The beast inside him was the target of my anger."
"Well its sealed within my son. You threaten Kurama, you threaten Naruto and that means you deal with me." Scorpion grunted before the flames disappeared and Hanzo retook control before dropping to a knee.
"It's getting harder to control him," muttered the Grandmaster, as he panted, the exertion from getting Scorpion under control taking its toll. He looked at Inoichi. "Please, avoid that part if you can. It is still painful."
"Sorry," said Inoichi. "But your history was… interesting."
"Keep what you learned of my son to yourself." Inoichi nodded. He looked at Hiruzen.
"I take it you wanted to confirm his origins?" The Sandaime nodded. "He is from another world. One entirely different from our own. I think he would like to introduce himself, though." Hanzo nodded before bowing.
"My name is Hasashi Hanzo. Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu clan of ninja. My story is… a long one. And my path here has been difficult. I suppose I should start with my history with the First Shirai Ryu clan."
(Author's Notes)
For those of you new to my stories, it is suggested you at least read Metaverse Time Crisis Book 1: Mortal Kombat to know this particular Hanzo's backstory. Also, Metaverser: Origins of a Warrior and Mortal Kombat Metaverse as they are extending the history of Hanzo's adopted son, Phoenix and his role in the overarching story. I'll try and keep references to Phoenix as limited as possible while still trying to keep this story its own chapter in the Metaverse, essentially the Multiverse Theory on a larger level. Thanks to everyone coming across and taking an interest in this story. I wanted to do something with Hanzo Hasashi for a while, and this was one of two stories that he fit in more, the other being Fire Force as he is essentially an Infernal. I hope this has been a good start to a story I hope will be at least decent. Hanzo may not be on the same tier as most of the ninja in Naruto, but his skills as Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu are more than enough to hold his own against most Jonin tier Kombatants. He's only able to hold his own against Obito here because Obito can't get passed Hanzo's Hellfire. It burns more than a traditional jutsu. So Obito's only option is to remove the unknown shinobi from play.