Chapter 34: Land of Demons
With Menma and the two clones are making their way to the back of the hokage monument to a long forgotten shrine the uzumaki mask storage temple. They grab the mask of shinigami and proceed to have one of the two clones put it on. With the shinigami called forth by the mask the clone cuts open the stomach of the shinigami causing a similar wound on it. But, a snake crawls out of its mouth. The shinigami's stomach contents appear as the limbs of Orochimaru are absorbed by the snake that slithers away from the uncaring Menma. Menma then performs Edo tensei on the spirit of the fourth hokage using DNA he had extracted from the corpse of the 4th hokage's grave site just recently. The ash and soil forms around the clone till the shape of Minato Namikaze comes into being. The 4th hokage is confused by the site of Menma who places a control tag into the hokage's head.
"Who are you?" Minato asks curious about the young man
"My name is Menma Uzumaki and I wish to have something of yours." Menma says
"What could you want from me? A dead man." Minato says narrowing his eyes
"The yin half of the kyuubi I desire to become it's jinchuriki." Menma says
"Why do you wish to become its jinchuriki." Minato asks with a frown
"I wish to make use of its power to fulfill my wish of vengeance." Menma says
"Using the kyuubi for vengeance in the end will only lead to your destruction." Minato says calmly
"That may very well be the case for me but, I can't watch the wicked go unpunished and for that the kyuubi's power is required." Menma says uncaringly then, with some heat.
"I see there is no diswading you from your path then." Minato says with a sigh
"No there isn't, so would you please transfer the kyuubi to me or I could make you." Menma says politely
"Very well then, I hope that you don't end up like the rest of jinchuriki by taking on this burden." Minato says with worry
"It's too late for that. I've been saddled with enough burdens now I aim to relieve them." Menma says indifferently
"Here it goes Tailed beast transfer jutsu." Minato says stepping toward Menma and placing his hand on Menma's stomach sending the kyuubi into it.
"Thank you Minato, you may return to the afterlife with your fellow Hokage's. I have no further need for you." Menma says releasing the edo tensei causing the sacrifice to slump into the ground as the spirits of the other hokage ascend into the afterlife.
"Now for me to make a deal with the kyuubi." Menma says as he enters the seal on his stomach to find the Yin Kyuubi sitting.
"So, my new Jailor has come to pay me a visit." the kyuubi says
"More like a partnership if you come to agree with my proposal" Menma says showing his sharingan to kyuubi.
"What sort of proposal would that be?" The kyuubi asks curiously at the young man with the sharingan who's ominous aura surpasses even his own.
"I propose you lend me all your power to aid me in my goal in exchange I will reunite you with your other half." Menma says
"What you propose is interesting, what is your goal?" the kyuubi asks even more curious
"It's simple to reach my full potential and to destroy those who have wronged me." Menma says with hate in his voice
"If that is all then, we have a deal human." the kyuubi says with a smirk
"Excellent here's what I want you to do." Menma says as he goes over what he needs of Kyuubi.
Back with Naruko it has been three weeks since Kazuma's attack and is no closer to lifting her mood. She receives a summons from the Hokage to appear so she heads to the hokage's office to find Neji,Lee, and Sakura there.
"Now that you're all here I can begin I'm issuing you a mission to the land of Demons to protect Shion the priestess who most likely will be the target of assassins that are going after her since, the demon Moryo has been released from his seal and his stone army is on the move so, priestess Shion must seal it away again." the hokage says
"We understand hokage-sama" Neji says
"Very good Neji you're the leader for this mission." the hokage says
"I understand and will do my best" Neji says
"Good then you're dismissed head out the west gate in 30 minutes." the hokage says as the team takes off from the hokage tower and head home to gather supplies for the mission. When they're ready they take off and quickly arrive at the land of demons. When they arrive they are greeted by Shion's assistant Taruho who guides them to her chambers. When they arrive Shion declares that Naruko will die from being impaled. Naruko is annoyed at the declaration but Taruho claims her predictions are 100 percent accurate.
"Thanks for the warning, but I don't believe in fate just ask my teammate Neji." Naruko says
"It doesn't matter if you believe it or not you will die." Shion says coldly
"Anyways let us get around to protecting you shall we." Naruko says
"Right we have reason to believe that assassins from a dark clan are coming for Shion's life." Taruho says
"Let them come so, I may fan my flames of youth." Lee says
"I wouldn't worry about that from what I'm sensing from that storm cloud coming this way." Neji says
"Good then, you guys take the priestess and head to the land of swamps to seal moryo while I deal with them." Naruko says
"Good plan I will also, follow you three" Taruho says
"I will carry the priestess" Sakura says, giving Shion a piggyback ride as they make their exit through the back along with Neji and Lee. As the four assassins arrived and attacked the building having Naruko go out to confront them with Shadow clones. They become trapped by earth release: earth corridor trapping them inside a tunnel made of rock and they were incinerated by the assassin's using the running fire technique to destroy them along with wind release: Divine mountain wind amplifying the flames. Naruko goes on the offensive against one of them while the other three rush into the temple to find Shion gone. They begin to pursue the team while Naruko fights Shizuku who uses running fire against Naruko who uses wood release: wood locking wall to block the attack. Naruko then, attacks with Earth release: mud bullet against Shizuku who uses water replacement to turn her body into water and reforms she then, attacks with water release: rising water slicer that slices through the wood locking wall and Naruko dives underground using Hiding like a mole technique to go underneath Shizuku and attempts earth release: rending drill fang but, she simple turns into water once again. Naruko backs away and throughs a tri pronged kunai at her which, simply passes through her and Naruko appears from the other side and performs wood release: tree bind flourishing burial to ensnare her and and crush her killing her since, she burned through too much chakra to use water replacement again. Naruko heads after her team and quickly catches up with them to find Lee is worn out from using the front lotus on his opponent Gitai to end him. Neji is frustrated he fell for a trap that would have had Shion killed if not for Taruho becoming a body double for her and being killed in her place just as the priestess predicted.
"How can you be so cold about someone who died for you?" Naruko asks heatedly
"It's not like I wanted him to die, he just did. It couldn't be helped!" Shion says heatedly
"So, did you care about him at all." Naruko asks with seriousness
"Of course I did just as I do all my subjects but, they keep their distance from me since they fear my visions." Shion says sadly
"I see it must have been lonely for you growing up." Naruko says sympathetically
"Yes it was, I was so, alone." Shion says sadly
"Well you're not alone now and I promise not to die." Naruko says happily
"But, I've already foreseen it." Shion says sternly
"Like I said I don't believe in destiny but, the one we make." Naruko says as she lifts up Shion and carries her into the land of swamps where they come across the stone army. Neji, Lee, and Sakura stay behind to deal with the remaining two assassins while Naruko carries Shion past the stone army. When they are about to cross a ledge to get past the stone army they fall into a lake and they decide to rest before trying again. Shion looks to Naruko with curiosity.
"What if you had the power to see the future and didn't like what you would see would you still fight it for a better outcome." Shion asks
"Of course destiny is not set in stone until it happens so, I will struggle with all my strength to change it." Naruko says
"You're a strange person Naruko." Shion says getting close to Naruko so she can get a piggyback ride back up to the shrine where Moryo's body is being held. Naruko carries her up and distracts the stone army with shadow clones. While, Shion goes into the shrine to put up a barrier but that is what Yomi wants so that Moryo's soul may return to its body. As Moryo leaves Yomi's body killing him to enter his true body the barrier prevents either Moryo or Shion from leaving until one of them is absorbed by the other. Moryo breaks free and surrounds Shion in darkness as Naruko appears to rescue her and is about to be impaled by one of Moryo's tails but is prevented by the mystical bell Shion kept with her that she placed on Naruko. Naruko saves Shion and uses the power of the mystical bell forms and giant rasengan that she hits Moryo with killing him and awakening the volcano they're in. Naruko Hiraishin's outside to a Kunai she left behind and carries Shion a safe distance where Naruko is reunited with her team. Shion thanks Naruko as they return her to the temple in the land of demons. The team then returns home to Konoha.
When they return to Konoha they get a month off but the Village is attacked from above by ninja from the land of sky who use winged mechanical device's to fly and bomb the village. Naruko is given the mission to aid in sending relief to a distant village of Amaru and her teacher doctor Shinno. With Sakura and Hinata they make their way through the jungle to Amaru's village to find it on fire. She accidently triggers a trap that launches kunai at her, but Shinno takes the blows for her, killing him. The team bury Shinno and begin to investigate the surrounding area leaving Amaru to grieve. Hinata splits up from Naruko and Sakura who investigate a nearby temple that is in ruins inside they come across Amaru who is possessed by something called the Zero tails. Sakura attacks it but is sent flying away by the Zero tails who grabs her by the arm and throws her away. The zero tails confronts Naruko sensing the malice in her the Zero tails stabs her with tendrils but, they trigger Naruko to form a 5 tailed shroud that pushes the Zero tails back and begins to try and rip it apart only for the zero tails to put itself back together again. Naruko calms herself and dissipates the cloak as she calls on Amaru to not to give into despair and hatred. It works and the Zero tails leaves Amaru's body leaving her unconscious. Suddenly the ground begins to shake as the temple begins to rise into the air and floats. Meanwhile, Sai along with Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Shino have located the fleet where the land of sky launched their attack. Sai gets into an aerial dog fight with the ninja from the land of sky while, Shino's bugs begin to sabotage and swarm over the ships causing them to take damage. Back with Naruko and Amaru they walk inside to find Shinno alive and acting strangely.
"What is wrong with you Shinno?" Amaru asks
"Nothing is wrong my dear it's what is in fact quite right now that I've stopped pretending to be an innocent doctor." Shinno says
"What are you saying?" Amaru asks confused
"What I'm saying is the past twenty years has been an act in order for me to study the zero tails." Shinno says with a smirk
"That can't be you're a kind man that saved my life from a horrible disease." Amaru says worriedly
"All of it was an act in order to gather what I needed to restore the land of sky." Shinno says smugly
"But, what about all we've done together does that not mean anything to you." Amaru says tearfully to which, Shinno laughs
"The only thing that was real was my medical skills." Shinno says confidently
"Shut up how can you make light of Amaru's feelings!" Naruko shouts as she gets close to Shinno to punch him but, his body revival technique negates the damage.
"This technique I developed allows me to use the 8 inner gates without any drawbacks as well as have an impressive recovery speed." Shinno says as Naruko assaults him with shadow clones that he man handles quickly dispelling them with a darkness wave. The real Naruko assaults Shinno with gentle fist to no effect and is hit with the revival fist sending her to the wall next to Amaru who ties her scarf around Naruko's injured arm.
"Please just stop this sensei, I love you!" Amaru shouts her feelings causing Shinno to start laughing again. Only to get punched in the face by Naruko who sends him flying into a throne chair.
"That's not how you address a girl's feelings you jackass." Naruko says enraged
"If you would like to have a taste of more of my power I'll happily oblige you." Shinno says getting up as the bruise on his face heals. Naruko launches shadow clones again and gives an assault to Shinno that sends him flying into the back wall. Covered in bruises he's slow to get up but notices someone else has arrived.
"I see you're rather busy with him Naruko but I need him to come with me." Sasuke says stepping into the room.
"Sasuke!" Naruko says surprised
"Heh you're from Orochimaru, what does he want with me?" Shinno says as he gets up and forms a fighting stance.
"He needs you to perfect his body swapping jutsu." Sasuke says as he stands before Shinno
"I'm afraid that I will have to deny your request." Shinno says charging Sasuke who disables Shinno's technique quickly thanks to his sharingan analyzing his body. Shinno then, loses his physic and hair and slowly backs into an area of the room pulling a scroll out of the wall and tossing it to Sasuke.
"That should provide him with the knowledge he needs." Shinno says as he activates a trap door falling through it into another room. With Naruko and Sasuke in pursuit. They arrive in a chamber that has the zero tails in a cocoon and the room steals chakra. Naruko jumps in along with Sasuke to attack Shinno who has bonded with the zero tails and it launches its shadow arms made of mucus to capture Sasuke and Naruko. The zero tails starts to absorb their chakra so, they unleash it full bore causing the zero tails to be overwhelmed with chakra letting them go. Sasuke slashes the shadow arms as Naruko finishes the zero tails off with a big ball rasengan sending it flying through the wall killing it and Shinno. The two of them make their way outside to find Amaru along with the villagers and Hinata in a hot air balloon ready to take off. Naruko tosses a tri pronged Kunai to Hinata who grabs it to hold onto. As Naruko destroys the ledge Sasuke is standing on while, promising to return him to the village someday. Naruko begins to form shadow clones that use rasengan's to tear the sky fortress apart till it explodes in midair and crashes as Naruko Hiraishin's to the kunai she gave to Hinata. The blimp carrying the people lands back at the village where Sakura is waiting for them. Amaru decides to stay with the villagers to treat them as Naruko, Sakura, and Hinata make the return trip to Konoha. Meanwhile, with the fleet destroyed by Shino's bugs the team makes their way back to the village to report on dealing with the enemy.