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Summary:
To save everyone, Marco used his current existence. Never did he imagine that he will be reborn to a new world different from his own. It is a world filled with ninjas and creatures as large as Sea Kings that are made of pure living chakra. What can a pirate like him do to survive especially if he is a freaking bird? Thatch is right; he does look like a chicken. And a certain blue-eyed blonde is thinking of him as her new pet.
Author's note:
Our events in the Chūnin Selection Exams are a bit different from canon. And of course, teme er - I mean Sasuke-chan's life choices is going to be revealed after a few blinks… uh chapters.
So yeah.
Enjoy reading!
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Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li
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Part 18
Naruto isn't new to fighting for her life.
Her right to live.
Especially now that she knew why majority of the villagers hated her.
It was because of the kyuubi.
Disregarding the said thought, she focuses on her surroundings. And their current dilemma.
She was separated from the others when a gigantic snake appeared out of nowhere and attempted to eat her - that blasted serpent swallowed her whole, damn it.
So she took care of that real quick.
Hah! She already knew that overeating is bad for one's health.
But the slime that she had gotten from staying inside the creature's stomach… ugh! Totally disgusting.
Anyhow, seems like the 'threat' finally made their move.
Keeping her agitation to a minimum, hence to avoid Marco's possible intervention, she rushes towards Sasuke.
Whoever attacked her is after the teme. Was it because of his swirly red eyes?
She does admit it looks okay but no one can really compare to Marco's eyes especially when it is on fire (figuratively).
Or there could be another reason that made the bastard so obsessed in getting stronger.
Either way, she'll stop them. She won't let anyone harm her precious people.
Despite the animosity during their academy days, Sasuke is…
Reinforcing her hands with haki, Naruto attacks surprising the fool that tried to kill her.
…Sasuke's a friend.
"Get down!"
A brother.
Using her newly learned wind jutsu (and applying the concept of her sensing stuff thingy), Naruto releases her wind chakra with variants of wild gushes in every direction. Ah, she really need to think of an awesome name.
Thankfully, Sasuke was able to drag Sakura down and protected themselves by hiding in one of the fallen trunks to avoid the onslaught of her super wind jutsu.
Their attacker (surprised by her sudden arrival) wasn't able to dodge thus he was sliced into pieces. Or so they thought.
"Kukuku. So very interesting…"
Sasuke who was able to recover from the killing intent their opponent releases earlier, drags both of them behind his back much to Naruto's indignant reaction.
"No one told me how good the village 'pet' has become…" The tattered remains of their enemy revealed an androgynous looking man (or woman) with long hair and snake like features who commented cheerfully. His (or her) disguise paving way for a more intimidating individual.
"Shut it you- hmmprh…"
Sakura finally recovered her bearings and places her hand over Naruto's mouth shutting her off. Giving Sasuke a short glance, the pinkette watches their attacker cautiously. "Why would Orochimaru of the Sannin be interested in lowly genins like us?"
Laughing boisterously, the now named 'Orochimaru' removes the skin that peels off his face from Naruto's wind attack showing his real face. The three reacted methodically (Naruto rolls her eyes in frustration by the absurdity of their current situation) and positioned one another in a strategic way to protect each other backs that was noticed as soon as they started moving by their attacker who shakes his head in amusement.
"That is for me to know…" With a wide grin, the man releases another wave of killing intent -more potent than the first one, "…and for you three to find out."
Unlike his earlier attempt, Team 7 was able to counter his sakki that earns a slight frown on his features.
And then, the blonde created hundreds of clones which she transformed into copies of themselves and swarmed at him - a poorly disguised attempt to fool him.
Ah. Solid clones. Caused by Mizuki's idiocy if he is not mistaken.
Perhaps the girl needs to be put down to stop herself from interfering with his plans especially after he saw the boy's dependence towards her.
No. No. That won't do.
He needs Uchiha Sasuke to be what he was before.
An avenger.
With that said, Orochimaru laughs out maniacally and destroyed all the clones who attacked him leaving his prey on their own with no escape.
'You are mine, Uchiha Sasuke!'
.
.
Damn it!
The bastard summoned another fucking snake who is way bigger than the first one.
Thankfully, she has teme and Sakura this time and they were able to devise a plan to lure the creature away.
But then the maniac appeared out of nowhere (popping like a stupid mushroom) trapping her and Sasuke with a gravity something jutsu as he took hold of Sakura threateningly with a kunai close to the pinkette's jugular.
"As much as it amuses me to see the three of you fight me and somewhat succeeding, I have better things to do than waste my time on…"
"Fuck you, you damn bastard!"
Raising one brow for the profanities that came after, the Sannin pushes Sakura on her knees and pulled her hair back as he kneeled behind her preventing any movements from the girl.
The two paled especially when the man draw his kunai up despite the pinkette's whimper, Orochimaru's eyes sparkled happily upon seeing his victim's blood.
"Stop it!"
"Let her go!"
And because of that chance, the Snake Sannin decided to make his move especially when he felt a very powerful chakra signature coming their way.
Hmm. It wasn't Hiruzen-sensei or Jiraiya… who could it be?
Better get it over quickly or he'll never have another chance.
.
.
An hour or so after the first stage of the Chūnin Exams…
Thatch was preparing something special for the children to enjoy with everyone once they finish the second stage of the exam. Perhaps he needed to add Marco's favorite dessert as an apology for their attempt to contain him.
Haku is kinda tense especially since she is the perpetrator of their current shenanigans but he assured the kind girl not to worry about their actions. That in case Marco needed to blame someone, he'll take full responsibility.
But then… he sensed that something is so very wrong.
At that exact moment, Marco's haki or what these people called 'chakra' spiked to epic proportions especially when they felt him wake up judging from the shudder their apartment felt - possibly the entire building itself.
Well, ever since he started hanging out with the children, he grew awfully familiar with their own haki. Ah aura er chakras. Damn it.
Haku stands in surprise seeing his murderous reaction and that the door to their room slammed open showing Marco's partial Phoenix form.
He is really really furious.
"If you do that again, I swear to god you'll regret it…"
Taking the arm band where Kubikiribōchō is sealed, Thatch rushes towards the window opening it wide for the other pirate to pass through.
"You can definitely scold me later for that, Marco," The taller man motioned Haku towards him to clear the way. "…even if I regret nothing about it. But for now you need to go, quickly!" He did wince slightly after hearing Marco's colorful profanities directed towards his person.
After the Phoenix left with trails of feathers and flames, the two jumps outside and was greeted by Kakashi and one of the ANBU assigned to watch over them who probably felt the commotion inside their home.
"Thatch-san, what's wrong?" Kakashi asks anxiously. As the only shinobi who accompanies the younger looking pirate more often than the others, the said man is one of the very few who knows Marco's temperament and homicidal rages.
"I'm surprised you haven't felt it but-"
"Naruto and the others are in danger." Haku hastily answers on his behalf. The girl tied her long hair in a bun as per her usual getup whenever she's training or preparing for battle.
Looking at the other masked shinobi questioningly, Kakashi followed as they rush towards the Hokage building where the Third is already waiting for them with Nara Shikaku, the Jōnin Commander and another set of ANBUs at the topmost floor overlooking the entire village.
"We already know that the exams itself is dangerous." Thatch muttered disbelievingly at Kakashi's indignant reaction. "But why would a high level ninja fight with three genins in the first place?" The jōnin did pale at that declaration especially when the Third frowned in response to the pirate's statement.
"I received a report from the borders that three participants from Kusa are found dead with their faces 'stolen'." Sarutobi added with dread filling his veins. It can't be. He knew one person capable of such horror.
"What?!"
With an unperturbed look, the Third gestured for the Nara to give an update of the situation. "Shikaku?"
"Anko is enroute. But we all know that she is no match for 'him'…" The Nara stopped and may have sensed something significant especially after Kakashi, the pirate and the girl turned their gaze towards the direction of the Forbidden Forest. "I am assuming that your attention is caused by the other 'one' who is supposed to be here?"
"Well now that you mentioned it," Thatch scratches his goatee apprehensively and looked at everyone who are all looking at him in turn, waiting for his response. Haku-chan included. She did took pity on him and explained everything up until Marco's murderous outrage minutes ago.
"I am not certain if I should worry about anyone who crosses his path…" Shikaku muttered, disbelief clearly heard from his voice.
He did heard rumors about the teen that can transform into a blue flaming bird who took a liking to his son's former classmate and the current jailer of the kyuubi.
It could also be his imagination but he might have seen the Hokage relax albeit a little.
Huh?
With a sigh, he ordered his ANBUs to mobilize for a possible attack.
Tch.
How very troublesome this day is.
.
.
Back in Training Ground 44…
Sakura can feel their worry.
But she knew she has to do something.
She cannot depend on anyone forever.
"Someone told us," Wiping the blood that seeps from the wound the sannin gave her, Sakura tried to stand to her full height and directed her own will towards the sannin. "Power isn't given… it is earned."
"Oho?" Placing a hand on his hip, Orochimaru cocked his head curiously with an amused expression as he pushes her down further. "Is that so…"
Remembering Marco and Haku's teachings, Sakura reinforces chakra into her fists and coated her back with haki (not noticing the disbelieving look the man suddenly gave her). With a deep breath, she raises her left arm while twisting her body backwards. Grabbing a handful of her hair the sannin uses to hold her, she quickly procured a kunai from her pouch with her right hand and sliced it separating her from him.
Surprised at her actions, she took advantage of that opportunity and draw her fist back.
"Shannaro!"
Shattering the ground, she smirked triumphantly as the sannin jumps out of the way of the crumbling land before them. Sasuke and Naruto rushes beside her as they watch how Orochimaru's features turned a little more vicious.
"That's awesome Sakura!" The blonde gushes in excitement as she tried to cheer at her actions. Her smile did fell when she saw her hair.
Shrugging her shoulders dismissively, she returned her worry with a bright smile. "I guess a new haircut is needed and that the length is starting to get in the way…"
While Sasuke is looking at her like it was the first time he saw her.
Weird.
Controlling her freak out (insert: inner fangirling), the pinkette shook her head to clear her thoughts and motioned for the enemy that is still in front of them.
"Focus, guys. He's still eyeing us…"
The Sannin gave them a bloodthirsty grin and attacked.
Sakura could not stop herself but froze in horror when the man summoned another of those slimy creatures overwhelming the three of them with their numbers.
Naruto tried to use her wind chakra with Sasuke using his fire. But the snakes paid no mind for their slaughtered kin and continues to swarm them at the same time. All Sakura can do at the moment is pray for a miracle as her body started to feel the effects of their current situation. The two did turn towards her worriedly when she fell on one knee breathing harder than before.
Hoping… Oh Kami-sama she hopes that he's on his way.
'Help us, Marco!'
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Interlude: Gaara
When he saw her, he could not stop himself but shiver with anticipation. 'Mother' is ecstatic.
He- they could not wait to taste her blood.
But then he saw him.
Someone he needed to dispose of real quick.
Someone who will make sure to keep him away from his prey.
Nonono!
No. He- they won't let him. He will eliminate him first.
Make him suffer.
And then- then he will allow him to watch how he destroys her.
How he will let mother drink her blood.
Giggling in excitement as he continues to ignore his pathetic siblings who watches him cautiously across the room, Gaara made a perfect replica of Uzumaki Naruto using his sand. Ignoring Baki's warning look, he uses his chakra to purify it.
In its wake, after the last sand particle fell off - a miniature crystal statue of Konohagakure's jinchūriki with nine tails and ears of a fox stands regally at the palm of his hands.
A truly frightening sight if you ask someone especially when the statue's eyes glow red.
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Author's other note:
I have no excuse. I'm so sorry.
Although I do want to make sure that the next chapters are covered er planned. Even at least in draft before I post a new one. So yeah.
Mistakes might be a bit too much. So that's on me. Peace out!
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