A/N Hey guys, I want to apologize for not updating in a while since I was messed up by Kurama dying in Boruto so I had to take a break from this story for a while, but I'm back and ready to begin the Chunin Exams arc so I can't wait to make some big changes that you all won't expect, now let's get started.
"You've all been assembled for only one reason, and as most of you have probably realized, it should be obvious by the people here," Hiruzen said while the other jonin and I were standing before him.
"So, it's that time already?" Kakashi muttered while Genma, a leaf shinobi with a senbon in his mouth, nodded.
"It's already been reported to the other villages, and I have seen the other teams enter the village, so when is it?" Genma asked, then Hiruzen stood up.
"In that case, I wish to announce that the chunin selection exams shall begin seven days from now so we will hear from those supervising the new genin...now, do any of you recommend your teams for the chunin exams?" Hiruzen asked, then Kakashi and I shared a nod before we focused on the Third Hokage.
"Kakashi Hatake and Seth Mercer of Team 7 nominate Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha for the chunin selection exams," I said stoically, then Iruka widened his eyes.
"What?!" Iruka exclaimed in shock, though we ignored him as Kurenai was next.
"Kurenai Yuuhi of Team 8 nominate Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame for the chunin selection exams," Kurenai stated until it was Asuma's turn.
"Asuma Sarutobi of Team 10 nominate Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi for the chunin selection exams," Asuma announced before the chunin behind us whispered to each other as Hiruzen frowned thoughtfully.
"Interesting...how rare for all of them to be nominated," Hiruzen mumbled to himself until Iruka cleared his throat to get his attention.
"Lord Hokage, permission to speak freely?" Iruka asked, causing the older man to look at him.
"Very well, tell us what's on your mind, Iruka," Hiruzen said before Iruka nodded.
"Lord Third, with all due respect, nine out of ten of these genins were recently my students and I know that their skills have become exceptional ever since the academy's curriculum was changed a few years ago, but it's still too early for them to take the exams so they need more experience before they're ready for something like this," Iruka pointed out in concern as Kakashi looked at him.
"Iruka, I was a chunin when I was six years younger than Naruto," Kakashi told him, causing Iruka to shoot him a glare.
"Naruto is completely different than you so are you and Seth trying to destroy them?!" Iruka retorted, then I sighed.
"Iruka, I completely understand that you're worried since Naruto and Sasuke are my adopted sons and I did think long and hard about this decision, but they aren't your students anymore and they did survive two A-rank missions at the beginning of their careers, something that's never happened before in this era so they've proven that they're ready for the exams.
If it makes you feel any better, they will be just fine as long as they remember their training and the importance of teamwork," I reassured with a calm smile, and Iruka couldn't argue with that since I had a point.
"I know, but I'm still worried that it'll be too much for them," Iruka admitted uneasily, then Hiruzen hummed thoughtfully.
"I see...in that case, how about we hold a special preliminary test to see if they truly are ready for the exams," Hiruzen offered, catching everyone's attention while Iruka blinked at that.
"A preliminary test?" Iruka questioned, and Hiruzen nodded.
"Correct, just think of it as a way to see what the next generation of ninja in this era are capable of and if they can withstand the chunin exams, so that should ease your fears for the genins," Hiruzen said before he began to explain what he had in mind until the meeting was over and I went home.
Tomorrow morning, I was walking with Kakashi after we had contacted our teammates to meet with us, though I was mostly lost in thought about what Iruka had said yesterday and couldn't get it out of my mind.
"Having second thoughts, Seth?" Kurama inquired suddenly, and I frowned slightly.
"Well, I understand where Iruka is coming from since I know just how dangerous the chunin exams are, but Naruto and the others have been progressing really well these past few months and they survived two A-rank missions, which is also impressive so you could say that I'm hoping things go well for them," I replied in concern.
"I still don't understand you humans and your sympathy, but I suppose I'm learning after being stuck with you for nearly thirteen years," Kurama told me, causing me to smirk.
"You know, you really have changed over the years and I think you've become a big softy because of it," I teased, causing Kurama to sputter at that.
"S-Shut the fuck up because I'm not soft, and don't you forget it!" Kurama retorted indignantly, making me chuckle under my breath and causing Kakashi to send me a weird look.
"Relax, I'm just messing with you but seriously, I'm glad to have met you and that we aren't at each other's throats anymore," I said warmly, then I could sense the surprise coming off of the giant fox before he huffed.
"Don't be ridiculous, I only decided to work with you because you and the boy are a better option than being controlled by that man again," Kurama grumbled, though I wasn't convinced.
"Uh-huh, sure you did but either way, he's still out there and we need to be ready once he comes for us," I pointed out seriously.
"Agreed, that man is a threat to all tailed beasts and I'll be damned if I let him control me again," Kurama agreed firmly just as Kakashi and I began to arrive at the bridge where Naruto and the others were waiting, then the large fox and I ended the conversation just before I showed up at the bridge with Kakashi and the three genins looked at us.
"Seth-sensei, I expected Kakashi-sensei to be late but not you," Sakura pointed out, causing me to rub the back of my head sheepishly.
"Sorry about that, we were busy getting you guys signed up for the chunin exams," I said before the others widened their eyes at that.
"The chunin exams? I hear they're dangerous so are you and Kakashi-sensei sure we're ready for it?" Naruto asked, then Kakashi handed him and the other two genins the application forms.
"Here, these are your application forms but keep in mind that this is just a nomination so whether or not you decide to take the exams is up to you, though if you do want to take them, then be sure to turn those forms in at the Hokage tower tomorrow at 4 PM.
Once that's done, come to room 301 at the academy six days from now so we'll give you the rest of the day and tomorrow to think about it, and we'll go from there once you make a decision," Kakashi explained as Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke examined the application forms they were holding until we left them to their thoughts.
"So, do you think they'll agree to register for the exams?" I asked as Kakashi looked thoughtful.
"Maybe, we'll have to wait before they come to a decision," Kakashi answered, then we separated and I went off to do my own thing as I thought about how interesting this year's chunin exams were going to be.
After that, Team 7 had turned in their applications for the chunin exams and it was now three days before the exams would truly begin as I witnessed many ninjas from other villages show up until I passed by the sand team during my trip back from the store and Kurama hummed thoughtfully.
"Something on your mind?" I asked curiously.
"I sensed the boy with the gourd carefully for chakra similar to mine and your theory was right, he is a jinchuriki so this could get interesting," Kurama informed me, and I was surprised that the sand village would send their own jinchuriki here during the chunin exams since it was risky.
"I see...which reminds me, you once said that there were eight others just like you and I never asked about that, so what are they like?" I inquired.
"Before I get to that, let me start off by explaining that there are nine of us in total and each of us is distinguished by the number of tails we have so there's Shukaku the one-tailed tanuki, who is a complete psychopath that craves carnage but you shouldn't have any problems with him since he's the weakest of us because of only having one tail.
Next is Matatabi the two-tailed fire cat, who is one of the tailed beasts I don't really mind since she's pretty respectful while there's Isobu, the three-tailed turtle and I don't really care much for him but I can tolerate him if he wasn't incompetent.
Next is Son Goku, the four-tailed ape and he tended to annoy the shit out of me for thinking that he was smarter and better than me, which is bullshit and there's Kokuo the five-tailed...well, we don't really know," Kurama explained.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked in confusion.
"Exactly what I said, we don't really know what she is since all of us resemble some kind of animal but the five-tails is a mixture of a horse and dolphin, I think...anyway, Saiken the six-tails looks like a slug and he's a little cheery so I think you two would get along.
Chomei is the seven-tails and he looks like a large flying beetle while he's a pretty laid back type of person, hence why he calls himself Lucky Seven Chomei so he's tolerable and then there's Gyuki, the eight-tails who looks like a cross between an octopus and a giant ox while he's pretty stubborn and we never saw eye to eye on things.
You already know that idiot jinchuriki of his, Killer B so I kinda feel sorry for the eight-tails since he has to put up with something that annoying and finally, there's me, Kurama the nine-tailed fox and the strongest of the tailed beasts," Kurama continued, and I filed away all the information I had learned while I was fascinated by all of it.
"Huh, sounds like you guys are different in appearance and personality so it would be interesting to meet the other tailed beasts, though I'm probably going to have to stay clear of Shukaku since he sounds dangerous," I said before Kurama chuckled.
"I wouldn't worry, that tanuki shouldn't be a problem for you since you're my jinchuriki and you gained all of my power after unlocking the seal, so you'd be able to crush him easily if he decided to attack you and you went on the offensive against him.
If you want my opinion, it would be fucking hilarious to see that annoying idiot getting his ass stomped by you and it'd certainly be entertaining if you ask me," Kurama said with a snicker while I sweatdropped at that.
"You know, you're enjoying the thought of hurting someone a little too much," I said dryly before the large fox huffed.
"I've been sealed up three times now and had little to no interaction with my previous two containers while I also had no way of viewing the outside world, not to mention that Kushina had me chained up to a boulder with rods piercing my hands, torso, and tails in her mindscape so at least yours and Naruto's seals aren't as bad as that, which is why I'm going to take as much entertainment as I can get," Kurama told me unamusingly, making me grimace at the thought of him being in so much agony from being restrained like that in Kushina's seal.
"When you put it like that, I don't envy you for being put through that kind of hell," I replied as I sighed out loud.
"It wasn't pleasant, I can tell you that much," Kurama commented as I continued walking home.
Later that night, Hiruzen's special preliminary test for the genin began and Iruka transformed into a hidden rain ninja to ambush members of Team 7 and the other eight teams to see how much they've improved as Kakashi and I waited for him to come back until Iruka body-flickered next to us in the appearance of the rain shinobi.
"So, how was it?" Kakashi asked before Iruka dispelled the transformation, and I was taken aback to see his face bruised and matching a black eye while he was grimacing in pain.
"I'm not going to lie, they hit much harder now," Iruka groaned as he started clutching his ribs, and I chuckled in disbelief.
"I'm guessing Naruto and the other two members of Team 7 gave you a nasty ass-kicking?" I asked dubiously, though it wasn't exactly a question as Iruka sighed.
"Let me put it this way, you and Kakashi trained them a little too well and the other eight teams also gave me a run for my money so I think they'll be just fine in the chunin exams," Iruka stated, then I whistled in astonishment.
"Damn, if they've become this good as preteens, then I'm almost scared to imagine what they'll be like when they're fully grown," I admitted as Kurama snickered in amusement.
"Either way, you're right so I can only hope that things go well for them during the exams," Iruka said, then I nodded in agreement before I looked up at the night sky and smiled while I was eager to see how far they've come.
A few days later, it was finally time for the exams as Kakashi and I arrived at the academy before heading in and making it to the entrance of where the first exam was going to take place, then we proceeded to wait for Naruto and the others to show up until they finally arrived and we waved at them.
"Hey, glad you three showed up so I hope you're ready," Kakashi greeted while the three genins started looking serious.
"Senseis, is it really true that the chunin exams are very dangerous?" Naruto asked, and I nodded.
"Yes, they can be if you're not prepared for it and it was a good thing all three of you showed up together because if even so much as one of you wasn't here, then you all wouldn't have been allowed to enter the room behind us," I said, causing Sakura to look puzzled.
"Wait, I thought we had the choice to enter the exams or not, so was that a lie?" Sakura questioned in confusion.
"Sort of, it wasn't exactly the truth but we didn't fully lie to you either since we didn't want you guys to feel pressured or obligated into joining the exams, which was why you had to make this choice of your own free will but any one of you choosing to not come would affect your teammates as well since we wouldn't let the other two in if the third member of Team 7 didn't show up.
Either way, it's a moot point in the end since you all came for the right reasons and we're proud of you so we couldn't have asked for a better team," Kakashi complimented as he and I stepped aside.
"Well, good luck and remember your training," I said, causing the three genins to nod before they walked forward and entered the room until the doors closed.
"They've come a long way, haven't they?" Kakashi wondered before I smiled softly.
"Yeah, now it's all up to them so let's listen in to see how things will go in the first exam," I said while Kakashi nodded.
"One thing you should know, Ibiki Morino is the proctor for this exam so I figured I should warn you about that," Kakashi told me, making my eyes widen until I grimaced.
"Oh hell, I really hope they'll be okay because Ibiki isn't someone to take lightly since I once worked in the T&I department for a short time and had witnessed the man's terrifying reputation," I stated while sounding worried for Naruto and the others.
After that, we listened in while Naruto and the others encountered the other eight teams and chatted for a little bit before someone by the name of Kabuto introduced himself, then I heard him using some kind of cards to give information to the rookie nine until I heard him bring up the sound village and I frowned thoughtfully.
"Kakashi, isn't Jiraiya looking into the sound village right now?" I inquired before Kakashi nodded.
"Yeah, the Third Hokage is having him do recon on the village since it suddenly appeared recently and that was suspicious enough to warrant an investigation to make sure the village didn't have bad intentions," Kakashi explained, then I narrowed my eyes in suspicion as I looked back at the doors.
'I don't know who this Kabuto character is, but he shouldn't be sharing so much information like that since the teams from other villages can hear it clear as day so it'll definitely give them an advantage, and shouldn't that be too much intel for a simple genin to have?
Whoever Kabuto is, he's someone I need to keep an eye on since something about him is off,' I thought just before some kind of commotion broke out on the other side of the doors, then Naruto and the others were asking if Kabuto was alright as a couple of people from the sound village were mocking him.
Then I heard Ibiki showing up and yelling for everyone to shut up until he got started by having everyone take their seats for the written test and started explaining the rules for the first exam, then it began and the exam went on for an hour as teams were kicked out for failing while Kankuro left the room to head somewhere and came back a few minutes later until Ibiki had everyone stop and started a little psychological test by having the genins answer a trick question that would either have them pass or fail.
I noticed that Kakashi was gone, but that didn't matter as I continued listening and understood that Ibiki was attempting to fail them by manipulating the genin into quitting, then Kiba protested against one of the new rules but Ibiki shot him down very quickly by commenting that it was his exam, his rules as Kurama chuckled.
"I actually kinda like the guy, so is there any room for me inside his head?" Kurama quipped wryly, causing me to show a deadpanned look.
"Okay, are you done being a smartass?" I questioned dryly before Kurama broke out laughing from my annoyance.
I returned my focus on the exam and heard Ibiki giving people the chance to quit, and his psychological tactic worked as genin started to leave the room before several teams were left until Ibiki announced that those who were still left had passed the exam, much to everyone's confusion before Ibiki explained the true purpose of the first exam by gathering intel and seeing if everyone was successful in accomplishing it without getting caught by the sentinels that were in the room.
Then he warned them that gathering intel can be dangerous and life-threatening because of the risk of getting caught by the enemy and how you had to be sure the intel was accurate since the slightest mistake would also get you and your team killed or a village completely destroyed, which was why the genins were tested in the first place so that it was to see if they could gather information under pressure.
Finally, Ibiki declared that the first exam was over and I heard glass smashing until Anko dramatically introduced herself while I rolled my eyes, sweatdropping since her crashing through a window wasn't necessary and someone would have to fix the damage to school property as Ibiki and Anko chatted until Anko spoke to the genins and everyone was free to leave after that.
The doors opened and the remaining genins started pouring out with Anko about to leave too, then she spotted me and looked surprised before she nodded in acknowledgment and approached me.
"Seth, I wasn't expecting you to still be here so you heard everything?" Anko asked.
"Yeah, though there are other ways in showing up then crashing through a window," I pointed out dryly, causing Anko to huff.
"You're no fun, I was just making things more interesting is all," Anko grumbled.
"I'm sure you were, only some poor bastard will now have to replace the window you broke if you ask me," I remarked before I saw Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke about to leave.
"Well, hope your team is brave enough to face the second exam because I'm going to enjoy crushing them," Anko told me with a grin, causing me to sweatdrop as I sighed.
"You know, you are way too sadistic for your own good...anyway, I'm gonna go since Naruto and Sasuke will need a good night's sleep for tomorrow," I said before I walked away from Anko and met up with Naruto and the others.
Tomorrow, the second exam had begun and I met up with Anko at the entrance of the forest of death, then we proceeded to chat while she handed me a stick of dango before I heard screams coming from inside the dangerous forest and knew some poor bastards died gruesomely.
"Huh, sounds like it started," Anko commented while she sounded a little too happy to hear people dying, making me sweatdrop.
"Yeah, certainly sounds like it," I replied as I felt sorry for the genin that died in there, but there was nothing I could do about it since I wasn't allowed to interfere during the second exam.
As time passed by, we continued to relax and tell stories while also laughing at a few jokes until a chunin appeared in front of us, then I noticed that something was wrong since he seemed very tense and I wondered what had him on edge.
"Proctor, Captain Mercer, we have a problem," the chunin said while sounding urgent, catching my attention and I looked serious.
"What kind of problem?" I asked.
"I think you two should see this because it's unlike anything I've ever witnessed before," the chunin suggested, then Anko and I shared a look before we finished our snacks and followed him quickly.
Pretty soon, we arrived at a buddha site where three bodies were lying next to it, all of them looking dead while lying face-first on the ground with blood on the buddha statues as Anko and I approached the crime scene to figure out what was going on and we met up with two other chunin.
"So, what are we looking at?" Anko asked as I frowned thoughtfully.
"I discovered the bodies earlier and figured you two should know about it," Izumo said as I knelt down in front of one of the bodies.
"Do we know who they are?" I questioned and Kotetsu looked at me.
"I went through their belongings and found their IDs, which told me that they're hidden grass ninja and that they're registered for the chunin exams...but they weren't just killed," Kotetsu explained, prompting me to send him a puzzled look.
"What the hell do you mean by that and why didn't you check their faces to identify them?" I asked in confusion, then Izumo grimaced.
"That's the part we wanted to show you, so take a look," Izumo suggested, creating more confusion as I lifted the head of the body in front of me until I widened my eyes to see the person's face gone with only the front of the skull and a pair of eyes staring back at me before I lowered the head.
"Jesus Christ...her face is gone," I muttered in shock.
"Not just hers, but the others as well so I have to admit that I've never seen anything like this before in my life," Kotetsu said while an ugly feeling started appearing in my gut as I realized something.
'Wait, there weren't two genin teams sent here from the hidden grass village and these bodies look fresh so if these are the real ones, then who were the three grass ninjas that entered the forest of death?' I thought as I stood up, not liking the look of this but then I noticed Anko looking frightened as she trembled and started clutching the left side of her neck.
"Anko, what is it?" I asked, feeling very uneasy from seeing her in such an agitated state since there wasn't a lot that could cause her to have that type of reaction.
"Not now, we need to see their IDs," Anko said before the chunin that brought us here handed us a folder.
"They're right here," the chunin spoke up before Anko and I took a look at the photos, and I studied the faces of the genin while Anko froze in horror.
"Seth, we're in serious trouble," Anko told me, and I was puzzled at first until I realized that only one thing would cause her to act like this, and I started tensing up.
"Anko, you don't mean..." I trailed off, afraid of even saying it as Anko nodded.
"Yes, he's here and in the forest of death right now," Anko confirmed, and the blood drained from my face while I understood that this was seriously bad but I was wondering why he was here until it hit me and my eyes bugged out in pure horror.
"Oh god...alert the Hokage and get platoons of Anbu over to the forest of death right now because if he's here, then there's only one reason for that and I can't let it happen," I gasped in terror as I was about to leave the area.
"What's going on?" Izumo asked in confusion, but he flinched when he saw how frantic I was.
"There's no time for questions, Sasuke Uchiha is in danger and I need to find Team 7 ASAP so that's an order!" I snapped urgently, causing the chunin to nod before they quickly left and Anko looked at me.
"Seth, neither of us will be able to handle him alone and we don't have time to search the entire forest together," Anko pointed out.
"Agreed, so we separate and search both halves of the forest and if one of us finds him, then sent out a burst of chakra to alert the other," I instructed, then we quickly left the crime scene and hurried back to the forest of death.
Once we leaped over the fence and entered the forest, we went off in different directions and I formed wings from my back to move even faster as I began my search and prayed to any kind of deity that our target hasn't found Sasuke and the other members of Team 7 yet or god help them if he did.
"Kurama, do you sense anything?" I asked tensely, and the large fox hummed thoughtfully until he let out a sound of victory.
"Got something, I'm picking up a largely concentrated burst of killer intent just to the west of here, way too much for a genin to have," Kurama notified me, and I was relieved that I might make it in time.
'Thank god, maybe I'm not too late,' I thought before I flew at top speed with the trees rushing past me in a blur until I picked up what Kurama informed me.
I felt a chill go down my spine from how intense it was and moved as fast as possible with the trees nothing more than blurs until I soon arrived in a clearing, just in time to see the grass ninja imposter impossibly extending her neck and about to attack Sasuke by biting him when I reacted quickly, swooping down and sending a nasty kick into the imposter's head that sent her flying through a few trees that collapsed on top of her until I landed onto the ground with my wings melding into my back.
"Sensei!" Sakura cried out in relief, making me look at her and Sasuke to see what their condition was before I saw that they looked worse for wear and I noticed that Naruto wasn't with them, seriously alarming me for a few seconds until I spotted him pinned to a nearby tree with a kunai and looking unconscious.
"Sakura, Sasuke, that didn't stop that grass ninja so take Naruto and get out of here as fast as you can because you don't stand a chance against her," I instructed uneasily, making sure to send out a burst of chakra to alert Anko as Sasuke and Sakura paused at that.
"Sensei, why are you here?" Sasuke questioned in confusion, then he froze when I sent him a look of complete urgency and a little bit of fear.
"No time for questions, that's no ordinary genin and what I did won't keep her down for long so grab Naruto and run as fast as you can because things are going to get really ugly soon!" I shouted tensely, making the two genin jump with startled expressions before they complied.
Sasuke and Sakura hurried over to Naruto so that they could get him down and proceeded to bolt from the area, leaving me alone with the imposter as she rose up out of the ground like it was water and I saw that half her face was peeling away, revealing a pale one underneath it with her eye looking reptilian while the pupil was a slit.
"Well, talk about unexpected so I suppose that I should commend you for ambushing me while I was focused on the Uchiha, and I see he got away so that's a pity but I'll track him down later once I deal with you," the imposter told me with an amused smirk as I pulled my sword out and got into a combat stance.
"I know you're not one of the grass ninjas who registered for the chunin exams so why don't you show your true self, Orochimaru of the Sannin," I demanded coldly, causing the imposter to chuckle before she reached for her face and tore it off to reveal the male sannin himself as he looked slightly impressed.
"I see you were able to figure me out, so was I really that obvious?" Orochimaru inquired as I scowled at him.
"I'm not going to lie, you did have the village fooled at first but you got sloppy by leaving the bodies of those grass ninja in a public place for anyone to see, so you should've destroyed them to prevent yourself from being caught," I pointed out, causing Orochimaru to smirk.
"I see, looks like I should've been more careful but I suppose I got too eager when my goal was within my grasp," Orochimaru admitted as I glared at him.
"You mean Sasuke Uchiha, right? You know I'm not going to let you take him for whatever twisted things you have planned for him, and I'm sure as hell not letting you get your hands on the Sharingan so you'll have to go through me first," I stated darkly as I got ready, knowing that this was a no-win situation for me since Orochimaru was a sannin and facing off against someone of that kind of skill was a certified death sentence.
"You're a brave one, but foolish so let me show you the true power of a sannin," Orochimaru declared and I tensed up.
"Shit, I'm not going to be able to hold him off on my own so I think I'll need help on this one, Kurama," I told the giant fox and I felt him nod.
"Agreed, facing off against him as you are now would be tantamount to suicide so you'll have to use the stage one cloak if you'll want any chance of buying time for Sasuke and the others to escape," Kurama suggested, then I hardened my eyes as I got ready.
"Damn, didn't think I would have to reveal our trump card so quickly, but I don't have any other options since Orochimaru is too dangerous and I can't use the stage two cloak since I don't want to destroy half the forest and kill any genin by accident," I replied before I unleashed the stage one cloak, Kurama's bubbling red chakra covering me and my sword as my eyes turned red with slit pupils with the chakra forming multiple tails and Orochimaru started looking interested.
"How curious, I heard stories about how you're a jinchuriki like that boy who fought me earlier but unlike him, it seems that you're in control of your half of the nine-tails so this will be interesting indeed," Orochimaru commented with a grin before doing handsigns and summoning a massive snake that was the size of a house.
I scowled as I saw the massive reptile appearing in a cloud of smoke and got ready as it lunged its head right at me, prompting me to leap to the side as the reptilian head slammed into where I used to be and I moved like a blur as I appeared right behind it.
I knew it was going to be a little bit of a challenge dealing with that snake summon and I would definitely be in trouble if Orochimaru decided to team up with it so I would have to even the odds a little bit, having an idea as I holstered my sword and got ready for what I planned next.
I've never changed into a form that big before so I'll have to be mindful of my surroundings as my bones started cracking and my organs began rearranging, my size enlarging and black fur sprouting as my body became bigger and bigger while taking on vulpine traits as my clothes melded into my body until I fell on all fours and I finished transforming into a giant black fox that was at the size of the snake summon.
Orochimaru looked amused and a little intrigued as I snarled at the massive snake, which hissed back at me as the noise sounded like the air brakes of a semi-truck going off before the reptile lunged at me again, then I moved out of the way as a few trees got smashed to pieces by the snake's head colliding into them.
I took advantage of this by leaping at the snake's body, biting down on its long torso and the snake let out a loud hiss of pain as I shook it like a chew toy while tentacles formed and my chest opened before strings of flesh and muscle shot forward to impale the snake.
Orochimaru was forced to jump out of the way as my tentacles and tendrils started breaking down the snake's body while it twitched and died from my assimilation progress as the rush of genetic information was absorbed by me with memories and traits entered my mind until the reptile's body was gone and I glared at Orochimaru, who looked curious with a hint of fascination in his expression.
"How very interesting, it appears that you can absorb other lifeforms and take on their appearances," Orochimaru said as I changed back to my human form and pulled out my sword, Kurama's chakra bubbling as it took on the one-tailed cloak.
I didn't respond to that and charged at the snake sannin, swinging my sword at him expertly but he dodged and weaved with unnatural flexibility and looked amused more than anything, then he slithered out of the way of a slash that would've decapitated him as his legs had become what appeared to be a snake's tail and he chuckled.
"I must admit, I may have underestimated you but this fight will only end one way," Orochimaru stated before he started gagging and reached his own hand down his throat until he pulled out a sword, much to my disgust.
Orochimaru came at me and sparks flew as our blades struck one another, the two of us engaging in a deadly dance as we swung our swords at each other and did a combination of dodging and weaving as we both tried to slice each other to pieces.
In the end, I was proven to be no match for the more experienced sannin as he sliced my chest open and I yelled in pure agony, getting kicked through a few trees that collapsed and I got my legs pinned by one of the trunks as I struggled to lift it off me but I wasn't having much luck.
"What a shame, you were an excellent fighter so I commend you for amusing me but now you'll have to die so that you don't interfere again, though don't worry since your corpse will make for a fascinating study," Orochimaru told me with a smirk as he went to raise his sword.
'Shit, the bastard's just playing with me so if I don't come up with something quick, then he'll decapitate me!' I thought frantically, and while I won't die from getting my head chopped off, I'd rather not go through it since I'd imagine it would hurt like hell.
"Seth, just hold on while I give you more of my chakra!" Kurama shouted urgently and just when he was about to, someone kicked Orochimaru in the face and sent him flying.
I looked to see that Anko has arrived with two jonin and the latter two unleashed a combination of a great fireball and dragon flame bomb jutsus at Orochimaru, who was engulfed by them as a large explosion erupted that took out the area where he was at as Anko kneeled down next to me.
"Seth, let's get this off you," Anko said with a grim expression as she and the other two jonin worked together to lift the tree trunk off me and I stood up while getting my sword and holstering it.
"That's not going to stop him for long," I pointed out and Anko nodded.
"I know, now get the hell out of here while I deal with Orochimaru and don't worry, the Hokage has been alerted and he's on his way with a team of Anbu to assist me," Anko assured me and I looked pensive since I know that she'll have trouble with him as well, even if she was Orochimaru's student.
"Just stay safe," I said before the two jonin and I proceeded to leave the area and I looked back to see Anko getting ready for a fight, looking away and praying that she'll be okay as I and the two jonin kept retreating.
A/N Hey guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter since I tried to get Orochimaru's personality right because he is a scientist and veteran shinobi who rarely loses his composure so I think I got it right, though coming up with the fight between Seth and Orochimaru was the most of what I had trouble with when trying to continue this chapter so I decided to end it where Seth was forced to retreat after reinforcements arrive since it felt like the perfect time to end the chapter there.
Well, let me know what you think and stay tuned.