The Monster They Made
So many people had thoughts about last chapter. Loads of people like this story and I was just like….What? Are you guys serious? I'm still shocked. Is the story good. Oh, for the guest, I like jealous Naruto too. Hehe. And no, Naruto is not going to Orochimaru. Neither is Sasuke.
Naruto was ecstatic and he showed just as much as he nearly jumped around his brother, Zabuza, Haku, and Sakura.
Eventually, Zabuza's large hand landed atop his head. "Why are you so excited?"
The blond calm himself. "Because I get to fight. I haven't fought with an audience in like never."
"You fight all the time." Sakura mumbled.
"Yes, but this time the village will see that I'm fit to be hokage. I can protect them." The blond put up a fist.
Haku simply laughed. "Well you better win. I stopped my missions to see you fight."
"Me too. I also bet that you would win the exams." Zabuza noted.
Gaara laughed. "So did I, sensei."
Naruto ruffled his little brother's head harshly. "What'd I say about making bets on me?"
Gaara smiled. "But, Zabuza-sensei did."
"He's an adult. Besides, you don't know if I'll win."
Sakura put her head down and smiled. "I don't know if you or Sasuke will win. I'm sure you'll both be the last candidates."
Naruto said nothing.
"He's been asking about you, you know? Wondering where you'd been. How you were?"
Still, the blond did not speak. Gaara spoke then. "I can't wait til you fight everyone. You're going to win."
"I know."
Sakura smiled softly. "Just be careful, Naruto. You don't want to make so many enemies."
"Who needs enemies when you've got yourself?"
Before anyone else spoke, they had arrived at the arena. Naruto sighed as he stared up at it. "You guys have to remain calm throughout my fights. I'm not sure if I can do this with the whole village watching me so-"
"Naruto!"
The blond turned to see some of the Uchiha waving their way to him, Shisui leading them. There was Fugaku, Mikoto, Itachi, Izumi, Yakumi, but no Sasuke.
In fact, Naruto could not even feel he or Kakashi's chakra signatures. He remained calm.
Gaara's eyes lit up and he ran over to Shisui, making the blond jinchuriki frown slightly. Traitor, he thought.
"Shisui, did you hear? I already predicted that my brother would win the exams. Old man Hiruzen would be so surprised that, he'd make brother jounin."
Shisui laughed and ruffled Gaara's hair. "We can only hope, although I'm sure he'll win. Naruto, of course, doesn't have limits."
Yakumi, a loyal man of the Uchiha, frowned deeply. "Although I deeply respect Naruto-kun and his god-like power, we cannot underestimate the Uchiha. Sasuke is within and I'm sure he'll win or come close. Naruto's powers aren't that great."
Naruto snorted and Fugaku shook his head. "Naruto, have you seen Sasuke anywhere? His match is after yours and I want him ready?"
Naruto smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "No...to be honest, Sasuke and I got into a fight and we haven't been talking in a while."
Fugaku hummed. "I know. Itachi has told me about my younger one's brooding moments. When he comes home from training, he'll often run to his room."
Zabuza laughed. "You should see Naruto. When he's done training, he double trains in anger."
Itachi stared. "Well, Naruto...have you seen….Naruto?"
Every other occupant of their circle raised a brow toward the Uchiha ANBU. Itachi only shrugged. "That isn't Naruto right there. Made from him but not him."
"What?" Sakura growled in annoyance of her blond teammate, grabbing at Naruto's arm. "I've hit him plenty of times, so this isn't a shadow clone."
"You're right. It's a blood clone." Shisui spoke, walking closer to the now nervous Naruto. "It holds more durability than the shadow clone and is able to perform various attacks. It can also be made from a certain amount of the user's blood. This technique is Naruto's solely. He performed it once."
The clone laughed. "Naruto says not to worry. He'll be back before his match. Don't you worry."
They watched as the clone formed a barrier around himself and popped, letting the blood dissipate into air.
Not only was Sasuke nowhere to be found, but Naruto had run off somewhere.
Fugaku looked at his friend. "If Naruto's powers aren't so great, how could you not detect his signature clone?"
His staff trudged quietly to the underground home of Chi. All he needed were some words of inspiration to calm himself and then he'd return.
There was a pang in his chest and the blond knew his blood clone had been compromised. At least he was aways away.
Seeping into the ground, the boy stared at Chi's dark back as she sat hunched over tea. There were two cups before her and she placed one to the right of her.
A signal she wanted the blond to sit.
"Boy must be tired and weary from the world. Come sit and drink earth good."
Naruto smiled and sat next to his haven, the woman who'd saved him more than anything. "It's been too long, baasan."
"Mere blink? Chi knows why little boy come back."
The prodigy hummed for her to continue. "Boy seeks words of wisdom from God. Words for love, battle, calmness, and hope. Boy wants comfort, but boy has yet to find comfort within."
Naruto nodded and sipped his tea. "You know what happened?"
"I know everything." She replied. "Boy loves and hate love to great extent. Boy is angry about another trying to break the relationship between boy and best friend."
"Hm."
"You love best friend, Naruto."
Naruto frowned deeply. He had known this. She knew he knew. So why tell it again? "I already knew this, Ch-"
"There is reason love is invisible, undetectable with anything but human minds. Human is not evolved enough to be trusted with it. They try to engineer it, alter it, use it, weaponize it. Aren't there always great reasons to do immoral acts? Power addiction is always the wrong route to escape fear. The only way to understand love is to feel it, embody it, embrace it. The power of love will always be greater than any other and the keys to reality will only ever be given to true students of the only master."
Naruto smiled softly and the woman nodded. "I love Sasuke with my life. There are things that get between us. I want Sasuke to see things that are unjustful, but he doesn't want to see it. Kakashi-sen-"
Chi stopped him by placing a hand up. "While little boy does not need to be trained anymore, it is wrong to refuse a child in world. Human or not. Only fool will tests the depths of river with both feet."
"And then he'd already drown." Naruto concluded.
"Slow can go, Naruto. Like I wait for little girl Kaguya, you must wait too. It will not be easy. Life never will be, but you have those who care. Sugarcane, though not lovely at first, is sweetests at its joints."
The blond nodded and stood. It was time to go back now. "I'll visit again, baasan. I want you to know that no matter the distance, my attraction to you remains constant. You could be at the ends of the earth and still I'd feel pulled toward you. There is something about you and I that matches, each half loving the other so fully that a life alone would be meaningless. When times are dark for me, you are the one that lifts me back into the light, when times are bright you are the one who rejoices with me. So though it is your eyes, your skin, your face that I look upon, know that the attraction runs deep to my core.
You're the grandmother I've always wanted deep down. The guidance in my world."
The woman simply nodded as Naruto lifted his staff.
"Single Movement Technique."
He watched her until he disappeared into the ground and reappeared in an alley next to the arena in Konoha. Hearing the louds cheering, the blond knew it was time.
Slowly, he walked into the arena, watching as Neji crossed his arms in annoyance for him being late.
"Just because you're strong, Namikaze, doesn't mean you can break rules."
The blond shrugged as Genma walked forward. Naruto stared at the man, watching his movements like a hawk. Hayate should have been here, meaning that something was going on.
He closed his eyes, searching for Gaara, anything that reminded him of the boy. He turned his head to the upper left corner of the stands, smiling as Gaara waved next to Shisui, Zabuza, and Haku.
He waved back with his own smiled and Gaara giggled. "That's my brother. He's going to win for me."
Genma cleared his throat. "Alright, kids. I know you all love your little fights, but now's the time to get serious. The rules exists from last time, only this time, you fight however long you want and there's no stopping.
Because there will be three of you in the final round, each winner is given a series of points after their match. The contestant with the lowest points will not be participating and the last two will fight."
He stepped back. "Ready?"
Neji moved back as well and Naruto shrugged. "Then get started. Ladies and gentleman, Namikaze Naruto versus Hyuuga Neji."
Loud cheers erupted and the fight began.
The prodigies stared one another down. He calculated the pale eyes, remembering the words of Chi. Only fool will tests depths of river with both feet.
Naruto knew Neji was a child of his destiny; if he felt he was going to lose, he'd give up. But, that would only be when he used something powerful and he needed his strength for Sasuke.
Then I'll play with him, Naruto thought, knowing the Hyuuga was a close range fighter more than anything.
He calculated his surroundings and decided to create a diversion. A man in the stands stood with anger. "Get on with it! I ain't come here to see the Namikaze for no one to attack!"
Naruto looked directly up at the man, letting Neji run straight toward him. He had to give it the Konoha's number one Taijutsu team.
Neji was good with his stuff. He let the raven hit him repeatedly.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms."
Just as Neji pushed him toward the corner, Naruto popped into blood, oozing softly like gold liquid. Neji faltered slightly and the man who'd wanted action cheered loudly. "I knew it wasn't him!"
Naruto seeped into formation behind Neji. "It's a blood clone. Now that some of my own blood is on you, I can track you, Shadow clone or not."
Neji regained himself. "You'll be in a surprise once I perform my ultimate jutsu."
Naruto nodded and bit his thumb, deciding to show the crowd a bit more action. "Summoning: Kasai, Kawa, Kaze!"
White eyes narrowed as Naruto let his foxes appear. Kasai, in her flame; Kawa; soaking; Kaze, a dull grey, and yet still staring viciously.
The younger fox began jumping around. "Lemme at em, Naruto-sama. I can take him."
"Kaze! This is no time to play! Steam formation!"
Kaze sighed, but nodded. With a small smile, the child fox ran to his sister, jumping onto her. They rumbled into Kasai, who seemed all the more flustered.
With that they disappeared. Neji smirked. "Well, Namikaze. Seems like you have lots to do with you summons. If only-"
A loud roar cut him off. It had been nauseating and sounded like claws scraping against a pretty surface. Neji stood and the ground began to crack next to Naruto. A large beastial head sprouted first, followeed by the claws and the terrors of the blond's power. The crowd grew silent and Naruto watched as Neji's rosy complexion became gaunt. The Hyuuga listened, willing it to fade and die. But it did not, Then the scraping was accompanied by a gnashing and a snarl.
Here before them was only a mere fraction of a large body. It was beautiful, colors of a red, grey, and blue, but it was deadly. A known beauty and unknown monstrosity. Three of Naruto's most powerful foxes merged together as one. Naruto's steam formation of fire, water, and wind.
The beast growled more, it's eyes focusing on Neji as it tore from the ground. Only a fraction from the ground, and it was already as large as a bear on it's hind legs and with jaws just as powerful.
The claws it held at the ready looked borrowed from some prehistoric predator, twelve inches to the tip and sharper than a butcher's knife. It squinted it's red eyes toward the dappled shade of Neji and tensed its muscles ready to pounce.
Neji began to backen up as the fox fusion fully removed itself from the ground. When It growled at Neji, the prodigy watched as saliva dripped from the large gaps in its fangs.
When it ran, the ground shook and Neji was scratched on the leg as it passed. The boy hissed, but kept standing. He wouldn't go down so easily.
"So be it." Naruto state in calm. "Jōki!"
The fox fusion stopped and stared at Naruto, waiting for a command.
The blond stared determined at the purple eyes. "Come and merge with me."
Naruto's summoned creature faltered and Naruto knew this was a powerful thing to uphold.
His hands glew blindingly as he performed his own transformation. "Light Release: Beast Transformation."
There was a small pain as his cervical vertebrae stretched. As his rib cage tightened toward the top of his chest. As the bones in his legs compressed.
His form as a yellow fox wasn't the worst transformation, but it had been the most prosperous. Naruto's vision adjusted as Jōki ran to him.
Merging was worse than forming. Naruto always felt like he lost all existence when three foxes jumped into him. As if he were getting possessed and he never mattered. He couldn't remember himself for the duration of the fusion. He wasn't himself at all.
Shisui leaned forward, awwing as Gaara shook him excitedly. "It's larger than my susanoo. But, it's not from the power of the sharingan."
Gai stood as well. "Go forth, Naruto-kun! Let your blossoms shine brightly."
The crowd watched as the fox grew to a larger size, and regaining itself, stood with its spear in hand.
The weapon was unlike anything ever used. It was a spear of course, but it seemed as if a thousand suns had been stretched.
The fox on the other hand was mesmerizing. So dangerous to believe and yet impossible to avoid. It's fur shimmered like crystals, raising in gold, blazing red, and ice blue. Naruto was a God.
Lifting the sun spear, Naruto and his foxes growled together.
Neji formed a barrier to brace for impact, but it didn't help.
When the spear hit, nothing had been heard in the stands. Nothing had been felt. Only all could be seen. The grey smoke formed on impact and cleared as fast as it had came.
Naruto stood in the middle of the field, his foxes gone, isolated. Neji lay across from him, unconscious, but breathing.
Genma watched for a few moments, waiting for another sign of life from the Hyuuga. Naruto's summoned jutsu would have taken the villages chakra if they all performed such a thing together. But, the blond was still standing not tired at all.
He raised a hand. "I declare the winner of this match...Naruto Namikaze of Konoha! Because he held the upper hand, he now has 100 points to continue."
Loud screams erupted. Although most of them were occupants of different countries, such as wave and Kumo, the blond felt happy. Konoha citizens, save for the shinobi, saw him as a monster. The rest of the world's people thought of him as a hero.
Naruto walked off, ready to analyze the next match. Because Sasuke and Kakashi were not around yet, he knew the raven would go last.
"Naruto boy."
The blond froze and turned around toward Genma, who wasn't really Genma.
His usual face had been marred by a slight wrinkled one and his eyes turned a chocolate brown. Even his voice was a woman's whisper.
"Chi? Why have you possessed Genma? What's there to tell me?"
Genma smiled. "Little boy is God by battle. Chi sees his use of good animals and good use it is."
Naruto blushed. "Thanks baasan."
"Shortly before match, I witness danger. I see future close by despair. I see danger coming toward you. Your village will be under attack."
Naruto nodded.
"I warn little boy to lead his people. I want little boy to live and not die. Even when they dislike you, they cannot function without you. When the mighty tree falls, the birds will scatter in the bushes."
With that, Genma was back, looking around dizzily and then composing himself.
"The next match will be between Nara Shikamaru and Rock Lee."
The match had been fairly short. Although Shikamaru gained the upperhand earlier, the Nara forfeited, giving Rock Lee a chance to go on and refusing more work.
Naruto smiled with a shake of his head. Luckily it was he running for the Hokage title and not Shikamaru.
Genma shook his head as Shikamaru walked away. "I declare the winner of this match to be Rock Lee of Konohagakure! Because Shikamaru had the upper hand, Rock Lee will continue with 50 points!"
Everyone began murmuring as the contestants left the field. Naruto waited and waited for Sasuke and Kakashi to show up.
After about five minutes, Genma shushined away from the hokage. "Because Sasuke Uchiha is not present for his fight, he has therefore forfeited and given Sh-"
"I'm here."
Naruto wasn't even envious as Kakashi and his oh so favorite student appeared in a whirl of leaves. He actually felt bored of it.
The blond turned in the direction of Gaara, missing how Sasuke looked at him. Gaara gave a thumbs up and Haku laughed.
'You'll win.' he mouthed.
Naruto smiled brightly and went back to watching as Shino hopped down before Sasuke. What Naruto hated more than anything was the fact that Sasuke looked arrogant...more than anytime before.
As if Kakashi actually taught him something.
Genma moved back. "You two should start."
Sasuke was the first to begin, eager to get it over with.
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!"
An immense amount of bugs formed before Shino. As the fire dispersed, the insects formed into a tornado, headed for the Uchiha, and pushing him right into another bundle.
Naruto watched in sinful amusement as his best friend was fully encased by Shino's poisonous companions.
But there was also disappointment. Because that Sasuke underneath the insects wasn't Sasuke at all.
Sasuke was behind Shino and had been this whole time, concealing his chakra, obviously something Kakashi taught him.
Naruto watched as the Uchiha seeped chakra into his fists. "Sorry, Shino. But I'm dying to fight...him!"
The punch had connected with Shino's neck and the Aburame remained unconscious as the medic nin came to retrieve him.
Naruto knew Sasuke had gotten higher then fifty points, so without consent, he jumped before the Uchiha, letting his fangs protrude and body glow.
He shook his head in pity at Sasuke. Everything from the prior month came seeping in and the blond grew angry. Sasuke and Kakashi….fuck them.
A voice in his head agreed. His grandfather's voice. Yes, fuck them. Kill them all. Embrace me, my grandson.
Genma smirked and lifted his hands. "Sasuke Uchiha had won with higher points then Rock Lee. Because they seem so eager, we will skip the 30 minute break. Ladies and gentlemen….Naruto Namikaze versus Sasuke Uchiha!"
The crowd began to cheer loudly as Genma stepped backward. A distance so that he would not hear the words exchanged by the two rivals.
Naruto smiled. So Sasuke was dying to fight him. "And die you will." he whispered.
Sasuke glared, rubbing the scab on his palm The scab that had changed everything for him. "Too high and mighty to speak to your best friend? I know you know I've been asking about you."
"You lost that title when you decided wanted attention from him."
"Are you jealous?"
"No. I already told you that if I were as weak, I'd probably have to be trained by Kakashi."
Naruto knew Sasuke wasn't weak. He just wanted to kill him at the moment. His anger spoke for him. And it spoke volumes.
Sasuke shuffled. "I wasn't talking about that. You seem jealous of the relationship I have with Kakashi." Even if he seemed to be joking, the blond didn't like it.
This was his fucking Sasuke. This was his Sasuke and Kakashi was fucking all of that up. Sasuke was fucking all of that up. Sasuke didn't understand how much Naruto had to sacrifice just for him. How much he attempted to sacrifice.
He have lived long enough to know that what he and Sasuke shared could not be replicated with others. This love, this feeling, was just them. Naruto saw it then. In Sasuke's eyes. Sasuke loved him, but it was too late. They wanted to hold and kill each other all at once. It took some time for Sasuke to show it, but it was too late.
Naruto growled. "What?! Is he fucking you!?"
With that, the blond rushed forward and punched his love, knocking him backward. Sasuke stood quickly, rubbing the blood away.
Naruto's killing intent was solely for him and it was deadly.
"No Harmonious symbol? You did so with Kiba."
Naruto shrugged, letting half of his great great grandfather speak for him. "Kiba's special. You're not."
There was hurt in Sasuke's eyes. The kind of hurt that once hurt Naruto as well. He ignored it. Eventually, Sasuke glared. "Whatever. You're not worthy anyway."
"Genjutsu!"
Naruto held the mistake of looking into the pretty eyes. Who knew they'd be his downfall?
The world grew dark as Naruto faltered.
How long had he sat there? Sat still in horror like that? Far, far too far, staring into the now normal eyes of his dead brother, Nagato.
Nagato lay still, his eyes open, his eyes different. How long had he sat there to rot? It was clear he was murdered.
Men who died peacefully never had blood oozing from their heads. And yet, how long had he been dead?
Far, far too far.
Naruto stood in fear...too stricken to become cautious. Without pushing the door further, the blond let his small body slip through the crack. The study was dark, but when he was inside, he could finally stare at his whole family.
"Everybody someday dies." The murderer whispered so softly.
Naruto's eyes trailed from Deidara, who sat dead in his mother's chair, blood oozing from his chest, to his mother, nearly sawed in half, and his father, the village's strongest ninja, dead upon the floor.
He looked toward the crib in the corner, finding Gaara standing against the bars, crying not because of what he saw….Naruto knew that if Gaara lived, he'd never remember this day...No he was crying because no one would pick him up.
Gaara could feel the pain in the room and he wanted comfort.
Finally, uneven eyes met the eyes of the rinnegan.
Pein stood there with a sword in his hand.
"Big brother?" Naruto asked in clear tears. "What did you do?"
"I killed them." Pein snapped. "Is it not obvious, otouto? I saved you."
Naruto shook his head in utter confusion. He and Pein stood in the room for a while, in heaps of blood.
Naruto shook as the crowd watched him. Knowing that it was only a reliving, the blond bit his thumb and pushed it onto the ground.
When he rose, he stood atop Gamabunta's head. "That all you have, Uchiha? Using my family's deaths against me? My brother against me? As a friend, you should know nothing can scare a God. Not now."
Sasuke only shook his head as Naruto moved with his toad. Even with the Uchiha's jutsu, Naruto still had the upper hand.
Everyone knew.
They knew Naruto would win the exams. "Seems like I'll have to perform my greatest jutsu on you." Sasuke murmured.
Naruto watched as lightning formed in his hands. A ball like the Rasengan, but less powerful. "Go rest, Gamakichi."
"Thanks, Gaki." The toad spoke, dispersing and letting Naruto flip to the ground.
Sasuke glared and ran forth in his striking speed. So this is what Kakashi taught him. Too bad it'd go to waste.
The problem was Sasuke couldn't hurt Naruto. He had no hate in him. He loved Naruto, this monster before him. Naruto assumed that was why he rubbed the scar on his palm occasionally.
And they loved each other just how they fought. Frightening, terrible. The angel gone bad and the demon who despised his own hatred. Their love was soaked in the taste of blood. Bruised and winded, with a leg in agony, theirs bones, heart, and heads pounding.
A good distance away, Sasuke yelled his jutsu. "This was also learned from Kakashi. Chidori!"
The Chidori hit Naruto with one purpose. Killing. Every aspect of it was designed for this goal, from it's electrifying exterior to the premium love held inside.
Debris flew around the arena and there was a large strike. Sasuke stared in shock as his attack brimmed Naruto's skin.
Then blond hadn't dodged. Meaning that….
When the smoke cleared, he watched in relief and shock as Naruto stood smiling. He couldn't have been a blood clone. Not even they could withstand that attack.
Naruto smiled. With caution, he touched Sasuke's face. A touch that made the Uchiha neither flinch in fear or cower. That was why….why Naruto loved him so fucking much.
"I told you." The blond whispered. "No matter how much he trains you, you'll always be second to me."
Naruto punched him and the Uchiha flew backward in a larger pile than his chidori made. Sasuke was going to lose and Naruto wanted Kakashi to see.
The crowd watched Naruto. It was time to prove his worth. And it began with a hole in his stomach.
"Godlike Divinity: Prior Undoing."
The hole began to form around and his blood pumped with it.
Sasuke stood. "I'm not second to you, Naruto. I just didn't use the right amount of chakra." Again, the boy formed his chidori, much larger than the first. It wouldn't kill the blond, but it would definitely pierce his skin where it could not be repaired.
Naruto smiled as the rasengan formed in his hand. "So be it. If you die, you die."
Sasuke growled and spoke in a whisper so that only the blond could hear. "Even when we're apart, I'll always stay at your side. Even when you tell me you're a monster, I'll find something worse. I'll always be with you and have your back, but you let things get between us. The main thing being the personality of your great great grandfather.
I don't want anything to come between us. Not even who gets trained. Don't you understand that I'm training harder to fight by your side? To be right next to you in battle?"
Naruto said nothing as the two walked closer to one another.
Sasuke sighed. "And still, you don't speak. Tell me you hate me."
They ran at one another, jutsu in hand, killing intent large. "I can't." Naruto spoke in anger.
"Why?"
"How can you hate someone you fucking love? So badly that you'd almost give up your life for?"
Sasuke faltered, but the blond kept pushing forward. If he could just kill Sasuke, then maybe he would not feel tormented about reviving his clan and saving the world, all the while attempting to live for himself.
Before he hit, the blond listened to an alarm. So much like the one when Pein killed the clan. When the hokage was in danger. And when the hokage was in danger, so was the village.
They were under attack.
There was a deafening explosion and Naruto watched as Orochimaru grabbed the hokage and fled.
He dissipated his rasengan and grabbed Sasuke softly, placing a barrier around the raven, and throwing him aways just in time.
A snake had broken through the arena wall.
"Godlike Divinity: Teleportation Barrier."
Because the technique had formed around every occupant of the arena, and teleported them to a safe place, the blond was running out of chakra.
However, there was a large scream and the blond turned that way.
Gaara, with his sand flowing behind had been running out of the arena, a large snake on his trail, and behind them Sasuke attempting to save the boy.
Naruto growled and went to speed over. However, just as he moved, Orochimaru stepped before him and threw the third hokage toward him.
"Now it's time for a real fight, Namikaze."
Hiruzen stood next to the blond. "Be vigilant, Naruto. Orochimaru is a true snake."
Orochimaru laughed. "Did you really think I would fight you alone. While I am Kage-level, I wouldn't attempt to fight a God."
"Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation!"
The coffins that appeared were not those of new tradition, meaning that the occupants were old. When they opened, Naruto's eyes narrowed.
How had Orochimaru found these?
There, even in death they were powerful, two shinobi that had shaped Konoha to its very core. Hashirama and Tobirama Senju, Naruto's distant relatives.
They stared at one another. Tobirama stared at Naruto longer than anything, analyzing the boy and attempting to deem him worthy. With a nod of his head he began.
"We apologize for this, Hiruzen. It seems your snake of a student has summoned us using a forbidden technique."
Naruto knew he could stop it, but not until he got a few pieces of skin from the men.
Tobirama smiled a bit, a weird look on his hard face. "It seems you have a plan, Naruto. Succeed in it."
With that, the brothers rushed forward, performing jutsu.
"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"
Naruto jumped before the hokage. "Water Style: Water Formation wall!"
Because they were attacks of the same element, they cancelled one another. Tobirama laughed, actually laughed. It was so odd for the stern man that Hashirama faltered in his own juts.
"Brother. Has the snake done something to your personality as well? You never laugh."
Tobirama said nothing as he kept attacking Naruto. Obviously the dead man was having more fun than anyone.
Naruto frowned. Waving his arms, he watched as the combined chakra of all his beasts formed around them, pointed at Hashirama, Tobirama, and Orochimaru.
Tobirama flew back with the others and that was still not enough to get pieces of their reanimated skin.
"Sorry old man first, old man second."
Tobirama nodded. "So you have all tailed beasts, I see you know how to use the tailed beast shockwave."
"He should see us in complete action!"
Naruto smiled softly at Matatabi words and how she jumped around happily.
Hashirama jumped forward. "Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique."
Naruto grabbed the third hokage as the dragon sprouted from the earth. "It consumes our chakra, but my prophecy barrier will help us deflect it's attacks."
Hiruzen placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You've grown into a fine young man. Fighting in this kage level battle without fear tells me enough. See to it that when this is over, I'll appoint you to chunin myself."
"Thanks old man. Now let's kick some ass."
Orochimaru laughed bitterly. "Tell me, sensei. Have you found another student that you can shun?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "I should have killed you when I had the chance back then, but you were my favorite."
Tobirama shook his head. "There is a downfall to having a favorite, Hiruzen. Even when I trained you the most, it was only because I knew you wanted it more than any of your teammates. Still…"
The shinobi dodged another of the wood dragon's attacks and Naruto thought hard on how to defeat it without it absorbing some of his chakra. Then it clicked; his thoughts.
With a small smile, the blond let Hiruzen fight Orochimaru while he would take care of the dragon. "Prophecy Sage Art: Cogitation Monstrosity!"
Within his mind, the dragon caught fire and burned to flames and ashes. Within reality, it happened again. The dragon was large enough for anyone to believe it was a forest fire.
Hashirama awwed. "Unbelievable. A jutsu that can make your thoughts become a reality."
Naruto nodded and tore off his cloak, only having his black clothing and yellows arm and leg pads covering him. "It's a dangerous technique, but it helps in the long run. I'd have to be careful.
If I wanted to warm someone, I'd have to clear my mind. Either I'd warm them or make the mistake of igniting them."
Tobirama nodded and moved forth to fight Naruto unwillingly. "I've been watching you for some time from my place of rest, as Chi let me. It is good to know you turned out for the best."
Naruto stared confused for a moment as to why the second hokage would watch him in death, as if Naruto were important to him.
Still he kept fighting, attempting to grab a piece of Tobirama's skin, when Hiruzen called him. "Naruto. I have a piece of Hashirama's skin."
The blond knew by Hiruzen's panting, he'd lose his fight against Orochimaru. He'd have to hurry.
Naruto flipped from Tobirama and caught it. When he held it in his hand, the second stopped and smiled. "Damnit. I thought I'd be able to fight you more. You're a good kid, just as I expected."
The man ripped off a small piece of his skin. "Well here it is. Do your worst, kid."
Naruto nodded and with the pieces of skin in his hand, he performed his jutsu. "Godlike Divinity: Reanimation Cease!"
A light formed on Hashirama and Tobirama and the second smiled. "That's a good jutsu."
"It varies." Naruto stated almost sadly. He felt as if he held some connection to the second hokage. Of course he was a Senju by his mother's father, but there had to be more. "My godlike divinity has the power of gods."
Tobirama's skin began to peel off and move upward toward the sky. "It was nice to finally meet you. I've watched you grow into such a fine young man."
Naruto sighed. "You speak like you know me well."
The man fell to his knees. "Of course I do. You are my great great grandson, after all." Naruto faltered. "Just as Kushina's father was my son. My serious personality show through some of you, of course."
Naruto remained shocked as Tobirama's face began to peel.
"If you want to learn more, visit Uzushiogakure. Where your Senju born grandfather had been born."
Tobirama was almost gone now. "Know that even when not around, I have always been proud of you."
And he was gone. Naruto nearly faltered just as Hiruzen flew back against him. "Naruto boy, we have to defeat Orochimaru. He's too strong."
Naruto nodded as Orochimaru, heavily wounded ran forward. "Namikaze Light Release: Ray of Assassination!"
The flame hit Orochimaru dead on. This time, since he was badly wounded, he was hurt. The fire flashed into existence in a wash of red and yellow sparks. Like the beauty of running water so unearthly. Yet it had a dangerous beauty. Leaping up, picking up speed like a river does tributaries. The fire held its head up regally and proudly as its destruction spread while glowering at the surrounding, daring them to challenge its awesome power. It ate everything in its path. Yellow, red and orange.
Orochimaru's skin peeled, and Naruto lept next to Hiruzen. The snake had been beaten for now.
"Old man, you alright?"
Hiruzen only panted softly.
"Fuck."
Naruto placed his hands on the hokage's chest and attempted to heal him, only for them to be grabbed and pushed away.
"Old ma-"
"I'm am old beyond my time, Naruto. This battle has been final for me. Sometimes heroes must sacrifice for the greater good. I wanted to sacrifice for you. Now that the seal is broken, find your brother."
The blond nodded and wiped the tears in his eyes. Hiruzen had cared deeply for he and Gaara, especially when Pein killed their parents and brothers. Now he was near gone and nothing could save him.
Naruto stood and walked out. "And Naruto."
He turned back as the ANBU leaned over the third. "Protect this village with your life. It cannot go on without you."
The blond ran from the arena. He didn't want to cry.
"Gaara!"
His world was in chaos. His whole village. Battles everywhere. The blond thanked the heavens that he got the civilians away, but Gaara was still out here. Sasuke as well.
He could see people falling everywhere.
The blond levitated in the air as his horns grew tenfold. "Gaara!"
There was no way the redhead could not hear his screams.
"Naruto!"
His neck hurt as it whipped in the direction of Sasuke's voice. The raven was following closely behind Gaara, both getting chased by two large snakes.
The blond smiled softly and began toward them. However, a grey blur appeared behind the youngest Namikaze.
A clone of Orochimaru's. Naruto faltered and he had no idea why.
Sasuke attempted to jump forward with all his power, but the snakes were persistent.
"Twin Snakes Mutual Death Technique!"
Two summoned snakes moved from the clones wrist's and moved to Gaara's own, biting the boy. Naruto watched the venom course through Gaara.
The redhead's eye turned dark and he fell back. Orochimaru fled. Sasuke went to grab Gaara before the Namikaze hit the ground.
"Gaara!" Naruto screamed. He knew Gaara would live, only he'd be asleep for who knew how long. Orochimaru was too weak to kill his brother. Still….
The blond lifted his staff. When it hit the ground, the impact was tremendous.
"Infinite Tailed Beasts Mode!"
All nine tailed beasts were lifted from him, roaring with his anger.
It's only after he lost everything that he felt like he was free to do anything.
Kurama roared as his tail hit the ground, creating a loud splash of earth and instantly killing a group of Oto nin.
And I'm done. No, Gaara isn't dead. But he will take time to recover. This chapter seemed so short. I'll make up for it, guys. I promise. I've already started working on my new story. But I'm not posting it until I'm done with this.
One thing I hated on here was reading a really good story and never getting to finish. Do you guys know how traumatized I was? Staying up, thinking about what would happen next? Man, I hate unfinished business. Anyway, tell me what you guys like about this chapter.