Shibito Ashikabi : Legacy of the Mist Demon
Normal speech /thoughts
Demonic speech/thought
Jutsu Translations at the bottom
Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto or Sekirei franchises. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and Sekirei belongs to Sakurako Gokurakuin.
AN 2/08/17: Edited spelling, grammar, and changed some words around.
Chapter 3: The Legacy begins pt 1
Opening his cerulean eyes, Naruto found himself back in the hospital room of Konoha. The room looked normal enough. It looked exactly as one would expect, the bed was comfortable, the blanket, the sheets were warm, and the pillow was extremely soft. Yes this was exactly what a normal person would get in a hospital room. That alone set off every single alarm, and raised every red flag that existed in the universe, Naruto never had a single one of those comforts in his own apartment, let alone the hospital! When he noticed that was on his stomach, Naruto put his arms on the bed, and started to push himself up- only to be shoved back down in a very familiar way.
"OH COME ON! "Naruto loudly complained internally.
"I don't need this right now!" His face was once again shoved into the pillow sideways, and there was a knee pressed against his back. Great, his mind decided to make Naruto relive his escape from Konoha. "Ugh... Let's get this over with! Great, I'm going to be pissed in the morning."
Naruto squirmed a bit, confirming that he was bound in wire like when this event actually happened. Lazily opening his visible eye, the dreaming jinchuuriki shifted his gaze upwards so he could see lion... Only for his eyes to go from blue to black from how large his pupil had become. If one could see Naruto's face uncovered they would see the perfect "WTF face." The space that was supposed to hold the dream's representation of the dead ANBU's head held... Nothing. Blank. There was just a neck, no head.
Naruto shifted his now terrified gaze to look at hawk, who still had his head it just had a kunai knife sticking out of it, and blood was flowing slowly down his mask in small streams eventually dripping onto the floor. Head shifted to meet Naruto's gaze, the black eyes of the ANBU mask seemingly crumbled away to reveal luminous yellow - orange eyes. Those eyes indicated only one thing. What they said made Naruto realize that this was no dream, no. This was a night terror. What happened next only confirmed it. As if it was planned for him to realize what was going on a wet gurgling sound came out of lion's neck hole. Blackish blood dripped over the neck's rim as the most horrific thing Naruto had ever seen emerged out of the neck.
Unable to make any type of sound due to the paralyzing fear gripping his throat, Naruto watched in both terror, and morbid fascination as four points came out of lion's neck. The points were curved inward, at a forty five degree angle, and were a rotten yellow. The points rose steadily causing more blood to splash on the floor. Once the points were three inches out they started spreading outwards. The points were revealed to be teeth, much to Naruto's silent horror, when the points turned out to be rooted in soft, sickly, grayish tissue with flaps of skin that connected the points. Small hook - like teeth lined the edges of flaps. The entire thing was at least a foot long in diameter. Mandibles. A fucking set of mandibles just came out of lion's neck. Oh, Naruto... Your so screwed.
When he was yanked up every single survival instinct Naruto had inside his body burst forth with white - hot fury. He slammed his head into the nightmarish lion's solar plexus, which made it drop Naruto, who promptly tried to run - only for the ghoulish hawk to tackle him into the wall. Forcing the struggling blonde up, the monster that still had it's head held Naruto in place so he could see lion. The mouth part of the mandible was completely out weirdly looking like a flower that doesn't have a tall stem. At least it was until the front started getting tall showing an eel - like appendage that came out from the neck. It was the same sickly, grayish color as the mandible. Naruto could see the veins pulsating as even more blood was now flowing out of the neck, covering lion's clothes, and creating a large pool of blood in the still normal, white room.
"That is so fucked up." Naruto thought, disgusted with the sight.
"This is the most revolting thing I've ever seen". When the appendage stopped coming out of the neck it looked to be about three feet long - just enough so the mandible could bend downwards, and point forward and allow Naruto to see the tooth-filled garbage disposer of a esophagus it had. Still bound by the wire, and the nightmarish representation of hawk, Naruto watched with a growing feeling of hopelessness as lion's body shambled towards him, blood constantly leaking onto the floor from the small space between the body's neck - hole, and the stalk of the mandible. Once in front of the boy, the mandible positioned itself right in Naruto's face, close enough that he could smell it's rancid breath that reminded him of the smell of a rotting carcass.
The mandible snaked behind his head, and latched on, painfully sinking it's many fangs into Naruto's cranium causing him to cry out. Taking hawk's place, the body of lion went behind Naruto, and lifted him up by grabbing his sides. Naruto, despite how his mind screamed at him to move, dared not struggle. He didn't want those teeth sinking in further so he just let himself be carried by the creature. The two dead men exited out the open door, and started making their way downstairs to exit the hospital with the captured Naruto. As he was being carried he noticed how empty the hospital was. There wasn't a single soul in there. They had reached the front entrance where Naruto's heart stopped, and all color drained from his face.
"What the hell is this!?"
The sky outside the hospital was dyed a crimson red. The sun did not have it's radiant yellow shine, instead it glowed a deep black. The light from it made the entire world look like a negative photograph. Konoha looked as if it had been been through five wars back - to- back. The buildings were in ruins, the stalls in pieces, and the roads were littered with debris. The monstrosities that were the two dead ANBU were continued to move along, they carried their captive to what was left of the chunin exams stadium. The black sun made the structure appear black instead of the whitish - gray color it was suppose to be. The stadium itself looked like it was roughly torn in half diagonally, with large, jagged holes in the remaining half. Once the walking nightmares, and their prisoner reached the entrance that was the remains of a large wooden door. Once through the entrance Naruto saw that the ruined seats of the stadium were filled with people. Dead people that is. Naruto however, knew that they were alert. The glowing orange eyes were the only hint he needed. He knew he was asleep, and that of this was real but, that didn't stop it from terrifying him. The site of people whose bodies were riddled with holes, had numerous bladed weapons sticking out of random places of their bodies, that had the same glowing eyes as the dead hawk, and the overwhelming scent of death... It didn't matter. Nightmare or not, this is messed up!
"Why did they bring me here?" The thought couldn't help but pop into Naruto's frightened mind. Why did they bring him here? The stadium was meant to hold a large...audience for...public events...shit. His execution order. It was supposed to be a public event, and celebration for all of those ungrateful bastards in Kohona. That was what they wanted, to see him dead. Well, looks like these versions will get to see while their real-life counterparts won't.
"Might as well get this over with." Naruto horrified began.
"The sooner it's over the sooner I wake up." The nightmare appeared to agree with him when it's versions of lion, and hawk started making their way to the center of the stadium where there was a large stone about five feet across with a semicircle in the middle. They were going to behead him. The walk to the center was quiet, no sound was heard, not even the ghouls watching made a sound. They just followed with their cruel, hollow, orange gaze. Once at the stone, the mandibles ripped themselves out of Naruto's head making blood spurt out of it. Despite the massive pain coming from the back of his skull Naruto refused to cry out. In his mind, if he did then he was still letting Konoha control him because if he let the nightmare's versions of the traitors see his fear, and pain then he was admitted to himself that the real ones had a way to keep him on a leash. He couldn't... No he wouldn't! He was free! His life was his own now, and not theirs to command!
With that in his head, Naruto kept his eyes on the ghoulish crowd, meeting the gathered's hollow orange gaze with his defiant blue. The arms of the dead hawk placed Naruto's neck on the stone inside the gap of the semicircle which his neck happened to fit in perfectly. Holding the blonde down the dead ANBU entered into a position that ensured Naruto couldn't move. Hawk had his hand restraining Naruto by grabbing his wrists, and put them behind the blonde's back. Hawk's other hand kept Naruto's neck in the semicircle putting two fingers on the base of the boy's neck, pressing down ensuring he could not lift his neck. Lion simply sat on Naruto's legs. Once they were done something odd happened. The two monsters started to... Crystallize! Starting at the extremities, the bodies turned into a cold, hard, black crystal statues with networks of red crystal that ran through them imitating veins. The entire process only took thirty seconds.
After the crystallization Naruto tried to thrash around... Keyword tried. He could only move maybe a centimeter at most. Sighing at his failed attempt, Naruto found himself stuck in a staring contest with the dead crowd. For about two minutes it was like that, just him, and the horde locked in a silent stare down. The sound of a sword dragging on the ground broke the quiet, which caused Naruto to feel relived that soon this was going to be over soon, but still scared the hell out of him. Even though this was not real, he was still getting his head chopped off! That tends to scared people! The executioner was close now, their position behind Naruto. Picking up their blade off the ground, the executioner made his way in front of Naruto. Shadow over him, Naruto could see the bottom part of the executioner, the shape of legs told him the executioner was male. The sound of something being taken off caught Naruto's attention as a mask was thrown down in front of him though the executioner's shadow prevented Naruto from getting a good look at it. Once the executioner moved Naruto was able to see the mask in detail.
"No... Why him!?" Naruto thought in shock as he saw the mask. "Please... Let this be a cruel joke." What Naruto heard next shattered any control over his fear that he had.
"Naruto," He began while the sword rose into the air, the blade in position to behead Naruto. "This is what is best for you, after this... You will have peace."
"NO WAIT-!", Naruto didn't get to finish as Dai quickly brought down his tanto.
Screaming Naruto bolted up, and took deep breaths as he lifted his arms out of the water- wait, water? Confused, Naruto looked around to see himself back into the dirty sewer that was his mindscape, more specifically he was in the middle of the room that contained the cage that held his burden. The fox looked at him with an odd look in it's eyes. Deciding to figure out what the Kybui wanted the jinchuuriki stood, noticed that the water had increased in height. It now reached just above his stomach. They stared once more at each other with the same comfortable yet tense silence between them like last time Naruto was there.
"...Why are you still fighting?" The Kybui asked after a full minute of silence.
"You have lost everything. Your village wants your head, the one who protected you sacrificed himself, you have no summoning contract, you don't even have weapons!" The nine-tails started off calm, then yelled at the end. "Now even your mind is starting to be lost to you if that dream is anything to go by."
"Why would a single nightmare-" Naruto began only to be cut off.
"It's not that it was a single nightmare. It's the misery your feeling, you know that this water represents the sadness in your heart, and given how high it is it's only a matter of time before you are driven insane by your despair." the bijuu explained, irritated by the development. "The nightmare was merely a sign. It shows how much this betrayal is effecting you mentally."
"OK, what's with the concern all of a sudden!?" Naruto demanded, his eyes hardened.
"Why does it matter to you if I'm going crazy? Wouldn't that just make it easier for you to take control over my body!?" Naruto asked, his voice raised at the end. The answer he received greatly surprised him.
"You interest me."
"huh?"
"I said you interest me. Last time you were here you surprised me by not ranting on your problems unlike my other containers, who did every time they were in their own mindscapes." the kitsune answered. "They blamed me for everything wrong that happened to them down to them stubbing their toe, yet not once have you put any blame on me. That is why you interest me, your different."
Naruto was dumbfounded. The strongest being on the planet had just expressed an interest in him just because he didn't bitch about his problems when he was in the seal!?
"... I want what your smokin'."
"How dare you! I should rip your mind to pieces for that!" apparently the Kybui didn't like it when someone assumed he was on drugs.
"OK calm the hell down!", Naruto yelled at the beast. "I just don't understand how me not bitching about my life when I'm in here translates to me being interesting. Why the heck would I complain to you anyway! If I wanted to annoy you then I would do something much better than complaining, all your other containers are dumbasses for doing that."
"It seems we agree on one thing, however you never answered my question why are you still fighting? Think before you answer, it will make a difference." Naruto stared at the kitsune, trying to figure out what that last part meant. When he didn't he decided to think on the Kybui's question because honestly, Naruto himself wanted to know that as well. His reason did have to do with the promise he made to Dai, and Naruto badly wanted to be found by Dai's partner, and get the memory seal off. Yet... Naruto knew those were only things he was telling himself so he had a goal.
He had no doubt that Dai's partner would find him but, what about after that? Naruto would not be able to hide forever, eventually Konoha would find him. It was inevitable, he would have to face them again. How would that meeting be though? Him on the ground dead, having not even able to put up a fight? That thought filled Naruto with rage. The words of the villagers started running through his mind.
"Dead last."
"Weakling."
"He will never be able to become Hokage."
"He has no future."
"Worthless."
Those insults were apart of the myriad of words that had been used against him. They were right. That was the truth. He was weak. He had barely been able to survive any of the missions his ex-team underwent without having to rely on either the Kybui or someone else. The only real strong jutsu he had were the rasengan, and the kage bushin. Those were it, he had nothing else. They were useful but a shinobi they alone did not make. The words of the inhabitants that populated that hell hole came back into his mind. Oh how he wanted to prove them wrong. He wasn't tied down anymore! They couldn't stop him from gaining the strength they with held from him. It was in that moment that Naruto knew. He had found his answer, his reason for fighting.
He didn't know he had closed his eyes but, that didn't matter. He found his reason, his drive. Opening his eyes he looked at the bijuu sealed within him. It's gaze was not just a patient one , it was also a judging one. Naruto now knew what that last part meant. The kitsune was testing him, for what? He didn't know what but, the nuke-nin knew he was tested. Weather he did or did not pass the test didn't matter to him. He found his drive.
Naruto locked his eyes with the Kybui, and gave his answer.
"I want to prove them wrong." he began confidently. "I want to show the Inhabitants of Konoha that I can become powerful, that I can be a shinobi! I want to show them how much they lost when banished me, I will become someone to be feared, and respected." The fox gave a nod of approval. Naruto though,was not yet finished.
"I will do it my way, I will never join other ninja village . No, I will do this without any village's help or assistance! I have found not only my drive, my reason for fighting, I have found a new dream." Naruto stated, his eyes a raging inferno of confidence, and conviction. "I will become the strongest missing-nin in history! I won't rely on your power either." he said, looking at the kitsune who raised an eyebrow.
"I will get my own strength, and my own skill, while your power is the strongest, if I rely on it then I'm just proving that I will always need someone else to help me." While he was speaking sparks of lightning started to form at his hands, small at first they grew as he went on, size increased as his conviction rose. It was after he finished did he notice the giant bolts that aeced from one hand to another. Surrounding the bolts were small fist-sized black clouds that had large drops of rain falling from them. Naruto had miniature storms around his hands.
"How the hell...?" Looking at his guest for an answer, the kitsune just shrugged.
"I guess the Uchiha's chidori did more than damage you, looks like you have a new bloodline. Congratulations." the Kybui said, nonchalantly saying the congratulations. Naruto on the other hand wasn't sure what to think. On one hand he had a new source of power, but on the other it was caused by the chidori, which means that it was from Sasuke. If he used it, could that be considered relying on something somebody else gave to him? No. Sasuke meant to kill him. Naruto smiled darkly, wondering if Sasuke could survive having a lighting-covered hand shoved through his chest. The watching kitsune almost smirked, knowing exactly what his container was thinking.
"Maybe being sealed in this gaki won't be as bad as thought, in fact it could be...fun."
After a few minutes of talking most to see exactly how Naruto got this new bloodline, of which Naruto told the bijuu about how when Sasuke slammed the chidori on his back, Naruto had felt like he had lightning running through his tenketsu. When he said that the Kybui figured it out, the lightning chakra from Sasuke had mixed with his own, mutating Naruto's chakra, and causing his natural affinities, wind and water, to mix with the new element. Once they were done with that, the Kybui dismissed Naruto telling him that Tsunami was cooking breakfast, and that tonight he would summon Naruto to the seal. Kybui wanted to check some things, just in case the new changes to his chakra would effect Naruto in any negative way. Nodding, Naruto felt himself ejected from his mind. "It's my last day here then it's time to move on, might as well have some fun!"
After breakfast, which consisted of pancakes, syrup, eggs, and white rice, Naruto was led (dragged) by Inari to the younger child's favorite fishing spot. After a few hours, around mid-day, Naruto sent Inari home with their catch, and told Inari to tell Tazuna that when Naruto came back he wanted to go clothes shopping. The boy gave Naruto a grin, and dashed off. Smiling slightly, Naruto turned towards his destination, the smile was gone. It was time to pay one last respect.
After a thirty minute walk he arrived. Naruto was at the entrance of a small,grassy field that was surrounded by trees in a circle. In the middle of the field was their grave markers. The plain wooden crosses were still in good condition. The same could be said of the massive sword sticking out of the ground next to the cross on the left. The metal of the blade was a dark gray, and running along the length of it was streak of silver. Near the long handle was a cut out of a semicircle. This blade was the Kubikiribocho. The zanbato of the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi.
On the right, there was a cross that had a black obi wrapped around it, this was the grave of the person who taught Naruto how when you protect those who are precious to you then you are truly strong, this was Haku Yuki. Remembering the lesson Haku taught him caused Naruto to frown, and look down sadly. Was there anyone he could call precious anymore? Stopping in front of the graves, Naruto pushed that last thought aside. He was in the presence of old friends.
"Haku, Zabuza," Naruto began. "While the circumstances that brought me here sucked, it is good it see you again." Naruto stopped talking unsure of what to say. His eyes went over to the Kubikiribocho, and lingered on it. He noticed that the sword was covered in scratches, and the moisture of the air, and water had started to rust it. For a few moments all Naruto did was stare at the zanbato in front of him. He remembered how Zabuza wielded the enormous blade like it was made out of air. He then thought of everything that blade has been through, the battles it survived... Only to be left alone to slowly rust away next to it's previous master.
"A blade like yours shouldn't be left like this." Naruto said suddenly breaking the uneasy silence."This is a blade that was meant to be used for battle, not to be left alone to slow decay." Naruto then looked at Zabuza's grave. "When the Kubikiribocho was stabbed into the ground we disgraced both you, and the sword." Naruto said regretfully.
"You wouldn't have wanted your sword to be left here. No. You would have wanted it to be used. I have no idea by who but, you would never have wanted it to be left here to be eaten away by the elements." Naruto stated with a small flame in his eyes. Those eyes of his were on the Kubikiribocho again, it was as if the zanbato was calling him.
"Zabuza..." Naruto began shakily, reaching out to grab the sword.
"... I know that I shouldn't touch something that belongs to a deadman but, I simply cannot let this blade go to waste." Naruto gripped the handle, and then everything went dark.
"Hey brat," A gruff voice said. "Wake up. We need to talk."
Opening his eye, Naruto quickly had to shut them. It was so white here, wherever here was. Naruto then opened them again, blinked in both confusion, and in hope that it would let his eyes adjust to the white that he soon realized was mist. This place was covered in mist. Naruto could only see a few feet in front of himself. His confusion came back quickly when he asked "Where am I?"
"Inside the sword brat", the gruff voice came from behind. It was a voice Naruto never thought he would hear again. The person whose voice this was is dead. Turning around Naruto saw him, the previous owner of the sword he touched. The man was shirtless, half of his face was masked by bandages, and he had on a sideways headband. He had white, and black mimetic wrist-warmers, that had matching leg-warmers over stripped baggy pants. On his back being held by a belt that went across his pale chest was the Kubikiribocho.
Naruto's wide ceruleann orbs locked with Zabuza's own black eyes. The two remained in eye contact until...
"...st..."
"What?"
"Ghost!" Naruto screamed, and started to run in circles. His eyes may have been opened in regards to Konoha, and while his love for them has completely faded, Naruto's fear of the supernatural hadn't faded one bit. If it weren't for Zabuza slamming the flat end of his sword down on the terrified blonde's head, Naruto would still be running around.
"Dumbass, I'm not a ghost." Zabuza began, clearly annoyed. "Though if you start running again, I'm going to turn you into one. Painfully." Zabuza threatened Naruto when he saw the boy getting ready to run again. Still afraid, Naruto stayed put. Zabuza pulled out his zanbato, stabbed it into the ground, folded his hands over the end of the handle, rested his chin on his hands, and looked at Naruto with eyes that clearly said "Explain." Seeing those eyes caused all of Naruto's fear to fade, and for him to sigh with a tired look that came to his face which made Zabuza raise one of his almost nonexistent eyebrows. This was going to be interesting.
After hearing Naruto's tale of betrayal, it was fairly safe to say that Zabuza really wished he were alive so he could cut Kakashi to pieces. How dare that bastard play favorites with his own students! How dare he chose a traitorous little shit over a loyal student just because the of the little shit's clan name! Growling loudly Zabuza unconsciously released his demon shroud, the purple cloud taking the shape of a hanya mask.
THUD.
Startled, Zabuza jumped a little at the sound, and quickly found Naruto passed out eyes still open, and filled with terror. It was then the dead missing-nin realized that he was the cause of the blondes fainting. Retracting his shroud, Zabuza face - palmed, mumbling underneath his breath. Seeing Naruto still out Zabuza decided to take some of his anger out on the unconscious boy.
"Wake the fuck up!" Were the words bellowed into Naruto's ear. Naruto immediately stood up straight, and tall, saluted with his left arm, and loudly shouthed "Aye, aye, sir!"
Zabuza's snicker quickly made the jinchuuriki remember who he was with, and to become intensely embarrassed, much to Zabuza's amusement. A question that Naruto had wanted to ask quickly got him out of his embarrassment as he turned to Zabuza with a valid inquiry. "How are we talking if your dead, and I'm alive?"
"I was wondering when you were going to ask that." Replied the older shinobi. "The answer has to do with me not passing the Kubikiribocho down to someone before I died. I had no successor." The deadman stated. Noticing a look of confusion on the blonde's face, Zabuza remembered that Naruto didn't know why it was so important for members of the Seven Swordsmen to pass down their blades.
"The reason why I am talking to you right now is because since I didn't have a successor when I died, the Kubikiribocho still believes I am it's master, and when my physical body died, Kubikiribocho held on to my spiritual one." Naruto was about to ask how can a sword do that when Zabuza elaborated on it.
"The seven swords of the mist are by no means normal. All of them have unique abilities, but what really sets them apart from other swords is that they are partially sentient."
"What?" Naruto interrupted "How the-?" SLAM! The Kubikiribocho once more met Naruto's head.
"Don't inturupt me brat..." Zabuza growled out. "Wait until I'm finished then ask whatever questions you have or I'll beat the remaining idiot out of you." seeing Naruto nod Zabuza continued.
"As I was saying the seven swords are partially sentient. By partially sentient I mean that while they cannot think, the swords do feel, and can transfer emotions over to their bearers. I guess you can say the swords are just a bit more intelligent than animals, they are unable to talk but are able to make sounds for instance, the Kubikiribocho makes this sound." Zabuza stopped talking, and drew Naruto's attention to the sword.
Chu chu ha ha(AN:guess where this is from), Naruto heard the metallic echo in his mind. It sent a shiver down his spine, it was that creepy. Naruto turned his attention to Zabuza who was staring wide-eyed at Naruto. "What?"
"I don't believe it." the phantom swordsman said, "Kubikiribocho has chosen you."
"Chosen me?" Naruto repeated perplexed. A thought ran through his head. "Does that mean...?" Zabuza nodded his head.
"Yes, Naruto, it means what your thinking." Zabuza shook his head, and ran his hand through his short, spiky, black hair. "Kubikiribocho has chosen you to be it's next wielder, the proof is that you were able to hear it's call."
"Wait," Naruto interjected. "Was I not supposed to be able hear it?" Shaking his head in a negative gesture, Zabuza continued speaking.
"Before you came in here I was listening to you when you talked about my wishes for the sword. You are right, I do not want this blade to just rust away. I want it to be used for what it was meant for which is battle." Zabuza looked at Naruto in the eyes.
"Even though I'm stuck in here I do what is going on around me, so I noticed you staring at my blade. Normally, I wouldn't care but, then I saw that you kept on staring as you spoke. Your gaze was firmly stuck on it." Zabuza closed his eyes.
"When you grabbed the handle I knew something was up, I could feel the anticipation swell within Kubikiriboch." Zabuza informed Naruto.
"Naruto... Kubikiribocho has determined you to be it's next wielder, will you accept the blade? You should know that if you do there will be a bond between you and Kubikiribocho. Your mind will be connected to the sword, you will share it's pain, and it yours." Zabuza gave Naruto a look "I ask once more will you accept the Kubikiribocho?" Zabuza stared at his blade fondly, then looked at Naruto, his eyes firm.
Naruto stared back, his face showing his uncertainty, after a moment, Zabuza saw that fire appear in his eyes, and Naruto's face turned determined much to Zabuza's excitement. Naruto faced Zabuza, and a confident voice, he gave his answer.
"Yes"
Zabuza pulled down his bandages wrapped around his mouth, and gave Naruto a sharky grin, exposing his sharpened teeth. Zabuza then closed his eyes, grin still in place, when the phantom opened them, he handed Naruto his new sword, watched as Naruto grabbed the part of the handle above his hand.
"One more thing before I go." Zabuza, didn't let go of the handle. "On the butt end of the handle, there is a storage seal. Channel some chakra into it and it'll break, the seal contains a map of Wave country, marked on that map is a black X. That X marks my hideout, there you will find money, weapons, and Jutsu scrolls."
Naruto couldn't believe what Zabuza just told him. All of his supply problems were solved! Zabuza had one last suprise for Naruto though, one that would forever change Naruto.
"Inside my hideout there is a gray rug at the entrance, underneath it somewhere in the middle there is a squeaky floorboard. Remove the floorboard, and you'll find a gray scroll that contains all of my signature Jutsu, and a scroll containing my own sword style, and one with the Silent Killing technique written in it. Naruto was now imitating a fish. Why was Zabuza telling him all of this? Why was he providing Naruto with a means to achieve so much strength?
"Naruto." Zabuza must have known what the blonde thought. "I'm telling you this because I don't just want you to carry my sword, I want you to carry my legacy."
Thump. Naruto's heart started pounding when Zabuza said those words. His legacy! Zabuza wanted him to carry his legacy!
"Naruto can you do this for me?" Thump.
"I died with passing my style down, and... I want to give you a fighting chance to survive. That." Zabuza chuckled. "And I want to give Kakashi the finger by giving you the proper tools to enable you become a powerful shinobi, when he didn't even try; basically I want the credit for being your teacher." The both of them laughed at that.
"So...?" Zabuza began questioningly "Naruto Uzumaki, Nidiame (second) Demon of the Hidden Mist?"
"No," Naruto negated. "You got that name because of where you were from, and what you've done." A thoughtful expression appeared on his face, which was quickly replaced by a large grin. "How about Legacy of The Mist Demon?"
Zabuza returned the grin.
"Thank you Naruto. Well it's time for me to go." Zabuza let go of the handle, which seemed to caused his body to start to fade. "So long, brat. Oh! I forgot, in the scroll with my jutsu, there is a little something extra in there, use it well."
"Thank you, goodbye, Zabuza." Naruto said with a sad smile as Zabuza competely faded away leaving him alone with the Kubikiribocho. He had lost Zabuza but, he had gained a lifelong companion.
Chu chu ha ha , the Kubikiribocho echoed softly. Naruto felt the sword sending feelings of comfort, and devotion to him. They were barely bonded for five minutes, and the sword already cared deeply for it's new wielder. Naruto felt himself fade away, signaling his awakening.
The crosses in the field were the first objects in Naruto's vision when he came to. His hand still grasped the handle of Za- no his zanbato. It still looked to be midday, the sun was in the same position it was in when he was pulled into the sword. Naruto wrapped his other hand on the handle, Naruto pulled the Kubikiribocho out of the ground. THUD. Groan! Naruto wasn't strong enough to hold the sword higher than a few inches off the ground.
"Damn!" Naruto huffed out. "You sure are heavy."
Chu chu ha ha , Kubikiribocho echoed, clearly annoyed. "Sorry." Naruto quickly said. He created three clones, and had them help him carry the massive zanbato to Tazuna's house. "How the heck am I going to explain this?"
Thirty complaint filled minutes later, and Naruto had arrived. He dismissed his clones, but not before he sent one into town with his remaining money and orders to buy a strap so he could put Kubikiribocho on his back. The clone came back ten minutes later with a blue strap that was the same type Zabuza once had. Putting the strap on over his cloak- he really couldn't wait to get new clothes- Naruto put the Kubikiribocho on his back. The way he had sheathed it was with the handle pointing diagonally at the ground with the curved tip in the air. He almost fell backwards when he put it on for the first time. Damn that sword was heavy! He really hoped Tsunami wouldn't flip out when he come back. Turning to his clone, he had it dismiss itself. He was shocked as he saw the clones trip. When he saw the fox tonight he would ask about it. First things first, he had to deal with Tazuna's family's reaction to him seeing Kubikiribocho occupying the space behind him.
-Six hours later-
Once Tazuna, and co had recovered from the heart attacks they had upon seeing Naruto walk in with Kubikiribocho, Naruto told them that he couldn't let the blade rust as it would be an insult to Zabuza. After they accepted the answer, Naruto, and Tazuna went to a clothing store. Once there, Naruto selected a new outfit, along with a couple of pairs of the same outfit, to which Tazuna insisted on paying for everything. Naruto was happy about that since he was out of cash. After that the two returned to the house, and had lunch. The shopping, and eating had taken two hours to finish. After a short goodbye Naruto left, and unsealed the map in the seal on the butt of Kubikiribocho's handle. The blonde followed the map for four more hours until he came across clearing. On the back of the map there was a note about a tree that had no leaves, and that had large gashes on it. Inside of a hole on the left side there was a button that revealed a trapdoor. That was the entrance to Zabuza's old hideout. Quickly Naruto went to the tree, and hit the button in it's trunk.
Naruto walked down the now open stairs that the trapdoor previously covered. Using a lighter he bought at Karakura as a torch, Naruto closed the trapdoor, and went down the stairs. The walk down took three minutes. Once he exited the staircase, Naruto soon found a light switch on the wall to his left. Blowing out the lighter, Naruto carefully scanned his new bunker-like home. He figured that's what he should call it, after all, he planned on staying here for a while. Speaking of his new home, it had dull, gray metal walls with a wooden floor on the left side there were two open rooms that lacked doors. One was a kitchen, and other looked to be a workshop of some kind. The wall across the entrance had nothing, it was just a wall. The right wall had one room with a door. That perhaps was a bedroom or sleeping quarters of some kind. None the rooms had his attention now though no, that belonged to the gray rug in the middle of the largish central room that the walls surrounded. Going to the middle of the room Naruto kicked off his new, black ninja-sandels.
His new outfit consisted of black cargo pants that had two back pockets, and four side pockets. On the upper half of his body he had a grey, long-sleeved hoodie that had orange stitching, and that was also dark orange on the inside, underneath that he wore a red t- shirt. Covering his face was the bear-styled mask that Dai had given him. The strap that used to hold the Kubikiribocho was over his hoodie, and the sword itself was now sheathed properly with the blade pointing down however, Naruto's lack of height meant that the tip was dragging on the ground much to the sword's irritation. Naruto currently had the hood down letting his spiky blonde soon to be red hair. When he was at the store Naruto found some hair dye, and colored contacts. Tazuna paid for those along with Naruto's new clothes. Removing the rug, Naruto walked around the area the rug once occupied until he heard a sound that made him grin. He heard the squeak of the floorboard that was just to the right of the center. It was slightly raised which made things a lot easier.
The dust cloud that come from within the hole in the floor must have broken a record. Naruto was thankful that Dai's mask protected him from the dust otherwise he might have died from inhaling all that crap. Great, now he needed to wash his recently bought attire, just add that to the list, right under clean the damn bunker. When the dust settled Naruto peered inside the small space, and immediately found the scrolls that Zabuza described. On top was the gray one, the one where Zabuza had his Jutsu written in, the middle scroll was a light blue, and the bottom scroll was tan. Reaching into the small crevice, Naruto pulled out the scrolls. After he wiped off the dust, and cobwebs, Naruto set them on the ground, and replaced the floorboard, and rug.
While Naruto badly wanted to go through those scrolls, and start expanding his jutsu arsenal, he figured it would be better to explore his new abode. He also wanted to find where those weapons that Zabuza informed him of were located, those he desperatly needed. Treading to the door on the right, Naruto grasped the knob and opened it to reveal... Cleaning supplies, and boxes of nonperishable food. Well, at least Naruto won't have to worry about buying house supplies for a while. Eye twitching behind the mask, the new home owner closed the door, and moved to the workshop - looking room.
"B-I-N-G-O!" The now happy Naruto sang. Along the wall to the left of the entrance were five closed, secured, and air - tight crates labeled with weapons. Kunai, senbon, demon wind shuriken, regular shuriken, and trench knives, and fūma shuriken. Settled in the middle of the room was a black forge with a furnace to the left of it. Along the back wall was a small shelve that had a few books on it. The books appeared to be old, their leather was worn, and the lettering on them was heavily faded. Walking over, pulling one of the books out, Naruto opened it, and saw that it was on blacksmithing, and metalworking. Peering through the others, Naruto saw that they were on creating, and maintaining various weapons. Those were definitely useful.
Going to the kitchen, Naruto went through the pantry, only to find it barren. The drawers contained metal plates, bowls, and other eating utensils. It seemed that the room with the door had all the food. The kitchen was OK, nothing special. It consisted of a stove, an empty pantry, a couple of empty drawers, and an empty medium-sized refrigerator. Sighing, Naruto was about to exit the kitchen when a glint caught his eye. Something was wedged between the stove, and the fridge. Putting his arm in the space between the two appliances, Naruto felt something soft about halfway into the gap. Curling his fingers around the soft object, Naruto yanked it out with his arm. His arm brought to his face, the blonde examined his prize. It was a mist shinobi headband with scratch running through the middle of the metal.
"Zabuza...This must have been his." Naruto mused sadly, then he realized something.
"Wait, Zabuza's headband wasn't slashed through when I saw him." It was true, Zabuza's headband did not have a cut across it the two times he battled the now fractured Team-7. Chu chu ha ha Kubikiribocho broke into it's wielder's thought before it could continue.
"Huh?" Naruto respond. "He had two headbands, the one I saw him with was a spare?" Chu chu ha ha the sword confirmed. Well, since that issue was cleared up, Naruto could now read those scrolls, though he knew that the topic would come back up later. However, there was one problem that had to dealt with first.
"Kage bushin!" Three puffs of smoke appeared then faded showing the clones without the Kubikiribocho.
"Go clean the house, I am not living in a dust bowl." Groaning, the clones begrudgingly commenced the cleaning of their boss's new dwelling. Naruto laughed at the sight, and returned to the scrolls, the parchments calling his name. Now, where is that jutsu scroll? Chu chu ha ha Kubikiribocho echoed, suggesting a different subject to learn.
"Ken-jutsu?" Naruto implored, looking at his zanbato. "Yeah, I suppose that leaning how to do more than swing you around like an idiot makes sense." Naruto concluded, then added seriously. "If I am to carry on Zabuza's legacy then I should make ken - jutsu my primary skill." Picking up the scrolls, Naruto placed them in the kitchen on the counter top. Unsheathing Kubikiribocho, he sat cross - legged, laying the heavy blade across his lap, silence encompassing the boy, and his sword. A few minutes went by as Naruto enjoyed the serenity, the sounds of the clones cleaning tuned out.
"OK." The new swordsman broke the silence. "Let's get this started, I'll start with the scrolls under the rug, then the other ones... Wherever they are." Where were the other scrolls? While he didn't inspect every nook and cranny, he examined every room a little but, didn't see anything resembling jutsu scrolls. Perhaps they were hidden? He'd worry about it later, it was time to start becoming the Legacy of the Mist Demon.
After finding the tan scroll that held Zabuza's sword style, which was invented by the man, Naruto quickly found out that he couldn't even begin to attempt teaching himself it. Why? He wasn't physically ready, and in order to properly use the style the user had to be able to hold it as if it was a feather. Naruto, while able to walk around with the sword on his back, had to have clones help him pick it up! If someone saw him, and his struggling to keep the blasted piece of metal off the ground they would be on the dirt, tears falling like waterfalls down their face. That's how hard they would be laughing. Naruto really needed to build up his body physically, which is why for the past six hours he has been lifting weights . He had examined the tan scroll again, and found a storage seal that conveniently contained various sets of weights.
Naruto also was really happy that he had the clones clean when they found the jutsu scrolls in the workshop inside the crate that was supposed to be filled with daggers. There was about ten scrolls, two for each element, along with a couple of small square pieces of paper.
It was now evening, the clones dispelled themselves, causing Naruto to once again remember what his clones did. He really wanted to talk to the Kybui about that to see if it could be hazardous to his health. Speaking of Kybui, Naruto had just finished eating some of the canned food inside of one of those boxes. Eating caused the floor to seem really comfortable to Naruto, and the second his eyes closed he was dead to the world.
Naruto was starting to get used to ending up in the seal whenever he went to sleep, and in all honesty, he would rather be here then having another nightmare like he did back at Tazuna's house. The Kybui looking at him with an oddly approving caused him to banish the thought, and give the bijuu his attention.
"Legacy of the Mist Demon eh, not bad brat." The kitsune smirked with approval. "It seems that you have managed to procure a secure resistance, and have even found ways to increase your strength."
Kybui went on."So far you've exceeded my expectations, I honestly thought you would have broken down by now but, you have shown that you are serious . I am pleased." Naruto just stood there unsure of what to say to that. It was part praise, part insult, so he settled for asking how the Kybui's inspection of his body went. "Did you find anything that I should know about?"
"No, nothing bad." The Kybui replied, "The added element isn't going to do any damage in the future."
Sighing in relief, Naruto then looked curiously at the fox "Last time I was here you said I had a new bloodline right?" Kybui nodded in confirmation. "I'm guessing that you looked at that too". Eyes closed, the fox grinned.
"You really have changed." The kitsune started, "It's amazing how much calmer you are, and at first I thought more had changed but that's it." Seeing Naruto raise an eyebrow, the fox continued. "The only aspect of your personality that this entire experience has changed is that you are no longer a loudmouth, overexcited idiot. You still have your quirks minus the verbal tick, thank goodness." Naruto's eye twitched, and the Kybui grinned, showing it's sharp, white fangs. "But that's it. Your calmer, and because of that you aren't just charging in trying to find a temporary solution to your execution order, rather than try to go back, and die trying to foolish reverse the decision." the bijuu paused for second.
"You have tried to accept it to the best of your ability, and are trying to survive long term. The point is, you are thinking instead of acting, a sign of maturity, which you desperately need to become in order to make it in the world of nuke-nin." the Kybui stared at him, face all business, "There is no village to back you up, no teammates to rely on, though you never had that," as the fox went on, Naruto paid complete attention, knowing everything the furball was saying is true, especially the last part. "No source of income, not even a source of information along with safety never being guaranteed. You are on your own."
"OK..." Naruto stated "You've made your point. What is it you want me understand?" Naruto questioned calmly.
"I know I can't go back nor, do I want to, I know I'm on my own... At least until Dai's partner hopefully finds me." Naruto grabbed his neck where the seal was, "I know that my situation is horrible, even though Zabuza lead me here through the map, and I know that once those supplies run out, I'll have to find a way to support myself but my worries are simple." Naruto observed the kitsune, giving it a calculating glare. "Why are you talking to me more? More importantly," Naruto's eyes unconsciously turned into glaciers as he glared at the bijuu. "What do you want?"
A tense silence fell between the two as they stared each other down, neither backing down. After what felt like an eternity, the Kybui started chuckling lowly. The chuckling grew higher until it became full - blown laughter.
"You got balls looking at me like that boy." Mused Kybui. "To answer your first question, I find it easier to converse with you now since you've gotten calm." Naruto nodded understanding where the fox was coming from. Looking back on how he use to act, Naruto was thoroughly embarrassed. The fox continued. "Wow, what do I want?" The Kybui used a mock - thinking voice. Naruto was annoyed but, he didn't show it.
"What I desire is a change of scenery, and for to listen to what I have to say."
"... OK.." Naruto was quiet, "How do I do that?" The fox slammed its head into the bars of the cage.
"Calmer you may be, smarter you are not." Kybui grumbled, making it's jinchuuriki gain a small tick mark on the left side of his head.
"This your mind, shape it as you please, just get me out of this damn sewer." Naruto nodded, and then closed his eyes, concentrating. The sewer faded away, and was replaced with a large, misty forest. The trees were taller than the kitsune, and thick in both width, and foliage. The ground was covered with grass, flowers of a variety of vivid colors, different types of bushes, and other lush vegetation. The entire landscape was reminiscent of a jungle. The Kybui was impressed.
"Not bad brat, not bad at all." the fox commented, stretching. The bijuu went to go scratch it's neck... Only to stop when it's paw touched something cold, and hard. The object wrapped around the entirety of the neck almost like a... Growling loudly, eyes narrowed, and teeth bared the Kybui turned to Naruto, who was trying very hard not laugh.
"Naruto!" Oh the fox was pissed. "What the FUCK is there a collar on me!"
"The seal had to somewhere" Naruto replied, smirking. "Besides, it makes you look more... Tame." That tore it.
Charging, Kybui roared "YOUR DEAD HUMAN! STAY STILL SO I CAN TEAR YOU A NEW ASSHOLE!"
"Sorry I don't swing that way, and I ain't into beastiality." That comment only served to incense the bijuu as roared louder. Laughing, Naruto vanished from his mind just the kitsune slammed it's paw into the ground where Naruto had vanished from, creating a large crater. Seeing Naruto gone the fuming fox started to destroy the surrounding forest.
Waking up at who knows when, Naruto yawned as he stretched, and stood up, making sure to crack, and pop everything that needed to be.
"DON'T YOU DARE THINK I'M LETTING THE CRAP YOU PULLED LAST NIGHT GO!" The booming voice of the enraged kitsune scared the life outta Naruto as he literally jumped so high he bashed his head against the roof, putting a head - sized dent in it. He even got stuck in the wall, for a minute, causing the Kybui to crack up hollering "Karma is a bitch ain't she!?" Once the now awake, and very mad, Naruto got his head out of the ceiling, landing on his butt to the floor, the blonde flipped.
"What the hell!? That fricking hurt you bastard! How the blood - soaked hell did you do that!?" Naruto angrily demanded. Snickering, the fox replied "I've always been able to, I just never had a reason to communicate with you from the seal." Naruto was now rubbing his sore head, trying to get it to stop throbbing. After eating breakfast, Naruto, and his prisoner were once again communicating with each other, this time mentally.
"So based on what you examined" Naruto began "I have an upgraded version of this storm release bloodline from Kumo?"
With a grunt of confirmation, the Kybui boomed "Yes that is correct. The actual storm release is really just a mixture of lightning, and water chakra used to create energy based attacks however, your new bloodline is more deserving of that name because it actually does create storms in fact, given enough time, and training I believe you could eventually form typhoons using this new ability." Kybui finished with an impressed tone. "This is a very powerful technique. I recommend you begin see exactly what you can do with it, just remember not to over rely on it like the Uchiha, and his sharingan." The bijuu warned.
"Don't worry about that." Naruto muttered, annoyed at being compared to that traitorous bastard. "My main combat skill will be ken - jutsu. By the way," Naruto changed the subject, "How is that training schedule coming along?"
"It's done." The Kybui answered. "I will awaken you at six A.M., and for an hour you'll be doing strength building exercises, at seven is breakfast which will last for thirty minutes, seven-thrirty you will learn, and practice the jutsu Zabuza gave you until you've established efficiency with them, and the techniques are above average. Save mastering them for later, we can not afford it right now. The jutsu training will last until twelve, where you will have thirty minutes for lunch. One through five will be training with your Kubikiribocho, after that you will rest, and go to sleep at nine." Naruto confirmed he understood, and then expressed a concern that was inevitable. "What is the plan for when the food runs dry? I will not be leaving this area unless absolutely necessary."
"When that happens." Kybui decided. "It is time to make your debut to the world as The Legacy of the Mist Demon."
CUT AN
OK a lot happened this chapter which is unfortunately going to be split in half, due to length issues. Next chapter will include a 2 month time skip to when Naruto runs out of food, and Dai's partner will finally be revealed . As for Naruto's personality, he will keep some of his canon traits, the only thing I am changing is he is calmer, and thinks before he acts. He will NOT forgive Konoha, he is done with them. Now some of you will probably complain about everything I have given him like the new bloodline. He doesn't have a teacher, and his bloodline is completely new which means he will have to invent jutsu for it which he won't be able to do until he arrives in the Sekirei part of the story. He also doesn't have anyone to properly teach him, and the Kybui does not know jutsu since it can't perform them. Naruto will primarily be a swordsman with a very good affinity for jutsu. I won't make him overpowered, he will know how to use his jutsu, but they won't be mastered. The reason for this is that Kybui wants him to expand his range of abilities, and then focus on mastering them once he has established himself in the world of nuke-nin. The next part of the chapter will definitely have action, and will end with Naruto on his way beyond the veil. PLEASE REVIEW, I really want to know what you guys think of my story, and ways I could improve it. All of those who have followed, and favorited LTMD thank you for giving this no talent writer a chance, it is for you I write. Just a heads up after the chapter where the Sekirei elements are introduced the title will be shorted to just the the second half of the original. When I post the chapter you'll know why.
Grey-blueflames burning out.