Chapter 7: The Power of Naruto Revealed

As Naruto waited at the Wall of Serenity, he could not wait to meet Orochimaru to learn even more powerful jutsu's to become stronger. All he could think about was how everything is going as planned. It had been a long grueling eight months but his training paid of extensively he was now a true ninja in body and spirit but not on paper. It was close to midnight and Kabuto was nowhere to be seen, Naruto began to get a little antsy for being stuck in one spot for so long.

"Well I see that you really wanted to meet Orochimaru that bad, you were here for a whole hour waiting?" Said Kabuto as he walked out nonchalant into the opening.

"You kept me waiting and you watch me? What kind of games are you playing and where is Orochimaru, Kabuto? How the hell did you heal so quick from a set of broken bones?"

"I heal fast and not just yet will you meet the master, you have to prove yourself to Orochimaru that you're worthy to meet him, even though I told him about you and he is interested in your abilities. He wants to know who told you about him and where is your allegiance. He wants to see your skills for himself to make sure that you're not some run of the mill every day ninja not worthy of his time. He wants you to enter the Steel and Death Tournament no holds barred where the only rule is you survive." Kabuto handed a pass to enter the tournament to Naruto.

"I heard of that but I thought it just a rumor that was spread across the village for something to talk about, just hearsay. They say ninjas lose their lives at this tournament." Naruto just looked at Kabuto and wonder did he really know Orochimaru?

"It's no hearsay; this is the only way you can talk to Orochimaru. Don't worry about the fee to enter that has been taken care of just show up on time. If you win the money is yours and you meet my master but if you lose you will never seek Orochimaru out again, understand."

"That wasn't the agreement we made Kabuto, but fine I'll enter this tournament how long do I have to practice before it starts?" Said Naruto as his anger began to rise.

"Well I will say about nineteen hours, but I would use about six of them to relax." As Kabuto started to walk away from the blond.

"What kind of crap is this? What the hell are you trying to pull Kabuto? I swear if this a setup I'll do more than break your wrist and ankle next time! I'll put you in so much pain that you will beg for me to end your life!" Said Naruto as he pulled out his kunai.

Kabuto didn't care about the threat because he thought this young ninja in front of him was nothing, he was lower than the dirt itself.

"Any way you will go by the name Saddler, it's foreign so it will not blow your cover at the Sand village Mikado Tae Shin." Kabuto smiled at Naruto threateningly letting him know that it was knowledge and not threats that put fear into the hearts' of ninjas.

Naruto could not believe it; Kabuto planned it this way for a meeting two weeks away so he could get information on him to use at his pleasure. Even though it was a false name if he got that far and knew where he lives he could dig a whole lot deeper, who knows what he would come up with. As Naruto looked at Kabuto walk away, he knew that he would be a big problem down the line.

As Naruto started home, he was a little nervous about the tournament. He knew that most were ninjas looking for a big pay out and some assassins were looking to become famous. As he went home he went straight to sleep.


As Naruto woke up in the morning he knew he couldn't do anything strenuous because he had his work cut out for him in tonight fights. As he did a light practice he started to look around to see if anyone was watching him.

"Great now I'm becoming paranoid." As he continued to look around for anything out of the ordinary.

He came inside his home he had a nice light breakfast as he looked around the house he saw the old couple picture that helped him and paid the price with their life. He actually felt guilty about that but realized it was the ninjas fault they could have easily disarmed them but they wanted just to kill someone so they used that attack as an excuse. Naruto decided to mold his chakra so more so it would be honed to perfection. After molding his chakra he went over some basic ninjutsu to help prepare him for the battle of his life.


As Time Flew By

Naruto waited by the Wall of Serenity for Kabuto to take him to the tournament. As Kabuto approached he smiled at Naruto.

"Ready Saddler? Destroy all your opponents and don't get yourself killed." Said Kabuto as they walked side by side.

Naruto had almost forgotten that was his current alias to use in this tournament.

"How far do we have to go to get there?" Asked Naruto?

"It's a ten minute walk, you will be fighting at the abandoned coliseum downhill from here." Said Kabuto as he pointed to the stadium.

"Wait want that bring unwanted attention and the Sand ninjas of the village out here? They will try and raid this place and take people prisoner?" Said Naruto as he made a sudden stop.

"You really are gullible little boy, better wise up Mikado. Everybody's hands have been paid even the officials and the Sand ninjas will not to interfere. You keep your mind on the match that's all you need to worry about. "As Kabuto cut his eyes at Naruto.

As Naruto entered the stadium he could not believe that there were so many people here to come and see a death match. The matches did not even start yet and the crowd was so loud that he couldn't even hear Kabuto talking to him.

"Wait I need a mask, some of these people could be from the village I live in, if they recognize me my cover is blown." Naruto quickly ducked his head to the ground so no one could see his face.

"I have you covered already, take this mask and put it on this will cover half your face so no one will be able to recognize you." Kabuto handed Naruto a light blue mask with black imprints on it.

As Naruto put on the mask, he felt that this would be perfect for him he could breathe and he could see perfectly.

"Remember this is a gauntlet match so pace yourself well there is no coming back the next day and continue where you left off." As Kabuto walked away.

As the contestants took their place on the sidelines, all of the combatants looked at Naruto and giggled. He was short he had on a ridiculously looking mask on and he was dressed in orange and black. Although muscular he was no way built like the rest of his opponents.

As the tournament began the first match up was a man name Gravven, he was going up against a woman named Sueng.

As they bowed to each other they waited for the referee to say begin. As the official shouted fight, they both rushed each other with blinding speed as each tore into the other with such ferocious intent to kill; most spectators turned their heads at their violent primal rage. As it looked like Gravven was ready to win Sueng quickly did a hand sign that released a barrage of needles that penetrated Gravven leaving him vulnerable to attack. Sueng rush Gravven with such a kick to the head you could hear the bone snap in his neck. The whole stadium went crazy from that scene and stood up and cheered her for killing him.

Naruto just stood there and looked at the body laid out as some men came to retrieve the combatant. Naruto knew now there were definitely very skilled ninjas as combatants in the tournament, he figured he would not use any ninjutsu until the last round or if he really needed too. As the combatants dwindled down Naruto could now tell that it was at least six ninjas that maybe were on Chunin levels and three very skilled assassins that were no push over that knew just a little bit ninjutsu. As the announcer called for the name Saddler, Naruto left the bench and walked onto the field. Everyone in the stadium began to laugh hysterically about a child taking part in this tournament. People started to place bets that he would get killed in three moves or less. As they called the other combatant Fujizowa to come to the field, the whole stadium got silent. This was last year's runner up whom only lost by not being able to continue after twenty minutes of grueling torture by his opponent.

"Don't worry you little shit, I'll make it real quick where you won't feel that much pain when I snap your neck." Said Fujizowa with a callous attitude.

"Funny I was going to say the same thing to you, you big piece of shit!" Said Naruto as he lifted up his middle finger.

The rest of the combatants on the bench heard what Naruto said and wonder if he was crazy for pissing off someone like him. Even the people in the front row of the stadium wonder the same thing.

As the referee looked at both warriors he yelled fight. Quickly Fujizowa rushed Naruto trying to land a heavy blow to end things. Naruto easily evaded the blow and smacked Fujizowa on the side of the face with an opened handed smack. Fujizowa looked at Naruto and rushed with a kick to Naruto head, Naruto dodged again and back hand slapped him to the face this time. Fujizowa anger rose as he pulled out a small sword. As he swung the sword showing he had a great skill using the blade Naruto just stood there waiting for him to attack. As he rushed Naruto he could not understand how Naruto could dodge a blade so close. He could literally feel Naruto's breath and could not strike Naruto at all. Naruto stopped and looked at Fujizowa as Naruto rushed Fujizowa he struck Fujizowa's throat making him gasp for air. Naruto grabbed Fujizowa by the wrist and flipped him down on his back Naruto quickly grabbed his opponent's blade and pierced Fujizowa through his hands. Fujizowa yelled yield as loud as he could because he did not want to die. As Naruto rose up the crowd was silent, they could not believe that Fujizowa last year's runner up was defeated in four moves. All who placed their bets lost everything even the bookies. Kabuto smiled at Naruto to say job well done. As Naruto returned to the bench all combatants eyes were on him.

As the rest of warriors number dwindled down Naruto only had to fight only once since his opponent forfeited before they even stood up. Naruto had thought it would be against Sueng but she was nearly cut to shred by an S-rank criminal known as Shendo the Headhunter. He had a nasty habit of taking peoples skulls and using them for trophies as the rumor went, he was very skilled at many jutsu's and no one knew who he was until his first match when he completely destroyed his opponent with one deadly swipe that left his opponent headless. Sueng figured she could take him down and use the bounty on his head with the prize money but he was too much for her and the officials had nine security members jump and stop Shendo from doing the same thing again. The crowd was so disturb by what he did last time many started to walk out and the rest booed in protest at that horrible sight. As she was being carried out she had them stop by Naruto.

"Forfeit, he isn't normal kid don't throw your life away on some contest. He's on another level and he is a cold blooded killer that wants his prey to suffer" Said Sueng as she grabbed Naruto's wrist.

"I'm far from normal either, let's see whose better and let's see if he's on my level." Said Naruto as he headed to the center of the ring.

As Sueng look at Naruto, she never saw that much confidence in one so young, he believed in himself completely and he was brave personified.

"Good luck kid, I'm going to watch your match from the sidelines as they patch me up."

As Naruto was called to the ring he looked dead into the eyes of Shendo, he could see the hate in his eyes and the Kyuubi could feel that dark temptation of delight on fighting another demon like himself.

As both bowed Shendo began to laugh.

"I feel your hatred but it's useless against me, it strong but mines is stronger. I'm going to collect your head it will be my most prized collection, the head of an idiot child who challenged a demon." As he waved around that blade of his threateningly.

Naruto just smiled. As the referee looked at both of them he yelled fight. Shendo quickly swung his blade at Naruto's head, Naruto was barely able to duck in time Shendo rushed Naruto and punched him so hard blood flew from his mouth. Naruto quickly backed flipped out of harm's way when he seen that sword coming down to cleave him in half.

"His bloodlust is increasing dramatically already, he's actually moving quicker and getting stronger. You better do something quick young cub." Said the Kyuubi as he felt the evil emotions flowing from Shendo.

As Shendo rushed in again he landed another blow to Naruto's jaw and a kick to his chest. Naruto paused and took a second to make up a battle plan to slow this mad man down. Shendo this time threw the sword and Naruto dodged it but as he turned around he saw the sword heading straight toward his head like a boomerang. Naruto was able to roll away from getting decapitated but it cut him across the back. Now Naruto had to worry about him throwing that cleaver of a sword at him and it coming back to cut him in half. As Shendo moved in for the killed Naruto used the Sarutobi Shadow Dance and caught his arm and struck at Shendo's rib. Naruto noticed that he hurt his hand more than he hurt Shendo. Then it came to him, Shendo was wearing light body armor but how was he moving that fast? Naruto quickly kicked a stone and hit Shendo in the leg. As Naruto heard a "cling" sound he knew that Shendo was covered in body armor from head to toe.

"I think you better use your ace in the hole." Said the Kyuubi as he gave Naruto advice on how to defeat his enemy.

"So that's it, that body armor is what's keeping you from harm but I got something just for that."

As Naruto looked at Shendo he yelled! "Shadow Clone Jutsu".

About sixty clones surrounded Shendo. He could not believe his eyes; it was unheard of a ninja making that many and not being chakra exhausted. Shendo quickly picked up his sword and started hacking away at all the clones leaving a puff of smoke in the air.

"I don't care if you make a thousand clones they will meet my sword. I already cut those clones numbers of yours down by half what are you going to do now boy?" Yelled Shendo as he was in ecstasy from hacking away the clones.

Naruto motion for his clones to surround Shendo as he tried to hack each one the clones, they evaded his sword and latched onto Shendo's body holding on to dear life.

"That's it? They're just going to hold me? I thought you were a better fighter than that I'll bust out of their grasp with no problem and kill you slow with my sword. I'm going to enjoy peeling the skin of your frail little body." As he started laughing sinisterly at Naruto.

"No I win, you lost." Said Naruto as he smiled at Shendo.

"Shadow Clone Explosion!" Shouted Naruto at the top of his lungs.

As a series of exploding clones detonated all over Shendo's body. He fell down from multiple injuries; his armor could do nothing to help from that kind of blast from all those clones that latched onto his body. As the crowd saw a humongous crater and Shendo laid out in it with his arm missing and both of his legs gone. The whole stadium stood up as if there was electricity in their seat. No one could believe it a child taking down an S-rank criminal and winning the Steel and Death tournament at the same time. This is something people would be telling their grandchildren about. How a seemingly innocent kid defeated a monster. As Naruto headed back to the bench Sueng smiled and gave him the thumbs up. Kabuto quickly motioned for Naruto to exit the coliseum.

"Meet us by the Wall of Serenity in an hour." As Kabuto blended in with the crowd and disappeared.

As Naruto gave a nod, the official came and handed Naruto his winning and shook his hand.

"I am so glad that you won, that monster was nothing more than psychopath that entered for the sole reason to kill for fun. I hope next year you will enter. Since you're still so young you can only get stronger." As the official smiled and congratulated him once more.

As Naruto left the coliseum he could still hear the excitement in the spectators' voices about the match. As he walked down to his meeting place he waited for Kabuto to fulfill his part of the deal.

As everyone was gone, Naruto waited patiently for Orochimaru.

"Nice fight Mikado, I knew you could pull it off." As Kabuto approached him non-threateningly.

"Where's Orochimaru?" Said Naruto as he leaned against the wall.

"I'm sorry he couldn't make it but I will tell him you won the match with flying colors." Kabuto smiled at Naruto to let him know that he was in charge.

"Liar, than who is that hiding inside that tree listening to us talking?" Said Naruto as he got off the wall.

"Oh, he really is an interesting kid. To pick up on me while I'm in my stealth jutsu is very impressive very impressive indeed." Said the voice coming from the tree." How long have you known I was there?"

"You been here for twenty minutes now and only moved twice" Said Naruto as he watch Orochimaru phase through the tree as if he was a ghost.

"No need for this charade any longer." As Orochimaru approached Naruto with a grand smile on his face.

"Why are you looking for me?" Asked Orochimaru." Who told you of me?"

"I come to learn from you, all of your jutsu to put my plan into motion. The one who told me of you was a ninja I don't know his name it was only in passing. "Said Naruto not wanting to give out his identity to the both of them.

"Come now Naruto Uzumaki you can tell me it was Mizuki, if we are to train together as master and disciple we shouldn't keep secrets from each other." Orochimaru walk in a circle around Naruto examining his physical appearance and his calmness as he knew that Naruto would grow to be a powerful ninja.

Naruto was shocked how could he had known about him.

"Don't be surprised I am from the Leaf village and you used my old sensei stance Sarutobi Shadow Dance which I must say you did at pure perfection. I am curious how long it took you to learn the Shadow Clone Explosion".

"Less than one week." Said Naruto as he remained calm and collective about the situation.

"Really? You truly are one of a kind. I wonder if it has something to do with the Kyuubi inside you." Said Orochimaru as he took his finger and pressed it against Naruto's arm muscle.

"This can't be the kid; he has black hair and dark black eyes? He's not using any dye looked at the hair on his arms and eye brows it's not blonde!" Roar Kabuto because he thought the child in front of him wasn't Naruto.

"I'm suspecting the Kyuubi had something to do with it eh Naruto? Show me how you did it." Orochimaru couldn't keep from being totally excited about what just fell into his hands.

As Naruto looked at the both of them, his facial features and hair return to what he looked like.

As Orochimaru laughed, he looked at Naruto.

"I'll train you for one year and then you will leave and discover new jutsu's on your own for four months, then you will return to me. To return the favor of me helping you become stronger, I am putting together a plan for the future and I would like you to help with it, except my offer no questions asked. Do you agree with my terms Naruto Uzumaki?" Said Orochimaru as he held out his hand.

"Agreed' Said Naruto as he made a deal with the devil.

As Naruto headed off with Kabuto and Orochimaru he knew his plans was far greater than a simple agreement with Orochimaru and if need be it would be a broken.