Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
A/N: Sorry guys and girls for not updating in a while. First, I had tests to take at school for a week. After that until recently, I've been moving, and I'm still not done. Aside from that, I was dissatisfied with the chapter that I had and I rewrote it many times to make it better. Again, I'm sorry.
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Konoha's Demon Fox
Chapter 4 : Surprise Surprise
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Once they were in the forest, Sakura spoke, "Naruto, who was that friend of yours?"
Naruto hesitated as he jumped through the trees, "It was Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke's brother."
Kakashi's eye went wide, "What is he doing in Konoha? He's a missing-nin!"
Naruto never slowed down, "When I was in Wave Country, we bumped into each other. He told me what happened those years ago. It was true that Itachi killed all the Uchiha, but his reasons were good. He found out that his entire clan had done something to Sasuke that was wrong, and Itachi killed them all for it.
"However, the old man has heard the story and has reinstated Itachi as a Leaf Gennin. Regardless of the exam's results, Itachi will be given the title 'Sannin', to take the place of the traitor, Orochimaru." Naruto paused, blushing, "Then, I, as his official teammate, am to take Jiraiya's place in the Legendary Three. Well, since the exam has ended, I'm sure that I already am. The rank has already been recorded, with the contracted in the Hokage Vault, and a copy in my possession."
Kakashi's visible eye widened, "You're a Sannin! I thought the only way to that is to have the Hokage as a witness at a duel between the Sannin, being Jiraiya in this case, and the challenger, being you. I can understand Itachi becoming one, since Orochimaru has been labeled a missing-nin, but you would have to duel Jiraiya."
Naruto looked away, completely embarrassed, "Last night we dueled. It lasted for hours, with me coming out on top just barely. Though, I doubt I could last for even a minute if he was in his prime. I barely had a fraction of my chakra restored by the fight with Neji."
Sakura looked down, 'Naruto is a Sannin? How could this be? Sannin were the very best ninja in the village. Their jutsu unrivaled, and their chakra reserves incredible. Naruto was the worst in class. Everyone was at least twice as good as he was. Wait, that's not true. Naruto showed that he was great in the second exam, then beat Kiba. Now, after defeating last year's rookie, Neji, WITH his tenketsu closed off, he's still going strong not even an hour after his fight. Who in the seven hells are you, Naruto!'
While Sakura was too shocked to talk from finding out that the school 'Dead Last' was now of the highest rank, outside of Hokage, Kakashi only whistled, "Then that makes you my superior, Naruto-Sama."
Naruto's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, then continued to run faster. Kakashi picked up his speed to keep up with Naruto, who already picked up Sakura and carried her on his back, "What did they do to him? Sasuke, I mean." Kakashi asked.
Naruto groaned. How was he supposed to tell Kakashi about Sasuke in front of Sakura. He could already hear her voice making a speech of how brave her 'Sasuke-kun' is for being the angst-filled who protects the world of such a dangerous beast. There's be parades in the bastard's honor. He would be forever named 'greatest hero of all-time Hokage, Sasuke'.
'Okay, the hell with that! There is no FUCKING way that the bastard will be Hokage! I am the nine-tailed vessel for fucks sake, that's a whole damn tail higher than that prick, Sasuke. Only way he's getting Hokage before me is over my damn BODY!' Naruto yelled inside his mind.
Kyuubi sweatdropped, "You're getting off topic, idiot…"
A growl echoed through Naruto's mind, 'Watch who you're calling an idiot, you demonic fuzz ball.'
On the outside, Sakura and Kakashi were staring at Naruto. Being the less impatient one, Sakura spoke first, "NA-RU-TO! Kakashi asked you a question!"
Naruto sighed. This would make them suspicious. Using his most commanding tone, Naruto answered, "It's classified by order of Sandaime Hokage. All further questions are to be referred to the Hokage."
Though Sakura was reluctant to let the conversation stop, she noticed that her sensei nodded. Sensing that the conversation was indeed over, Sakura changed the topic, "How did you change so much? They don't look natural."
Naruto replied without hesitation, "Bloodline Limit."
Kakashi smirked under his mask, 'Nice save…'
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Sarutobi was gasping for breath. That was to be expected when fighting his own student, as evil and twisted as he was. Even after all these rounds, the Hokage couldn't believe that he was out of breath and Orochimaru was hardly winded. The snake could not do that in his old age, no matter how healthy. Sparing a quick glance, Sandaime saw that Itachi was trying his best to break through the barrier with no luck. However, the four who held it seemed to have used their curse seals to keep up their efforts.
Orochimaru chuckled, gaining his old sensei's attention once more, "What's wrong, old man? Can't defeat a lowly Sannin?"
Now it was time for Sarutobi to chuckle, "Now, old friend, who said you were still a Sannin. Last time I checked, there were only three."
"Foolish geezer, whatever do you mean? I left, that's all. I still hold the title since no one has defeated me."
Sarutobi smiled, "Yes, that is true. However, since your betrayal, I was able to make an exception with a promising shinobi that was glad to take your place. I believe you met him while you were in Akatsuki. Uchiha Itachi is now your replacement. Now, the only original Sannin is Tsunade."
Orochimaru's eyes widened, only slightly hearing that he had been replayed. His hand curled around the kunai he was holding. Itachi had taken his place. No matter, he was already a Kage. A more important piece of information came into his mind, "Jiraiya has died?"
"No, he was defeated last night in a duel by another promising young shinobi."
The snake man blinked, "Heh, for a second there, I thought you were telling the truth. However, your lies have betrayed you. No one could defeat Jiraiya, not even I."
The Hokage sighed, "Believe what you will. It will only last for a little longer, for you will die. Either by my hands, or Itachi, who is right outside this barrier."
Blinded by rage, Orochimaru ripped off his old face to reveal his young new body, "I WILL NOT DIE! Ever since I perfected my immortality jutsu, I have become INVINCIBLE!"
Blinded by rage, Orochimaru flashed through many seals and yelled out, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu: Edo Tensei!"
Instantly, three boxes rose up, which Sarutobi concluded were coffins. Looking closer at the box, he gasped. Reaching for as many weapons as he could, the Hokage threw them at the third coffin, nailing the lid shut. It would be the end of this battle for him if Arashi came out.
The other two coffin lids opened and out stepped Shodaime and Nidaime, Sarutobi's old teachers and the first two Hokage of Konoha. Looking fondly at their student, the two began to walk towards Sandaime, before Orochimaru slammed two kunai with tied notes into the back of their heads. Instantly, they stopped, and their grins turned into frowns as they reached for their weapons.
Orochimaru took the time to explain, "With this jutsu, I can bring the dead back to life, with all of their knowledge and techniques in tact. They have the same chakra and strength, memories, and even memories. All around, old man, they are given a second chance at life. Just as alive as you or me. That is, until I placed those notes into their skulls. Now, they are soldiers who fight for me. Their memories destroyed, all they know are their skills and that they work for me. Today, you will die."
(Author's note: I have changed this technique up a bit. Normally, before the notes enter the skull, the bodies are only shells. With the notes, they gain their knowledge and memories, BUT by then they already fight for the summoner. In MY version, they have memories and knowledge before, and the note only puts them under the summoner's control. This is for a reason. Enjoy.)
Though shocked, Sarutobi wasted no time with his attack, throwing his hands into a blur of hand seals. First, he summoned two shadow clones, then began another set of seals. Only hesitating for a moment, the Hokage completed the jutsu and latched a hold onto his old student, while the two shadow clones latched a hold of Shodaime and Nidaime, "Orochimaru, this is the jutsu that the Fourth used to seal the Kyuubi, the Shikifuujin no Jutsu. There is no escape. Even now the Shinigami has his hand through us both and is pulling the soul from you body. We will both die here."
Eyes wide in terror, the Otokage thrashed, "Why in the hell would you do that, you fool! Surely you value your own life more than this village!"
A tear fell from Sarutobi's eye, "True, most of this village are fools, but our shinobi are in a class above all else. They are the future. You see, not only do they fight with all of their great strength, they also fight with their hearts as well. Protecting one's precious people gives them strength beyond all limits. For them, I will gladly sacrifice my own life for them, as will the next Hokage."
Though in extreme pain, Orochimaru managed to gain a hold of himself, pushing the Hokage away. However, as he did, he felt something go wrong. When he tried to lift his hands to feel his face, he noticed something, "MY ARMS!"
Fallen to his knees, Sarutobi let out a soft laugh, "Yes, at the cost of my life, I have rendered your life as a shinobi useless. You can no longer do hand seals."
The dying Hokage looked out of the corner of his eye and smiled when he saw Itachi attacking the barrier with new vigor, 'Itachi, it's too late for me. Train yourself to new limits to become a force against all. I hope you take care of Naruto. He will be Hokage one day. In his words, believe it! I'm going to miss you all.'
As Sarutobi fell to the ground lifeless, the four sound nins ran out of energy and had to end their barrier jutsu. As they were ordered before the fight, they rushed off, back towards the sound village. As their master said before, he could take care of himself. If they weren't in such a hurry to leave, they would have noticed that their Otokage was frozen in shock as he looked at his hands, and there was a cloaked ninja dashing towards the snake freak as fast as he could.
"Orochimaru! Now you die!"
The Otokage barely broke out of his shock to see a pair of advanced Sharingan and a basic katana rushing for his neck and only half an inch away. Before he could even move, the sword sliced through, then came down vertically on the middle of his chest.
Orochimaru gurgled a little bit, and took a single step, before collapsing onto the ground. Itachi watched the body carefully for a few moment, just to make sure the body was lifeless. It was.
As the new Sannin was about to take the head as proof of his kill, a sound made him look around. Seeing no one, he looked down again. The noise happened once more. It was the sound of a thud on a hard surface. Itachi started looking around again, determined to locate the origin. A final noise was heard, but it was different. It was the sound of wood breaking.
Itachi whirled around to find himself looking at him in the eyes with an angry glare on their face. The person spoke, "Mind telling me exactly what the HELL IS GOING ON HERE!"
For the first time in his life, Itachi went pale, "Oh Kami!"
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Naruto and Sakura caught up with Sasuke just as he unleashed his third chidori upon Gaara. Once completed, Sasuke fell to the ground, exhausted without chakra. As Sasuke fell to the ground, Gaara screamed with rage and dashed towards the prone Uchiha.
That was Naruto's queue to enter the fight. Making sure that Sakura was safe, the fox boy used his inhuman speed to get to Gaara, then crashed his leg into the side of his head. As he stood, Naruto could feel all eyes on him, especially from Gaara, who seemed to be shaking in rage.
Sand began to blaze around them in huge amounts of speed, making the sound of sandpaper rubbing together. Naruto, hand gripping the large sword on his back, waited for Gaara to finish whatever he was doing.
"Kit, that kid is not ordinary. I sense demon chakra in him. He's a vessel just as you are"
'Like me? Then I'll fight him and make sure that he doesn't hurt anyone.'
"Very well, kit. Good luck"
Bringing himself back into the real world, Naruto notice that Gaara had finished his transformation. Now both arms were made into claws and there was a single tail swishing behind him. Half of the Sand nin's face was transformed, and there was a demonic eye glaring at him, the star-like pupil spinning furiously. Seeing the scared look on Sakura's trembling face, Naruto formed a seal and muttered a sleeping genjutsu on her, making her fall unconscious. He scooped her up and gently placed her next to Sasuke.
In a deep and evil voice, Gaara yelled, "WHO ARE YOU?"
Naruto decided to take a chance and bowed, "I am Uzumaki Naruto, and I am here to ensure that my friend's safety. You are probably unfamiliar with me as a person, and I don't know much about you, but I know other things. You are a vessel, and judging by the one tail you have, I am guessing you hold Shukaku. Am I correct? May I speak with him for a moment?"
Gaara's demonic eye widened, then narrowed. Seconds later, after a jutsu made by Gaara, stood a fully transformed Shukaku. Though he was huge, Naruto looked the demon in the eyes from the top of a large tree that he had jumped to.
Shukaku, who had been paying attention to the fight, sized the boy in front of him up. The human was lean in human standards, with a large sword resting against attire of a white large coat with faux flames at the bottom. Unruly blonde hair with a tinge of red rested on the kid's head, held up by a Konoha headband. When Shukaku looked into the human's gaze, he gasped. Looking back at him were not human eyes, but the unafraid eyes of a demon.
"WHO ARE YOU, HUMAN? WHY DO YOU HAVE THE EYES OF A DEMON? SPEAK NOW!"
Naruto bowed once again, "As I said before, I am Uzumaki Naruto. To answer your question and to further introduce myself, I am the vessel of Kyuubi no Kitsune, Lord of the Tailed-Beasts. Kyuubi and I have agreed that he would give me his chakra and powers until we have fully merged. When that takes place, I will be the new Demon Lord and Kyuubi will hand his title to myself, as I am his chosen heir and only holder of the demon fox contract."
Shukaku began to shake in fear, "K-KYUUBI-S-SAMA? MY LORD, I BEG FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS! I DID NOT KNOW!"
Naruto dismissed it, "Shukaku, again I say that as of now I am only the heir, not yet the Kyuubi. You will address me as Naruto until that time has come. However, you will win favor from me when I do if you aid me now. Is this understood?"
Shukaku nodded furiously, "IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU, NARUTO-SAMA. WHAT DO YOU WISH OF ME?"
"Regress back into your vessel, Shukaku. Give him access to your chakra, but do not harm his mind. If you harm him, I shall see that you no further exist. I will complete his seal once the matters of the village are taken care of. When it is done, you will begin to merge with him, as Kyuubi has done with me. Give your power and words of guidance to your vessel. That is all."
Shukaku bowed his head low, then the sand that made up his body began to fall off, and lead into the gourd that Gaara had carried around. Naruto jumped back to the ground just in time to see Gaara stand up, now awake. The boy glared at Naruto.
"What did you do?"
Naruto smiled, " I have spoken to your demon. He will obey my wishes and will harm you no more. If you will follow me back to my house, I will complete your unfinished seal. After that, Shukaku will begin to merge with you and you will be able to sleep and still be in control. You will also have your demon's chakra in your control. Now Gaara, will you come with me?"
Though he was skeptic, Gaara nodded. Anything for even one full night of sleep with no troubles. With that, Naruto picked up his friends and they made their way back to Konoha, along with Gaara, who kept taking suspicious glances at Naruto.
Once Naruto and Gaara snuck Sakura into her house, and dropped Sasuke at the Uchiha District, they made their way for Naruto's place. Along the way, Naruto had taken care of any of the retreating ninja that had crossed their path. Gaara just raised an eyebrow as he observed how easily Naruto had taken lives. After two miles into the forest behind the Hokage Monument, and, from Gaara's count, thirteen sound ninja, they arrived at Naruto's place.
When the two teens entered the house, they found Kakashi and Jiraiya, who were both tired and bloody, sitting on the couch. Naruto frowned, they were both talking about how much of a baka he was. Didn't they realize that those days were over as soon as he had finished absorbing all of Kyuubi's chakra? There was a weird side effect from the deal. Once all the chakra was transferred, Kyuubi had told Naruto that he had accident sent the boy some of his memories, which "coincidently" consisted of the demon fox's few years of studying human philosophy and other such subjects. Plainly, with his new reasoning, Naruto easily figured that the demon was fed up with Naruto being dim, which he told himself he never was. There was a plus side, though. He had also got quite a few new and powerful jutsu from the memories as well.
Bringing himself out of his thoughts, Naruto coughed, catching their attention, "Sorry to interrupt this discussion on how stupid I am while you are at my house, but I need the space of the living room. So, if you aren't going to help, then get out."
Kakashi eye smiled, "Sure, Naruto-Sama, what can we do to help?"
The boy glared when Kakashi emphasized his title, but nodded, "Kakashi, I need you to move the couch into the next room. Jiraiya, get a brush. I'm going to be sealing a demon."
Kakashi's eye went wide, but he did as he was told. Jiraiya just pulled a brush from his pocket, with a worried frown on his face. In a matter of moments, the couch was gone and both Kakashi and Jiraiya were in front of him.
Jiraiya spoke, "Naruto, do you know how to seal a demon? If you mess up, we will all die."
"I know how to do it. My demon gave me a few seals that are better than the one I have."
The two other leaf ninja nodded, but Gaara frowned, "What demon do you have Naruto. The one-tailed Shukaku is very powerful. Can you do it?"
Naruto grinned, "Of course, since I hold the nine-tailed Kyuubi. Now lay down on the floor and generate a little bit of Shukaku's chakra, but only enough to show your seal."
In shock, Gaara did as he was told, too afraid to disobey, since Naruto held a higher demon and even had his own demon under his command. He felt a brush move around his seal, wet with what he figured was Naruto's blood. Soon, Gaara could feel that there were seals all around his upper torso and arms.
Jiraiya and Kakashi watched in awe at how fast and skillfully Naruto worked with the brush, slashing his arm every few seconds to get blood before it healed again. Though he was fast, it took Naruto around five long minutes to finally finish.
Setting down the brush, Naruto breathed out a sigh as he looked over his work for any flaws that he might have made. There were none. Sitting up strait, Naruto made the ram seal. After a few seconds, small streaks of red chakra flowed around his body, visible to all those around. Looking at Gaara and nodding, Naruto placed a single finger on the center of Gaara's seal and activated it.
Immediately, all of the sand that Gaara had been using for years lifted into the air and rammed into the seal and was sucked into the boy's body. A flash of light came out, then faded away. Naruto could see that Gaara was whimpering a little bit and didn't blame him. This had to be painful.
Naruto and the other two leaf nins watched as the seals that Naruto made began to shrink into the seal that was already there. When it stopped, the seal looked exactly like Naruto's. As the seal completed, Gaara's sand started to come back out of his body. However, it was changed. Now, it was as black as night. As the last jet of sand came out, Gaara's body collapsed as he went unconscious. The sealing was complete.
Naruto sighed in relief and ushered out the other two ninja into the other room. Closing the door behind him, Naruto spoke to them both, "He is safe from his demon now. Already, Shukaku is merging with Gaara as Kyuubi and I have done three weeks ago. However, as mine has taken all this time and still won't be done until a few more days, Gaara will be fully merged in a couple day's time since his demon only had one tail. He'll wake up fully merged, since I doubt he'll wake up anytime soon with all those years of no sleep."
Kakashi was already reading his dirty book, since the interesting events were already done. He waved his hand in response and walked out of the door. Jiraiya nodded, then followed Kakashi, asking which parts he liked best. Naruto sweatdropped. How can they be this perverted with all the cool things he did?
The question was never answered as Itachi and a normal brown-haired ninja came though the door. Naruto raised an eyebrow as he noticed how Itachi was freaking out, "Itachi, what's wrong? And who is this? I've never seen him before."
Itachi looked at the guy beside him, "Go ahead and drop the henge. Show Naruto who you are."
The ninja nodded, and complied. Naruto looked on in curiosity as the smoke clear. Starting at the feet, there was nothing weird there. Looking further up, Naruto began to get mad. Who was this guy to take Naruto's…. Looking finally at the man's face and about to yell at the guy for stealing, Naruto's eyes went wide. Feeling suddenly faint, the only thing that came out of his mouth before going unconscious was only a whisper.
"Yondaime…."
Bet you didn't suspect that! Man, though I kept running out of ideas and changing things, this was by far the best! Please review!
