Recommended story: 'Cursed Blood' by Magnus9284, at the moment my favorite My Hero Academia fic.
Chapter Forty-one
"We choose to face the sentry."
The three judges sat there just staring at the four living people, not saying a word.
"You do understand what it is you're choosing, do you?" One judge said to break the ice.
Naruto, Ino, Isaribi, and Moegi all nodded. "We do. This might be the tougher one, but we agree that the goal is all four of us leaving together, and we can't be certain that challenging the devils will accomplish that. This way gives us the better odds for that."
"But there's no guarantee that all four of you will survive this one either."
"Maybe, but at least this way we've got each other's backs." Naruto stated.
"There is no guarantee that all four of you will survive this. If anything I can guarantee that at least one of you will die for real." Another judge stated, sounding like they were slightly offended at the implication that these kids could actually survive this challenge.
"But compared to the alternative, the odds are in our favor, are they not?" Ino asked.
"...yes." The judge answered reluctantly, in the kind of tone that clearly meant 'Don't quote me on this'.
"Then that's what we're going with."
The judges looked at each other then back to the kids. "Very well. You have two hours to get ready, then you will be taken towards the sentry."
Two hours later, the four were once again at the gates of the town of the dead, ready to depart. Up ahead, they saw what looked like a dog sled with a windshield, but it wasn't normal dogs at the helm. These dogs looked like dobermans but it was like their skeletons were visible. Not in the sense that they were dangerously thin, more like you could see the inside and the outside of the dog at the same time. Like two images were hitting the eyes at the same time and the brain couldn't decide which one it was actually looking at.
"What are those?" Moegi asked.
"Hellhounds. Bred and domesticated to work for us instead of the hell territories. But keep your hands off if you know what's good for you." One of the masked coinmen told the kids.
"Will you be guiding us?" Isaribi asked.
"No, he will."
"Hello children."
The four turned and saw Moegi's mother there in full tundra garb, with a man next to her wearing something similar. Naruto, Ino, and Moegi gasped when they saw him. It was the Sandaime himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Old man?"
Sarutobi chuckled. "It's good to see you again Naruto."
Overcome with emotion, the whiskered blonde ended up pulling him into a hug, which was returned. He shed a few tears and sniffled, unable to say anything.
"Who is he?" Isaribi asked in a whisper.
"He's the former hokage, killed in battle not too long ago, and he was close to Naruto. I guess I didn't realize how close." Ino answered quietly.
"Remember, his job is only to escort you to the sentry, not to fight it for you." The coinman stated for the living people.
"We should get going. You all need to get home." Sarutobi said jovially, and the four got on the sled. Each was wearing the coats Ino had created the day before, but sadly they had no weapons. The land of the dead was quite lacking in weapon shops and armories, which kind of made sense considering everyone there was already dead. They'd have to fight with what they brought here with them.
Shinju got on the sled with them, surprising the others. "Like hell I'm going to let my daughter go off to fight a monster without me there to make sure she doesn't die."
Moegi smiled, feeling a lot better because of that.
Sarutobi got the hellhounds to start running and they pulled the sled over the tundra. The hellhounds were unexpectedly fast, running faster than horses, and were kicking up loads of snow in the process. Now the windshield made sense on a dogsled.
"Hokage-sama, can you tell us anything about the sentry?" Ino asked.
"It's a very dangerous creature, said to be put at the border between this world and the living worlds to prevent the living from coming and the dead from leaving. Other than that, no one ever really talks about it, so I don't know what to specifically warn you about."
"Has anyone ever succeeded in defeating it?" Naruto asked.
"How would anyone know? It's not like anyone who does defeat it would stick around to announce that to the world." Sarutobi replied. "However, there's something I can tell you that I believe will improve your chances."
Naruto, Ino, Isaribi, and Moegi leaned in to listen better.
"You don't have to actually defeat the sentry. You just have to get past it."
"That's it?" Moegi asked. "What are we supposed to do? Distract it so we can get to the tree and get out?"
"Would you rather fight something that could be as strong as a bijuu? With only two of you being combat ready?" Sarutobi asked.
The four looked at each other, unable to come up with a counter.
"We're in trouble." Naruto admitted. "But I've faced worse with less, and this time I've got more to live for. Nothing's going to stop me from doing this, and if distracting this monster is all we need to do, a thousand shadow clones should do the job."
"He's right." Ino chimed in, smiling. "Besides, I've got ways to mess with enemies and thanks to my new ability I can fight back much better than before. Together that monster won't stand a chance."
"Don't be cocky kids." Sarutobi warned. "You're not the first ones to try this. There's a reason most people here prefer to wait for their turn to reincarnate over facing this beast. And you're still alive, that means this thing can actually kill you. And I don't know what would happen if you died down here, so don't assume you can just fight it again."
"Then tell us what you think will help us get through this alive." Naruto said.
"Yeah, besides you owe Naruto for hiding so much from him all his life." Ino added.
Sarutobi looked hurt by that. "What do you mean?"
"We met his mother and we know who his father is." The platinum blonde clarified.
Sarutobi blinked. "You... met his mother? Here?"
"No, on Earth. She's still alive, she was abducted after I was born by her birth family and finally got back to me." Naruto clarified.
"That's... quite surprising." Sarutobi commented.
"That's not all, when she got back the civilian council basically tried to take over Konoha and kill me, forcing me and several others to get out of the village for a bit, and we had to escape the place we went to hide in, and when we get back to Earth we don't know where to go. So if you can't help us beat this thing, do you at least have anything to help me not die when I get back home?" Naruto asked.
Sarutobi was silent for a moment. "Things got that bad after I died?"
"I don't blame you, honestly I think it's more Orochimaru's fault. But I don't want to spend this reunion being mad at you jiji. So please help us how you can."
Sarutobi nodded. "Well, here's what I think..."
Two hours passed and the big tree they had seen in two other worlds came into view once more. Sure this one was frosted over and looked like most non-evergreen trees in the winter, but there was no way a tree that size could be anything but the Yggdrasil root.
The hellhounds came to a stop a bit away from the tree, like they were hesitant to get closer. Even from this distance, the humans could see why. Something big laying at the base of the tree, like it was sleeping or bored.
"That's the sentry?" Naruto asked.
It was hard to tell, but the creature in question looked like a large dog or a wingless dragon. It sure laid down like a tired dog, but the tail was long and serpentine. No fur or scales could be seen, and the skin looked dark brown on the verge of turning black.
"Yes it is." Sarutobi responded. "Fortunately it's sleeping, so if you stay as quiet as humanely possible you might have a chance after all."
Ino and Moegi looked to Naruto disapprovingly, who sheepishly blushed. "I deserve that."
"You kids better get moving before it wakes up." Sarutobi insisted.
Nodding, Naruto and the girls got off the sled. Surprisingly, Shinju did as well.
"Mom?" Moegi asked.
"I'm making sure my daughter gets out of here, there's no rule that says I can't accompany her up to the tree and properly say goodbye."
Sarutobi nodded in acceptance and stepped off the sled too. "Then I better go along too. No rule saying I can't."
With that, the group walked through the snow as quietly as they could. It was agonizingly slow for them, making their heartbeats sound louder than their footsteps. They tried to get around the sentry to avoid any detection, and when they got closer they got a better look at it.
The sentry looked a lot like a wingless dragon given the tail and the long neck. The body and legs were built like a dog, like a rottweiler if one had to guess which breed, but the tail looked like a snakes. There was a snake neck too, with a head that looked like a mix between a snake and a dog. If Orochimaru ever wanted a pet, this is probably what he could have. Fortunately it was asleep with a large branch in its maw like it had been chewing on it.
"This feels too easy." Naruto whispered, only to have everyone shush him.
The sentry's hind leg jostled for a moment, making everyone freeze and stop breathing. There was no further movement, so they carefully pressed on. The trek through the snow was short but they had e slow to avoid making more noise.
"We made it." Naruto said quietly when they got to the side of the tree. "We can go home now."
"You remember the key to opening the door right?" Isaribi asked.
Naruto's eyes widened and his smile disappeared.
"YOU DON'T REMEMBER?!" Ino shouted, only to immediately panic and cover her mouth. Everyone froze and turned to the sentry, which began to move.
A head poked up and looked to them, looking like a guard dog and a dangerous viper at the same time. Then another head did the same, and other, as the body stood up. One of the heads had two horns while the others did not.
"It's got three heads." Moegi whimpered.
"We are so screwed." Isaribi added, stepping back.
Naruto cracked his knuckles. "We're not going down. Ino..."
"On it." She said, rolling her shoulders for a moment before the two started to charge at the beast. Naruto got his trademark handsign ready while Ino began to grow in size. But in a move faster than they were expecting, the middle head of the sentry, the one with horns, pounced and chomped down on Ino. Naruto involuntarily came to a stop due to shock and Ino screamed, struggling to get out of the monster's mouth.
"INO!" Naruto called, looking up as the middle head rose up.
"SOMEONE SAVE ME!" The platinum blonde pleaded, trying to break free. Her body could be seen sticking out with her arms pushing against the mouth, trying to push them open. She didn't look like she was bleeding or bisected, more just trapped but clearly on the verge of being swallowed.
"I GOT YA!" Naruto assured, creating dozens of clones to try and attack the sentry. The clones took to the air and the other two heads fended them off, moving slower than the middle head had. Sarutobi meantime grabbed a portion of the tree's bark and yanked, creating a makeshift staff and charged in to help the two kids. Shinju took two pieces of bark and held them like kunai but she stayed to protect Moegi and Isaribi for now.
The real Naruto got on the sentry's body and ran up it rather than fly, creating clone after clone to propel himself and fend off the occasional bite from one of the other heads. He swiftly got on top of the middle head.
"INO!" He shouted, reaching for her.
"NARUTO!" Ino shouted back just before the sentry lightly opened its mouth and pulled its head back. Ino fell back into the mouth and the creature snapped its jaws shut before swallowing.
Naruto saw red. "YOU GIVE MY FRIEND DAMN YOU!" Without thinking about it, he began to generate what looked like a rasengan all by himself, only this one was purple, and jammed it into the snake-dog's eye. The monster roared and Naruto jumped and dove into the mouth, forcing himself down the throat and practically digging his way down fast.
Ino meanwhile was hyperventilating and trying to crawl back up the esophagus. She also tried to shapeshift but she was too scared to get any solid results. It was like her body couldn't make up its mind on what to do so it just wasn't doing anything.
'Is this how I die? As some monster's lunch? I can't die now, there's so much I still want to do. I want to see more of the world, see my parents again, and find love and have a family someday. Come on shapeshifting, get your ass in gear!'
"Ino?" The muffled voice of Naruto could be heard.
"Naruto?" Ino called out, struggling to breath. She obviously couldn't see anything in this situation. Then she felt a hand grab her own.
"I got you!" Naruto could be heard. "We're getting out of here! Hang tight!"
From outside, Sarutobi fought alongside the clones of Naruto. He was surprised to see them having wings and clones, but fortunately the whiskered blonde had explained the details on the trip to the tree. He had to admit that this was a part of Naruto's heritage he had been unaware of, but he was just happy that Naruto didn't hate him for his mistakes in life. Naruto wasn't happy about it, but he didn't want to hate him for it either. Sarutobi did what he could and hindsight is 20/20, Naruto didn't want to remember him as a man who just made his life worse. So he was fight his damnedest to ensure the forgiving blonde made it back home to have the long life he was went to have.
The middle head trembled and hiss before the neck swelled from within, like it had somehow swallowed three elephants at once. It tried to hack up whatever it was choking on, but it was too late. The neck ruptured and blood spilled out, along with countless clones of Naruto along with Ino. The creature wasn't decapitated, more like it had a truly terrible tracheotomy, and the head wailed as best it could with a burst throat. The other two heads looked at it in horror.
The real Naruto carried Ino back to the other girls, putting her down. "It's okay Ino, you're safe now."
The mindwalker, covered in blood but minimal compared to her companion, shook from the shock. She looked up at Naruto and immediately pulled him into a hug, though this was clearly more for reassurance than out of affection.
"You saved my life." She said, her voice quivering.
Naruto rubbed her back to comfort her, then he felt something squirm. An animalistic shrill was heard and the two parted, seeing the blood of the sentry turn into something like a weasel or lizard but still liquid, and attack the whiskered blonde. Naruto tried to swat it off but it being blood all he did was splat it before it could reform. It also clawed at him drawing his own blood and assimilating it, growing bigger.
On the battlefield the same thing was happening. The spilled blood was turning into dozens of small weasel-lizards made of blood and attacked the Naruto clones, killing them since clones disperse after one hit. Sarutobi fought them off with his staff.
"Damn, so even if you managed to hurt the sentry, it's own blood will keep up the fight. No wonder it's such a formidable threat." The third hokage said to himself, wishing Enma could help him. Sadly summoning did not work here in Niflheim.
Moegi took some tree bark and threw it at the blood vermin. "Let the boss go!"
Isaribi chose to go in and grab it around the neck like it was a snake and pulled it away. Naturally it did not work. She looked at her hands and was tempted to transform into her kaima form, but she withheld. There was no way of knowing how it would handle this environment, let alone if it would be more effective here.
"You heard her, let him go!" Ino demanded, her hand igniting with fire before she grabbed the thing and burned it. The weasel-lizard wailed and got off Naruto, scampering towards the others.
"Thanks Ino." Naruto said while his wounds healed. He turned and saw most of his clones gone with Sarutobi keeping up the fight. "I've got to help finish the fight. Then we can work on opening the door out of here."
"No. We've got to help finish the fight." Ino protested, putting out her hand before she took off her coat. Then with a deep breath, she made two fists and closed her eyes, and the next thing anyone knew she was growing fur all over her body and increasing in size. She went on four legs and grew several tails, in no time turning into a blonde version of the Kyuubi.
The sentry looked to her while the Naruto clones and Sarutobi kept attacking the blood support. The creature fought back but the middle head was hanging, looking like it was dying. The two healthy heads roared at the Ino Kyuubi who roared back and the two attacked. Ino dove between the two heads and chomped down on the neck of the middle head, completely severing it at the wound now.
The real Naruto came up to Sarutobi, using more purple rasengans to splatter the blood minions. "Any ideas? Any jutsu that can work here?"
"No, sadly the dead don't get to keep chakra. Chakra is the energy of life, not death, all I've got left is taijutsu and weapons, and I'm putting it to good use."
"Did the people who assigned you to guide us here tell you how we're supposed to use the tree to leave?" Naruto asked, fending off more weasel-lizards and creating more clones that kept one of the sentry's claws from getting at them.
Sarutobi's eyes widened. "No, now that you mentioned it, they didn't."
Naruto growled and punched some weasel-lizards, who now seemed to be turning to ice and shattering. "Those judge bastards never intended for us to actually succeed here did they? They sent us here to die without it being their fault!"
The two remained heads bit down on Ino's shoulders, making her roar. She altered her fur to turn sharp like thousands of porcupine quills, making the sentry's heads release her with quills in their mouths. The beast stepped back and tried to rub them out, only making them dig in deeper.
"Way to go Ino!" Naruto cheered, making her smile. She swung her nine spiked tails at the sentry's heads, getting even more quills in both faces.
Then the middle neck rose up and a new head grew in place of the old one, looking quite unhappy. The humans seeing this froze and stepped back, including Ino.
"Maybe we should retreat." Sarutobi suggested.
"And then what?" Naruto asked.
"Prepare for another fight."
The middle head lashed out at the Ino Kyuubi, moving fast like before again. The bite was effective, jaws clamped around her neck like it was trying to bite her head off this time. She used her claws and tails to fight it off but it was refusing to let go. Right away Naruto took to the air and created a gigantic purple rasengan, ramming it into the back of the middle head's head. It released slightly, enough for Ino to back away and return to her normal form, healing her wound in the first place before she landed in the snow.
Naruto landed by her and got her close to Moegi, Isaribi, and Shinju again. Sarutobi got in close too, his wooden weapon having taken some damage by now and he wanted to replace it. The sentry stood like it was cornering them by the tree, ready to devour them all with its three mouths.
"This is it, we're really going to die." Ino said, scared and holding onto Naruto for security.
Then, as if someone heard their prayers, the base of the tree glowed, making even the sentry look on in confusion. A door appeared and out came Kushina and Hinata, who practically rushed until they saw their companions.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata shouted in joy, immediately engulfing him in a hug.
Kushina smiled but then was reminded that there was a large snake-dog monster nearby. "No time to talk, let's get out of here!"
No one argued and everyone went through the door, Shinju and Sarutobi included. The sentry roared and lunged at them, all three heads, but the humans got through and none of the heads could fit through. It closed and the sentry had no choice but to lament its failure.
Back in the Preta Path, everyone came to a rest on a branch and sighed deeply. Hinata gave Naruto multiple kisses, while Shizune worked to tend to any wounds until she saw Sarutobi.
"Sandaime-sama?"
"Relax, I'm no hokage anymore. I'm just an old man who couldn't take his treacherous student down with him."
"Looks like we got more than we bargained for, didn't we?" Tayuya joked.
Kushina nodded and looked to Sarutobi. "Old man, come with us."
"Kushina, as glad as I am to see you-"
"We need your help. Konoha needs guidance and you can give it. You can, you should, make it a place my son can be safe in. Besides, you owe me big." Kushina stated.
Sarutobi chuckled and shrugged. "Well, I guess if the shinigami had a problem with it then I wouldn't be here right now. Alright, let's go fix some more problems, then I can rest in peace."