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Border between Life and Death
"Where am I?" Naruto asked looking around. He was surrounded by fog.
"You are on the border between life and death." A yellow robed figure with a white sash said walking out of the mist.
"Then the Kyuubi..." The blond said trailing off.
"No, the demon is in the same state as you are; not dead but not alive either." A black robed figure with a white sash came out of the mist.
"Good. I have not failed." The former monk said.
"No not yet but you have the potential to." Yet a third figure said, this one wearing gray robes and a white sash.
"Wait, you're the Three Saints, Huang Di, Fu Xi, and Shennong." Naruto said recognizing their faces and garments.
Huang Di, master of the Order of Heavenly Lotus, wore the yellow robes of his order proudly. The Heavenly Lotus monks were masters of earth and its related elements.
Fu Xi, master of the Order of the Holy Stone, was a little man compared to others only as tall as Naruto himself. Still, his black robes clung to him and the subtle increase in heat showed his mastery all fire related chakra.
Shennong, master of Naruto's own order, considered a once in a millennium genius when it came to mastering the air to one's will.
These three were legends; they had rallied the Orders against the traitorous Immortals. They had held led the final assault on the True Immortals last monastery. They were the Saints, and to a monk they were the epitome of what one should be.
"We are, or will be." Huang Di agreed.
"What?" The blue-eyed boy asked.
"Time and titles have little meaning here. We will be known as the Three Saints, but in our time we are called the Three Masters." Fu Xi explained.
"How is this possible? To actually meet you, I was taught that you ascended already." Naruto asked.
"Nothing quite so dramatic happened. Like you, we came here but unlike you, we were never given the chance to leave." Shennong answered. Naruto noticed that they seemed to speak in turns.
"Leave?" The blond asked.
"A challenge has been issued by the Kyuubi for control of your body. This challenge shall begin as soon as we finish. We are to act as your proponents in the trial. " Huang Di said.
"What trial?" The boy asked
"In good time, first we must prepare you." Fu Xi said shaking his head.
"For what?"
"To be a Grand Master, or Saint as you call it, requires the person to undergo an ordeal. To truly use Holy Chakra, one must understand both all the pain this world has to offer as well its joy and make a choice. The right choice will allow you to use Holy Chakra to its fullest extent with training. The wrong choice will cast you to the darkness. Truthfully, we had hoped to wait until you were older but one cannot control the whims of chance." Shennong answered.
"What is the ordeal?" Naruto asked quietly.
"First ordeal: the ordeal of pain." Huang Di said making a strange gesture with his hands.
Naruto collapsed on the ground screaming in agony. As he began to feel all the hurts the world has given to mankind over the years.
"For what it's worth, we're sorry that this has to happen." Fu Xi said looking at the boy.
"But should he succeed then he may do what we cannot." Shennong noted.
The three looked at the boy. They would watch, they owed him that much.
Konoha
Iruka stumbled back sickened. What, what had he just been about to do? Looking at the terrified Ayame left no doubt in his mind. He had been about to rape her. Only to stop himself at the last minute as a wave of chaotic energy blanketed Konoha.
"Ayame-san...I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry." The teacher said, controlling his urge to retch.
"Stay back!" The ramen maker screamed.
"Hai! There are no words to express my shame at this. I humbly beg your forgiveness." Iruka said, prostrating himself before the young woman.
"What the hell is going on here?" a cat-faced ANBU asked having heard the scream.
"This man was about to rape me..." Ayame said still shaking.
"Is this true?" Neko asked turning to Iruka.
"It is, although for the life me I can't remember why or when I decided to do it." The scarred teacher said shuddering.
"Sick bastard; alright let's get you into the jail cells where you belong." Neko said motioning for Iruka to put his hands out.
"Hai I'll go peacefully. I am sorry Ayame-san." Iruka said as the ANBU wrapped his hands in chakra draining rope.
"So you really don't know why you were going to do that?" Neko asked as they made their way to the jail cells.
"No, I've always had a... healthy appreciation for Ayame both in looks and personality. But I felt that because of her age and status as a civilian that I would never be involved with her. It just wouldn't be right." The teacher said, struggling to not run at the ANBU and commit suicide by proxy for what he almost did.
"And you just snapped?" The ANBU asked confused.
"No, it wasn't so much snapping as feeling that I was going to get what I wanted. It just didn't matter what she wanted." Iruka said his voice filled with self-loathing.
"Well that's odd. Given the way you're acting, we'll probably have a Yamanaka look at you just to make sure it wasn't some jutsu." Neko said.
Hokage Tower
"That's the fifth report this hour. Everywhere people are waking up with doing or about to do terrible things." Hokage said frowning at the sheet of paper. Who would have thought Iruka of all people...
"This is troubling Hokage-sama but why have you called us?" Genma asked.
He and Asuma had been summoned a little under a half hour ago. The Village seemed to have been in the grip in madness but it was fading.
"I want you to go find Naruto Namikaze, gain access to the Namikaze clan library. And find some way stop this ritual."
"Sir?" The senbon chewing Jonin said.
"Naruto was looking through some scrolls and found mention of a ritual that caused something like this to happen. He said that he was looking for a way to reverse it. I want to know his progress on it. Also the Namikazes where revered as seal masters of the highest order, there may be a seal in their library that can help." The Sandaime explained.
"What if can't be stopped?" Asuma asked. Asuma didn't know much about rituals, his time with the fire guardians had introduced him to monks but nothing truly in depth.
"There has to be a way." Hiruzen said his frown deepening.
"I hope so Hokage-sama. But if this goes on much longer it won't matter if we stop it, Konoha will never be the same." Genma said.
"I am not about to lose Konoha this way. Move!" The Hokage shouted. The two Jonin nodded and disappeared.
Namikaze Compound
Anko was not having a good day. Well that wasn't entirely true; it had been a great day. Until she lost control and murdered a man who called her 'Snake Whore'. Anko, although a borderline sociopath was not stupid, she knew that when the higher ups found out she was dead. There was no way for the Hokage to protect her now that she had murdered a civilian over what was essentially a schoolyard insult.
Fortunately, Anko did have something that could save her. It depended on the new Namikaze heir. Years ago in the immediate aftermath of Orochimaru's defection and her subsequent return, the Yondaime had met Anko. After a short discussion, Minato had pulled out a small orb with a star inside it. And gave to the traumatized girl
"Take this. Sarutobi and I both agree that you're just one more victim of Orochimaru. But if you should ever find yourself in desperate danger or trouble come to the Namikaze compound and shove this into the door. Go inside and stay there. I or my descendents will provide sanctuary as long as you have that orb." The Yondaime had said.
Anko knew it was a fool's hope but it was all she had. 'All right here it goes' the trench coat wearing Jonin thought. She pulled the orb from her pocket and placed it into a recess at the center of the door.
The door flashed once and then opened up to reveal a portal. Grabbing the orb, Anko ran inside.
Hanabi was sitting in the clan dojo. Although she could no longer practice Jyuuken Hanabi was determined to grow strong enough so she wouldn't need her adopted brother's protection.
As such, she was slowly puzzling her way through some katas for a martial art created around attacking vital organs, it was known as the 'Murderous Fist' from the anecdotes she had read but the manual itself had no name.
Hanabi had gotten use to the portals that the Namikaze used as doorways to and from the compound. However, she had not gotten used to them appearing out of thin air. Most of the main ones would have a sharp trill right before they activated.
Thus, when a portal opened up at the entrance to the dojo without the trill, the former Hyuuga let out a string of profanity that she shouldn't know.
"That's quite the mouth their girlie." The snake mistress said surprised.
"Who are you?" Hanabi asked after gathering her composure.
"Names Anko Mitarashi, listen I need to talk to your brother." The trench coat wearing Jonin said.
"Nii-san is still in the hospital. He won't be back till the end of the week." The youngest Namikaze said shaking her head.
Hanabi had no idea what to make of this strange woman. She was dangerous but she seemed frightened although she hid it well. Hyuuga are taught from birth to catch the subtle changes in nuance and use them to discern the truth
"Fuck...I don't suppose you know any of the Namikaze traditions do you?" The brown-eyed woman asked frowning.
"Not really, I have studied a little bit, but nothing relating to strange women appearing in my home." Hanabi answered deadpan.
"Do you know what this is?" Anko asked pulling the orb out of her pocket.
"No, what is it?" The former Hyuuga asked.
"Minato Namikaze gave me this and said that should I need it, I would be given sanctuary with this clan as long as I had this orb." The sealed woman answered.
"I see...there might be something in the library but Nii-san says I'm too young to go in there without him yet." The young girl said frowning.
"Fuck."
"Err...yes, but can you tell me why your here besides that orb?" Hanabi asked.
"Dammit...all right it goes like this. Right before Minato Namikaze became the Yondaime there was a fairly intense rivalry between him and Orochimaru for the position of Hokage. Now at the time I was the apprentice of Orochimaru. However, Minato eventually gained the title and Orochimaru went off the deep end. I was infatuated with the snake bastard so I followed him unquestioningly.
"Time passed, Orochimaru began to do more, and more illegal experiments and I gradually drifted away from him. Eventually he decided to field test his curse seal on me. I barely survived after that I ran to the Hokage and told him everything.
"Thing is that a lot of the higher ups didn't really believe that I had abandoned Orochimaru. They thought that I was just sleeper agent. Most of them didn't trust me and were just itching for a chance to have me discharged from the Ninja Corps and executed. The Yondaime saw this and gave me that orb in case something happened where they would be able to do that.
"Today I murdered a man. Before you ask I don't know why, I've always had trouble keeping my temper in check but I've always known when to stop but not today. He insulted me, called me a Snake Whore, usually I just hurt them, but this time I killed him. I knew what this would let them do to me so I ran here. Satisfied princess?" The snake Jonin asked caustically.
"Mostly hold on one second." Hanabi said dropping into a meditative state.
'Holy and Demonic chakra are very similar to each other Hanabi. The difference lies in the use. Holy chakra is used to protect and create. Demonic chakra is used to destroy and tear down. People naturally fear and despise both types because both have the potential for great pain. However, people like us who can sense these things will not fear Holy chakra because we know its purpose. When sensing either form make sure to look for the darkness and the light in each.' The words that the clone had spoken to her earlier played through her mind as Hanabi reached out with her senses.
She felt, rather than saw, a monstrous dark snake coiling around the strange woman in front of her. Yet even as the snake coiled tighter, Anko's own will forced it off. Still, both had the feeling of something that had happened countless times before. However, underneath the snake was a far darker presence. It had no real form but it pulsated a feeling of corruption and death.
A single eye opened from the thing looking at Hanabi it narrowed and leapt at her. The shields she had placed months ago held barely. But rather than dying like it was supposed to do, the being slinked into a shadow and disappeared.
"What's wrong?" Anko asked as she watched the younger girl shake.
"I saw the mark of your former master on you. I also so something else...I don't know what it was but it's gone now." The former Hyuuga said.
"Huh?"
"My brother could explain it better. There are things out there that aren't alive, but they aren't dead either. I think one of those was on you making you lash out at that man." The young Namikaze girl explained.
"That doesn't help me at all." The Snake Jonin scowled.
"That's the best I can explain it I'm just an eight year old girl!" Hanabi said trying to keep hold of her emotions as the raw terror that the earlier presence and Anko inspired threatened to make her sob in fear.
"Calm down Princess ...I don't usually say this but I'm sorry alright?" Anko said softening as she watched the girl pull herself together. The way the former Hyuuga acted, it was hard to believe that she was only 8 years old.
"Hai...I'm going to get something to eat you want to join me?" The former Hyuuga said trying to be a good hostess.
"Got any dango?" The dango loving Jonin asked.
"Maybe." The young girl didn't really like the stuff, but there might be something in the fridge.
Border
"By the Light why? Why did you do that to me?" Naruto asked as he struggled to stand up.
"To truly understand power, one must understand the suffering its misuse brings as well as the pain it inflicts." Huang Di said tightening his yellow sash.
"I assure you, I could have learned that lesson without enduring that torment." The blond boy insisted.
"No, you would have understood mentally but your soul would never have comprehended. And you would have fallen just as the Dark order. There is no power without suffering." Fu Xi said sadly.
"There had to be a better way." Naruto said with a slight frown.
"You think we have not looked? Over four millennia we sought a better way and for naught." Shennong said his face twisted into a scowl.
"My apologies." The Namikaze heir said.
"No, despite the harshness of my brothers you do have a point. We had no right to force that on you. However it is done. Are you prepared for the second ordeal?" Huang Di asked nodding.
"What is it?" Naruto asked cautiously.
"Just as you know the suffering that power brings, so to you must know the joy that power can bring if used correctly. The second ordeal is far harder than the first. Instead of enduring the pain as you have, you must pull away from the joy each time. Truthfully, others have endured the first trial. None since us have been able to perform the second." Fu Xi answered.
"I see, may I have a brief meditation before we begin?" The former Monk asked.
"Take what time you need, it's rather elastic here." Shennong said with a shake of his head.
Naruto calmed himself and reached for his center, an indefinable part of a person that makes them who they are. Some called it a soul but most monks didn't. The soul was part of it, but not all of it, and so for lack of a better term they called it one's centre.
Finding it, Naruto concentrated repairing the damage done to him by the first ordeal. Physical pain hurts and enduring all of it predictably hurt a lot. But still with the right training, one can endure such pain. Naruto had such training and used it well. It was his emotions that had been torn to shreds.
For all of its strength, the heart is a fragile thing, brittle if you know where to attack it. And Naruto's had been attacked in every way imaginable. Losing a family to a loved one? All of the people you knew and loved hating you? Trying to kill you? Being beaten down every day by everyone around you? Having your right to exist denied? It had all happened to Naruto and more besides.
I am Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze that is something no one can take away. The blond thought as he began at the beginning, rebuilding himself from the broken person he was. It was hard work but doable as long as you knew whom you were down to the last detail.
"You are ready?" Huang Di asked as Naruto opened his eyes.
"I am but I do have one question." The whiskered boy said.
"It will be permitted." Fu Xi said nodding.
"You said that if my soul didn't know the pain power caused I would fall like the Dark order did. What did you mean by that? I was always taught that they were corrupted by tampering with demonic energies." Naruto said frowning.
"That is the truth but not the whole truth. It is a long story and we have no desire to go into it fully. Suffice to say that although they did use demonic powers that was not the cause of their fall." Shennong said grudgingly.
"All of the Orders had grown arrogant at the power we possessed. Do you know what it feels like to control the fate of entire continents? There is nothing to describe it. In the beginning, we kept to the teaching our founders gave us. However all though our three orders had considerable power it paled to the amount the True Immortals possessed. Though their numbers were small; even one of their brothers could take on a dozen of ours and win.
"The power that was wielded in those days was immense, and ordinary humans slowly became less and less important to us. We had no idea of the consequences of our actions only our power" Huang Di said with passion.
"Yet still it wasn't enough, the True Immortals wished to learn how to use chakra to the point where they would be effectively immortal until they decided to die. Having exhausted all possible avenues in the light they turned to the dark." Fu Xi continued.
"And with that turn, they fell. They began to attack us quietly at first, until that day..." Shennong said his eyes downcast.
Imperial Throne Room (2000 years before the birth of the Rikudo Sennin)
"This is an outrage Tien, by what right do you command the Emperor of all nations to bow down?" The Emperor, an older man dressed in fine green robes, demanded.
"By the right of power you decrepit man!" Tien, the master of the Order of True Immortals, answered. He wore the blue robes his order was famous for. A small medallion was the only indication of his status within the order.
"This Empire has been in existence for a millennium, I am not so old as to bow down to man with delusions of grandeur!" The Emperor snarled, his blue eyes blazing with anger.
"The time of the Empire has ended. It is time for the Immortals to take their place as rulers." The Master said with an arrogant smirk
"Guards, kill him." The old man ordered.
The guards, all considered Masters even if they were only technically, Brothers attacked as one. Tien closed his eyes for a brief moment and then opened them sending a wave of chakra out. Throwing the guards back against a wall hard.
"I wasn't finished Toranaga." The corrupted master said unleashing his full chakra pressure. This forced almost everyone to the ground.
The emperor was the only one that remained standing. He was considered a Master by all the orders and would not be beaten so easily. Making a strange hand sign, the older man began to transform into a humanoid dragon.
Tien smirked and attacked the Emperor. The two traded blows, each one strong enough to shatter stone until Tien reached into his shirt and pulled out a small vial. The dragon like emperor scowled and used his claws to shatter the vial assuming that it was a rejuvenation potion.
As the liquid fell on Toranaga, he was forced back as the acid scarred his skin.
"How?" The emperor's voice was a strange reptilian and human mix.
"As I said fool, I have the power now." The gray robed man replied.
Toranaga shook the acid off and slashed at Tien with his claws. The two began to fight in earnest as they blurred in and out of sight. Their speed had far surpassed what normal humans could reach. The throne room was destroyed by the titanic struggle. Eventually Toranaga landed his green-skinned fist into Tien's jaw sending him flying through a wall.
Toranaga leapt after him landing a powerful punch on the floor, Tien just barely dodging. Tien pulled out a dagger covered with seals and plunged it into the Emperors spine.
The Emperor reverted to his human form. With a grimace, he pulled the dagger out and attempted to change back.
"I think you'll find summoning your dragon spirit impossible." The corrupted master said, cracking his neck.
"What have you done?" Toranaga demanded.
"Oh, nothing that will concern you. I was going to let you live as a favour, but summoning your guards has put me in a bad mood. Still, in honour of your family I'll make it quick." Tien answered
"The other Orders will defy you Tien, you have trespassed on the realm of God and they will end you." The Emperor said with a snarl.
"What do I care for an apathetic God? What do I care for the other orders? They are weak, soft, and lack the vision to stop the Immortals." The sinister monk said with a cruel and evil smile.
"Three gifts the God above All gave my family. The gift of the dragon, the gift of long life, and the gift of prophecy. Now hear this last prophecy of the Qinglong's:
"The True Immortals, traitors of the Light, shall be broken and forgotten; their great heroes defamed their mighty powers worthless, they shall die alone, unloved with no priests to chant funeral prayers for them. Broken, their descendents will try to regain their glory but they too shall die and the new heirs to the empire shall rise in their place. This I proclaim as Toranaga Qinglong 40th emperor of the Dragon Empire." Toranaga replied.
"Impressive speech fool, but you're wrong." Tien said picking up the Emperor by his neck.
"They said the same during the Jolly Dove's Rebellion." The old man managed to gasp out.
With a scowl, Tien snapped his neck. Looking around at the destruction, he shook his head and left out the front door.
Border
"We were the youngest guards on duty that day. We were forced to watch and do nothing as our Emperor, a man most of us consider family, was murdered. That day began the war as we realized the truth behind the disappearances." Huang Di said making the gesture of respect at the mention of the Emperor.
"I see, but what was the point of the tale? I mean no disrespect to you but I fail to see why you told me." Naruto said nonplussed.
"Simple boy, you needed to hear it. We all remember the feeling of having to do everything ourselves, about having to be strong with no doubts." Fu Xi answered.
"The tale was to show you that we too are human. It also showed you just how strong our opponents were when the war began. If we can triumph so can you." Shennong continued.
"I see. I am ready for the second Ordeal." Naruto said, getting slightly annoyed at the fact that they kept talking in sync.
"Begin." Huang Di said.
Earlier Naruto had screamed in agony. Now his screams were of joy as he experienced all the pleasure and happiness that this world has to offer.
Konoha Hospital
"What the heck is going on?" Genma shouted as the whirling winds tore throw the hallway. At the far side, where the entrance to Naruto's room was, a solid sheet of opaque chakra pulsed.
"I don't know. There was a burst of chakra and now this!" The Head doctor shouted back.
"Go take care of your other patients." Asuma said.
"Hai..." The doctor said retreating down the stairs. He definitely hadn't signed on for this.
"Can we get through?" The senbon chewing Jonin asked.
"Not with anything we could use in a hospital..." The bearded Jonin answered.
"What about one of those really overpowered attack jutsus?"
"You mean like the Rasengan or Chidori? Maybe, but we'd have to get down the hallway and even then there's no guarantee that the backlash wouldn't harm the hospital." Asuma answered shaking his head.
"Well how far does barrier extend? Maybe we can go through the roof or floor?" The bandana wearing man said.
"Need a Hyuuga to find out." Asuma said in a grunt. Making a quick shadow clone Asuma sent it to fetch one.
"That kid just keeps making my life difficult." The senbon chewing Jonin said.
"It's what all Genin do. I remember my last team had this emo kid, his fan girl, and a hyperactive sociopath. Took me 3 years to turn them into Chunin, but I remember thinking at the start that I was going to go insane dealing with them." Asuma said chuckling.
"Yeah I know, but I thought this would be an easy team, two clan ninja's so not a lot of training for them and one monk so only some ninjutsu training. Easiest team in years! But no, he had to have a bunch of secrets come out of nowhere and make it all complicated." The bandana wearing Jonin said fiddling with a senbon.
"It happens with monks." The former Fire Guardian said philosophically.
"What did you learn with the Fire Guardians anyway?" Genma asked.
"Lots of things." The chain-smoking Jonin said trying to light a cigarette. Genma scowled as they both watched the barrier.
"You called for me Shinobi-san?" A branch house member asked.
"Yes, can you tell me how far that barrier goes?" The bearded Jonin said.
"No I cannot see through it, and the area around it seems blocked off as well." The Hyuuga said with a slight shrug of apology.
"All right you can go." Genma said nodding to show he understood.
"So now we wait." Asuma scowled as he gave up trying to light the cigarette.
Border
'Will you give this up? Turn away from all this? Will you go back to a world full of pain and misery? Will you?' A voice asked as Naruto reached the end of it. He was now, mentally at least, in a perfect world. Naruto was happy here there was no pain; he had a family, people who loved him and more. Yet as Naruto felt his girlfriend kiss him on the cheek his mind and spirit began to rebel.
"This isn't real...it feels so good, but it isn't real. Pain it defines us but it does not control us. There is no pain without joy, no sorrow without happiness, and there is no freedom without sacrifice!" Naruto began quietly but by the end, he was shouting and flaring his chakra as the world shattered around him.
"I am a free man, my fate is my own, and neither the chains of pain or pleasure will stop me!" The blond shouted as the world tried to come back. With that, the world disappeared.
"Very good, you have passed the second ordeal." Huang Di said adroitly, not commenting on the streams of water running down Naruto's face.
"That was much harder than I expected." The blond said his voice even.
"Let it out boy." Fu Xi said.
Naruto held out for a minute or two before screaming to the sky at what he had lost by his own choice.
"Good. Now comes the hard part. We cannot tell you how to become a Saint that is your own path. Suffice to say that until you dedicate yourself to one thing alone you will not achieve it. Come we now go to talk The Judge." Shennong continued after Naruto calmed down.
Courtroom
"We are to discuss the disposition of one Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze's body. The Kyuubi No Kitsune laid claim to it. However, Naruto himself had disputed this claim. At this time, there is no clear decision of who is stronger. Mentally they are equal and their other strengths cancel each other out." The Judge said.
The Judge looked like a man wearing flowing dark robes and holding in his hands a scale and a sword. Power flowed from him subtly even as he sat and waited.
"What is to be done then Judge?" The demon demanded.
"Patience Kyuubi, I was there when the Good God chained you, I know how to do it again. I wish to hear your arguments for and against allowing the Kyuubi to take control of Naruto's body." The Judge said.
"It is mine by right and power as way of apology for what was done to me. I was dragged away from my home to fight in these pathetic human wars. And then they had the audacity to seal me!" Kyuubi said in a bombastic tone.
"Not so Kyuubi, Yes you were summoned but unless you wanted to go, the summoning would not have worked. Even then, it was your thoughtless assault that caused a good man to sacrifice both himself and his son to stop you." Huang Di retorted.
"The ritual—"The red fox said with venom.
"Only guided you like a compass pointing north. You had no need to give in unless you wanted to." Fu Xi cut him off with a sharp gesture.
"My power is stronger than his!" The Kyuubi said as his last resort.
"No it isn't, be thankful that we are here demon or I would put you down myself!" Shennong scowled.
"It seems that we are at an impasse...very well a duel then. You shall both be given four tails of power in the form you prefer. The last tail shall be in a medallion. This medallion shall be split in half and one side given to both of you. The Kyuubi shall be given a temporary body to do with as he will.
In five years, you two shall meet at the ruins of Mt. Shaoshi and fight. This will be an all or nothing battle, the winner gets the losers chakra and becomes the new Nine-Tailed Fox." The Judge said after deliberating for a moment.
"I will never---"The demon began.
"ENOUGH REYNARD! YOU WILL SUBMIT TO THIS OR I WILL SEND YOU TO THE OUTER DARK! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" The Judge shouted holding the sword at the fox's throat.
"Hai..." The Kyuubi said quietly.
"Very well, it begins now." the Judge said and placed his scale between the two of them.
Power, raw and unstoppable, flowed out of both Naruto and the Kyuubi. The power was concentrated into an eight-pointed star around a yin and yang circle. After all of their power had been drawn from them both collapsed. The Judge then used his blade to bisect the star perfectly taking one half, putting in Naruto, and placing the other half in the Kyuubi. The Yin part of the circle then became an amulet around Naruto's neck. The Yang half of the circle becoming the other half of the amulet on the Kyuubi's neck.
The Kyuubi itself become a mirror image of Naruto with cerulean blue hair and bright yellow eyes. They both stood up.
"Now Reynard, you will be placed in your den and Naruto shall be placed in his home." The Judge said and in a flash of light all went dark.
Namikaze Estate
With a start Naruto sat up. Looking down at his hands he experimentally flexed them. His wrists had been healed.
"Five years to become strong enough to defeat the Kyuubi huh?" The blond said out loud to himself.
It was at this point that a very naked Anko walked out of the master bathroom.
Naruto blinked for a moment, stood up, and calmly walked out of the room. Anko blinked and looked down at her breasts and wondered if they were working properly.
It took some time but Naruto found Hanabi in the dojo. Very calmly, he asked.
"Imoto why was there a naked woman in my room?"
For the first time in her life, Hanabi literally had no idea what to say.
A/N: Here we go sorry about the delay! A thank you to DustBunnyQueen for beta reading this chapter. Alright it's going to be at least a month before I can get another one of these out (Going on vacation won't have time to write) So read, review and enjoy yourselves. Any and all mistakes are my own. Next: Naruto deals with Anko, Konoha recovers from the grip of madness and Black returns.