Okay apparently some of you refuse to read the explanation of Mantras. So I am going to lay it out plain and simple for all of you.
Naruto learned and created Mantra on his own, Sakura and Sasuke learned mantra from Naruto who by that point had a firm enough grasp to legitimately teach the first step to someone else. The mantra then created in the few hours left were poorly formed and are unreliable or serve no real purpose by itself.
Chapter 7: Brokered Being, Stripped Soul, Thieving Tengu
Naruto, now in his awakened state covered in his orange aura, was punching Haku with such force that she was ricocheting into her own mirrors and smashing them when making contact. Though not unconscious Haku had been blinded one of Naruto's punches earlier when it slammed into her temple so hard that it had detached a retina, something a medical jutsu can easily fix nowadays but still a serious battlefield injury. "You didn't have to kill him" Naruto seethed as he grabbed her scarf and lifted her up. "You didn't have to do any of this...Why Haku?"
Haku was taken aback by the use of her name "How did you know it was me?" she gasped her eyes still unable to see but she could feel the sense of disappointment.
"I knew it was you from the beginning Haku, the moment you stepped into the forest" Naruto stated before his visage softened "Though to be fair the kami tend to gossip," Naruto paused before he could ramble on about the spirits "they say you have a kind heart, that you cannot bring yourself to hate another" Naruto shouted "that's what the lake kami told me that day we meet Zabuza, so tell me..why did you kill him" Naruto admitted.
Haku was confused quickly. "The Kami?" she asked, trying to decipher the red headed, once blonde, shinobi's ramblings.
"A few months ago I was a loudmouthed maverick, a part of me still is but I learned to control my impulsive nature" Naruto told her as he loosened his grip slightly "I took up meditation to do so but ended up being enlightened, I guess you could say, for a few moments and saw Amaterasu and like the impulsive idiot I was pissed her off causing an incident with burned the veil of spirits allowing me to see into the kunitsu and with a little help from a local spirit I've been training the last few months to master some of my spiritual abilities" Naruto informed her before lifting her again and slamiing her back into the last remaining Ice mirror "But that doesn't matter, just tell me, WHY DID YOU KILL HIM?" Naruto shouted as he pointed to Sasuke's fallen body, laying there as it bled out.
"I serve Zabuza, his will is mine as well" Haku said as she coughed, blood spilling out from her mouth "He needed all of you dead, so I tried to kill you and him and do it as fast as possible….please just kill me, I'm a broken tool, I'm of no use to my master" Haku begged and pleaded but Naruto simple snorted.
"Your no one's tool" Naruto told her as he let go of her scarf and allowed Haku to hit the floor, broken and in pain.
Taking a look in one of the puddles Naruto took note of his appearance while he watched over the unconscious foe to make sure that Zabuza and his accomplice don't pull another daring escape. His hair was now a deep powerful red, and longer too going just past his shoulders. He was shocked by the sudden change of appearance but he could not bring himself to worry about it no matter how hard he tried, like he knew it was only temporary. He then looked over to Sasuke, intent on making sure his body wasn't harmed by his outburst earlier. A feeling of dread washed over him as he saw the bloody little pillars of steel that poked through his skin.
Surges of lightning and sounds thunder began to sound somewhere in the mist, but Naruto paid it no mind. Tazuna had told him it was storm season in Wave and it was common to get three storms a week sometimes. The sound of birds began to fill the air, probably disturbed by the storm, their chirps however brought something to Naruto's eye. The needles, their placement was so familiar, especially in the neck. Rage filled Naruto's vision once again. He grabbed the beaten Haku by the neck and dragged her over to Sasuke's side despite her begging. "Remove the needles now" Naruto commanded stepping lightly on Haku's broken ankle to get her to do so.
Haku said nothing, out of fear and out of pain, as she removed the needles one by one, patting around so she could find them and pricking herself numerous times doing so. As this went on Sasuke was slowly brought back into consciousness, though he was too groggy to anything at this point. Naruto waited, hand still on Haku's shoulder to let her know he was there watching, knowing that Sasuke just need a little time for his brain to boot back up.
Susanoo
Zabuza stood there, bound by a small pack of dogs that had buried their fangs into each of his limbs. He was paralyzed by those very same fangs, as they dug into his several nerve bundles that made the pain too unbearable to move, even for a seasoned shinobi. Kakashi chuckled mockingly as he stood across from Zabuza in the mist. "You never bothered to look deeper into anything" Kakashi chastised " I purposely let your weapons draw blood the last two times as a way of tracking you through the mist and you never saw a thing" Kakashi shook his head, a wasted motion considering he couldn't be seen.
"However…." Kakashi began "You should feel honored, not many people see this technique" The sound of birds began to echo through the mist followed by a bright light. The mist began dissipating from the lights pure intensity revealing Kakashi standing there with his palm coated in lightning chakra. "You should feel honored to see this , NOW DIE RAIKIRI" Kakashi charged forward full speed , the jutsu lashing out and making gashes down the length of the bridge.
Zabuza began to panic and wiggle, shaking a dog loose from his right shoulder. With that one arm frère Zabuza tried to get out of the way…and failed. Raikiri slammed full force into Zabuza's shoulder instead of his heart, the arm was cleaved off as a result with the wound cauterized on both ends by the heat generated by the technique. Zabuza screamed in pain and rage as he stared at his severed arm and fell to the ground in shock. "Don't worry…the second won't miss" Kakashi stated as he dismissed his hounds and began charging the Raikiri again only stop "you know what, I don't even need my full hand" Kakashi was then channeling the technique through a single finger as it glowed white. He slowly brought it forward and reached for Zabuza's head, creating a burn just from the close proximity.
Kakashi was stopped by a slow clap that emanated from the unfinished edge of the bridge followed by a shrill laugh that seemed to pierce through the mist and cause it to disappear. For the first time since the fight started Kakashi could see Zabuza's subordinated and Sasuke, both of them now broken and beaten, some more than others, while a familiar red haired man stood over them, and orange aura rising up like a flame. He would have paid more attention to that if he hadn't seen the massive army of thugs that had appeared on the other side of the bridge with Gato leading the charge, cackling so hard that his face turned red. "You call yourself a demon Zabuza…al I see is a one armed weakling" Gato taunted as he continued laughing Deeping the red in his face.
"What are you doing here you damn rat" Zabuza grumbled as he attempted to ignore the pain in his shoulder.
"Isn't it obvious…you failed to uphold your end of the bargain, now I'm finishing the job and you" Gato announced as he walked into the crowd of thugs. "I brought enough people here to make sure you die along with the old man and the konoha ninja's that you weakened for me" Gato continued to fade into the crowd until he reappeared standing over them on a small pedestal.
"Kakashi" Zabuza growled as he turned towards the midget across the bridge. "Call off your dogs…I have bigger fish to fry then you" He stated as the dogs disappeared.
Zabuza began his march down the bridge grabbing his blade with his one remaining arm, Kakashi watching with disinterest while trying to figure out which side would prevail in the end. His guess was the thugs but it was only based on Zabuza's current state. The heavy blade screeched as it was dragged along the ground before Zabuza hefted it up onto his good shoulder and ran head first into the swarm of enemies. A roar echoed out and several of the thugs went flying as a black fog like pillar erupted around Zabuza taking the visage of a demon.
Some tried to run and others tried to fight, but they all fell by Zabuza's sword. Even with only one arm the Demon of the mist was to be feared. Weapons found their way into his back but they did not hinder him in the least. A deep gauge was formed in the field of men as Zabuza charge for Gato and soon they all just moved out of the way. Zabuza's mad charge continued as he brought the blade down on Gato, and was stopped by a massive red arm. "You always did strike me as a fool Zabuza, one who could never see past the obvious" Gato said, despite the giant red arm that was sticking out of his mouth.
The scene was grotesque, with the large red skinned arm sticking out of the midget's mouth and his right arm being a shriveled husk that hung limp like an empty glove. In his left hand Gato's staff began to glow brightly and an unearthly and haunting roar erupted. A wicked grin formed on Gato's cheek as his face began splitting open, revealing a being with a long nose and a red face. "My pet will take care of you".
A large sickening crack sounded through the air. Zabuza slowly went limp. His body was then lifted up into the air by an invisible force and thrown aside. Naruto's eyes began to widen as the image took shape in front of him "YOU'RE THE THEIF" he shouted "You're the one who stole the gold bell from the temple" he accused as he pointed at Gato, before leaping back as the pavement suddenly cracked and buckled.
"Admitedly, I'm not Gato, he was a fool who wanted power made a bargain for absolute control over wave in exchange for his body when he died" The fanged mouth said as Gato's skin distorted even more allowing a red faced man with a long nose and long hair to step out of the skin like clothing "So when he got control I killed him and made this staff from the golden bell, took the midgets body and got total control of waves, I'm above those petty gods now!" The beast began to cackle loudly "THIS LAND BELONGS TO ME NOT THE KAMI".
"Amaterasu's Tits you're annoying" Naruto cursed as he continued to dodge the onslaught caused by the fading spirit.
"What the hell is going on Naruto?" Kakashi shouted as he and Sakura got to Sasuke's side, along with the broken and beaten Haku.
"Gato has been a Tengu this whole time, he also has this weird spirit thing under his command and he's destroyed the local shrines golden bell to make the staff" Naruto answered as he ducked out of the way of another strike and threw a punch, unleashing a powerful crack and causing a dent in the guard rails moments later.
Naruto rushed forward and grabbed onto the stripped spirit and threw it over the edge. It paid the fall no mind and later reappeared behind Naruto intent on striking him. Naruto panicked and was beginning to feel the empowered state fade, desperate to maintain it for a little while longer Naruto grabbed the gourd from his pocket and took a swig of the sake. The stripped spirit then gave him a hard strike to the stomach, making Naruto spit out the sake before he could swallow it, covering the blank spirit in the intoxicating liquid. It began to scream and writhe as steam rose off it's body.
"Naruto ,that thing you're fighting…I…I can see it now, whatever you did it's disabling its ability to cloak itself from others" Kakashi shouted as they managed to get Sasuke up onto his feet.
"Well good, I could use some help here" Naruto shot back, hoping to get back up before the spirit pulled anymore of its crafty moves.
Sakura's eyes began darting all over the battle field, observing everything that she could in that moment trying to form a plan "TRY BREAKING THE TENGU"S STAFF" she shouted as she hefted the injure haku onto her shoulders and away from the battle.
"Easier said than done" Naruto told her as he struck the spirit in what he assumed was the face before being batted away like he was a kittens play toy.
Kakashi suddenly appeared in front of him and stopped the beast mid assault, "Then go, NOW" He shouted as he grabbed the beasts arm and slipped under to give him a good beating to the face and neck before dodging the next wild spring and spring kicking the things head.
Naruto nodded and ran towards the thugs, who were now regrouping to meet their untimely fate. One of them charged forward to swing a club but was stopped by a punch in the face courtesy of Sasuke. The raven haired ally stood on shaky legs but managed to knock the bandits around. When one tired to get behind him a Kunai from Sakura stopped the brute. "You go on Naruto" Sasuke rasped "I don't have a lot left in me but it won't take a lot to beat these fools".
"I'll back him up" Sakura shouted as she came sweeping in and slammed her fist into a guys chin and then slamming her knee into the man's stomach.
"Th…thanks" Naruto sputtered out as he ran off tripping and dispatching whoever got in his way.
After the crowd of thugs the treacherous Tengu was in Naruto's sight. Naruto continued running full throttle and pulled out his signature jutsu "Kage bushin no jutsu" a large mob of clones spawned in the air and mobbed the Tengu who began cackling.
The pops of dispelling clones filled the air as the cackling grew louder. "You're a fool little sage" The Tengu screeched as it swung the staff at Naruto, intent on smashing his skull in.
Naruto wordlessly weaved through the swings before catching one and kicking the red faced beast in the shoulder. The beast began howling in pain. It stumbled back holding its shoulder. Naruto dived forward and grabbed the Tengu by it's nose. Dragging the Tengu down by his nose Naruto beat the thieves face repeatedly before grabbing its neck and tearing off the large nose with the other. "MY NOSE, MY BEAUTIFUL NOSE" the Tengu hollered as it cradled it's face as blood flowed forth "I"LL KILL YOU YA LITTLE BRAT".
The tengu lunged at him but Naruto dodged, only to be hit by a round house as the Tengu flipped himself into standing upright. Naruto threw a punch, but it was caught, followed by a swift head-butt and a front kick. Fortunately Naruto landed on his feet and began his charge again, this time with clones. They were quickly dispatched but the Tengu took a hit over the head when Naruto hit him with the staff. "Give it back you little snot" The Tengu screeched in its bird like voice as it grabbed the staff.
A tug of war began as Naruto's grip eventually slipped up and ended up only at the jeweled tip of the cane like staff. The Tengu was slowly overpowering Naruto, and his power was fading fast too. The Tengu grunted as it gave a hard tug, the staff slipped from Naruto's hands and slammed into the Tengu's head, shattering the gem. Taking the opportunity Naruto grabbed the staff and gave it a good swing, breaking it on the side of the Tengu who staggered back. Naruto then leapt forward with a flying knee and smashed it into the Tengu's Nose less face, making it scream even more and stumble off the end of the bridge. The screaming faded as the Tengu fell into the sea below.
Naruto sighed, relaxing as he felt the last of that strange power leave him. He's hair returned to its blonde color and his eyes were once again their deep blue. He tried walking away but he fell to his knees, panting his skin covered in sweat as if he had just pulled every ounce of energy out of his body at once. "DON"T TURN YOUR BACK ON ME" The shrill screech came as the Tengu flew up overhead and tried to tackle Naruto.
Shocked the young sage rolled out of the way, allowing the ground to shatter under the Tengu's wrath. Naruto then waited for the Tengu to act, too exhausted to try and countering the thing when he charged him, the Tengu just stood there panting, face soaked in his own blood "Without my nose I'm worthless as a Tengu, you'll know what that feels like when I take your legs" the bird like beast growled as he moved forward, only to be stopped by a spear that had fallen down from the sky.
"That's enough Thief" The commanding voice through Naruto at the temple echoed. The kami of name had finally stepped forth to deal with the problem that had tormented their people.
"You…I'll kill you first, this land is mine now" The Tengu screeched, only to have his fist caught and ultimately crushed and removed by one of the kami's own hands.
"You'll be silent" The figure spoke as he turned around to meet Naruto. With broad shoulders and a rough bearded jaw this figure was an imposing sight; his clothing though was rather plain when compared to the other kami Naruto had seen. In fact he almost looked like a fisherman , a seemingly appropriate appearance for a spirit of Nami. "Well done, young sage, we did not expect you to come this far" The spirit said " A Tengu, even one of this thief's caliber can kill a man of greater skill than you, without the proper knowledge".
"Wait, so you knew who the thief was, you knew I couldn't beat him?" Naruto asked, though he nearly shouted in a fit of rage.
"Yes, we also knew that he had destroyed the stolen objects in an effort you remove our influence from Nami" The spirit announced as he crossed his large arms "It was a test, to see is you were ready for the power we could grant you…but it seems that regardless of our decision you have won it in your own right" Then spirit then seemed to shift into contemplation "To do that without the help of any spirit….your spirit must be abnormally strong to force its own ascension".
"Force its own ascension?" Naruto asked, growing more confused with every question the Kami answered.
"You were to prove that your soul cannot be conquered by trying to complete an impossible task, if you did so we would help your spirit ascend to the ranks of kami, However in a moment of rage you called upon the Kyuubi's power, which in turn drew out the energies that her lady Amaterasu accidently left in your body, the conflicting energies then threatened to tear apart your soul, but it somehow evolved and started channeling it's power through you, granting you a kami form….technically your now your own guardian spirit, the lowest of the low in the ranks of the kami" Another kami said as she stepped into the conversation, dressed in simple robes as opposed to the fine silks one would expect.
"Okay…so I ascended, and I'm now a low ranking kami? Naruto asked as he tried to clear up the information.
"The lowest….not that rank means much amongst the Kami, you will grow stronger and ascend through the ranks with time, but for that to happen your power must grow" The spirit confirmed as it turned it head to the sky "We must go now, we can only delay our departure so long, since the tengu must be dealt with, Just be careful young one….the power of the kami can corrupt you and at this point I urge you to use it sparingly" The spirit then turned away the Tengu being dragged behind it before it simply faded away.
Naruto simply looked on in relief as he passed out from exhaustion, his team running up behind him just in time to see the Tengu disappear, screaming and begging for life.