Grim Reaper of Iwa

Chapter 13

That was a lot of feedback for ch 12, so many good reviews, thank you so much. Now in the reviews, more people wanted Karui to be in the Harem, that is fine with me, since like many of you said, it is a rare pairing. However, the polls did say you all wanted Samui….for obvious reasons. So…I will decide later because there are a few that said both….but I doubt that will happen.

Also, I in a freaking good mood. No more will I pay for anime on amazon….even if it is cheaper than suncoast in the mall. I have foxfire, which means I have flashgot, heh. And I found a site for all dubbed stuff. Screw animefreak . tv, I found a better place for all my anime, heh.

XXX

Last Time:

When Naruto got back into Mifune's mansion, he was immediately confronted by Kurotsuchi's stern but hurt look while the rest of the Iwa ninjas made their way to him.

Naruto sighed. Onoki never did say that he could not tell them. He just hoped they understood. "Hey guys…" He said dejectedly. "I need to tell you something…all of you."

Present:

"Yes, I would like to know what all that was back there." Kurotsuchi stated with her arms crossed.

Guren, who sort knew what was going on in the girl department, saw something else. There was more to this story than they thought. "This is going to be a long story, isn't it?"

"Not necessarily." Naruto replied while rubbing the back of his head.

"Aright, go ahead then." Haku said.

"You see, it is like this." Naruto began. "Kurotsuchi, you know how your dad has stepped down a made someone else the Tsuchikage yet."

"Of course." She growled. "I still don't see why he has given it to dad or me yet."

"The thing is…the 1st Tsuchikage made a rule that said that a family member cannot be chosen."

"WHAT!" Suzumebachi screamed out in shock. The she started thinking about it. "That…makes so much sense now! Back then, grandpa noticed there was a lot of infighting between our parents and such. When grandpa chose someone else, that's what led to our own downfall in the village….something I bet my brother never bothered to mention."

Kurotsuchi nodded, finally understanding that and why her father or her were never picked! "So, that means what now?"

Haku and Akatsuchi's eyes widened as they came to their own conclusions, but stayed quiet…mostly out of shock and awe.

"Well, your grandpa was ready a long time ago to quit his job….mostly the reason he was train Deidara. He was training him to be the next Tsuchikage." Naruto said, getting wide eyes from his female teammate as she was starting to put it together somewhat. "After he went and left, he chose us to be his students. And well, when he told you guys to leave us to talk, that's what he told me. That because I have you guys to keep me level headed, I will be the next Tsuchikage…and it is not like he didn't say not to tell you, but this stays between us until this actually happens."

It was quiet for a long time as the group tried to process all this new information. He was sure if it took this long for this to process all of this, the next thing he would going to tell them was probably going to make their brain's overflow and blow up in some way.

"I…didn't expect that at all." Guren said in shock.

Haku smiled. "I am glad that it was you he chose. I would rather not lead an entire village to their doom."

"Oh ha!" Naruto grumbled.

"But, if it is you, I would be honored to be your advisor….to make sure you don't burn us all to the ground." Haku stated with a smile.

"So cruel." Naruto said as a rain cloud appeared over him. Seriously, there was no faith.

"You know, me and my team are going to have to help. You can't handle the blond all your own with just you and Kurotsuchi." Guren replied in a serious manner.

"More help would be appreciated." Said Haku, making the rain above Naruto come down harder with a few lightning strikes.

"No faith what so ever." Naruto cried.

Haku smirked. "Do I have to remind you of the Scorpion Incident?"

This time, a lightning bolt came down on Naruto's head, burning him to a crisp as he has tears coming down his face.

"None of this explains the girls that are coming after you." Kurotsuchi replied, still pissed off. However, she was ecstatic for Naruto, but she was not going to let that deter her just yet.

"Ah, right that." Naruto said, stepping away from the rain cloud as if it was never there and nothing happened to him. "I met them on our training trip under Zabuza. Just ask Haku and Guren."

Kurotsuchi's glare was sent to the mentioned and they flinched. Guren sighed. "Yeah, it is true, we sort of set him up with Temari when we were in Sand."

"However." Haku injected, seeing that they were pissing off the Rock Princess. "The other girls Naruto befriended and they obviously gained a thing for him."

"I see." Kurotsuchi stated before turning her attention back to Naruto. "Anything else you have to say before I pound you?"

"Two actually." Naruto said and he was urged to go on. "The old man wants me to do three things….one is to help him set up alliances with the other villages through political marriage and that will then lead into rebuilding the Uzumaki Clan in Iwa."

By the end of it, Kurotsuchi's eye was twitching madly, Guren was smirking pervertedly while thinking us ways to tease her friend, Suzumebachi had a devious look in her eyes, and the boys were cursing Naruto's luck.

"Well now. That is interesting. Now we don't have to fight over you." Misa said as she leaned on a nearby wall with a predatory look in her eyes. "I know that Iron Country is a neutral country, but I think me and my father can think of something."

"That is it! That old man has lived long enough!" Kurotsuchi raged.

Akatsuchi took this time to stupid talk. "I don't get it, you two are not even together, why do you care, Kurotsuchi?"

Guren groaned at her teammate's ignorance while Suzumebachi rolled her eyes. Kurotsuchi growled as she rushed over and punched him in the gut, knocking the wind out of the big guy. She then turned her attention back to Naruto. While it was true that they weren't together, she still had feeling for him, but now, thanks to her grandfather, she was being force to reveal them or lose the blond idiot.

"He's right, weren't together." She said as he stalked over to him, with each step she took, he took a step back, fearful of what her enraged state would do to him. "But, over the month we've known each other; I have gotten to know you as a friend and teammate, not just the guy that saved my life." At this point, Naruto found himself backed into a wall. "I admit that gave you some points, but I found that wasn't enough. Now that I know you, I know I want to be with you, you idiot." She leaned in to smash her lips against his.

Naruto was of course shocked, but it was not unwelcomed. He felt the same way about the Rock Princess. She was an awesome person.

Kurotsuchi broke the kiss with a red face. Whether that was from embarrassment or anger, he did not know. "However, if I have to share you because of what my grandpa is doing, then I am making it clear that I am with you first and I am the Alpha!"

"Heh….sure?" Naruto said, not sure how this all worked….at all.

"Enjoy just the two of you while you can." Misa said, still smiling. "Because later, things will get…hot." She then gained a bit of drool coming out of her lips and some blood out of her nose. "Oh god….can you imagine the orgies with those shadow clones."

…

….

Oh yeah, that image alone was able to knock everyone back with their own nosebleed at how they pictured it.

Haku recovered first because he remember there was something else Naruto needed to say. Thankfully for him, this would change the subject. He didn't want to die of blood loss after all. "Ahem, there was a 3rd thing if I am correct."

"Oh right!" Naruto said as he pounded his fist. "The old man wants me to put together an organization….much like Deidara's Explosion Corp."

"I see." Kurotsuchi replied, thinking it was a good idea, but just needed members, a name, and a purpose.

"Who's all going to be in it?" Akatsuchi asked.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head and said, "Well, I was hoping you all would be in it. After that, I am not sure who else should be in it, but I was kind of hoping to use the remnants of Sound."

"Interesting, I think that might work, but you would have to convince them." Haku stated thoughtfully, "Especially that white haired one that escaped when Orochimaru died."

"Yeah, although he didn't do much." Guren said thoughtfully.

"Oh well." Kurotsuchi said. "We'll figure that out later. Any clue for a name or a purpose?"

"Nope, but I am sure it will come to me eventually." Naruto replied with a shrug. "Now, we just need to focus on the Chunin Exam tomorrow."

"Good point." The Rock Princess replied.

XXX

Naruto got into his bed that Mifune had let him use, hell the old man let the Iwa ninja use every room in his mansion, saying that they needed to be used at least once.

Yeah, the chunin exams is what we need to focus on the most. We can deal with the group and the position of Tsuchikage later…much later. Not to mention the political marriages and rebuilding my clan.

This was honestly too much to put on a 13 year old, but he would just have to endure it, just like all other things. At least he had his friends helping him.

Speaking of his friends, he felt that Kurotsuchi was on the other side of his door. "It is open." He said aloud.

"You are getting better at sensing people." Kurotsuchi replied as she walked in.

Naruto's eye nearly bugled out of his head when he saw that Kurotsuchi was wearing a red, almost see through night gown. "Thanks, but what's the occasion?"

Kurotsuchi pouted at that and he had to admit that it looked cute on her. "I just wanted to sleep with my boyfriend alone before all the crap grandpa has in store for you and then I have to share you."

The blond blinked owlishly at that. They had known each for a month and they could both say that they had been together ever since the Bomb Incident two weeks ago. Sure they had kissed a few times to see how it was and they could say they liked it. However, they never really came out and said they were together, they had wanted to wait a bit more, but this new information cut that short and here they were.

The rock princess smiled before she got in bed with her official boyfriend before she planted a kiss on his lips. When he broke away to say something she shushed him. "Shhh, just enjoy it, but we ain't having sex tonight, we need to keep our strength for tomorrow." She said before diving back into the kiss.

Yeah, no sex, but that didn't mean they couldn't do…other stuff for the night.

XXX

The next morning every single ninja were standing a field, where a small house sat alone. In front of them stood Mifune, imposing as ever as he stared down every single ninja that dared enter his homeland for his test.

He saw them all, from Kiri to Suna, from Kumo to Iwa, and even Konoha. There were even a few some smaller villages, which most would write off as nothings, but he was never a man to ignore even a single threat.

Finally he gaze fell on a young blond that Zabuza had him help and who gained his interest, both because of the boy's personality and situation, and the man fatherly wrath when it came to his daughter.

Finally, Mifune spoke.

"Today is a gloryious day! You all have the honor of participating in a test that is not often held in Iron Country. This would be the 4th time we have held the Exams here and all because each leader has gained at interest in one or many ninja. This time, it is because of one ninja that you all get to do this exam in my country."

That brought a roar of whispers as to who it could be but most knew it was because of the famous ninja that made Konoha have its own civil war. The Fourth Hokage's son that left of his own accord due to his treatment as a jinchuriki, it was common knowledge after all. However, most did not understand why it was common knowledge.

"Today, you face one of two test you will take while in my country." Mifune started up again. "But first, let me explain something. The Chunin Exams were created for one purpose only. To replace the need for war. And while it is usually an exam to keep up neutrality, it is even more so while in our country due to the fact that we ourselves play a neutral role in the world. That is unless a global threat is about and that is when we step in. Just remember that."

Seeing that his word have sunk in, Mifune gestured to the small house behind him. This 'house' is where the first exam will be held. I know it looks like a normal building, but you are ninja, you should know that looks can be deceiving. The true building is underground. This building will be your exam!"

"What's so great about it?" A random genin asked aloud.

Mifune smirked and said, "The simple fact that it is one big maze of horror. In there, you will face you fears and battle each other to get out alive. You have 24 hours to do so, but it won't be that easy. You will need 4 keys to escape its horrors. The Keys of Mind, Body, Soul, and Heart. You need all of these to truly be recognized as a true warrior in my country, whether it be Ninja or Samurai. We all take this test in some shape or form." Mifune stated passionately. "Each team was given two keys when they entered our village, but we did not explain as to what they were for, only to keep them with their teammates when in the village. Now you all know!"

There were mixed amounts of reactions to this new piece of information. However, there were shouts of outrage that a few teams have theirs. Mifune kept his impassive look on his face, hearing it all. And that was the first true test, to see if they followed simple orders and held the necessary items when need.

"To all those that did not follow orders, I want you out of my sight and out of my village before the sunsets. You have failed the true first test as soldiers. And as soldiers, you need to know how to follow orders to the letter or you will die."

There, of course, were shouts of more outrage, but there was not much the idiots could do before they left in a hurry, not wanting to stick around any longer. Once they left, there were still quite a few teams left, but the bulk had left, which ironically came from Konoha, Kumo, and Kiri.

"Now, enter the labyrinth and face the challenges to become true warriors!" Mifune demand as he stepped aside to left the shinobi masses into the House of Horror.

XXX

As soon as Naruto's team entered the front door, a darkness swallowed them up, only to be dropped in a cave like area. "Ugh, now where are we?"

"It looks like a cave." Haku said as he looked around.

"So, I guess we have to fight other teams in this place to get out, but I am more worried about the dangers within this place. Mifune wasn't very forth coming with what he knew about it." Kurotsuchi stated as she look around.

"No point in just standing here waiting for whatever to kill us, let's go." Naruto ordered, not liking the feel of this place.

As they walked, they did notice how cold and quiet it was. Something was not right. However, it became a little weird for them when they spotted another area up ahead and it look like something you would see in a western style house. However, the thing that set their guard up was the blood splattered on the walls.

ROAR!

"That came from behind us!" Haku shouted, highly on edge about all this.

"Great, we stay here and face whatever made that sound or we move forward and face what made those blood spatters." Kurotsuchi said, kunai at the ready.

"Man, they really make us hit the ground running in this exam, don't they?" Naruto growled. "I say we push on, not like we can go anywhere else at the moment."

"Right." They said as they follow Naruto forward into the newer area, but as soon as they did, the whole place shock violently and the cave area behind them disappeared to reveal a desert like area they from where they stood, was extremely heated.

"Labyrinth indeed." Naruto said as he glared at the area behind them. This place was one bing labyrinth. So that's what Mifune meant, the dangers of each area was critical. They sure had their work cut out for them if they were to escape.

Noticing that neither of his teammate had said a word, he turned around to see what was up, only to freeze in horror. It was no wonder they had been so quiet, they were frozen in horror as well. Why? Well in front of them were the three mangled and bloody corpses of a Konoha team. However, Naruto did not recognize any of them, so that was a bit of relief, but whatever it was that did this to them was still around.

"What could have done this?" Naruto asked himself aloud.

"I don't know, but their faces are burned off…almost like they melted right off." Haku replied a little shakily.

"This is just horrible! Where is that bastard who did this!?" Kurostuchi raged. She didn't care that they were Konoha ninja, they didn't deserve this!

"Ya! HAHAHAHAAHA!" A voice laughed out manically in glee.

"Ask and you shall receive….as the old saying goes." Haku deadpanned.

"So right!" A man shouted in glee as he walked into the room. "I am so lucky today. First that one team and now you three!"

Naruto looked over the new person with wariness. The person was a lanky man that was completely bald. There were also black tribal tattoos on his scalp. He didn't really have clothes, just brown rags. His tongue was out like a dog's and if Naruto saw things right, the salvia was dripping off it and burning holes in the wood flooring.

"Ah, so they are going the Chunin Exams again if I am correct in the assumption that you all are ninja. Too bad you found me."

"What's so great about you?" Naruto asked.

The man chuckled at that before he laughed outright. "My god, they never tell you little brats anything do they? Originally this place was a prison for people from all over the world. I myself am a serial killer known as Acid Burn. Now, I find it ironic that this area is the exact same place I committed my first murder….my own home. However, what is odd is that the people of this country knew that I was from another continent."

"Oh….this not good. I guess this is own the horrors Mifune spoke about." Haku said a little nervously.

"Who the hell cares, let's kick this guy's ass! I am already tired of him." Kurotsuchi roared. She had to deal with this type of crap once before and it was already old!

"Alright but let's be careful." Naruto said as he brought up his hood. "I noticed that his spit his acidic….who knows what else is the same."

"Oh! Vary keen eyes you have there boy!" Acid Burn laughed. "Let's see if you little ninja can deal with me or die like the rest!

Haku nodded and readied his senbon, there was no need for his sword in this battle. Throwing them, he called out, "Ice Style: Nitro Rain!" The many senbon all froze and became far more deadly.

Acid noticed this bit and fear for his life. He quickly twisted his body in irregular ways to avoid them but one managed to hit his foot, completely freezing it.

"Ugh, you are no low level ninjas that is for sure, normally my victims don't react fast enough." Acid commented in an oddly serious tone.

"We are far above the level of low genin, that is for sure." Kurotsuchi stated.

"So it would seem, oh well" Acid replied nonchalantly before he grabbed his frozen foot and ripped it off, shocking his opponents. "I guess I'll have to step it up for once, heh, step. ACID FRACTURE!"

Acid spit on his removed foot before throwing it right in front of the group of genin. It shattered on impact, sending pieces of his foot everywhere. Naruto ran forward and deflected all the shrapnel with his claws, intent on protecting his teammate from harm. However, he noticed that some stayed on his claws and they were starting to melt, making the claws steam, so flicked them to remove the acid.

He looked back at the insanely grinning man and thought, So that's you plan. Your whole body is made of acid….scary. He would even scrafice his own body to kill us for his pleasure, but how does he get the body parts back? Naruto eyes the deformed bodies of the Konoha ninja and saw large bite marks on them, making Naruto's eyes widen. He eats them! Damn!

"Ah, so the blond and finally noticed it, yes, as long as there is something left of my victims, I can eat them to regrow my own limbs, so it does not matter if I lose a body part of my own. LOVELY POWER I HAVE, RIGHT?!" Acid Burn shouted in glee, making them sweat.

However, Naruto was done with this battle. "There is one thing you can't grow back!" He roared as he brought out the Claws of Hades and brought down the hooks on the man.

"This battle if futile for you! Just sumbit so I can kill you!" Acid Burn shouted, making no move to get out of the way. To him, pain meant nothing!

He was too stupid to know what the true purpose of those claws until it was too late. As soon as the claw hit him, he felt a different kind of pain. The pain of getting his soul getting ripped out. The man looked in horror as the floating specter in front of him looked just like him. However, Naruto did not absorb the soul like he did with Itachi, he just let it go.

Acid Burn tried reaching for his soul, but the claws came again and ripped it apart. He didn't know how to process this as he body felt cold and then he fell on the floor…dead.

"That was…harsh, but I understand why you did it." Haku stated, a little shaken by the whole experience.

"People like him, don't deserve to live, the world was better off without him." Naruto growled.

"I guess so, but now we have to search these bodies for a key. By the way, what keys do we even have?" Kurotsuchi asked, trying to ignore what just transpired.

Naruto blinked. "Ugh, I never checked."

"Idiot!" Kurotsuchi groaned as the blond took out the keys.

"Ok, we have Body and Heart. So that mean we need Soul and Mind." Naruto stated as he checked.

"Well, it seems that they have Soul and Body." Haku announced as he brought the keys over.

"Cool, we have an extra and all we really need is one more." Naruto said with a smile.

"Right, let's get the hell out here; this place is giving me the creeps." Kurotsuchi ordered, getting nods from the boys, not wanting to argue.

XXX

They had walked a good while and ended up back in the Cave area. Luckily, they did not run into that monster that roared before, however, they did notice there was blood splatter on the wall.

"Hey, this cave wasn't as big last time, right?" Naruto asked.

"You have a point, perhaps we are in a different cave area." Haku suggested.

"Well where ever we are, there are two routes this time." Kurotsuchi stated, pointing to two exits.

"Let's go right." Naruto suggested and his teammates just shrugged, not wanting to argue. Soon they were rewarded with a different exit this time. It was a forest setting that Naruto knew well, however, that is not what made them stop in their tracks. It was another Konoha team, this time, alive.

"Sasuke." Naruto said.

"Naruto." The Uchiha replied in kind with a serious face before it shifted into a cocky smirk. "Well, I guess we get to see who is stronger, sooner. Good, I wanted to fight you!"

"Heh, we'll see who is stronger, but I can already tell you, it is me."

"Doubtful."

Boom!

Their battle was put on hold for a while as the two areas shifted once more.

This place was more difficult to navigate then they thought.

XXXX

Ok, I am cutting this off right here because I am in a pissy mood now. Why? Well my car…the 3rd one, is overheating….god I have horrible luck with cars!

Sorry if the quality sucks this time around, i might change it later, but i am not in the mood right now.

Review please!