Spirit of the Fox
The silence inside the Pelican as it rocked through the atmosphere did little to comfort the thoughts of Red Team, Alice stole glances at Naruto as he was looking at the view of space, a bit of curiosity in it as well. Their thoughts were tied down by the fact they had a single teen wipe out a Covenant base clean, Jerome fingered the flash drive with a slight frown on his face. this was valuable.
The UNSC would be able to use this to great measure in predicting their movements. While waiting for the Pelican, wondering how Cutter would take the news.
"So then…Naruto…" started Douglas, catching the blond's attention "How did you take down a Covenant base?" he asked rather causally but the serious demeanor was hidden.
Naruto paused and smirked "Hm, if I did that here, it's off record now, is it?" he asked while he raised a brow "After what "Captain Cutter" would want to hear, this is probably gonna be done by your Intelligence Operatives?" he asked more at Jerome.
Jerome paused and nodded slowly, ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence) would want to get their hands on the cybernetic suit Naruto used, while it appeared to be a downgraded version for soldiers, it would prvide a great defensive as well as offensive.
"You made this thing yourself?" asked Douglas, incredulous and skeptical on that fact.
Naruto smirked as he leaned on the wall, looking at the three Spartans "Sure as hell did" he tapped his suit once before sighing aloud "took a while though" he muttered to himself before the pilot piped up "Sir, were docking".
Jerome nodded as the ship rocked for a moment and the back opened up, Naruto found his eyes widneed slightl upon seeing both troop movement and quite a bunch of vehicles set up for deployment. The blond recomposed as the Three Spartans lead the way, the blond eyed his intervention sniper rifle that Douglas was carrying, they allowed Naruto to at least keep the daito. Naruto glanced at his sword, while it was capable of chakra channeling, it also vibrated at a high frequency allowing him to freely cut through Covenant Vehicles, and didn't feel like testing it on a cruiser.
He shook his head, trhee days of hiding in a trench from their sensors did a lot of shit to you.
Entering an elevator as Naruo ignored the stares that he was getting in comparison to the Spartans. Silence once again took over. He contemplated on telling them of his Hanyou status, his DNA would be altered and have more chromosomes to compensate for the Youkai he contained.
He was cut from his thoughts as the door opened and he followed the Spartans and made his way down a few halls. After passing by the futuristic style halls, they entered what appeared to the be the bridge, the blond glanced around a moment to take in his environment, it appeared to be much more advanced than the one he found underneath the Hokage Monument.
"Sir" greeted Jerome with a salute, the man turned revealing he was a bit old, into his early fifties by Naruto's guess.
"A…guest? We're not here to tour others" Cutter voiced his first thoughts at Jerome who nodded "Sir, currently this kid is the only one who've we've found alive on this planet".
"For a better part of a year" Naruto cut in, feeling rather he was being ignored, Cutter raised a brow in surprise before recomposing "You better have an explanation for this" he looked at Jerome as he tore his gaze from Naruto.
"He's the one who took out the Covenant base" Jerome paused "Sir" he finished as all activity stopped in the bridge and a few of the younger crew members stared at Naruto while the older ones scoffed and either shook heads or mumbled about crazy kids.
Cutter was going to open his mouth, then closed it in thought as he looked at Naruto "Serena…"
Said AI appeared while Naruto retained surprise, he had heard of AI from Kyuubi-sensei and saw this was a smart one, very rare.
"Already did a scan upon arrival, Captain" Serena "It seems the suit he wears gives off the same effect as the Mjonler Armor" heads snapped to Naruto but he ignored it as Cutter ordered all personnel off the bridge, everyone but the Spartans who looked surprise if one saw their body language.
"His muscles are much more dense than an Olympic athlete's, giving him enhanced speed as well as strength. Eye sight is a hundred times better than a Spartans as well as reflexes, his hearing in 20,000 times better than a dog's would be, all in all sir, he'd be a shoe in for the Spartan project if he was on Reach several years earlier"
A long silence entered the room as nothing was heard but the static of the communications area. Even the Spartans were dumbfounded to hear this, this kid was far stronger, faster and tougher than they were.
Naruto coughed breaking them of their thoughts "The Covenant Base…." He started while Cutter nodded slowly, a bit shocked at what he was hearing. And was sure that Professor Anders would love to look at this one.
"Alright.." Cutter started, slightly skeptic at what he had heard "Let's say I do believe you, can any proof be offered up?" he asked, if this kid had the tech that made a normal soldier stronger because of that suit.
"Wait, I'm also detecting nanomachines as well as another energy source, no wait, two"
Naruto sighed as in a puff of smoke, appeared the helmet of his suit, Serena had no explanation for that "They say actions are louder than words…" Naruto trailed off, opening a slot at the back of the head of the helmet and took out a green glowing chip "Memory chip, audio and visual" he looked to Cutter who paused to think about this for a moment and nodded.
Naruto slipped it into the memory board and a holographic screen came up of Naruto's POV. It at first showed his monitoring of the UNSC base and looking down at Jerome before he left quickly, leaving rustling.
Jerome looked at Naruto with a glance though the younger blond did not notice, the screen than changed to tracking the Marine scouts as he was in a tree above them. His vision shifted to a shimmer and the Spartans watched on silently while Cutter noted how good his stealth was.
Naruto wrapped his arms around the neck of the Elite and pulled it up into the trees, for a moment it became visible as Naruto took out a kunai and slit open it's throat silently. He waited a minute as the Marine team passed and left, hearing faint complaints from a Rookie about how he heard an Elite.
The body was dropped to the ground as Naruto landed as well too, scanning the area. His vision next turned to the Covenant base as he smirked "Kage Bunshin no Justu".
Eyebrows rose but nearly bulged at seeing four more identical Naruto's appear.
Naruto chuckled a bit at Cutter's bewildered look "My people are known as Shinobi, or to you, Ninjas" Cutter looked at Naruto as he continued "Were able to do feats of superhuman capabilities, manipulation of elements, as Serena described "Enhanced strength and Speed" he emphasized while Cutter nodded slowly, knowing there was more Naruto had to say but kept to himself on his thoughts.
The screen changed as Naruto climbed up into a tree and set up his sniper rifle with a slight sigh "Ah…and who first…" the scope's vision was seen as it eyed the Hunter's.
The real Naruto explained "Kage Bunshin's are capable of once dispersing, send information back to the original user, making them great for recon or gathering information" the way he spoke sounded almost professional, though Cutter deduced survival forced his hand at development, making him more mature.
Alice herself was just barely able to keep a pang running through her, she had a soft spot for children when younger.
Naruto onscreen took a breath as he spotted the Kage Bunshin planting explosives near the Vehicle Depot as well as near the ammo supply, he smirked and slid in a single bullet. Bolt action rifle.
Naruto lay back against the trunk of the tree, almost like stone with that single glowing red eye in the darkness. He let out a slow breath as the rain came down harder and thunder was heard, he spotted the highest ranking officer he could as he spotted the Elite Zealot that commanded the base.
Once a roaring crack of thunder was heard, he fired and killed the Elite and no one noticed.
Alice and Cutter were the most impressed of those in the room, a tactic like that combined with a silencer was that of a master marksman. Jerome watched on rather curiously as Naruto then set off the exlplosives that was seen even to the UNSC.
This sent confusion and shock among the remaining forces occupying the base, Naruto had taken out a vital commander and sent them into chaos without knowing what was happening. That was the tactic worthy of a Spartan.
Naruto swung down and put the sniper rifle on his back before getting information on enemy positons, he jumped off the Cliff and down below was the Vehicle Depot. With a crushing landindng, he smashed his right fist through the hood of the Wraith and tore out a scared grunt.
"BOO!"
"AAHHHAHAHA!"
It wrestled from his grip before running away, scared of the demon it yelled.
Naruto chuckled before slapping an explosive tag inside the tank before flipping off, two Ghosts spotted the blond in the suit and fired at him, charging.
Naruto whipped out his daito with his left hand and either slashed horizontally or in an uppercut fashion at the two and they were sliced clean in half, this got surprised looks while understanding of how the vehicles were cleanly sliced.
Next he detonated the Wraith behind him and with an explosion, shrapnel went flying past him "Burn baby, burn" he muttered before dashing forward with speed that a Spartan II shouldn't have, he caught thae attempted slash of an Energy Blade and twisted thae arm, breaking so bone was visible, he flung the Elite over his head and it smashed into a Hunter, dazing it.
Naruto saw attention was on him and saw another Ghost charge at him, this time, Naruto did the same and skid under it as it missed him by the skin of his teeth, he whipped up a Plasma Pistol and fired at some energy coils that detonated after a few shots, Naruto kicked himself up and flipped over an Hunter, landing right in it's back, he stabbed a kunai into the few weak points it had and kicked off and jumped up high, landing on a ruined outpost. It detonated killing the Hunter, and a squad of Grunts.
He was taking fire from a Covenant Sniper and turret combined, it wore away at the material of rock and stone and he dashed across the rooftop, in half a second, sheathed the daito and took out the sniper rifle, in the blink of an eye he had loaded the rifle and fired, piercing the Jackal through the head, and where the scope was.
He swiftly took out another bullet and fired once more, hitting the Plasma compartment of the Turret making it explode. He jumped off and landed on the ground, shouldering the sniper rifle, he sighed aloud as he observed the destruction. "Huh, that's it?" to his answer he was slowly surrounded by Elites that had survived and dropped their cloaking technology. Along with igniting their Energy swords, flanked by a single Hunter that he had thrown an Elite at earlier, Naruto sighed annoyingly "Well..this sucks…" he muttered before putting the sniper rifle on his back. He got into a fight stance and smirked before the first charged, Naruto ducked under the swing and swung his heel behind the Elite's knee, it faltered as Naruto slammed his elbow into the back of it's head, he swiveled, took it's body and turned as another Energy Sword tried piercing him from behind, Naruto attached an explosive tag to it's back and kicked the corpse unto two Elites and exploded, killing several more Elites as he saw fire build up, he swivvled and caight the wrist of an Elite who growled and roared in his face in anger and rage at the loss of his comrades.
"Phew! Two words "Breath" and "Mints" Naruto muttered before smashing his foot aside his face, the mandibles were broken as Naruto spun, slashing open it's stomach with a kunai and dropped it, he kicked upside another Elite's chin and flipped, pointing at an Elite with four flanking him.
"Raiton: Gian"
At this, a spear of lighting tore through the Covenant soldiers like butter and cauterized the wounds as some were stripped of limbs and such before hitting the floor dead.
Naruto landed feet first and saw the lone hunter "And then one was left.." the Hunter roared in agony and charged at Naruto who stood his ground as it swung it's massive metal shield at Naruto, seeminlly it passed through the blond and it slowly stopped, Naruto had his daito unsheathed and the speed it was drawn was unparalleled (Think Ice Alchemist vs Bradley).
For a second, they stood and the Hunter had slashes appear all over it's body with blood spewing from its form as it was dead before hitting the ground.
Naruto took out a white cloth from his trench coat and wiped the blood off of his blade, his attention was cut when a covenant Carbine was shot inches from his head, and he didn't even flinch before dodgig several more shots from the Covenant Spec Ops.
He next turned invisible much to the shock of the occupants "The technology of the Covenant's Invisibility does not make them "Invisible" per se, rather it just bends the light around the individual in question, I could make some for your people if I had the resources" Naruto informed them but that last part was mostly musing to himself.
They watched as Naruto taunted the Elite in question before redicing it to nothing but a mist of blood which got a green in the face look from Cutter. Though it did come up as to how the war started and why the Covenant was fighting humanity in the first place.
He next went to the main base and proceeded to wipe it clean of Covenant forces, the convsersation Naruto had with the elite was sarcastic mostly with some underlying sense of bitterness, the Spartans couls easily see that Naruto hated the Covenant, but the figures leading it, it made senses "Blame the wielder, not the weapon".
It went dark as Red team burst into the room. Silence echoed for a few minutes as Naruto took back the chip and slipped it back into his helmet. Cutter contemplated what he had just seen, ONI was sure to get involved later while the Spartan's contemplated their chances of fighting the war with Naruto's help, it seemed he had a far better understanding of Covenant tech than even they did, as well as having the invisibilty technology himself.
Cutter broke the silence "Now, can I ask why are you here?" he asked Naruto who glanced at him while Serena stayed quiet "Not much of a life here, if you haven't noticed" he responded but sighed aloud "Exscuse my bluntness, it's been a year since I've had any social contact" he smiled bitterly, reminding Cutter of the veterans of Harvest during first contact.
Cutter nodded his understanding "Understandable, but perhaps we could help out eachohter" he got raised brows from Naruto as he continued "We currently have no FTL drive, the main reason we came to this system, was to get an old Colony Ship FTL, out of date but it'll work" he saw Naruto's thoughtful look.
"How much have the Covenant pushed you back that last ten years?" he asked while Cutter raised a brow confused, answering the unasked question, Naruto spoke "Interrogation" he answered simply while Cutter shoved down a shiver of fear at the thought of him interrogating an Elite.
"As far as the UNSC in general? We've only been able to slow them down" answered Jerome "Their technology is far superior to ours, and they outnumber us considering our fleet is smaller".
"During the early days, ground battles were useless in victories. Spartans won on the field but we could never take our success into space, as the Covenant is more advanced and is able to take down a large number of our ships with only a small number".
That came from Douglas's input as Alice finished "We Spartans however have had pyrrhic success over the Covenant, but not much to do a crippling blow to them".
Naruto nodded slowly, putting a thought process in "Alright, I'll help you get the FTL drive" he responded finally "And I'd like a chance to join the UNSC, that is if a position is open".
Cutter was surprised but saw the sheer determination in Naruto's eye and chuckled inwardly "Alright, because it sounds to me like you know where it is".
Naruto chuckled at his observation and nodded "Yep, under the monument at the center of the village." He cocked his head downwards "I think only me and you guys I'll be needed for the mission, I know the ins and outs" he saw Cutter nod his understanding.
As they left, Naruto picked up the helmet and sighed leaving with the Spartans "There is a small contingent in the cave system where the FTL drive is, normally it would take heavy equipment to move it, right?" he asked Jerome who nodded as he had an enquiring look underneath his helmet at Naruto's question.
"I have a better way to get it out, and less of a hassle, besides, I'd rather not wait for the welcoming committee when they return" that got agreements mentally as they head down to the hanger.
(Five Minutes Later – Hanger Area)
People sent questionable glances at the team of Spartans along with a single teen that was accompanying them, Jerome was giving the basic rundown on the weapons the UNSC used and handed Naruto an assault rifle.
"That's the MA37 ICWS, standard issue UNSC. Uses 7.62 caliber rounds with a capacity of thirty-" Jerome was cut off by Naruto who rapidly inserting a clip and cocked it with a sharp click and the safety turned off.
"I get it" he responded amusedly and shook his head before putting the safety back on. He looked at Douglas and took his sniper rifle back "And this is mine" he tapped a seal on his palm and the sniper rifle disappeared in a puff of smoke before getting on the pelican.
Douglas chuckled "He's got spirit" he remarked before getting aboard himself with two M7 Submachine–Guns while Alice had her usual sniper rifle.
Jerome felt his lips twitch in amusement before taking up a DMR and several clips before climbing aboard the Pelican. Naruto put on the helmet with a slight hiss and click "The monument has some Covenant guard stations set up at the cave entrances, I know a few ways around them" he said in his metallic voice.
Jerome nodded, he had to admit Naruto knew his tactics and geography good enough for a Spartan. He saw Alice and Douglas get ready before the Pelican started taking off. The blond put the MA137 on his back and crossed his arms, waiting to reach his planet's surface.
(Planet Surface – Konohagakure no Sato)
Naruto felt boots meet the ground as the Pelican was waved off, he scanned his surroundisngs with the MA137 before the area was deemed secure.
"Do this by the book Red Team" Cutter sounded on the radio's, Naruto was given one earlier and heard the communication "In and out, best of luck" it ended as Naruto stared for a moment at the decrepid Hokage Monument before shaking his head "This way" he gestured, stealth was the main option here as for the next few minutes consisted of avoiding scarce patrols as Naruto had earlier thinned their numbers, the UNSC Marine forces were more than likely securing the base for any technology to be taken back.
Reaching the far right side of the Monument, Naruto stopped and looked around the corner spotting some Elites with a squad of Grunts, there was a setup of snipers and turrets as well. He even spotted a Wraith before tearing down a section of tarp that was heavily camouflaged as well as genjutsu layered, getting Red Team's attention.
Silence was all the message needed as they started down the cave, the dripping of water and sound of feet was unmistakable. Naruto stopped the team "Wait here, they have sentries in every hall" Red Team looked at one another before Naruto jumped up to the ceiling cave and no surisped looks crossed Red Team, hell they expected him to bring the dead back at this rate.
Naruto walked above using chakra before dropped down to two Elites, he jammed a kunai into one's throat area before snapping the neck of the other. He tapped the cave wall twice, three times before Red Team came around the corner.
"Have the Covenant reached the Colony ship since you've been around?" asked Douglas while Naruto shook his head "Genjutsu keeps it hidden" that got a brow raised from him though Naruto couldn't see it, he merely sensed his confusion before leading into a massive cave area where all the sections met. The blond looked at Jerome "Can you get to the engineering section on your own? The mechanism release for the FTL drive would be there, yes?"
Jerome nodded "Think you can take them?" he asked, only to get silence as Naruto disappeared signaling that he had used his light bending seals to make himself invisible.
"Damn, we need those for the corps" muttered Douglas before making their way down a ramp of rock and dirt, they moved silently among the rocks, hiding from snipers and turret psotions as Naruto took down each one.
Finding their way to the door entrance, the Colony ship looked to be beyond repair and the outside was riddled with holes, using one of the ventilation shafts, they clambered in and prepared to release the FTL drive.
(Twenty Minutes Later)
The blood of an Elite was splattered across a communication console as Naruto sat away from the alit area, idly twirling a kunai, he had to admit they were stubborn bastards before being killed. He heard groaning and no doubt knew that this would attract covenant attention through the caves.
"Jerome, do this quick." Naruto spoke into his radio "We'll have company in a few minutes"
"I know" shot back Jerome through the radio "Were going to overload the engines before leaving, this'll decimate the next few square miles of forces as well as keeping knowledge of your being out of the hands of the Covenant"
Naruto went silent while Douglas chuckled into the radio "He shut you up" the blond twitched his eyebrow "Fuck you" he responded while he heard chuckling on the other end.
"Children…" muttered Alice as the mechanism was released and a crash sounded out as the FTL drive hit the ground, the lights glowed but was not damaged. Naruto swiftly made his way over to the area and took out a scroll. He swiftly began to design a seal complex enough to handle something of this size. One of the lessons of fuuinjutsu is that it can only contain as much weight as the more complex it is. Namely the reasons behind the Shiki Fuuin.
As Red Team exited, they saw a massive puff of smoke go up and a crouching Naruto rolling up a scroll. Douglas went silent. Jerome stared "Is that…"
Naruto simply nodded while Cutter pinched his the bridge of his nose.
"Sir?" Professor Anders asked Cutter in an concerning matter.
"I have a feeling my career is going to get a lot more complicated in the near future.." he muttered to himself, confusing Anders while Serena looked on amusedly.
(With Naruto)
Naruto's senses screamed danger before catching a Needler needle and flicked it back at a Grunt before exploding right at it'sface "Time to leave! How much time til the ship overloads?" he asked while Jerome responded "An hour, let's get going now" he spoke calmly, firing his DMR a few times that killed two Elites.
Alice spotted one with a Fuel Rod cannon and fired her rifle with a vicious crack that tore open the elite's skull. The finger pulled it and fired, but it hit a turret defense the Covenant brought.
The cave was starting to get destabilized as Naruto cursed as he fired his MA37 a few times, killing off some Grunts and a single Elite. He tossed several kunai behind himself with explosive tags, they quickly sprinted down the exit as the cave collapsed behind the group.
With a plough of dust and stone emerging from the cave entrance, Naruto coughed "Captain Cutter, get the "Spirit of Fire" down here quick, we got about an hour before the colony ship's engines go critical".
Cutter heard that through the radio and nodded "Serena, get us down to the surface, order all personal pulled back as well, we've got an FTL drive to pick up" he went to the holo deck to observe the landscape for a place to land "Meet four clicks west Red Team, there's a wide area for us to pick up the FTL drive".
Naruto paused and smirked mischievously "We don't have a vehicle, but I have something else" he informed Red team as they broke of their surroundings.
"Ninja trick, eh?" asked Douglas, glancing at Naruto who nodded "Just put your hand on my shoulder and we'll go there, alright?" he knew Douglas was skeptical for a moment but nodded slowly as Jerome did first with Alice's hand on Jerome's shoulder and Douglas's own on Alice's shoulder.
Naruto concentrated his chakra and murmured "Hirashin no Jutsu" he and Red Team flickered out of view in a yellow flash as the Hokage Monument crumbled unto the Covenant forces trying to flee.
As Captain Cutter witnessed the surrounding area of the Spirit of Fire, he caught sight of a mountain of sorts collapsing and determined that was Red team.
"Captain Cutter, we are ready and waiting with the FTL drive" reported Jerome as Cutter walked over to the communications station and responded "Glad to hear it Red Team, we'll send down a pair of Falcons to-" he stopped and blinked "Didn't I just contact you two minutes ago?" he asked slowly.
"Naruto, sir" came Douglas's input while Cutter groaned muttering "That boy is going to either be a gold mine or my paperwork on my desk" he shook his head before looking to a communicatoions sergeant "Order all forces to retreat and return to the Spirit of Fire, I want us off this planet in the next hour" he saw a nod and a flurry of orders that were typed into the computer along with voice commands.
(Fifty Five Minutes Later)
Naruto watched on as a pair of Falcons loaded the FTL drive, along with Red Team as he sat on the hood of a Warthog, glancing around he saw the last of ODST along with Marine forces being picked up by Pelicans and Falcons alike.
A Falcon touched ground as the FTL drive was securely put in, the clamps closed up, signifying the drive was working.
"We are green lights go, I repeat, green lights go" reported Cutter "Red Team" a cough, he sighed "And Naruto, return to ship, were leaving".
"You sure about leaving your planet?" asked Douglas as they boarded the Falcon one by one. Naruto shrugged as he took off his helmet with a slight hiss revealing his face and hair "Everything I lived for and fought for once, is gone now" he smiled sadly "I'd probably be more of a use to you guys and humanity at this point".
"What changed your mind?" asked Alice as they went airborne, Naruto paused and sighed aloud "I have to admit, when the Covenant invaded at first, it was all about survival, everyone I knew and loved, dead by their attacks" he shook his head of the memories "Have to admit, there were times when I wanted it all to end" that got silence in return before it was broken as they were airborne.
"But.." Naruto started, looking across the landscape and the ruins of Konoha "I promised myself something, not to let the same thing that happened to me, to them" he referred to humanity "Guess I just want to save a shitload of people" at that, they relaxed slightly as they entered the hanger.
As they exited, Captain Cutter greeted them "Well done Red Team" and he looked to Naruto "and to you as well Naruto, as soon as we get back to the UNSC, I'll put through the paperwork for a recommendation on my part" he informed Naruto whom smiled and nodded.
Their small celebration was broken by Anders who came up "Sir, Serena detected a slip space rupture." She cut in, Cutter looked at her sharply "What?" he asked, sounding rather worried by the fact of a Covenant Ship.
"A Covenant Cruiser has been detected at the edge of the system" she informed him seriously "We need to go now, sir"
Concern and worry spread through the ranks while none noticed Naruto, whom had a flicker of an idea in mind….
Authors Note
Hey everyone, things are really heating up in this story, next chapter will show Naruto's technological skills in modifying the Spirit of Fire during a firefight between them and the Covenant Ship, please wait for the next thrilling chapter.
Oh and the part for the burn baby burn came from CSI: Miami, Horatio Caine people!