As nightfall descended over Earth Country, Naruto's weary form drew closer to the outskirts of a small town. The weight of exhaustion bore heavily upon him, evident in the slouch of his posture and the disheveled state of the once-brown cloak, now tinged with stains of crimson. The wounds on his body had been torn open once more, a consequence of his hasty and reckless journey through the treacherous terrain that stretched across the nation. Relentlessly pushing forward since his departure from Kurashiki, Naruto had scarcely allowed himself a moment's respite, and now the consequences were beginning to take their toll. Though he was no stranger to pain, it was often tempered by the generous flow of Kurama's chakra. This newfound vulnerability felt unsettlingly unfamiliar to him.
When the gates of the town—Yuganai, as indicated by the weathered sign—came into view, Naruto discreetly transformed himself, assuming the guise of a nondescript civilian with brown hair and a more presentable attire. Blending in seamlessly, he stepped into the town and ventured along its moonlit streets, his focus set on locating a shop where he could procure supplies to tend to his wounds.
His sluggish footsteps led him to a small clinic, miraculously still open at this hour. The faint glow of light spilled from its windows, offering a glimmer of hope. Stepping inside, he approached the counter and acquired a package of bandages and a bottle of antiseptic. Satisfied, he resumed his journey, his mind now set on finding a place to rest.
With the supplies settled, Naruto continued his search, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Soon, his gaze settled upon a dimly lit inn nestled on the outskirts. Its worn façade and flickering neon sign, bearing the name Gekkabijin inn, hinted at a dubious reputation, which made it the perfect venue for his stay. Shoulders sagging from fatigue, he crossed the threshold, exchanging a polite nod with the proprietor as he made his way past the lively common dining area. He ascended a creaking staircase as he made his way to his room. Once inside, he sat down on the bed as he began tending to his wounds. He carefully unwrapped the bandages and reached for the bottle of antiseptic. He winced at the sting as he cleansed his injuries before applying the fresh bandages.
With the injuries attended to, the exhaustion finally caught with him. His weary body could no longer bear the weight of his fatigue. Collapsing onto the bed, he surrendered to the embrace of sleep, his breathing deep and steady.
Under the scorching midday sun, Kakuzu strode with purpose through the streets of Yuganai, paying little heed to the townsfolk bustling about in search of their lunch. Following Imagawa's directions, he arrived at the inn known as Gekkabijin, scanning the room until his gaze settled on Imagawa seated in a corner, slurping on a bowl of ramen. When their eyes met, Imagawa playfully raised his chopsticks in mock greeting.
Kakuzu approached and took a seat opposite him. "So, what is this job you have for me?" he inquired, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
Imagawa leaned forward; his eyes gleaming with excitement. "A contract on the heir to the feudal lord of Earth Country," he revealed, his words filled with intrigue. "The lord's nephew desires to remove the heir from the picture, as he yearns to take the throne himself. Needless to say, the heir will be heavily guarded. That's where someone with your unique talents comes in."
Kakuzu raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "And what is the price for this task?"
Imagawa's lips curled into a sly smile. "Oh, the man may be a snake, but his pockets run deep," he replied. With a flourish, he scribbled a number onto a piece of paper and slid it across the table to Kakuzu.
Kakuzu's eyes lingered on the figure, a smirk forming on his lips. "Very well, I agree," he stated, his tone betraying a mix of satisfaction and anticipation.
Imagawa clapped his hands together in delight. "Excellent! Now, let's go over the details," he exclaimed, eager to delve into the intricacies of the mission at hand.
"So, the prince will be in Yoshinawa in two days from now," Imagawa began, his sentence left hanging as Kakuzu was abruptly launched out of the inn, crashing through its walls. Startled, Imagawa blinked in disbelief, witnessing only a blur of blond before him.
Kakuzu regained his footing outside the wreckage, his gaze scanning the surroundings to locate his assailant. The townsfolk, their faces etched with fear and panic, scattered like startled birds, desperate to distance themselves from the chaos of the shinobi battle.
Emerging from the billowing dust, Naruto walked through the remnants he had just created with his powerful strike. His form, initially obscured by the debris, gradually became clearer as he closed in on Kakuzu. "Don't know how you're alive, but I couldn't give a shit about that right now," the blonde demanded, his voice dripping with impatience. "Where's Tobi?"
Narrowing his eyes, Kakuzu dusted himself off. "I don't know who Tobi is, but you've made a grave mistake attacking me, boy."
"Cut the crap, Kakuzu. This really isn't a good time for you to develop a sense of humor. I'm gonna ask again, where's Tobi?" Naruto shot back, his words resonating through the devastated surroundings. "I'm gonna ask again, where's Tobi?"
Kakuzu's mind raced, trying to comprehend the enigma before him. "Interesting," he mused, "You seem to know me, but I cannot say the same."
Naruto growled, "Is that how you're gonna play this?" His eyes blazed with fury as golden chains emerged from his back, rushing towards Kakuzu. "Fine, then I'm just gonna have to beat it out of you!"
Reacting with lightning speed, Kakuzu skillfully maneuvered, effortlessly dodging the relentless onslaught of the sharp chains—or so he thought. To his astonishment, the chains found their mark, cutting through his defenses with precision. Skin split open, revealing the dark threads of jiongu coursing beneath, an ominous reminder of his own unique ability.
"Wind chakra," Kakuzu murmured, a mixture of surprise and recognition flickering in his eyes. "And an Uzumaki at that." The revelation sent a chill down his spine. This encounter had taken an unexpected turn.
Realizing that the stakes had been raised, Kakuzu swiftly shed his cloak, discarding it with a disdainful flick of his hand as he faced his opponent. The true extent of his jiongu was unleashed, revealing the four masks adorning his body. Each mask possessed a distinct visage and when they came to life, their expressions twisted into an eerie combination of hostility and anticipation, ready to unleash their own abilities.
"Haven't had the time to complete the set?" a mocking voice echoed from behind Kakuzu, catching him off guard. Startled, he quickly realized that it was a clone. Thoughts raced through his mind, trying to discern when and how the clone had been created, but he had no luxury to dwell on such questions.
Before he could react, a sudden gust of wind erupted, piercing through one of his hearts with precision. Agony coursed through Kakuzu's veins as he grappled with the searing pain. The force of the attack rattled him, his body instinctively recoiling.
Panic gripped Kakuzu as he desperately tried to regain control of the spiraling battle. With a swift motion, he attempted to separate his masks, seeking to unleash the full force of their monstrous bodies and overwhelm his opponent with sheer numbers. But his efforts were in vain as his adversary moved with an otherworldly speed that defied comprehension.
Naruto, surged through the battlefield with the grace of a tempestuous wind. Swift as a gale, he weaved and twirled, his movements carrying an air of untamed power. In a whirlwind of motion, his golden chains danced and sliced through the jiongu threads with uncanny precision, rending Kakuzu's attempt utterly futile. The hearts, once free and pulsating with vitality, now found themselves tightly bound, trapped by the relentless grip of Naruto's chains.
An unsettling realization washed over Kakuzu as he witnessed the suppression of his chakra. The formidable power of his masks, the very essence of his combat prowess, became nullified in the face of Naruto's unyielding onslaught. Panic gripped him as he realized the dire implications of this turn of events. His last line of defense had been severed, leaving him vulnerable and outmatched. With a sickening crunch, two of Kakuzu's hearts were mercilessly crushed, their demise leaving behind a gruesome display of blood and carnage. The pain surged through his body, a relentless reminder of his dwindling chances for survival. Only a single heart remained, pulsating weakly in his chest. Kakuzu's mind raced, scrambling to find a strategy that could turn the tides.
"Just who are you?" Kakuzu gritted out, frustrated. Without wasting a moment, he raced through a rapid succession of handsigns, channeling his chakra with focused intensity. As he exhaled, a searing ball of fire burst forth from his mouth, transforming into a massive firestorm that hurtled towards his adversary. The surrounding area was engulfed in a blinding brilliance, the intense flames obscuring Kakuzu's own form. He instinctively brought his hand up to shield himself from the searing heat, his heart pounding with anticipation as he awaited the outcome of his powerful attack.
As the raging inferno gradually subsided, Kakuzu cursed. His opponent had vanished into thin air. In that moment of confusion, an eruption of chains sprang forth from the ground, their metallic links coiling around him with swift precision. Bound by the unyielding grasp of the chains, Kakuzu found himself immobilized and vulnerable. To his utter dismay, his adversary emerged alongside the chains, rising from the ground like a phantom. With a swift and brutal uppercut, their fist connected with Kakuzu's chin.
The force of the uppercut delivered a devastating blow, causing Kakuzu's senses to fade into darkness. Consciousness slipped away from him, leaving him in an unconscious state. The last sound that reached his ears as he succumbed to oblivion was Naruto's voice. "That should jog your memory."
Kakuzu's bleary eyes slowly fluttered open, only to find himself shackled in the confines of a dimly lit room. The sound of footsteps echoed, drawing his attention to the blond man who had defeated him so thoroughly.
"Where... is he?" Naruto asked, his gaze fixed intently on Kakuzu.
Confusion clouded Kakuzu's mind as he tried to comprehend the question being posed to him. "Who... who are you talking about?" he asked, his voice strained and filled with genuine bewilderment.
Without warning, a kunai was ruthlessly driven into Kakuzu's thigh, eliciting a grimace of pain. The agony served as a stark reminder of the dire situation he found himself in.
"Where did he take the Nine-tails?" Naruto pressed on; his blue eyes unflinching.
A hollow laugh escaped Kakuzu's lips, despite the throbbing ache in his leg. "You must be insane. The Nine-tails?" He couldn't fathom the absurdity of such a question.
Another kunai pierced his flesh, this time plunging into his injured thigh, intensifying his torment. Kakuzu winced but remained defiant. His captor's persistence demanded an answer.
"Listen, you brat," Kakuzu spat out, "I don't know any Tobi, but the Kyuubi... it is with Konoha. Sealed within the wife of the First Hokage, if my suspicions are correct."
"I really don't have the patience for this," Naruto retorted, his frustration boiling over as he slammed his fist into the wall. The force of impact sent cracks spiderwebbing through the structure. "Have you gone senile since the last time I saw you? You fought Hashirama half a century ago, you old fuck. Give it a rest already!"
Kakuzu's brow furrowed in confusion. "I fought Hashirama... months ago." What was this fool going on about?
Naruto couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt. Had the mercenary finally lost his marbles? Or had someone tampered with his memories? It seemed that Kakuzu genuinely believed his own story. "What the fuck are you going on about?"
Kakuzu bristled at that. He wasn't the madman asking about the Nine-tails here. Let alone that whole thing about Hashirama dying. He felt embarassed that he had lost to his lunatic. "The First Shinobi World War," Kakuzu said, his face contorted with a dark expression as he glared at his captor, "ended five months ago. That's when I left Taki." The wounds of that betrayal remained fresh in his mind, and it wasn't a subject he wanted to recollect now.
Naruto sighed in frustration, massaging his temples. Dealing with a demented senior citizen wasn't exactly his strong suit, and deciphering whether Kakuzu's mind had been tampered with seemed like an impossible task. Suddenly, an unconventional idea popped into Naruto's head. Maybe a little brain shock therapy could do the trick? After all, he did know a couple of lightning jutsu.
Kakuzu stared at the madman, watching as crackling lightning chakra enveloped his hands. "What in the world are you doing?" he asked, the subtle twitch in his jaw betrayed his growing unease. He had a sinking feeling he wouldn't like the answer.
"Just trying to jumpstart your brain," Naruto replied, as if that was a sane thing to say. "It might jog your memory a bit."
Kakuzu did not quite know where to start with that. This had to be some kind of genjutsu. "Recollect what, you maniac?" he questioned. The absurdity of the situation was getting to him, tearing away the tightly woven threads of his composure.
Naruto moved closer to Kakuzu, the crackling lightning in his hands adding an ominous touch. "You'll see. Hopefully, this will bring you back to the present year."
Kakuzu's desperation grew as he tried to think of a way out. "And what year do you think that is?" he asked, buying himself some time to formulate an escape plan.
"Huh? 1183, after the birth of the Sage," Naruto responded casually, seemingly unfazed by Kakuzu's protest.
Kakuzu's mind raced as he attempted to reason with the seemingly delusional ninja. "Wait," he interjected, hoping to bring some sense to the situation. "The year is 1129!"
"Yeah, sure, whatever," Naruto dismissed, paying little attention to Kakuzu's objections. He pressed his hands against Kakuzu's head, the crackling lightning singing his hair.
"I can prove it!" Kakuzu said in a last-ditch attempt.
Something in the back of his mind urged Naruto to play along and so he did."Alright, how?"
"Check my pockets," Kakuzu urged, hope flickering in his eyes.
Naruto obliged, rummaging through Kakuzu's pockets until he found an old bingo book dated 1129. He couldn't help but laugh. "Really? This is your proof? An ancient bingo book?"
Just as uncertainty hung in the air, the silence was abruptly broken by the voice of Imagawa, who had skillfully shadowed Naruto since his encounter with Kakuzu. Unseen and unnoticed, he had been eavesdropping just outside, ever prepared to vanish into the shadows if the need arose. Now, he stepped forward, his presence revealed.
"He's telling the truth," Imagawa declared with calculated precision. His words carried a weight of certainty, resonating in the air and reaching Naruto's ears with a mix of intrigue and caution.
Naruto turned to Imagawa, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "So, you finally decide to show yourself? And who exactly are you?"
Imagawa's smile carried a hint of mystery as he responded, "Oh, my friend, I am many things, but let's save that for later. What Kakuzu says is true. The year is indeed 1129. You can confirm it for yourself. Go back to the town, check any calendar, ask anyone."
Naruto mocked Imagawa's suggestion. "And leave him here with you to escape? Is that your plan?"
Imagawa countered with a logical solution. "Saw you use a clone jutsu earlier. You could use it again."
Despite the sheer absurdity of the request, Naruto couldn't help but let his instincts guide him into considering it. On his journey here, a peculiar sense of displacement had hounded him. He initially attributed it to the remote and rugged locales he had traversed. However, even as he arrived in this town nestled in the heart of Earth Country, a disconcerting anachronism permeated the air. The traditional architecture and attire worn by the townsfolk seemed strange, and the place was devoid of the technological advancements that Naruto had come to expect in the world he knew.
Determined to find answers, Naruto summoned a clone and dispatched it to the town. The clone transformed itself and approached a pair of random villagers engaged in conversation.
"Goddamn shinobi always wrecking things!" one of the men complained, a middle-aged man with a stout build.
"It's that inn, I tell ya! It always attracts that kind of crowd. We should really do something about it," another man, similarly aged, chimed in.
"Yeah, and risk getting killed in our sleep? No thanks," the first man retorted.
Interrupting their conversation, Naruto interjected, "Excuse me, you two. What year is it?"
The first man mocked Naruto's question, assuming he was intoxicated. "What year is it? A little early in the day to be sloshed, isn't it?" His companion joined in laughter.
Undeterred by their mockery, Naruto persisted, repeating his question. "I'm serious. Please, tell me the year."
The first man's expression shifted from amusement to mild annoyance. "It's 1129, fool. Now, off with you," he responded curtly.
Head reeling with the weight of the newfound information, the clone embarked on a frenzied quest, driven by an insatiable need for further confirmation. In a whirlwind of motion, he dashed through the bustling streets of the town, his eyes scanning every available surface for a glimpse of a calendar. With each passing moment, the urgency within him grew, propelling him forward with an almost manic determination.
Shop after shop, house after house, he burst into each establishment, leaving a trail of bewildered onlookers in his wake. His gaze darted feverishly from wall to wall, seeking out the telltale sign of the year. And there it was, repeated time and again—a cruel repetition that defied all logic. The numbers, etched onto every calendar he encountered, formed a haunting chorus that reverberated through his mind, amplifying the impossibility of the situation.
Overwhelmed by the weight of the knowledge he had uncovered; the clone's existence reached its breaking point. The strain became too much to bear, and with a soundless pop, he dissipated into nothingness, unable to reconcile the absurdity of the world around him.