Diablo:
The Lord of Destruction 2.0
By: Jon
M. Iris
Chapter Two: A Journey
— o.0.O.O.0.o —
The sun was setting in Konohagakure, the soft colors of oranges, reds, and yellows painted the village a brilliant shade. The early sleepers were closing up shop and heading home for the day. The dregs of any society were rearing their heads and heading to the bars and red light districts. A crash and one long white haired old man was slammed through a wall and out into the streets. A very pissed and skimpily dressed purple haired snake charmer came tromping out with fury in her eyes.
The white haired man has blood coming from his nose yet suffers no other injury. "You dirty old pervert!! I'll teach you grab someone's ass while they're drinking!!" The purple haired vixen begins to stomp the man into the ground, while the man continues to stare in awe in the sky as he reminisces on how good the woman's ass had felt.
Meanwhile, back at the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi was shaking his head in disapproval of the white haired man as he watches him getting stomped into the ground through his crystal ball. All the while laughing his ass off inside. A knock at his door distracts him and he calls for them to enter. Naruto, Neo, and Harry step through the door, one of the Chunin guards bowing to him as he closes the door. "Hello boys, I have called you here this evening to tell you that your teacher has finally arrived. He's coming this way and will arrive at the tower in a few minutes. In the mean time I'd like to give you guys this…" He pulls out three scrolls tossing them to each of the boys. Naruto flips his open and finds four high chakra based jutsu attacks, three of which rely on wind type chakra and one lightning based. Neo flips his open finding four techniques that seem to come directly from his clans skills, but were unlike anything he'd ever seen in the family vaults.
Harry, on the other hand, opened his and was shocked to say the least. He had only one jutsu, but it was a jutsu that merged his chakra and magic together in a powerful attack, and the rest of the scroll was taken up with a Taijutsu style. A style that he himself had started to put together, but this was complete and powerful. "Harry, that Taijutsu Style is from Dumbledore when he stayed with us for some time. He refused to learn any other jutsu but he believed in learning to defend himself. Using his magic he created that Taijutsu style, but despite what you might think it is not complete. Dumbledore was wondering if you could finish it, using the jutsu he refused to learn and your own magic, creating a perfect harmony."
He looks up at Neo and smiles. "Those techniques are ones your father designed right before he died. He left in his will that you were to inherit these techniques when you graduated." Neo nods in understanding as he starts reading the techniques his dad created. A look of awe starts to overcome his face as he reads on.
Sarutobi smiles at the expression before his face turns to a more serious one. "Neo, Harry, I'm sorry but I must ask you to leave the room. I must talk to Naruto about his techniques, they are highly classified and if Naruto feels he can he will tell you later. It is up to him but he has to learn about it first." The two nod before getting up and leaving the room while Naruto looks at the Hokage quizzically. The Hokage takes a puff off his pipe before tapping the ashes out into the bowl. "Naruto…" Naruto snaps to attention. "What I'm about to tell you is a S-rank Classification Secret." Naruto gulps but nods. "Those techniques are techniques developed by your father…" A gasp escapes Naruto at this revelation. "Your father was one of the most influential, courageous, and powerful man who has ever graced Konohagakure. Your father, Naruto, was the Fourth Hokage of Konoha." Naruto's eyes widen and his breathing increases. How could this be? His father was the Fourth? The one who sealed the Kyuubi within him? He supposed that others might have gotten mad at this, to feel alienated and hurt that their own father would curse them this way, but somehow he knew there was no other way. He put himself in his father's shoes in an instant and knew that he would have done exactly the same thing. How could he ask another to sacrifice their child if he couldn't do it himself? He couldn't, it's that plain and simple. "I know this is hard for you to take in but there's more. Those techniques are the beginning steps to your father's ultimate techniques, techniques that made him feared throughout the Shinobi lands. When you master the techniques on those scrolls you will get the training and scrolls for his other techniques. Jaraiya is the only one who is able to accomplish the training."
Naruto nods in understanding before stepping through the door, Sarutobi sighing knowing that somehow Naruto had accepted it instantly. He could not fathom the strength of will this young man had to be able to not only accept the fact that Kyuubi is sealed within her one day and find out who his father is the next day and not be blown out of the water by all the information. He truly was an exceptional young man to say the least, and he couldn't be more proud to know him.
Outside Neo and Harry could tell that something was on Naruto's mind. It was kind of hard to ignore when he walked out of the office with the most serious face they'd ever seen in their entire time of knowing him. Even Neo, who had been Naruto's friend since they were in the Orphanage together, had never seen such a serious look on Naruto's face in all their years together. It was….creepy to say the least. They simply fell behind him and followed, knowing that sooner or later he'd come clean with them. It was, after all, Naruto that was the person in question. Someone that has an extremely hard time keeping a secret of any kind.
It's been two days since Naruto had become so serious. Whenever Neo or Harry tried to spar with the usual rambunctious boy he merely waved them have stating 'I have to learn these jutsu.' It had begun to irk them to the point where each started to do nothing but study and learn their own scrolls. Between the scrolls and their private lessons the only time the boys seemed to see each other or interact was when they did group training with Jaraiya. It was funny, normally the trio would have been at least a little enthusiastic when they bumped into Jaraiya when they left the office the other day, but the seriousness of Naruto caused them to pretty much just walk right by him, which miffed Jaraiya to no end at such disrespect of a Shinobi of his rank and stature. With all the training they've been doing the Third could tell they were about Chunin in power and control. But at the end of the week they would be heading out to join Hogwarts with Harry. Their training in magic had been very quick after a quick trip to obtain their wands. He thought it was ironic that Naruto's wand was redwood with pieces of hair from the nine tailed demon fox Kyuubi. Neo's wand was also something akin to irony, being that it was made from the bone of a dragon with three hairs of a unicorn as its core. Very interesting indeed.
Neo's POV
I wouldn't admit it to anyone, not even Naruto, but my skeletons have souls. That's right, souls. When I call forth a skeleton to do my bidding, the soul that inhabited the body before is returned temporarily. Now what no one knows is that in order to use a specific soul and skeleton you have to earn their favor. Most will just automatically give me their favor since the souls are those of warriors who relish the feel of combat and are grateful of the opportunity to fight after they're dead and gone. But there are some, great warriors of their time, who ask for something in return for their services. Usually this is a simple offering of blood, just like in a summoning other Shinobi use. However, on rare occasions, like right now, they force you to prove your worth to summon them. What sucks most about this is that I can't use my Necromancy against them, it is all me and nothing but me. Normally this might be a major problem for Necromancers in the past, but my best friend and brother is Naruto Uzumaki. Because of him I'm not stuck with just one style of fighting, like standing back and letting my skeletons do all the work. I'm in the shit with my skeletons, kick major ass like Naruto likes to say.
A grin spreads across my face as I dodge another attack by a particularly bad ass new skeleton warrior. Trees fall to the wayside from the force of the dodged attack as I free fall in the air for a second, my hands running through new still unfamiliar seals, an attack created by my father. It is powerful as hell and probably my only shot at winning this match. I scream the name of the attack as I finish the twenty seal sequence and slam my right arm forward, holding it steady with my left around the elbow. "BONE TAKER!!" I feel the chakra drain at an alarmingly fast pace as it rushes through my right arm. The skin starts to expand and rip, my lip drawing a bead of blood as I bite down on it in pain. Bones rushes out of the rips and merge together forming a type of funnel looking thing, hollow cartilage ripping out from my back and chest and attaching to the end of the 'cannon'. A blue light starts to glow, a high pitched whining sound hurting my ears as it powers up. An enormous orb of chakra pushes out from the hollow end aimed at my opponent before erupting forward in a chakra blast. A crackling rips through the air as the attack super heats the air around it making it seem like sighting circles around the blast. The skeleton warrior, though fleshless, seems surprised and throws up its two sword into a guard, channeling chakra that is super imposed around the skeleton like it still had a body, a blue shield forming in front of it. Darkness begins to creep around the outside of my vision, the chakra drain finally starting to affect me. This was definitely a last resort technique until I greatly increase my chakra levels. Unconsciousness takes me just as I see the attack slam into the Skeleton Warriors shield, and shreds it in an instant without a moments hesitation, the bones of my target disintegrating almost as instantly. I feel a nod the Warrior as another skeleton joins my mind. I couldn't be happier at that moment. Proving your worth in battle, whether it's against a possibly skeleton ally or an enemy, had to be one of the most exhilarating moments in life. And I know I will have plenty of opportunities in both departments in the coming years thanks to my profession as a Shinobi of Konohagakure.
Naruto's POV
I've trained with my two friends and with Iruka-sensei these last couple of days, but I feel hollow. The only joy I seem to get out of life right now is training in the techniques my father left me in the scroll. The funny thing is that it seems my father preferred speed techniques and strike and run tactics if at all possible. As I studied the techniques I started to see a way for my father's techniques to work in my favor. Sure I don't prefer guerilla tactics like my father does, I'm more of an in your face ground and pound type of fighter. But I also realize that that tactic doesn't always work.
My eyes sharpen as I look at my target, a simple training log stuck in the ground. I extend my right arm forward, all the fingers spread with the palm aimed forward. My chakra begins spiking as I try to activate the no-seal jutsu. My fingers begin vibrating starting at the tips and working its way down. It spreads to my entire hand then my arm, I snap forward as fast as I can, the muscles in my legs growing and shrinking with the work. My tendons snapping back and forth with the force. My movements are lithe and fluid as I rocket forward, my entire arm vibrating so hard it looks like I have five arms overlapping each other and blurred. I roar in defiance as I swing my arm out, the vibration spreading instantly over my whole body instantly for a split second causing me to disappear and reappear half way across the clearing on the other side of the log. I shake my head, disorientation and nausea slamming into me for a moment. I glance at the log, hoping beyond hope that this time the technique was a success. My eyes widen as they land on the target. It was gone, just…gone. There was a hole where the log should be, all his other attempts are slightly shattered or have a ton of dents in them, but this one wasn't there anymore. What the hell kind of technique was this?!
"Aha ha ha ha!! Not what you expected was it boy?" I snap my head towards the sound finding Ero-sennin leaning against a tree smirking. "Don't know what happened do ya?" I shake my head. His smirk widens in that way that says 'I know something you don't'. Kami I hate that damn type of smirk, I had enough of that shit from people like Sasuke in the Academy and around the Village. "That technique deals with speed, this I know you know. What the scroll doesn't say is that when performed perfectly that vibration is transferred in an instant into the target on an atomic scale. The chakra you circulate at the beginning keeps it from affecting you on the same level. With me so far?" I growl in annoyance as I nod, stupid fucker thinking he's so damn smart. "When the vibration transferred it separated all the elements in the target on an atomic scale which makes the target disintegrate completely. Wait just a moment and you'll see why your father decided against using it all the time."
I looked at him quizzically until my vision starts vibrating and I fall to my knees and vomit. I feel vibrations rocking my body with pain beyond measure. I scream, my throat closing up allowing no sound. I vaguely feel Ero-sennin pounding my back to help me clear my wind pipe. With a huge inhale the problems stop almost immediately. In gasping breaths I ask the question. "What…the…fuck…was that?!"
Jaraiya chuckles as he helps me stand again, my legs and arms weak. "That, baka, was the after effects that will happen no matter how much control and power you have. See, even though the chakra circulation stops you from disintegrating your cells still go through hell. Using this technique the right way even once seriously damages the cells. Luckily cells replace themselves but this causes them to be flawed in a very special way. Even Kyuubi won't fix the problem once he sees what is actually happening. You see, your father's techniques started with this technique. He only used it once, and it led to the creation of the ultimate techniques he's known for. These new 'flawed' cells gave him inhumanly enhance speed. Right now your speed is twice what it was before, once you finish 'healing' that is." My eyes are wide at this new revelation. Once I healed, which is when I sleep I know, my speed will be twice as fast as before?" I can't help but grin at that. A smile stretches itself from ear to ear as I think of the new possibilities this offers me in my training and future profession. Damn this was going to be fun!
The boys stood side by side waiting with Jaraiya and Sarutobi, waiting for the Headmaster Dumbledore to show up an transport them to the school. They'd been waiting for about an hour now and Naruto was beginning to get a little antsy. Imagine his surprise when with a pop Dumbledore appeared out of thin air. The ancient man smiles at the rest as he adjusts his half moon spectacles. "Sorry for being so late, I had a most unusual visit and it took me a bit to deal with." He claps his hands and smiles at the group. "So! Is everyone ready?" He gets nods all around as the boys adjust the storage scrolls they bought stacked in a sling like backpacks (Think of that scroll carrier Kankuro used in the comics for his puppets.). Dumbledore nods, thinking he needs to get the secrets of those storage scrolls; it would make things much easier for many wizards and witches, not to mention the student, when carrying many things. Those trunks, even the Never Ending Storage Trunks, were just too lumbering and massive to be truly efficient, especially in the Muggle world. He slaps his hands together and grins so wide it closes his eyes. "Well then! Lets get going shall we? Now I need each of you to hold each other's hands and grip tightly, Naruto give me you hand…" The each grasp the hand of the person next to them, forming a circle as Naruto holds Dumbledore's left hand and Jaraiya his right. "Alright, you're going to feel a bit disoriented but don't let go. It'll be over in a flash…"
They here a pop, their vision dark as they feel like they're being squeezed through a funnel way to small to support their mass. They can't breathe as pressure pushes against their ribcages. And almost as fast as this started, it was over with another pop. The once shining and building covered scenery was replaced by dark clouds, a slight drizzle, and a view of dark and evil looking forest in front of them. Beyond the forest they see a towering castle with several spires rising to meet the sky. They saw lights through the windows all over the sides. It wasn't Konoha by any means, but it was more than impressive in its own right. Dumbledore motions for the group to follow as he moves towards a gate that enters into the Castle grounds. "Now boys, there are some rules all students must follow. First, no wandering into the Forbidden Forest, it's filled with dark creatures that are highly dangerous among other things. Second, there is a curfew and all students must abide it and not leave their dorms after it. And a third rule, one that pertains to your three alone. No using your jutsu…" Dumbledore looks at them seriously, his eyes stern. "You will have a class period everyday to train with Jaraiya-san, then and only then will you be allowed to use your jutsu. There is a loophole to this rule though boys…" They snap to attention, their annoyance at such restrictions lifting. "If this school falls under attack you are given permission to use any and all means necessary to help defend it." Grins spread across the faces of the young men, grins of eager maliciousness and promised pain. One even crosses the usually gentle face of Harry Potter, making Dumbledore shiver, what kind of training had they put the boy through to change him like this? The question goes unsaid and unanswered as Dumbledore leads them to the Castle, telling Naruto and Neo that they would join Harry in Gryffindor House. This was starting to look like a very interesting year.
AN-Hey all, sorry these are so short but I'm trying to make them more interesting and better built than the last one. I feel I'm getting better at it but I'm still a work in progress as a writer. I hope you enjoy this version better, the last just seemed too random and incomplete to me. Maybe you as the reader felt the same I am not sure. I hope you enjoy this. Please Read and Review, ciao!!
JON