Chapter 16
Awakening Fury
He wasn't in front of him anymore.
The image of Sosuke Aizen seemed to become transparent, then shed into a hundred pieces, like his body had become a mass of leaves blown away by a sudden gust of air. Naruto heaved a gob of blood, the red liquid dribbling down the corners of his mouth as he looked down at the blade of a sword, stained crimson as it was pushed through his back and exited from his chest.
Aizen was behind him, both hands holding onto his Zanpakuto as he leaned in close, whispering a simple "Goodbye, Naruto-kun"
He blinked, and there was nothing. No body, no blood, just a black cloak which fell to the ground. Relaxing his stance the 5th Division Fukutaicho looked at his blade, expecting to see it smeared with blood, yet it was unblemished, clean and glimmering in the moonlight.
He smiled as he turned to see his adversary. Naruto stood ten meters away, untouched, hand resting on the hilt of his Zanpakuto, yet to be withdrawn from the sheath "Utsusemi huh?"
The child remained silent, eyeing him expertly, Aizen continued.
"A specialist technique of the Omnitsukido if I remember correctly, where the practitioner moves so fast that he leaves an afterimage behind" eyes meeting, neither moved an inch "Only hohō Masters can use it so flawlessly. Have you progressed far enough to be considered a master, Naruto-kun?"
"You might say that" was the blondes only reply, his eyes hardening to the point where they'd put diamonds to shame. He knew asking would be pointless, but the question just reverberated through his psyche, refusing to be quelled "How long have you been a traitor, Aizen?"
The man smiled that friendly smile, which was chilling under the circumstances "Since before you came to the Soul Society, probably before you were even born"
Naruto couldn't believe it. This soft spoken, polite individual was the mastermind behind these Hollowfication experiments? Even now, with the overwhelming visions it was hard to believe.
"I take it you used Flow Walk?" Naruto said nothing, managing to keep his surprise under control "A forbidden technique, forbidden because of the amount of damage it can do to the wielder, particularly to his or her sight. Using it for too long can tear muscles and pop blood vessels. I'm amazed you can still see"
"What can I say" Naruto replied with a shrug and a wry grin, wiping the remaining smeared blood from his cheeks "I'm a persistent little bastard"
Besides him self Sosuke smiled "That I have no doubt. But I have found that there is much more to you than meets the eye, Naruto-kun. The files on your past life are considered top secret, so much so that only a Captain or above can view them. You wouldn't believe how difficult it was to get a copy of them" the blonde's mask slipped for a split second "Jinchuriki of the Kyubi no Yoko, the most powerful of the Nine Biju, the tailed beasts of myth and legend"
"You figured it out" Naruto replied, deadpan "But sadly its too late, the oversized fuzz ball is long gone"
"The fox may be dead, but the power isn't. When you died the two chakra's merged, gaining all of his advantages and strengths. Incredible health and an immune system which could tackle any injury or disease and almost impossible reserves of spiritual pressure" the Lieutenant was acting as if he were discussing what he was having for lunch "Your power grows at a steady rate Naruto-kun. Don't you want to become more than just a Shinigami, under the rules and tyrannical reign of the Central 46? Don't you want to be able to harness your power and break the paltry boundaries set out for you?"
He didn't like where this was going "So that was the reason for these Hollowfication experiments, to see if you could push the boundaries, gain new heights of power?" he scoffed at this "With men like you it's always more power. I have seen too many like you in my past life, people who crave power and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it, no matter how many innocent lives are taken, no matter how much suffering you cause its never enough until you reach your goal"
"You disapprove"
"Of course I disapprove" the blonde spat vehemently, his patience snapping "You do all this. You hurt people who you worked with, fought with, ate with and put your life on the line with. They trusted you and you threw them away like trash!"
"Ah you talk about emotional attachment" Aizen muttered the words like he had just cracked a puzzle "Such things are useless Naruto-kun, all they do is hold you back, stop you from reaching your goal. Such hindrances need to be removed"
"And that's why we'll never see eye to eye Aizen" Naruto drew his Zanpakuto "One last question, why Urahara?"
"Why not" he replied, folding his arms, his hands delving into the long sleeves of his shihakusho "It was Urahara who originally invented Hollowfication in the first place, all I needed to do was plant the suspicion. The Central 46 would have searched the 12th Division laboratory and found all the damning evidence they needed. Add to the point his being at the incident that night and there you have it. The perfect scapegoat" he seemed to think for a moment "Although I wasn't expecting Tessai or Yoruichi to be there, an extra bonus"
"Extra bonus" he asked, his teeth ground together in contained anger "Framing them as traitors is an extra bonus?"
"Why yes. It also removes several obstacles in my path, if she hadn't have acted then I may have been forced to kill her"
"Descend, Kazerasshu (Wind Lash)!"
Aizen sidestepped the condensed blade of air. His eyes not leaving the incensed 2nd Division Lieutenant even when the half powered Ten no Kaze struck and ran through a few trees at the other side of the clearing, causing them to topple over in a series of near deafening crashes.
"My, my" he muttered "Impatient aren't we"
Naruto wasn't listening, eyes glowing with barely contained power as he gripped the half meter long thin hilt of his released Zanpakuto, his posture stooped. No one threatened a person as precious to him as Yoruichi. She was his sensei, his friend, his elder sister in every sense of the word except through blood. On the other hand this man reminded him of one of only a few people he hated. He reminded Naruto of Kabuto Yakushi, the former Leaf nin who turned his back on the village and became Orochimaru's lieutenant, the man who played a part in the death of old man Sarutobi, the man who threatened to kill Tsunade.
"You know Aizen" Naruto said, his voice low and venomous "You remind me of someone I used to know when I was alive"
"Oh" he hummed.
"Yeah, I hated that man's guts"
It was then that Aizen's two partners in crime arrived at the scene. Kaname Tosen, stood flanking his masters left. Still wearing his white long coat, goggles and mask with his Zanpakuto, Suzumushi (Cricket), held in his right hand. Gin Ichimaru flanked his right, his own Zanpakuto, Shinso (Divine Spear) withdrawn from its sheath and held casually in his own hand.
"Aizen-sama" Tosen said calmly "Leave him to us"
"Yeah" Gin agreed with his usual fox like grin "We'll deal with this guy"
"Very well" the fukutaicho replied with a sigh, turning away from the blonde "I leave him to you"
He made it two steps when the sound of laughter stopped him. There was no emotion in this laughter, no mirth to speak off, and as the Vice-Captain turned to look at his counterpart he wondered at the man's mental state "Something funny, Naruto-kun?"
"Funny" the blonde asked, a malicious smile adorning his face "This isn't funny, this is insulting. Do you really think these two lightweights can stand up to me?"
"Aren't we cocky?"
"There's a world of difference between being cocky and being confident" Naruto replied with a grin.
"Oh" Aizen intoned with a trace of mirth "Is that so?"
Tosen blurred behind him, his Suzumushi withdrawn and swinging for his head. It swiped through an afterimage as the blonde jumped into the air, spun around and landed a perfect back kick to the man's face, sending him flying back and landing roughly on the ground. In a blur Naruto was above him, a malicious smile on his face and his sword held over his head for a downward stroke.
Kaname looked up and rolled to the side just as the huge blade of Kazerasshu dug into the earth. Tosen jumped to his feet and swung his sword, only to have his opponent sidestep, using his own huge sword to block. Pulling it from the ground the lieutenant lunged at his enemy, swinging his sword with an almighty roar.
Tosen blocked strike after strike, forcing him back as the blonde advanced, continuing his ruthless assault. Kaname flickered away, reappearing twenty meters from the vice-captain and pointing his hand to him, muttering the incantation for a Kido spell "Hado Sanjuusan; Sokatsui (Way of Destruction 33; Blue Fire, Crash Down)!"
From his middle and index finger the 5th Seated Officer fired a wide burst of blue spiritual energy, the tendrils crackling across the distance between the two combatants. Snarling in annoyance Naruto raised his free hand, palm open and shouted "Bakudo Sanjuukyuu; Enkosen (Way of Binding 39; Arc Shield)!"
A disk of pure yellow spiritual energy condensed in front of him, making a condensed rietsu round shield, easily large enough to cover his entire body from the attack. And cover him it did, the blasts of blue energy slammed against the shield, but was insufficient to break through. With a smirk Naruto blurred out of the line of fire with a Shunpo, appearing above Tosen, a Kido spell already spilling forth from his hands "Hado Rokujuusan; Raikaho (Way of Destruction 63; Thunder Roar Cannon)!!!"
A huge thunderbolt of condensed yellow energy exploded from his hands, slamming into the earth with such force that it kicked up dirt and dust around the impact site. Kaname was right in the middle of it. Completely by surprise by the speed which Naruto had executed such an advanced assault Kido. He was caught in the several thousand volts of the lightning strike, felt his skin burn, his body convulse before the explosion came, and he was thrown unceremoniously across the savannah. Hitting the ground hard and skidding to a halt.
Naruto landed on the ground, standing tall and proud from his sudden victory, his eyes once again starring pure venom at Sosuke Aizen. To his credit the man didn't seem to be fazed that the blonde had beaten one of his coconspirators so easily. Instead he bowed his head, a smile slowly creeping across his face.
"Gin, would you please deal with him?"
"Hai, Aizen-sama" in a quick move he drew his sword, reeled it back and stabbed out, calling "Pierce him, Shinso (Sacred Spear)"
Naruto saw the attack coming, sidestepped it with practiced ease and grabbed the blade with his free hand, it grinded against his flesh, blood flowing from his hand down the silver blade and dripping onto the ground. Ichimaru watched, stunned by the blondes movements, it was something Kenpachi Zaraki would have done. Doggedly hanging onto the blade, still smiling he raised his sword over his head, the blade humming with condensed power, screaming for a release.
"Ten no Kaze!"
The blade of condensed wind left his sword as he finished the chant, forcing the younger Shinigami to release his hold on his Zanpakuto and jump away, performing a Shunpo in midair. Growling Naruto looked down at the child's sword, returning to its original form, and nonchalantly tossed it away. Gin reappeared at the other side of the clearing, to be met with his opponent. His sword sheathed and his hands up in a basic fighting style.
The silver haired Shinigami raised his hands just in time to block a flurry of punches, so fast they were a blur to the eye. A punch got past his defense, slamming into his nose, breaking the bone and sending him stumbling, his defenses wide open Naruto assaulted his opponent with a flurry of well timed punches to the face and jaw, followed by a jumping knee to his chin, sending him flying into the air. As the 3rd Seated Officer was still in midair the blonde performed a somersault, bringing his heel down on Gin's head, slamming it into the earth with a crunch.
"That was a little uncalled for"
He turned to see Aizen, hands clasped behind his back. Appraising him like a teacher would a student who got an answer right "What can I say? I'm in a foul mood"
Eyes widened slightly, as if in realization "Ah"
"So can we start now?"
"Patience Naruto-kun" Aizen replied "You still haven't defeated my partners yet"
"What do you mean" the blonde asked with a smirk "Take a look around yo-"
"Bankai"
------
Sakura sat on her bed, looking out the window at the central courtyards of the barracks. It was just one thing after another, first four Captains and another four Vice-Captains were reported killed in the field by some unknown virus. Then another three Captains were tried and found guilty of creating and spreading the contagion, including Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihoin. And now Naruto and his entire Division, as well as the 12th and Kido Corps had been forcefully quarantined by the Central 46.
She sighed, leaning against a wall, outwardly calm, inwardly out of her mind with worry. She had known Yoruichi, at least she thought she had known her. The thought of her being involved in such a thing was difficult to believe at best. Kisuke Urahara she didn't know so well and the Kido Captain even less. But she was certain that Naruto wasn't involved, for the love of god he wasn't safe wandering around the 12th Division laboratory without causing an explosion.
Last time he came out pink.
But she was worried, hugging her legs. Chin settled against her knees she couldn't stop thinking about him. Was he alright? How was he dealing with what he heard? She had heard that Naruto had threatened to kill half the 1st Division for even insulting his sensei, him believing the allegations' was like Shikamaru actually doing work without complaining.
Her sliding door creaked open, forcing her from her thoughts "Neechan"
"Rangiku" Sakura asked in surprise, seeing the young strawberry blonde standing awkwardly in the doorway.
"I can't sleep" she muttered pitifully.
Smiling she patted a place beside her, and her little sister walked over and plopped down, leaning against the pinkette. Acting instinctively Sakura caressed her hair, allowing the much younger girl to lye on her lap "Don't worry" she cooed "I'm sure Naruto's fine"
"I hope so" the blonde whispered, she had definitely been crying, although she had hid it well Sakura just knew these things. News on Yoruichi hit her hard, very hard, and Sakura had pulled some strings, mostly groveling before her Captain, adhering to Unohana's humanity to allow Rangiku to stay with her in the barracks. It was a dead cert; Unohana-taicho had always had a soft spot for the girl.
She told her that Naruto would be fine, she continually told herself that. But she had a bad feeling in her gut which refused to go away, and with every second the feeling was only getting worse.
"Naruto" she breathed, looking out at the full moon "You better be alright"
------
It had been the perfect place to hide, a huge underground chamber, almost completely isolated from the rest of the Soul Society. It had been the place where Kisuke and Yoruichi had trained to be considered amongst the strongest of the Shinigami. It was where Kisuke experimented on special training aides. It was where Kisuke had learned Bankai, where Yoruichi had mastered Shunko and where Naruto had trained to become fluent with his Zanpakuto.
Now it was being used for another purpose, a scientific operation to try and help the Hollow-touched regain their rational minds, their humanity. It was incredibly risky, forcing the victims to face their Hollow selves in their mindscape, and incredibly volatile. It took a level ten dampening barrier and a fifteen layered defense barrier to keep it under control.
Then there was the fact that while the victim's minds were fighting the Hollow in their mindscape. The Hollows took over their bodies, going on a rampage to try and break free and wreak havoc on the world. Shinji's Hollow had been so volatile that it nearly tore through the barrier. Since then Yoruichi and Kisuke had taken turns, facing all eight in combat while their friends tried to regain their bodies.
It had been successful, and thankfully with no casualties, although all of the Hollow-touched had been considerably drained by the experience. The times of the battles had varied between a handful of seconds for Mashiro to roughly forty eight minutes for Hiyori.
Right now the Hollowfied Shinigami were either sleeping or wandering around the underground cavern, wondering what they would do. If they went before the Central 46 with their evidence against Aizen they would be executed because they were infected, and the evidence would have been thrown aside as hearsay.
When it was over Kisuke had collapsed, fully clothed, into the hot spring hidden behind a rock formation. Tessai had fallen flat on his face in the same place where he had been sitting for the last twenty four hours. Yoruichi had been more graceful with her movements, forcing herself to transform into a cat and jumping, head first, into the hot springs, leaving her clothes in a pile. Between surfacing for gasps of air and submerging back under the water Kisuke had said that he required a few hours of sleep before he could build the gateway to the living world.
While they relaxed Yoruichi was in deep thought, she had been in such a hurry to rescue Tessai and Kisuke that she hadn't thought about her Division or the people she would leave behind until it was too late. She thought of Rangiku, Soifon, her entire Division and Naruto. Did they believe that they were traitors? Would they hate her for deserting her post?
She hid a sad smile; of course they would hate her. She had just jumped into the vipers nest without a thought to save Kisuke, she deserved their rage, their fury, and she would bare it with gritted teeth. Her actions would break Soifon's heart, and it would thrust Naruto into a position he was not yet ready for.
Naruto would make a fine Captain, he was her perfect replacement. All he needed to do was master his Bankai and he would become a force to be reckoned with in the Soul Society. Raw power, intelligence in normal and combat conditions, kindness, understanding, the ability to look underneath the underneath as the Ninja of old would say.
She frowned. When she thought of Naruto she had a feeling in the pit of her stomach, a feeling of fear and trepidation. Something was going on with Naruto, but she didn't know what. After a moment she came to the conclusion that it was just her nerves and tried to ignore the feeling.
------
"Bankai"
"The final release of a Shinigami's Zanpakuto, only the most experienced and skilled of Soul Reapers can acquire it" Yoruichi had said when he asked her "Even in the four great noble families who are born with great spiritual pressure, only a few in a generation will ever attain the level. Those who achieve it are forever etched into the history of the Soul Society" She looked Naruto in the eyes "That is Bankai"
He was encased in darkness, nothing but darkness. He could barely see his own hand in front of his face. He could not see, could not hear, and could not smell. He licked his finger as an experiment, and found that he still had touch and taste. That was something at least.
"Suzumushi Tsuishiki; Enma Korogi (Cricket Final Form; Devil Cricket)" Tosen called out. Although by now his opponent could no longer hear him "This is my Bankai, Uzumaki Naruto. This entire space is my Bankai"
He flash stepped past Naruto, reappearing with his back to him, sword drawn and held out as if finishing a swing. A burst of blood splattered from a recently opened wound in his upper right shoulder, and on instinct the blonde reached up and gripped the injury, stifling a surprised yelp at the pain.
Gritting his teeth his mind was running a mile a minute, for just a second he saw a flicker of movement, it had happened when he was cut. He spun on his heel, releasing a Ten no Kaze in one direction, then another, firing off his signature attack blindly in the hopes of hitting his opponent.
"It is useless" Kaname muttered, flash stepping again, another explosion of blood soaked Naruto's shihakusho, a slash wound appearing on his left side "Firing blindly will do you no good, in here I can see your every move before you make it"
That won't work; he saw a flicker of movement again before he received his second slash wound. If he could last a few more strikes, perhaps find a pattern in Tosens movements he could parry him, perhaps block him. Turning and spinning, as if hoping to see a flicker before he struck. He felt a slight spike, barely noticeable, and jumped back, the tip of the blade cutting his cheek, spilling more blood.
So there was a brief spike before he struck? But knowing when the attack was coming and from where were two different things. He felt a stab of pity for his opponent, this was all Tosen knew, he was blind to the world. But the pity was squashed quickly. He chose this path.
Another flicker and Naruto jumped away again, the sword nicking his lower arm which flew up instinctively to shield his face. Landing in a crouch, Kazerasshu still firmly gripped in his right hand he tried to think of a counter to this. Another strike came, quicker this time, a deep slash across his leg, cutting muscle and forcing him to a knee.
"How does it feel Naruto-san?" Kaname asked as he stood in front of him, sword held over his head for a downward stroke, ready to cleave his head in two "To lose your three main senses, to be attacked and not know when and where it is coming from"
Naruto couldn't hear him, eyes darting back and forth, face set in a grimace of pain as it came to him that his right leg was now useless. He felt another spike, and brought his sword up to block the downward stroke, followed by a counter swing which hit nothing. Stabbing his sword into the ground he used it to force him to his feet, his right leg limp and unable to take any weight.
Another spike and his left arm received a slash, he tried to dodge but his useless leg failed him and he landed in a heap, gritting his teeth as pain washed over him. He forced himself to a knee, cursing under his breath. His healing abilities would not be able to fix his leg in time for the next strike. He was helpless.
Using his sword for leverage he forced himself to his feet once again, panting heavily and sweating profusely from his exertions. Blood flowing from his several slash wounds and pooling onto the floor in thick drops. Then he felt pain, and saw Tosen appear in front of him, his form shaded in blacks, whites and grays. He looked down, seeing the Zanpakuto stabbed into his abdomen, exiting through his back.
"I'm sorry, Naruto-san" Kaname spoke, his lips moving yet no sound coming forth "But this is the end"
Darkness flooded his vision, beginning on the edges and closing in, before long he felt like he was in a long tunnel, moving further away from the opening. Eyes blinked and drooped until half lidded. Damn it, why did I do this? Why did I go through all this just to die here!? Damn, stay awake, stay awake, stay awake…STAY AWAKE!
As the darkness overtook his vision he heard a voice, quiet yet it seemed to release a distorted echo through his mind.
"Tch"
------
He looked upon the creation settled onto the clearing, a huge black dome, anchored to the ground by nine thick silver cables. Each cable was speared into the ground, attached to etched ring designs on the fabric of the dome.
"So he used his Bankai" Aizen said, watching the abnormality and ignoring Gin as he walked up to him, hand forcing his nose back in place with a growl of agony, eyes as hard as diamonds "How do you feel Ichimaru"
"If Tosen doesn't kill him I will" the silver haired kid growled.
"Now, now Gin, injuries happen in battle"
Ichimaru didn't reply, spending a few more moments forcing his nose back into place before frowning. There was a sudden surge of rietsu within the dome, a tainted spiritual pressure. It was hard to be sure; Kaname Tosen's Bankai had an effect of blanketing any rietsu within that black void.
"Well this is interesting" he looked to his master, seeing the grin spread across his face "It seems that Naruto-kun is a natural"
Gin didn't ask what he meant, had a bad feeling he didn't want too.
------
A hand shot up, gripping his Zanpakuto and holding it firmly in place. Something was happening. White specks of some unknown material was forming in midair and coalescing around his face, but with his head held low in a bow it was almost impossible to see what was happening.
Hollowfication was Tosen's first guess, it was only logical. He had been injected with the virus, the carrier so it would spread to all around him. But something about this process was wrong. Usually the mask would force itself through the eyes, mouth, ears and nose, and once it had formed the victim would explode, or become immobile. But there was no white liquid coming from the blonde's eyes, nor his nose, ears or mouth. The process wasn't happening, but why did he feel this evil rietsu?
The mouth moved, and even though Tosen was blind he could understand it "My, my, my, what trouble have you gotten yourself into now?"
"Impossible" Kaname said, trying to pull his weapons from the man, but the hand holding it was unmovable "What is this!?"
A wry grin formed on the blonde's lips, sending a chill down the seated officer's spine. Then the head rose, and Kaname felt his heart stop. Forming across his face was a white mask, already encompassing the upper right eye and forehead, pieces of white porcelain formed a long pointed ear with a black tip, and a slanted, slightly diagonal thin slit overtook the eye. The being emitted a throaty growl, chilling Tosen further, he wasn't hearing it. It was being transmitted to his mind.
"What a useless child, must I do everything myself?"
"What are you? Who are you?"
"What am I? Good question"
A glow emitted from the thin slit, crimson, and Kaname looked on to see the uncovered portion of his face change. Canines elongated to three times their normal length. Eyes changed, the whites seemingly flooded by some black liquid, like putting dye into a glass of water. The irises flickered and convulsed, turning from oceanic blue to bloody crimson. Pupils turned into thin vertical black slits. The whisker markings on his cheeks seemed to turn into black crevices of shadow. Naruto Uzumaki looked demonic and the spiritual pressure which oozed from him was suffocating.
Like flooding water the mask continued its advance, covering his face in a porcelain white shell. Eyes which still glowed with that same maniacal red were partially hidden in the shadows produced by the slits. Two pointed ears with black tips, dagger like teeth drew back in a feral grin, whisker like lines across the cheeks. It was a Hollows mask, the Hollow mask of a fox.
"Who am I? Well…I don't feel like telling trash!!!"
Crimson rietsu exploded from his form, encompassing him, condensing into nine long tail-like protrusions, curling and writhing as if each one had a life of its own. Tosen gasped in both surprise and fear, clouded eyes widening at what he saw in the darkness of his Bankai. Something was taking form above his opponent, among the swirling tails of rietsu. A long snout, bone crushingly sharp teeth, black eyes, long ears, it reminded him of a feral fox. It looked down at him, opened its mouth, and roared a silent scream which went straight through him.
This was not Hollowfication, if it where then he would be unable to move.
Laughter bubbled forth in his mind, deafening, maddening laughter.
Then Naruto raised his Zanpakuto and swung.
------
His inner world had changed.
Sure it was always in blacks, whites and grays; he had come to accept that. But the village itself had changed, turning from the simple place he knew from his childhood into a warzone. Rubble from surrounding buildings littered the streets, shop fronts had been destroyed, holes were in the walls, and some building had completely collapsed.
This was a warzone.
Instead of the usual clear sky with the odd dab of white cloud there was darkness. Gray storm clouds overtook the beautiful sky, rain battered on the ground in torrents, drenching him within seconds, the odd strike of lightning stabbed to the ground in a flash of white. A storm like this in his inner world could only mean one thing, and for him it was certainly not good.
"Hey Kazerasshu" he called through the battering rain "Where are you?"
No answer.
"Come on man this is no time for a 'come to me' moment!"
Still no answer
He was scared. If Kazerasshu didn't come to him he usually left a trail of spiritual pressure for him to follow. But no matter how hard he concentrated he felt nothing, not even a spark of the black haired, silver eyed Ninja. For all intents and purposes this place was dead.
Then he felt it, a powerful force fall on his shoulders, threatening to tear him down to the ground. He heard the sounds of something big landing on top of the Hokage mansion, ripping apart timber with a great shred. Turning he looked up to the observation floor and paled.
Balancing itself on the open topped floor, claws' digging into the timber and concrete was a fox. But it was different than any fox he had ever seen. Instead of crimson fur his body seemed to be covered in a white carapace, with the only other color being the black claws, snout and ear tips. Nine long tails, bushy in appearance twirled around him, some wrapping themselves around the mansion, others lying limp, others still just swaying back and forth. But his eyes got Naruto's attention, because unlike the rest of the world they held color which was not in blacks, whites or grays. The eyes were crimson, and they were focused on him with a murderous hunger.
A throaty growl assaulted his senses, distorted and nightmarish "So we meet again, Gaki!"
Yeah, yeah I know, I'm evil, hehe. Anyway next chapter will be up in a week or two. For those of you who didn't want a Hollow, well sorry but it was decided long before I uploaded the first chapter, I just thought Hollow Naruto and giggled like a raving lunatic.
And if you're wondering if this little transformation was a little sudden, think again. Take another read at the beginning of Destiny Awaits (The Nightmare), his battle with Kenpachi and his first Ten no Kaze strike, they all had signs.