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Chapter 3
Sin
Lieutenant Kabuto Yakushi had been a part of the Office of Naval Intelligence for more than a decade now. Originally, a son of Insurrectionists who had led the rebellion on the colony of Red Dawn against the Terran Federation, he was eventually taken in by the most secretive and dangerous entity of the said Federation after they executed his parents and all their rebel supporters.
Unlike his parents, he was not killed immediately for reasons that only later materialized..
He had been too young, barely old enough to even remember his own real name and was instead given the name of Kabuto Yakushi instead.
His destiny was to be a part of Operation Red Flag.
As he walked through the corvette- Eridanus's halls, he could not help but be amused by the craftiness and deception employed by the organization he served against humanity's only legitimate government. If the civilian government led by Hashirama Senju ever learned the length at which the office had crossed lines...he imagined many in ONI would be executed by a firing squad or worse.
Admiral Orochimaru had really crossed an even more dangerous line with the new phase of Operation Red Flag about to be launched.
Contrary to what Supreme Commander Madara Uchiha believed, Operation Red Flag had already taken place nearly a decade ago by the Office of Naval Intelligence.
Or atleast its 1st Phase had been.
As Kabuto walked through the corridors of the ship, he saw the officers and other personnel of the very same office giving him a wide berth and fearful glances for nobody wanted to find themselves facing an Anbu Blackops personnel.
The irony wasn't lost on Kabuto that Admiral Orochimaru had used young Insurrectionist orphans like him to create the agency's personal assassination and hit squad. Their numerous duties revolved around assassinations of any who threatened the Agency and humanity, information grab and manipulation, kidnapping, torture, search and capture of missing personnel or traitors which in most instances turned into man hunts, and quite a few other noteworthy crimes.
Anything and everything to protect and advance the stature and fear of the Office in the eyes of everyone including the human government.
They were the daggers that ONI kept in the dark, ready to be slashed at a moment's notice upon their opponents no matter the fact if they fought for the same flag.
They lived in darkness and would eventually die in it- all in service of the Office.
And now the very same agency wanted to start the Phase 2 of Operation Red Flag.
Only instead of shadowy ultra assassins that served at its beck and call, the office wanted to create Weapons of Mass Destruction to stop their genocidal enemy- The Otsutsuki.
Kabuto didn't fault the reasoning for anyone with a shred of intelligence could understand humanity was eventually going to lose this war and face extinction. The recent victory at the colony of Freedom was the exception, and not the norm as Lord Hashirama had proclaimed ever so confidently.
There was no doubt the Senju clan leader was a good man and more than capable of keeping the civilians in line, but what he didn't understand was the reality of their ever dwindling population as more and more worlds were lost to the enemy.
Not every human being born across the galaxy could master the ability to wield chakra, less than half of their population could use their most useful power and even lesser worthy enough for combat against an enemy like the Otsutsuki and their genocidal army made up of various slave races.
Only a small fraction of humans were even powerful enough like the heroic Lieutenant Colonel Minato Namikaze who had taken down dozens of Otsutsuki in single combat.
But then again the Shock Troopers of the Navy were made up of elite shinobi personnel, while the rest of the weaklings with modest abilities of chakra utilization were spread across the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Forces alongside the millions upon millions of civilians who wished to protect their race with equal loyalty.
If only that loyalty transformed into battle prowess against the enemy, the bitter truth was that the civilians and weaker shinobi were barely able to defend their colonies against the slave races of the Otsutsuki and sometimes as an exception against the parasitic clan albeit at the cost of horrendous casualties.
At the current rate of their losses, humanity would run out of capable shinobi to throw at their enemy in the next ten to twelve years and completely by the end of the fifteen years. That was if they managed to survive that long.
It was why the second phase of Operation Red Flag- The Spartan Project was of vital importance to humanity's survival.
Most normal human beings would be horrified by what the Office of Naval Intelligence had done to orphans like Kabuto and molded them into their personal weapons, but it was a necessary sacrifice to keep humanity united and alive no matter how dirty the means.
It was why he barely had any doubts about participating in a mission that would inflict twice the torment and horror he went through upon more innocent children.
Self Sacrifice and Victory at any cost were the two mottos by which every Anbu serving ONI lived and died without hesitation.
Soon, he stepped into the office of the man who transformed his life forever and found him having a pleased smile upon his face as Captain Nono Yakushi stood beside him faithfully.
"Reporting for duty, Admiral" said Kabuto loyally, as he offered a salute to the head of the agency and his scientist protégé, both of whom had carried out lethal experiments upon every Anbu like Kabuto to transform them into who they were today.
"Right on time, Kabuto. I hope you have gone through the update I sent your way about your latest mission" said Orochimaru with an expectant smirk,
"Kidnapping is something I can accomplish, Admiral" stated Kabuto confidently,
"You'll need to be extra careful on this one, Lieutenant Yakushi. In fact, you'll need to use a genetic clone replacement of the subject we have created and make its death look like an unfortunate accident. The boy is exceptional on every level- genetics, mental strength and physique. He shall be the first candidate for the Spartan program" warned Captain Nono sternly, as she showed the Anbu officer the profile of the subject.
The boy's face didn't register any reaction from the Anbu officer, but the moment his eyes saw the name and biography he froze.
Naruto Namikaze, aged 8, son of Lieutenant Colonel Minato Namikaze and Captain Kushina Uzumaki- recipients of the highest honor of Terran Federation.
Hero of Humanity.
He was the son of humanity's most notable heroes who had made possible their first victory against the Otsutsuski. They had sacrificed everything for that feat including the future they could have had with their only son.
Now that orphaned child would be asked to do the same thing at a scale that would have horrified his parents if they were alive.
"He's the nephew of Mito Uzumaki who is Lord Hashirama's wife. You do understand the implications for the office if your mission fails or worse" warned Orochimaru coldly, making Kabuto clench his fist as he realized the implications of such failure.
Death would be the least mercy he would receive.
"He's too high profile, Admiral Orochimaru. I'm sure there are other suitable candidates who are less noticeable if they disappear" suggested Kabuto hesitantly,
"There are and other Anbu operatives will be sent to capture them soon, but you will go first. I have looked at everything in the boy's life, he has everything I require in my first subject. Most importantly, through his mother he has the Uzumaki clan's genetics in his blood. Something which I need for the most crucial part of the Spartan program, he has to be acquired no matter the risk or consequences- there can be no replacement for this candidate for the Uzumaki clan has nearly gone extinct in this war and the handful survivors are not having the characteristics we need in a candidate" explained Orochimaru in detail,
"Apart from the genetic and physical traits we need desperately, he has a high IQ like his father even at his young age. Given the right training and augmentations, he could help us achieve the pinnacle of success" added Captain Nono confidently,
Kabuto had never seen the Admiral or his best scientist so keen on one subject and it almost made him pity the boy's future. Looking at the light in his blue eyes, he wondered what sins the child was guilty of to face such a dark future despite all the sacrifices made by his parents to keep him safe alongside humanity.
He wondered if either Minato or Kushina would have sacrificed themselves for their race's future if they knew what humanity was going to do to their only child.
"Our civilization is staring at extinction, Kabuto. Every day the Otsutsuki drive us closer to the end, the Spartans will save us from that dark future. This boy will be the embodiment of our desire to survive" said Nono earnestly,
"Are we worthy of that future if we need to do what we are about to once again to young children?" was what Kabuto wanted to ask as a part of his heart that still remembered what was done to him cried out for once.
Admiral Orochimaru must have sensed his feelings as he only gave him a simple yet meaningful reply.
"It is acceptable to spend lives, Lieutenant Yakushi. Not waste them to dreams of innocence or morality in the face of extinction, ONI will have its Spartans and you have your orders"
The operative within Kabuto trained to answer every command that came from the office's leadership especially its leader disposed of all his fears and doubts to only offer a firm salute of acceptance.
The office always got what it wanted, no matter the cost.
(Several Days Later: Earth)
Naruto sat near the edge of Fuji Lake observing the calm watery surface in front of him. His bright blue eyes staring at his own reflection quite clearly.
The events of the past two weeks had changed his life forever.
His parents were dead.
Everyone he met hailed them as heroes and a part of his heart wanted to accept that praise for the sacrifice they made, but another part of him was pained by the bitter reality that they were truly gone and never coming back.
He rarely got to see his parents often growing up considering both of them were actively serving in the military, and were always away to fight in the never ending war against the Otsutsuki.
But they would visit him once in a year, one at a time whenever they managed to find some miraculous leave from the front after some brutal campaign. The rare occasion when they managed to come together to visit him had been the best period of his life.
He knew they loved him, they had said and showed as much for whatever little time they got to spend as a family even if for most of his life he was raised by his Aunt Mito, his mother's cousin and the wife of Lord Hashirama Senju himself.
The pain and grief had been the quickest to come once the truth reached him, his heart had broken during the burial ceremony and he had cried as much as his body could allow him to.
But it was the loneliness and loss of purpose that came after which was the hardest to accept.
He couldn't focus in school and it showed in his dropping grades much to the worries of his teachers who had expressed as much to Aunt Mito who had asked them to give him time.
He didn't like playing with the kids he used to earlier in order to avoid their talks about their homes and families which reminded him that he had just lost his own, even if Aunt Mito and Uncle Hashirama had graciously taken him into their home as their ward.
Most of all he was angry.
Rage boiled within his heart at his parents for leaving him, over the enemy that took them from him forever...but most of all at himself for not being able to do anything to save them.
Most nights, he dreamed of ways he could have saved them from their doom, only to wake up in terror over the nightmares that plagued him in that imaginary world.
He couldn't find the joy in food, even ramen that he used to enjoy everyday before despite Aunt Mito's scolding for his obsession with the dish.
He clenched his fist at seeing the calm water in the lake while his heart was anything but, in rage he got up on his feet and threw a rock into it which only served to disturb it for a few moments.
As the water rippled beneath him, he saw the faint visage of an Otsutsuki staring back at him- one that many of the news outlet loved to play on television.
Rage coursed through him greater than before as he jumped straight into the water to grab the enemy who had stolen everything from him. His father had taught him to swim just a year ago during his last and final leave, something Naruto was thankful for as he surged deeper into the lake searching for the enemy he had seen.
A few meters in, the darkness started to increase as did the burning sensation within his lungs as they screamed for precious air. He desperately tried to swim upwards but was shocked when he couldn't move as something sharp wrapped itself around his feet.
Looking down, he saw a rope had been coiled around his feet as a shadowy figure started emerging from the darkness of the lake straight towards him. He struggled desperately against his binds to get free but the grip was too strong, he tried to swim back towards the surface with all his might but found himself helpless.
Then something prickled at his neck and in a moment he felt dizzy, his fingers barely brushed the origin of that pain but his eyes was frozen in horror at the shadow that came for him.
He felt terribly afraid and hated his decision to bunk school to come here to be alone.
His vision grew dark and then he knew no more.
Kabuto had dragged the unconscious child outside the lake and ensured he didn't die from the shock he must have experienced. He had been trailing the boy for the past two days and had been looking for the perfect chance to commit his crime.
Luckily, the subject himself had given him that chance by bunking from school and coming to the lake all alone.
A mistake that would change his life forever.
He had watched the boy's sadness, rage and bitterness as clear as day- it was along expected lines of young children's emotions over losing their parents early.
A small amount of genjutsu effect to make him see the face of the Otsutsuki- the source of his rage and grief was enough to make him jump into the lake bringing his plan to fruition.
Without wasting time, he erased any traces of his presence while dumping the body of the subject's clone in the lake. In an act of mercy, he had put the clone to sleep and drowned him quietly in the lake to make this encounter look like an unfortunate accident.
With his directive completed, he grabbed the actual Naruto Namikaze and camouflaged both himself and the subject before making a swift exit by jumping onto the trees.
As he made his dash towards his escape craft, Lieutenant Kabuto couldn't help but think he was repeating history.
He had been stolen from a future of his own choice just like this, and now he and hundreds of other Anbu's across the remaining human space were doing the same to the next set of unfortunate children.
It didn't deter him from fulfilling his mission, but a part of him felt he was part of an repeating cycle with no closure in sight.
Looking at the young boy within his arms, he could only offer a silent hope.
Maybe you'll succeed where I and my class failed, Naruto. Through the sacrifice of your generation, maybe humanity will finally be saved and no more children will have to endure what you all shall in life.
(Few Days Later: Colony of Kholo, Orion System)
Captain Nono Yakushi had served ONI for more than three decades now, her years of service began in the research division of Naval Intelligence. She had worked on several blacklisted projects in weapons development, biological enhancement and augmentations, but the one she was about to begin would forever change the fate of humanity.
Admiral Orochimaru had placed high hopes on her by bestowing the responsibility of the Spartan Program in her hands.
Her gaze landed upon the faces of the 300 odd young children on her holoscreen, now picked up from all across the human colonies.
Most were orphans of the Otsutsuki War who had readily chosen the opportunity provided by ONI to avenge their lost families, some had really didn't cared since they had lived on the streets and anything was better than starvation and a slow death.
A handful had to be abducted against their will in secret, but only one had to be not only kidnapped but also replaced by a dead clone to cover his disappearance for he had been that high profile.
For the safety of the project and the personnel associated with it including Nono herself, she had to seal away the memories of the boy once known as Naruto Namikaze.
All that ONI and Nono had allowed him to retain from his old life was his first name- Naruto which would soon be transformed into his new callsign.
Ruto- 141.
He would never remember his parents, his past or the life he could have possibly had.
All that would be left to him was a single mission to protect humanity against extinction and those that would fight alongside him as fellow Spartans in pursuit of that noble goal.
She took a deep breath and steeled herself as her legs strode confidently towards the nearest door through which she entered a large auditorium full of 300 young children who were all nearly of the same age.
Young boys and girls looked up at her entrance with great curiosity, even as the stern eyes of Sergeant Danzo Shimura- the training officer of this program looked at her with grudging respect.
Captain Nono stopped when she reached the centerstage and looked straight into the eyes of the children in front of her.
Her gaze landed upon the curious face of Naruto who stared at her with great interest.
"Welcome, all of you. Per Naval Code- 1482, you are hereby conscripted into Terran Federation Naval Special Warfare Command. Your project from this point on shall be known as The Spartan Program"
Whispering started among the previously silent children with elevated interest as many looked at her for more information.
"Humanity is facing extinction at the hands of the Otsutsuki clan. Your past lives are gone, Kholo shall be your new home. Your fellow trainees shall be your only family from this point on. Each of you has been handpicked to be humanity's hope and called to serve. You are truly exceptional among most children your age which is why you have been chosen for this noble mission"
Captain Nono saw the excitement and cockiness arrive in quite a few eyes upon that praise and a small part of her heart wondered how many would truly survive what she would put them through.
Their lives, their blood would be on her hands no matter what.
It was why she was determined to ensure they were spent wisely and not wasted as it would be an insult to the sacrifice they were asking of these young ones.
"ONI and humanity have been promised its greatest shinobi, ones who would help us win this war at all costs. I intend to deliver on that promise and for that we shall train you, make you stronger and faster than anyone else, strip away everything that runs counter to that goal. You will be the vengeance of humanity, its greatest protectors and weapons of mass destruction against all its enemies"
"You will be our last hope, Spartans"
Author's Notes: End of Chapter.
Hope you guys liked it.
Let me know how you liked the POV's and brief revelations, I already have a few characters in mind from Naruto that I am excited to include in the Spartan program. Since that journey begins from next chapter, I am open to any other character recommendations you want to see in the Spartan program except the ones you already saw in the first two chapters in various roles, if it fits I would gladly incorporate any others.
We'll dive into the war once sufficient world and character building has been accomplished, it won't be short but not too long either so hang in there.
Review please.
Until Next Time,
Blackwolf501