I can't talk now...
Enjoy and Please review!
Naruto walked into the barrack of some division. He wasn't sure; Nemu told him but his amazement in the small tour through Seireitei had overshadowed Nemu's voice.
"This place is awesome!" Naruto shouted in delight and Nemu nodded her head.
"It is a nice place to live in." She commented and Naruto cocked an eyebrow up at her 'enthusiasm' or lack thereof. He decided not to say anything as to avoid getting into an argument. He put his hands behind his head and followed after Nemu as she led him through the barrack.
There were men all over the place sleeping, eating, fighting or laying around doing nothing. They all wore the same thing; a white shitagi, a black kosode, a black hakama, a white hakama-himo, white tabi, and waraji, the Shihakushō or uniform of the Shinigami. Naruto was wearing essentially the same things except he was wearing a blue shitagi, the strips on his kosode were blue, blue hakama and There is a circular symbol on both breasts of the outer shirt.
"What are we doing here?" Naruto asked in a whiny tone and Nemu looked back for a second before having it face forward again.
"To assign you to a room to live in." She answered solemnly and Naruto nodded slowly.
"Ah, fresh meat." Naruto tensed as he heard this and looked to his right to see a crowd of men in the Shihakushō staring at him, many either cracking their neck or their knuckles or even both at the same time. Naruto gulped and ignored them as he hoped that his room had a lock.
After a few minutes, Nemu stopped in front of a pair of giant doors. She stepped up to the door but before she could knock, the door opened quickly and Nemu and Naruto blinked as they a small girl with cotton candy colored hair in the Shihakushō staring up at them.
"Hello Nemu!" Nemu's stoic mask was cracked as she let loose a small smile.
"Good afternoon, Yachiru-chan." She greeted back and Yachiru smiled and then looked at Naruto with a curious look.
"Who are you?" She asked and Naruto coughed into his hands and smiled.
"This is Naruto Namikaze Uzumaki." Nemu said and Naruto glared at her.
"Why do you keep saying that?" Naruto asked in calm frustration. They heard a grunt come from the room behind Yachiru and Naruto flinched. A smile as bright as fireworks appeared on Yachiru's face.
"Namikaze and Uzumaki?" Yachiru asked in excitement that seemed to want to burst out of her small body. Naruto nodded slowly and Yachiru grabbed his hand and dragged him into the room. "AH!" Nemu silently followed after them and closed the door behind her.
Yachiru was saying some things to Naruto but Naruto couldn't hear them because of the speed of her words and because of the rush of wind passing by his ears. The speed she was going in seemed unreal to Naruto.
She then suddenly stopped and the momentum caused Naruto to slide forward on his stomach and stop just short in front of a giant of a man sitting with a bowl of sake in his left hand.
"Hey Kenny, guess what?" Yachiru yelled and Kenpachi stared coldly at Naruto who felt like the man was staring straight into his soul. Then Naruto laughed at such a thought when he remembered he was already a soul so everyone could see it. He looked back up after his small laugh and saw that Kenpachi was not amused.
"Who the hell is this?" He asked. Naruto decided to get up and afterward, he saw Kenpachi stand as well. Kenpachi stood tall and muscular at six feet seven inches or so with sleeveless captain's haori that had a ragged look to it. His long black hair was spiked up and for some odd reason, had a bell attached to each spike; a total of twelve bells. An almost stranger thing was the eye patch on his right eye that had a gold outline to it.
"He's a Namikaze!" She said happily and internally, Kenpachi was amazed but he refused to show it. "And an Uzumaki." At this, his eyes widened and he couldn't prevent the smile that appeared on his once solemn lips.
"Uzumaki eh?" The sudden interest his voice scared Naruto. Just who the hell were his parents?
"Y-Yeah." Naruto stuttered out and Kenpachi chuckled lowly.
"And a Namikaze. Quite the kid this brat is." Kenpachi stated and Naruto glared at him.
"I'm no brat." He said and Kenpachi's smile was replaced with a frown as he released his Spiritual Pressure. Naruto's eyes widened as he fell to his hands and knees. He was sweating bullets as his arms and legs strained to keep him up. Air seemed reluctant to enter his lungs as Naruto gasped for a breath.
"I am Kenpachi Zaraki, Captain of the 11th Division. If I say you are a brat then that's what you are. You got that?" His voice left no room for argument and even nodding left Naruto panting even more. "I want to hear you say it." Kenpachi demanded and Naruto struggled to raise his head.
"I-I-I… I c-can't." He said and Kenpachi smiled deviously.
"What?" He asked as he placed a hand behind his left ear. Naruto barred his teeth as he tried to stand. He was able to slowly make it to his feet and after a minute or two, he had his equilibrium. He raised his body after two attempts and then turned his head upward. The entire process was beginning to tax on Naruto's body but he refused to fall again. His crimson fox eyes stared into Kenpachi's jade eyes with conviction and determination.
"S-Scr… Sc-Screw… You." Naruto said. The statement surprised everyone in the room but no one had a frown on their face. Nemu watched in somewhat amusement alongside Yachiru who was smiling goofily and even Kenpachi was smiling. He applied even more of his Spiritual Pressure on Naruto and Naruto's pose faltered only for him to stand up straight again in a few minutes. A dim, yellow glow appeared to surround Naruto's red eyes and Kenpachi's smile became even more sinister.
"Yes, that look in your eyes. I remember it now." Naruto could barely understand Kenpachi as he was fading in and out of consciousness. Kenpachi looked at Nemu. "And he's never been under the influence of Spiritual Pressure?" He asked and Nemu shook her head.
"He came from the Human World so I assume he hasn't." His eyes stayed on her before returning to Naruto who was starting swaying side to side.
"Impressive." He released his Spiritual Pressure and Naruto fell forward, caught by Kenpachi before being pushed back and falling on his butt. Naruto shook his head as he gathered his bearings. His vision was blurred and he rubbed his eyes with his hands, hoping to return it to its better than average perspective.
"So, what're you doing here, Kurotsuchi?" Kenpachi asked as he sat back down, taking a sip of his sake. She bowed as she began to speak.
"Naruto Namikaze Uzumaki is a new Shinigami and Captain-Commander Yamamoto has suggested this Division as his new home." Kenpachi blinked and raised an invisible eyebrow.
"What makes the old man think he's fit to join my division?" Kenpachi asked and Nemu looked at Naruto.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto informed me to tell you to ask Naruto." Kenpachi snarled as he saw Naruto just now regain conscious thought.
"Hey kid, what the hell makes you think you're qualified to join my division?" Naruto stared blankly at him before he reached into his pocket and took out a folded sheet of paper. He showed it to Kenpachi who snatched it and skimmed over it.
"Where'd you get this?" He asked and Naruto shrugged. On the paper were a total of eight questions, four asked to Kenpachi and another four to Yachiru. An illustration of Kenpachi was on the back of the paper and the front read:
Kenpachi Zaraki
1. What kind of individuals are you seeking?
Guys who like fighting.
2. How would you describe the atmosphere around your division?
We get along and have fun.
3. What do you require of new recruits?
They should be strong.
4. Some words for the shinigami recruits.
Strong guys, come and try me!
Yachiru Kusajishi
1. What kind of individuals are you seeking?
Strong guys.
2. How would you describe the atmosphere around your division?
Eeeveryone gets along~
3. What do you require of new recruits?
No weak people should join.
4. Some words for the shinigami recruits.
I'll think up a nickname for you!
Next to the both first and third questions was a check that Naruto obviously made… and in the top right corner was a crudely drawn picture of a bowl with chopsticks sticking into it and what looked like steam coming out of it. Crumpling up the paper, Kenpachi lazily tossed it aside and stood, towering over Naruto like a castle to an ant.
"That tells me nothing. So kid, what makes you think you're good enough to get in my division?" Naruto stood and gulped down his fear.
"I like to fight and eventually I'll be strong," Naruto answered and Kenpachi chukled.
"Eventually? I need strong guys now." Kenpachi retorted and Naruto glared.
"Well I'm not strong now but give me a year and I'd be able to give you a run for your money." Naruto challenged and a spark of mischievous appeared in Kenpachi's visible eye.
"A year you say? That almost sounds like a challenge." He taunted, followed by a light shove but for Naruto, he had to prepare himself for it and even then he was almost sent through the doors behind him.
"It is." Naruto said and Kenpachi's chuckle turned into laughter.
"So how about we make this challenge a little more interesting. If you can 'give me a run for my money', then I'll allow you to join my division." Kenpachi bent forward and met Naruto eye to eye as he said his next words. "But, if you can't even put a scratch on me or make me sweat, then you'll relinquish your Shinigami powers to me and become my personal slave." Naruto took a step back and his body shook. After some hesitation and gathering the conviction he needed, Naruto stood up straight.
"A scratch, I win, no scratch, I lose?" Naruto simplified and Kenpachi nodded his head, his sinister smile still on his lips. "Deal." Kenpachi grabbed Naruto's hand and shook it violently.
"As fun as this was, Naruto still needs a room to sleep in." Nemu said and Kenpachi looked at her before returning his gaze at Naruto.
"He can sleep here if he wants, I don't care." Kenpachi said offhandedly. Naruto stared in awe at the giant man before looking at Yachiru and Nemu.
"Very well, thank you." Nemu said and Kenpachi scoffed. "Come Naruto, we have one more thing to do before you are allowed to rest." Naruto blinked and nodded, too tired to argue. As Nemu led him out, Yachiru watched him leave.
"He's going to make an interesting member." Yachiru commented to herself only to turn when Kenpachi laughed.
"Are you saying that he's going to hurt me?" Kenpachi inquired and Yachiru giggled with her eyes closed.
"Of course not." She answered without hesitation.
"Then what are you saying?"
"That I know you." Was all she said before screeching in joy. "I sense Nana." Yachiru burst through the doors and Kenpachi heard her say; "Nana! Where's my candy?" He smirked at his surrogate daughter's actions before muttering a single word.
"Namikaze."
[*.*.*.*]
Naruto body twitched with a sense of foreboding as he sat in his seat. His eyes also twitched at everyone movement as he waited for Nemu to come get him.
It was just a couple of minutes ago that he was in the barracks of the 11th Division and now… now he was in hell.
"Naruto?"
"AH!" Naruto jumped off his seat and fell on his face when Nemu called his name. He shook as he stood and slowly followed after Nemu deeper into the building and out of the waiting room. He saw test tubes, beacons, instruments of torture and many other things that out right scared Naruto as he voyaged through the laboratory.
"Nemu! Where the hell is my experiment?" A voice yelled, scaring Naruto even more. The voice was rough and dry, as if the man only knew how to yell. Nemu led Naruto through one more door before bowing in front of an odd looking man.
His appearance had a very skeletal look to it with a skull-like visage. His face was painted entirely white with the inner portion of his face painted black with the exception of his nose. His eyes were a golden color and had his teeth barred, giving the appearance of him constantly smiling. Both his ears were seemingly replaced with stubbed golden cones. His fingernails were blue and, with the exception of the fingernail on his right middle finger, were all short. The one long fingernail was as long as the finger itself. He also wore a white hat with two ends that point to his right and a large purple scarf around his neck. His whole body, even his face and hands, had been painted black and white.
"He's right here father." Nemu stated and Naruto looked at her and then at the man.
"Father?" Ignoring Naruto's comment, Mayuri walked up to Naruto and Nemu. He then shoved Nemu aside.
"You're blocking my light Nemu. Be of some use and get me my needle." Naruto's hands became tense at his side at the thought of another mad man running some tests on him. He took a step back but soon, his back hit the wall behind him.
"Calm down child, I'm only messing with you. I'm not going to be running those kinds of tests." Mayuri said as he walked away from Naruto, letting Naruto release the breath he didn't know he was holding. "This won't take long." Mayuri grabbed a pen looking thing from a table near him and moved in front of Naruto. He moved the pen like thing in front of Naruto's left eye and pressed his thumb against the back tip of it, turning on a light. Naruto flinched at the sudden light in his eye.
"Do not close your eye. If you do, you'll only make this last longer than it has to." Mayuri advised harshly as Naruto decided to follow the man's suggestion. After a few seconds of humming to himself, Mayuri moved the light to Naruto's right eye and examined it as well. He clicked it off and pocketed the small pen light.
"Such poor craftsmanship. Who is the idiot who messed with your seal?" Mayuri questioned.
"It was a man by the name of Orochimaru." Nemu answered. Mayuri stared at her with disgust.
"I was talking to him, you worthless fool." Nemu looked away and Naruto could feel his anger rise slightly. But as soon as Mayuri made eye contact again, his fear overshadowed his anger.
"Is this true?" He asked and Naruto shrugged.
"I-I don't know."
"You don't know?" Mayuri echoed in a mocking tone. "Stupid brat. You're as worthless as she is." He added, his eyes looking at Nemu. "At any rate, his work is trash, at best. I, however, am a true genius when it comes to all things related to science."Mayuri boasted while grabbing Naruto by his collar.
"Follow me." Naruto let himself be dragged, his feet refused to obey his brain's orders anyways. He was hauled through multiple rooms before stopping in a room lit by a single florescent light in the middle of the room, shining down on a table.
"W-Wha-?" Naruto was knocked out and fell limp on Mayuri's hands.
"Nemu, come here and aid me in this surgery. I'm sure even you can help me with such a task, or am I wrong?" He asked her and Nemu kept her head bowed.
"No father, you are most correct." Mayuri smiled as he tossed Naruto onto the table.
"Then let's begin." His menacing smile widened.
*.*.*.*
Naruto awoke at the sound of his head pounding against his skull. He grabbed his head and groaned as he felt like his head had been used to play soccer for three hours or so. He slowly opened his eyes, the lights stinging his eyes.
When he composed himself, he noticed that the world around him was even clearer than it was before. And all his senses seemed sharper as he noticed the smell of medicine was a lot more distinct. He looked around and saw that he was in a white room with a single bed, a nightstand next to the bed and a window. He also took note that he was out of his academy uniform given to him by Nemu before they arrived to Mayuri's barracks. Now he wore a light green hospital gown.
Naruto slowly stood from the bed and staggered after taking a few steps. After making sure he wouldn't fall, he walked to the door but stopped before walking out of it when he saw a mirror on a nightstand that was oddly placed near the door. He picked it up and saw that nothing happened to him, his eyes were still blue and his three whisker marks were still where they've always been.
After the short inspection, he walked out of the room. He looked to his left; the hallway was desolate with a numerous number of doors leading to who knows where and it scared Naruto that he couldn't see the end of the hallway. He looked to his right; it was just as barren as the left side and with the same amount of doors and just as endless. It seemed to him that the hallway stretched all the way to infinity.
However, one difference that caught Naruto's eye was a grey metallic door just a few feet away from him. He stepped through the threshold and into the hallway, feeling the fabric of the carpet under his feet. The door seemed thick and opened from the middle. There were two buttons next to the door, one with the up arrow printed on it and a second one under it with the down arrow.
Naruto looked around once more and his body began to shake, not too sure if he was shaking because he was afraid of getting lost or because of his body's current state.
He chose the less troublesome one and assumed it was whatever was wrong with his body.
He heard a single, light bell ring a few feet to his right and saw the grey metallic open from the middle, just like he thought. It opened to reveal Nemu who had a tear running down the left side of her face. She looked up and was surprised to see Naruto standing in the middle of the hallway. She wiped her tear away and stepped out of the elevator.
"Why are you out of bed?" She asked but Naruto didn't respond to that question.
"Why were you crying?" Nemu evaded her eyes for a second before steeling herself and reestablishing eye contact.
"You're mistaken, I was not crying." She insisted. Naruto was about to say something but Nemu beat him to it. "You shouldn't be walking around, it is not wise to do so after coming out of an operation." Naruto's eyes widened.
"I was operated on?" He asked and Nemu nodded. "So he knocked me out to operate on me?" He repeated and Nemu nodded again. Naruto felt an inner fear emerge from his stomach as memories of his death returned and replayed in his mind. His knees shook as he started to sway. Nemu grabbed his shoulder to steady him.
"Are you alright?" She asked and shaking away the images that plagued his mind, Naruto nodded. "I know the thought scares you but there is a positive outcome." She said and Naruto stared at her with vacant eyes.
"Like what?" He asked, his skin as pale as snow.
"As you've probably noticed, you're eyesight is marginally better, as well as your other sense." Naruto contemplated this before nodding. "There is more but I think my father can elaborate it more efficiently." She told Naruto and signaled him to follow her. She led him to the elevator and pressed the down arrow. The doors closed and quiet ensued it.
Naruto shifted in his place as he kept sneaking glances at Nemu. Nemu noticed but didn't say anything.
"Are you sure you're ok? I saw you crying and-" Nemu shook her head.
"I'm fine, I was simply thinking to myself." She answered, a little to quickly for Naruto's liking.
"Well, if you're so sure." He said. "I just want you to know that if you wanna talk about it, you can come to me." Nemu looked skeptically at Naruto. "I'm not here to judge, just listen." He offered and then let it drop. None of them said a word, even as the elevator stopped and opened to reveal Mayuri standing over a table with all his attention focused on whatever lay on the table.
"Father." Mayuri's shoulders tensed for a second before he looked back at Nemu and then Naruto.
"So you're finally up, eh brat?" Naruto's hands were clenched tight at his sides as he cautiously entered Mayuri's laboratory.
"What did you do to me?" Naruto asked with a strain. Mayuri, his attention completely on Naruto, turned his back on his work and leaned with his back on the table. A pop within a test tube next to Naruto resonated in the room and made Naruto jump. He glared at the test tube before fixing it on Mayuri.
"I fixed you." Was Mayuri's answer and Naruto looked at him skeptically. "Nemu, didn't you explain him exactly what I did?" Nemu looked down from her father's gaze.
"I thought you'd explain it better, father." Nemu answered and Mayuri looked at her before he used shunpo to appear next to Nemu and grab her neck. Naruto was surprised when his eyes took in every detail of Mayuri's movement from his previous spot to choking Nemu.
"You're worthless." Mayuri said and Nemu couldn't look at him in the eyes.
"Yes father." Was her only reply. Naruto say that Mayuri's grip on Nemu's neck tightened and he clenched his hands into fists.
"Let her go!" Naruto shouted and Mayuri faced him, not releasing Nemu.
"What did you say to me, boy?" He challenged. Naruto flinched from the glare Mayuri was giving him but didn't back down.
"I-I said… let her go." Naruto repeated and Mayuri smiled as he let Nemu go. She fell to her knees and held her neck in pain. Mayuri walked up to Naruto, easily one foot taller than Naruto. He looked down on Naruto with a smile that shook Naruto to his core.
"I am Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Captain of the 12th Division, President of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, and I am a genius without equal. What makes you, a lowly, amateur Shinigami, think you can tell me what I can and can't do?" Mayuri asked. Naruto heard bubbles gurgling in the background, many lights casting shadows on Mayuri's face, making Naruto quiver with fear.
"I-I…" Mayuri's smile became sinister as he pushed Naruto back. Naruto fell and backed away from Mayuri. This man reminded Naruto too much of the last ANBU.
"Speak up boy, I can't hear you." Mayuri taunted and Naruto gulped loudly. His eyes widened as his head started to ache. He grabbed his head, closed his eyes and curdled up into a ball. Mayuri tilted his head in curiosity as he watched Naruto spaz out.
"Get… away from… me." Naruto said with a struggle and Mayuri laughed again. He shook his head. "Get away!" Naruto shouted in a deeper, demonic voice but Mayuri only irked him.
"Or what?" He asked and Naruto's eyes snapped open. Mayuri was surprised to see Naruto activate his eyes. A red sea surrounded his slit pupil while surrounded by a golden orange glow. His body started to twitch as if he was being electrocuted as he stood. He then roared and swung his hands to the table nearest him. It fell to its side and destroyed all the test tubes on the table.
"What the-?" Mayuri was interrupted when Naruto punched him squarely on the chest. He flew through the room, crashing through multiple tables before being stopped by the wall at the end of the room. He looked up and saw Naruto continuing his rampage.
"Leave me ALONE!" He shouted as he burst through the many other unbroken tables. Mayuri stood to stop Naruto but before he could make a move, Naruto crashed through the window and ran away from Mayuri.
"That brat." Mayuri growled as he surveyed the damage Naruto did to his lab. "He'll pay for this. Go after him!" He ordered Nemu and she nodded before disappearing. He growled after she left and in his anger, he flipped over a table that was turned on its side.
"This is not good." Mayuri stated as he started to pace around the room. "The little brat better hope he's not in immediate danger soon or else it'll be the end of him."
[*.*.*.*]
Naruto sat under a tree, still twitching but not as violently as he was when he was in Mayuri's lab. He didn't know why he freaked out in Mayuri's lab or why he did what he did but he was glad he was away from him and the horrible place.
During his freak out, Naruto did notice that his moves were more fluid and quick while his vision became better and he took in every detail. He wasn't sure what Mayuri had done to him but he was sort of glad he did what he did.
He then heard rustling behind him and he prayed that it wasn't Mayuri or Nemu coming to get him. He turned just in time to see a man with red hair pulled back into a ponytail jump out of the bushes. He wore a Shinigami's uniform.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked and the man looked up at him and blinked.
"Who am I? Who are you?" The man retorted and Naruto pouted.
"I asked you first." Naruto replied and the man frowned before walking up to Naruto and picking him up by the back of his collar.
"Well I'm asking you now, who are you?" Naruto glared at the man.
"Naruto Uzumaki." The man blinked before looking up in thought.
"Uzumaki… sounds familiar." The man said as he let Naruto go. He fell on his butt and let out a small cry of pain before rubbing his butt.
"Jerk. So who are you?" Naruto asked and the man looked down at him.
"My name is Renji Abarai." Renji answered. "Now answer me this; what're you doing here?" Renji asked and Naruto stood up.
"I'm just running away from some crazy guy." Naruto replied before walking away. He was stopped however when Renji put his hand on his shoulder.
"Are you a Shiniagmi?" He asked, his curiosity evident on his face. Naruto looked back at Renji and nodded his head. Renji just blinked, deadpanned. "Aren't you a little too... little?" Naruto's eyes narrowed and he slapped Renji's hand off his left shoulder. Renji watched as Naruto walk off and smiled.
"Interesting kid." He commented before he walked off as well.
"What is wrong with people here?" Naruto asked himself after a few minutes of silence and walking. "All everyone ever does is either fight or act crazy! This is nuts!" Nartuo shouted in frustration.
"Hey, kid!" Naruto turned and faced a girl wearing a Shinigami's uniform. The girl had pale skin, violet-colored eyes, and black hair, with one strand of hair always hanging between her eyes.
"Have you seen a boy walking around here? He has red hair." She asked and Naruto looked back from the direction he came from and then pointed in that direction. She looked up and then back at Naruto. "Thanks." She ran off after ruffling Naruto's hair. "RENJI!" She yelled and Naruto shook his head.
'Yep, everyone's crazy.' He thought as he continued walking through forest. When he reached the borders of the forest, he saw that he ended up on some kind of hill. He walked forward, his head and eyes turning at every direction, taking in the scenery. The giant hill was connected to the Seireitei and seemed to stretch out about half a mile out, give or take. At the end were two white poles adjacent to each other, standing about a hundred feet high.
"What the hell?" Naruto uttered as he walked up to the two white poles. He touched it and immediately retracted it. It felt powerful, like it had a mind of its own and could destroy him without a second thought. Of course, this was Naruto's impression. Obviously the poles had power and could receive more of it but an inanimate object such as the pole couldn't possible have a mind… could it?
Shaking his head and walking past the poles, he stepped over the edge and looked down, getting vertigo from just looking down. He felt himself lose his balance and leaned forward. A pulse rippled through his body and his eyes widened as he fell forward. His body felt stiff as he felt a power inside him pulsate from his core. He could feel his hands clenched slowly as he felt the pulse bring power with it as it washed over his body.
'What's happening to me?' Naruto felt his world blacken as his body picked up speed. The only other thought that plagued his mind was as followed:
'I'm hungry…'
*.*.*.*
On top of an harbor, surrounded by weather not fit for fishing or relaxing, two figures sat facing each other, staring intently at each other and panting. Neither moved a muscle, neither blinked nor looked away. Hours of struggling for dominance had drained them of most of their strength. The shorter of the two raised his head and his cerulean eyes locked onto the demonic crimson ones of his opponent.
"So, what exactly do you want?" The taller of the two asked and the shorter moved his legs to sit in the lotus position.
"I want to call a truce between us." The shorter proposed.
"A truce? Of what kind and for what purpose?"The taller asked. The shorter scratched the back of its head.
"Just… to work together; nothing complicated or false, honest. The reason behind it… well, just to help our host out." The taller one moved its head forward and showed its fangs in a smirk. A long snout let out a short burst of fire, showing more of its face to its adversary.
"Don't you mean…our son?" The Kyūbi asked, making the shorter flinch and causing the taller to laugh.
"No, he's my son and your jailer; that's it." The shorter corrected but the Kyūbi only laughed harder.
"Even so, I still don't see what I get out of it." The Kyūbi said.
"We would get stronger and help us stay alive… or at least, continue to exist." Minato explained. The Kyūbi hummed to himself as Minato waited for him to reply. "We don't have much time!" Minato yelled.
"And if I say no?" Kyūbi asked.
"Then we have a greater chance of losing to our foes," Minato answered somewhat calmly. "Making you look weak for being in a weak host." Kyūbi snarled at the insinuation.
"Hn… fine, but only because I do not want to look weak." Minato smiled and held his hand out.
"Truce?" Kyubi looked at his hand skeptically before holding out his paw and grabbing Minato's hand, shaking it.
"Truce." A bright light appeared from their hands and they disappeared only to be replaced by a tall figure. His shaggy, blond hair with its tips tinted red was blocking a portion to his face as his black slitted blue eyes, looked around. The man moved over to the water and saw his reflection. He smiled but couldn't see it since a mask blocked the lower part of his face.
He looked down on his hands and saw his claws and noticed his change in attire. He was wearing a red shirt under a black trench coat with white flames laced t the bottom and black hakama pants with no shoes.
"Such power… greater than I had first imagined"The man said as he clenched and unclenched his hands. His eyes flashed red for a moment before they returned to their lively blue shade.
*.*.*.*
Naruto could feel himself coming back to the world of the waking and he sat up just as soon as he remembered his predicament. He looked around and saw that he was in some giant cave. Sunlight seemed to come from nowhere and boulders and grass decorated the area. He stood and looked around, trying to see if anyone else was around.
It made no sense; last thing he remembered was him falling down, heading head first for the ground but now he was in some gigantic cave with enough room for a small war to take place.
He took a step forward but stopped in mid-step when he felt something under his foot. He moved his left foot and saw a daitō. The blade was a pure silver with a black edge, a yellow whirlpool-like spiral as a guard, a black grip and a bright yellow pommel with a black spiked chain attached to the end of the pommel.
"Whoa…" Naruto bent down and picked up the daitō. He touched the chain and the grip before touching the blade itself.
'Naruto.' Naruto looked around as he gripped the daitō with both hands.
"Who's there?" Naruto asked aloud, hoping to receive an answer.
'You don't see me? I'm disappointed.' The voice seemed to taunt Naruto, making him angry.
"Show yourself!" Naruto shouted and the voice only chuckled. Naruto's eyes widened when pressure was suddenly applied to his entire body and he fell to his hands and knees. He gasped as air escaped his lungs in an attempt to run away from the harsh pressure.
'You have much to learn.' The voice stated as Naruto struggled to stay on his hands and knees. After a few more minutes of being under the pressure, Naruto felt it leave and his body become light again. he stood up after composing himself and looked around.
He had dropped the daitō when the pressure suddenly came and still remained on the floor. He looked down and picked it up again but after some hesitation, he threw the sword away from him. The sword landed with its blade driven into the ground. Naruto's eyes widened when a pulse escaped the blade and used the ground as a medium to travel to Naruto.
Naruto jumped to avoid the pulse but even he knew he'd eventually have to come back down to the ground. As soon as he did, his world became fuzzy and he sat down, his legs spread out and his head leaning forward. He was fighting a losing battle as he struggled to stay conscious.
He knew he lost the moment he saw the daitō shaking, freed itself from the ground and the pommel head straight for his forehead.
*.*.*
Naruto slowly opened his eyes when he felt something dripping on his forehead and a harsh wind blow over his body. After regaining his vision, he saw that he was looking up at a sky stained by the black clouds. What was dripping on his forehead were some rain drops let loose from their imprisonment. He sat up with caution and when he was standing, his eyes widened.
He stood on a harbor that seemd to have no end in one direction while the other ended only a few feet in front of him. Surround him were violent waves and harsh winds. Thunder could be heard off in the distance and near the horizons, whirlpools could be seen spinning rapidly.
"Wh... Where am I?" he asked no one in particular. A flash of yellow came from behind Naruto and when he turned, he saw a man standing behind him. Blond, red-tipped hair, a black mask covering the lower half of his face, blue, pupil slit eyes stared into Naruto's eyes. His black trench coat rustled wildly as another wind passed over them. Naruto could tell the man was smiling by the way his mask was shifted upward slightly.
"Who are you?" Simple question, at least it seemed so in Naruto's mind.
"..." Naruto saw movement under the man's mask but no sounds followed.
"What?" The man seemed to repeat whatever he said before but still nothing came out of his mouth. Naruto glared at the man and walked up to him. Towering over him, the man just watched as Naruto stared up at him and waited for the boy to do something.
"Why won't you tell me your name?" Naruto asked and the man shook his head.
"It doesn't work the way, it seems." The man said and Naruto took a step back.
"That voice... it sounds familiar." Naruto whispered to himself. The man shook his head.
"I am here to help." The man said and another gust of wind ran over the two but only Naruto was affected by it. The man just let it try to take his trench coat but it was futile; the coat wasn't going anywhere. Naruto, however, almost fell off the harbor.
The man stretched out his hand and quickly held on to Naruto's collar. Naruto was surprised by the man's quickness and watched as he pulled him back to the harbor and then let him go.
"How old are you?" The man asked and Naruto shook his head, shaking off the odd chill that traveled down his spine.
"Eight." Naruto answered and the man's eyes changed from indifference to sadness.
"You're so young." The man said solemnly and Naruto raised an eyebrow. 'He looks just like me too.' The man thought.
"Yeah well, sorry if I don't meet your standards." Naruto said sarcastically and the man shook his head.
'He has her attitude though.' The man added to his thoughts. Naruto's eyes then widened as he took a step back.
"I remember now, you're that voice from earlier!" Naruto said with an accusing finger pointed at the man. Without hesitation, the man nodded.
"Yes I was." He answered and Naruto relaxed but stared at the man oddly.
"So what did you mean I had much to learn?" Naruto asked and the man stared at Naruto some more before turning.
The two remained silent as the sounds of the harsh weather abused their ears. Naruto watched the man before his attention turned to his environment. Why was the weather so bad?
"This isn't how it's supposed to be." The man finally said and Naruto looked at him again.
"What isn't?" Naruto asked and the man faced him again.
"There shouldn't be any violent waves, any harsh winds or rapid whirlpools. No thunder up in the sky, there shouldn't be a cloud in the sky; at least not this much." The man stuck his right arm out, his palm facing Naruto as he waved it slightly. "This is out fault." naruto raised an eyebrow.
"'Our'? How do you know it's not your fault?" Naruto asked and the man's hand dropped back to his side.
"This is our fault. This is the result of our disharmony." The man said and Naruto looked around.
"Don't you think that's a little... exaggerated?" The man shook his head.
"In this world, the balance between us is essential to our survival."
"Now I know you're exaggerating." Naruto said doubtfully. The man grabbed Naruto by his neck and lifted him off the harbor. he raised him up to his eyes and stared deeply into them.
"In this instance, I do not joke. If you want to be a Shinigami, then you will have to cooperate with me." The man said with conviction, earning a slow nod from Naruto who was scared by the man's sudden action.
"I am the spirit of your zanpakutō, the tool in which you use to battle your enemies, you're comrade that never leaves you." The man said seriously and it seemed that his words were starting to sink in. He extended his left arm out and out of thin air, the daitō from earlier appeared and the man gripped it tightly. "I am an extension of your soul." The man handed the daitō Naruto who grabbed it and held it tightly as another burst of wind passed over them.
"With some training and time, you'll come to understand your zanpakutō, understand me and use it to your full potential." The man let Naruto stand on his own two feet before kneeling in front of him. "With my help, you and I can become stronger as long as we work together. The most important thing for a Shinigami and his zanpakutō is teamwork." The man smiled with his eyes closed and Naruto couldn't help but smile as well.
"If that's out of the way, we can begin your training." Naruto blinked as the man started walking down the harbor.
"Wait!" Naruto yelled out but before he could continue, he was sucked up by wind and thrown into the skies. The last thing he saw was the man look up at him with purple eyes.
*.*.*
Naruto awoke with a jolt as he panted heavily and cold sweat ran down his face. The dream seemed so real and now, looking down at the daitō, he couldn't help but think it was.
'Are you ready to begin?' The voice asked and Naruto looked around before smiling and nodding.
"Yes." Naruto stood and gripped the daitō with both hands.
'First we're going to work on your stance. Shift your legs until they're shoulder-length apart with the right leg slightly forward and the left leg back..' After doing as he was told, Naruto waited further instructions. 'Grip the hilt tightly and concentrate on your zanpakutō.' Once again following instructions, Naruto closed his eyes after gripping the daitō tightly. His eyes snapped open when he heard the clinging or chains moving and something cold slither its way up his arms. he looked down and saw the spiked chains spinning around his arms and stopping at his shoulder.
"Whoa... awesome." Naruto commented.
'For the next year, I will teach you the proper stances, how to contact me whenever you need me, and any other basic thing you need to know.' The man said inside naruto's subconscious. Naruto nodded before thinking about something.
"Why for a year? And why only the basics?" Naruto asked and the man chuckled.
'Isn't that your deadline?' The man asked and Naruto nodded his head after thinking it over. 'And i'm only going to teach you the basics because you need to go to the Shinigami academy even if you know your stuff. This way, you won't get too bored in class.' Naruto nodded his head again. 'Everything you'll need for the next year is in here. North from here is a place where you can take shelter. Food and clothes are supplied and there is a hot springs that I want you to go to after every training session.'
Naruto nodded his head and without further questions, Naruto began to practice with his zanpakutō's spirit teaching him from the inside of his head.
[*.*.*.*]
Hinata awoke softly as the sun's rays passed through her closed curtains and hit her eyes. She fluttered them open and yawned in her open and waiting hand. She sat up on her bed and her mind wandered to her dream from the previous night.
She remembered it being so realistic, so unlike her usual dreams. Her dreams would pertain to dates with Naruto but her latest dream seemed so real, so unlike her other ones. The Naruto in her dream last night acted like he usually did; happy-go lucky instead of the romantic she would dream up.
Her mood sobered when she remembered that Naruto was dead and his funeral was in a week. She got off her bed but before she could head to her bathroom, she heard the light thud of paper hitting the floor. She looked down and wondered what a folded paper was doing over her while she slept. She bent down, picked it up and unfolded it, reading aloud what was written inside
Don't forget about me. I promised you I'll be back and I always come through with my promises.
-Naruto
Hinata felt all feeling in her hands go numb and the paper slid off her hands and onto the floor again. She was speechless, almost thoughtless; the only thing she was actually doing was thinking about the letter over and over again. A smile adorned her face as she remembered the promise Naruto made; she knew he would find some way to come back to her, this was Naruto who made the promise, she knew better than to doubt his word. With this in mind, she convicted herself to fulfill her promise and wait for him to return.
She ran into the bathroom and began her usual morning rituals and after she was done, she ran down to the dining room where she was sure her father, sister and cousin were waiting for her. She had always wondered why they would eat together, it's not like they cared at all if she was there. She guessed it was just the way the family's been run since... ever.
"Good morning father, Hanabi, Neji." Hinata greeted with a shy smile and a bow. As she would expect, her father bowed back, Hanabi shrugged and Hinata got her daily dose of Neji's cold stares and cold greeting.
"Good morning Hinata-sama." Hinata's smile wavered as the coldness of his tone reached her ears. She sat in her place just as the other Hyuga branch members appeared from the kitchen and began to serve the family their breakfast. After they left, Hinata began to eat the food in front of her. Hinata wanted something more than her usual breakfast which consisted of rice, seafood and other fermented foods.
"Hinata," Hinata looked up from her breakfast to her father who had stopped eating, looking intently at her. "After the academy, I want you to come directly home for some training. As the heiress, there are a few things that you are expected to know and do." Hiashi said in a no-nonsense tone. Hinata nodded as she swallowed the food in her mouth but not before noticing Hanabi's body become stiff.
"O-Ok father." She replied meekly; Hiashi nodded his head and continued eating. After they finished, they each went their separate ways except for Neji and Hinata who both attended the academy. Hinata walked a few paces behind Neji, just like every morning so she wouldn't be paranoid about whether or not he was glaring at her behind her back.
"Are you going to be attending the funeral of that loser?" Neji asked with the same monotonous tone he spoke with when he didn't want to show his true feelings. Hinata looked at the back of Neji's head with a hurt look.
"N-N-Naruto-kun is not a l-loser." Hinata said, defending her crush. Neji just turned his head a little to look at her before returning his gaze to the sidewalk in front of him.
"You are right Hinata-sama, he wasn't a loser; he was a failure and a mockery to the name 'shinobi'." Neji corrected himself, causing more pain to Hinata's heart. She was sure that Naruto and Neji haven't met before so how he could say such hurtful things was beyond her. "Lucky for all of us, he was killed before he was able to embarrass the entire village."
Hinata stopped walking as she hung her head, her short bangs covering her eyes and upper face. Neji, after five steps, noticed that Hinata stopped walking and turned to face her. He inwardly smiled, imagining the tears running down her cheeks and the sadness in her eyes. Before he could insult Naruto anymore, Hinata looked up at him, her eyes hardened with disappointment and what he guessed was disdain.
"You know nothing about him, cousin so do not speak so ill of Naruto. Speaking about another like that is unbecoming of a Hyuga." Hinata said, conviction in her voice and showing none of her usual meekness. She walked past the shocked Neji and couldn't help but smile a little at seeing his reaction.
For his part, Neji showed no more emotions after getting over his initial shock. However on the inside, he was angry and about ready to strike anything, specifically Hinata. He glared holes at Hinata's head as she walked confidently in front of him. He would get her back for that comment; he was sure it would be a while before he would have his revenge but patience was something he had. Oh, that day would come, he just knew it.
[*.*.*.*]
Elsewhere, Hiruzen sighed as he entered his office. He was just coming back from his usual morning walks with his mind buzzing with the proposition given to him by Danzo, Homura and Koharu. He hated it, he refused it but they were very adamant of it and it seemed that they were not going to be satisfied with his 'no'. He wouldn't be surprised if they went over his head and asked the Damiyo.
With an exasperated sigh, Hiruzen sat on his chair and closed his tired, old eyes. His mind wandered to the upcoming funeral and he couldn't help but let a few tears fall. It was his fault his surrogate grandson is dead; he knew it, and even tough Kakashi refrained from saying or showing it, he knew it as well. If he had taken better care of Naruto, he would still be alive, not dead.
He was tempted to just quit and let a younger shinobi take his place. Maybe Kakashi would do it; from his track record, he was a great leader with an 90% success rate as an ANBU captain. Or maybe one of his old students would do it. Orochimaru was definitely out of the picture, considering he was responsible for Naruto's death as well. Jiraiya is too much of a lecher to become Hokage and Tsunade is a drunken gambler with the worst luck in the entire nation, possible in the entire world.
Hiruzen hummed, though Tsunade did show great leadership during the third Great Shinobi War; the only problem was actually getting her to come and stay long enough to hear his proposition.
"Hey old man." Hiruzen snapped his eyes open, surprised to see one of his old students in front of him. Jiraiya smirked as he sat lazily on the chair in front of Hiruzen's desk.
"You're losing you touch old man, you didn't even flinch when I snuck in." Jiraiya taunted but became serious when he saw Hiruzen give him a weak glare. "What's wrong, you act as if someone died." Hiruzen's eyes became crescent fallen as he looked away.
"Who died?" Jiraiya asked seriously almost fearful to hear who had died. Normally, Hiruzen would mope about one of his shinobi's death but not show it. Now, however, the frown on his face showed that this death was important, at least to him it is.
"It… Jiraiya, it was your god son." Hiruzen stated emotionlessly and Jiraiya's eyes widened.
"N-Naruto's… dead?" He asked, his throat clenching up and his heart beating quickly. Hiruzen nodded and closed his eyes again. "How…" Jiraiya's voice left him as he saw his old sensei take in a deep breath before letting it out through his nose.
"Orochimaru." Hiruzen answered with his tone full with venom and disdain. Jiraiya had a shocked expression before it turned to one of pure rage but before he could rant, Hiruzen spoke up.
"He had somehow managed to take over Naruto's body and went on a rampage. He killed a good portion of the civilian population and at least an eighth of the shinobi ranks." Hiruzen explained, only adding more fuel to Jiraiya's fire. Hiruzen watched as his student stood from his seat and walked to the open window behind him.
"The funeral's in a week, at least show up for that." Hiruzen said and Jiraiya stopped before jumping out of the window, without another word. Hiruzen groaned as he closed his eyes again and leaned back in his chair; he was seriously getting too old for this.
[*.*.*.*]
Naruto slowly let himself sink into the hot springs before his body completely entered the hot water. He let out a content sigh as the water swallowed his body whole with his head sticking out of the water. It felt like the water was washing away all the ache and cuts, similar to what it did to dirt. Closing his eyes and enjoying the feel of the water on his sore body, he thought about how his training was going so far. Six days of hard training and he could tell that he was slowly progressing. His stance was still a little sketchy but nothing another few days couldn't take care of.
Along with that, his zanpakutō had been teaching him about patience and meditation. Naruto knew that was probably going to be one of the hardest things to master but he was determined to become stronger.
With his mind wandering, he thought on how Hinata was doing in Konoha since he left...
[*.*.*.*]
The sky poured down heavily as only five people stared blankly at the picture placed in front of the closed casket. The water dripped down the black casket and the attendants but they didn't care, the one in the casket had it much worse.
Hiruzen wore his Hokage robes as he mourned the loss of his grandson. Jiraiya, who stood next to him, was also mourning but the hate for his former teammate far overshadowed his grief. His face was contorted in pain and anger as his fist lay clenched by his side. He wiped what seemed to be tears from his eyes but could easily be mistaken for raindrops.
To his right was Kakashi, looking down at his right hand with disgust. From under his mask, a scowl was laced in his lips and he wished he could have thought of another way to stop Naruto without killing him. However, at the time, there was no time to think, just act. He clenched his fists tightly before loosening his grip and letting them fall to his sides. He looked up and stared at the picture of a happy Naruto, smiling fondly as he wished to have spent more time with him.
Kakashi turned his head to look at the newest member to join Naruto's funeral. He was surprised and had no idea how Jiraiya had been able to convince Tsunade and her apprentice, Shizune, to come to the funeral but he wasn't really complaining.
Tsunade was feeling a lot of emotions; the main one being regret. She regretted the fact that she had left Naruto alone in Konoha. She was the one who told Kushina of her pregnancy and knew Kushina and Minato very well, so why shouldn't she have stayed to help take care of the brat?
She sighed, she knew exactly why. After the death of Minato and Kushina, Tsunade wasn't sure she could handle being at their funeral so she fled with Shizune, her dead lover's niece, and wandered the elemental nations.
"Tsunade." Tsunade looked at the one who spoke her name and replied,
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for coming." Hiruzen continued with an even tone. Tsunade furrowed her eyebrows in worry at seeing her sensei with a broken look.
"No problem, beside, I owe it to the brat anyway." She said as she wiped a single tear from her left eye.
"You know… it was Naruto's dream to be Hokage." Tsunade looked at Hiruzen suspiciously, wonder why he would bring up something like that. "He reminds me a lot like your brother; same looks, same dream..." He continued and Tsunade looked at Naruto's picture, seeing the resemblance. Hiruzen knew he had just played a dirty trick but if his plan were to succeed, then he had to pull off all the stops.
"Since it doesn't appear that anyone else is coming…" Hiruzen trailed off when he heard footsteps approaching. The five attending the funeral turned and were surprised to see a young girl with short, dark blue hair walk to them, wearing a light purple kimono, holding an umbrella with her left hand and two roses in the other; one white and the other red.
"H-Hello, a-am I late?" She asked as she stopped in front of Hiruzen. Everyone smiled warmly and Hiruzen shook his head.
"No, you're not Hinata. Do you want to say goodbye?" Hinata nodded her head and walked by the five adults to Naruto's casket. Hinata stopped in front of it and placed her two roses by the other five red roses. She was curious as to why her father didn't simply attend to give his rose but she guessed he was just too busy running the clan. She turned and looked at Hiruzen.
"C-Can I see him… o-one more time?" She asked and Hiruzen nodded again. Hinata faced the casket again and opened it a little so the rain wouldn't get Naruto's corpse wet but just enough for her to look at him. She saw his whiskered face and smiled affectionately as she remembered seeing the same face smile all the time, even if half the time they were false.
She closed the casket and walked away, heading for her home so she could continue with her training. She wasn't going to be weak anymore; she wasn't going to let anyone push her around anymore and she definitely not going to let Naruto down. She will become stronger, so when Naruto came back to keep his promise, she could finally face him and tell him she like him.
Hiruzen watched as Hinata walked away, wondering what was going through the heiress's mind. Then he remembered something…
"Jiraiya, Tsunade, let's go to my office, there is something I wish to speak to the both of you about." Tsunade, Jiraiya and Shizune looked at him oddly but complied after they watched Naruto's casket be buried. Kakashi had a feeling he knew what was going to happen but didn't voice it. After they made it to Hiruzen's office, Kakashi left saying he needed some rest. Hiruzen dismissed him and then placed a silencing jutsu in his office. His three visitors sat in front of his desk as he took his place in his chair.
"Oink."
"Tsunade, how have you been?" Hiruzen asked, throwing everyone off guard.
"Uhm… fine?" She answered hesitantly. Hiruzen smiled and nodded his head.
"That's good to hear, and you Shizune?" Shizune jumped at the mention of her name as her pet pig, Tonton, oinked again.
"F-Fine Hokage-sama." She stuttered out. Hiruzen nodded again and Jiraiya growled.
"Get to the point old man." Jiraiya snapped, earning a glare from Tsunade.
"Alright Jiraiya; as you three know, I am old and there's no saying how much longer I'll hold out." He eyed the three's reaction and wasn't surprised with 'Jiraiya's suspicious expression and Tsunade's and Shizune's puzzled ones.
"So with this in mind, I've decided… to retire." Shocked expression replaced the three's old one as their mouth hung agape.
"What? Have you gone senile?" Jiraiya shouted but Hiruzen simply shook his head.
"So who are you appointing as your successor?" Tsunade asked and Hiruzen stared at both Sannins. Said Sannins looked at each other before both shook their heads.
"Hell no, not going to happen." Both said simultaneously.
"Well one of you has to do it. Kami knows I'm too old for this and I don't know of anyone else who can replace me. If neither of you do then Danzo would surely use this as an opportunity to take over and who knows what'll happen to the village then." Jiraiya crossed his arms over his chest and pouted.
"Well I have my spy network to think about and even then, you know how horrible of a leader I am. Tsunade seems more qualified to take on the job." Tsunade glared at Jiraiya but he ignored it.
"I need one of you two to take this job and I'm going to need the decision now." Hiruzen stated with authority and both Sannins had contemplated look.
"…"
"Fine, I'll take it." Shizune and Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, shocked as her declaration but Hiruzen smiled.
"Thank you Tsunade." Tsunade just shrugged it off. Shizune couldn't believe it, she had been out of Konoha for about nine years and now she was returning and actually staying.
"Tsunade-sama, are you sure?" She asked and Tsunade took a while before nodding.
"Well, now, let's get started on the paperwork." Hiruzen smiled innocently as he started to search for his resignation and for the papers that made Tsunade the official Godaime. He took out two piles of papers and Tsunade started to regret her decision, having the odd feeling that she would see much more piles of paper in her term as Godaime.
[*.*.*.*]
'You're still a bit rough but you've exceeded my expectations.' The man's voice said and Naruto smirked confidently.
"You think i could beat him?" Naruto asked and when his zanpakutō didn't respond right away, a vein popped from his head. "Jerk." The man laughed.
'Do what I've thought you over the last year and you'll do fine.' Naruto grunted with a nod.
"Don't want to keep him waiting."
*.*.*.*
Kenpachi stood in the middle of a dojo, waiting for Naruto to arrive. he wasn't really sure if he'd show up at all seeing as no one had seen him in the last year. He didn't care either way, he just wanted to eat and get this over with.
Surrounding him was his entire division plus Nemu who wanted to see if Naruto would show up as well. The division around them murmured in excitement and in doubt before silence reigned over them when the entrance doors slowly opened. They creaked in protest as a hooded figure walked into the dojo slowly.
Kenpachi's eyes opened a little before a sinister grin graced his lips. Nemu was surprised but adamant not to show it. Everyone was shocked as the figure walked up to the middle of the ring, in front of Kenpachi. The person wore a white trench coat with red flames laced on the bottom with a white hood over his head. The person slowly took off the hood and under it, yellow locks were seen.
"So you showed up, eh?" Kenpachi asked and Naruto nodded with a smile of his own. The wind whistled as everyone watched Naruto and Kenpachi stare at each other.
Starting off the fight, Kenpachi released his Spiritual Pressure. Naruto only flinched but it wasn't that noticeable. Kenpachi hummed to himself.
"Impressive." Kenpachi stated before reaching for Naruto. Naruto, however, jumped back, away from Kenpachi's reach. His smile widened and he knelt down on his left knee. He reached for something in his trench coat around his waist. He took out his zanpakutō and held it with both hands. He stood and shifted to his stance.
"Interesting." Kenpachi said aloud. Nemu's eye were wide and Yachiru was smiling insanely. Kenpachi spread his arms out and left his chest open. "Hit me with your best shot!" He offered and Naruto raised an eyebrow. "See if you can cut me, i dare ya!"
Naruto glared at him while he bent his knees, preparing to attack and remembering his zanpakutō's words. He jumped and headed straight for Kenpachi.
*.*.*
A sigh escaped a woman's lips as she entered into the Eleventh Division's barracks. Her long red hair was tied in a bun but even then it still stretched down to her calves. She planned on going to her room, taking a bath and sleeping in for the next forty-eight hours. However, her plans were crashed when she was stopped by two member of the division.
"Hey, you're back!" One of the two said. The woman smiled and waved tiredly at the one who called her who was a woman in her mid twenties, just like her except the other woman had brown hair. The man next to her, her 'friend', waved to her as well.
"Suki, Satoshi, what're you two doing together?" The red haired woman asked. Both looked at each other, blushed and looked away before Suki looked back up at the woman.
"I'm here to greet you from your year long patrol of Kurairai Town." Suki said and the woman smiled affectionately.
"Thanks." The woman said before hugging her friend.
"And I'm here to tell you about the fight Kenpachi's in right now." The woman smiled widely, forgetting about her fatigue.
"Who's the idiot this time?" She asked and Suki looked away but Satoshi smiled.
"Word is he's of Namikaze and Uzumaki descent." Satoshi answered and the woman's eyes widened. In the blink of an eye, the woman disappeared and appeared in front of the roofless dojo. She walked in and saw everyon huddled around the ring. Her eyes caught the person in the air and they widened.
Up in the air, ready to strike down her captain, was her son.
Kushina could not believe her eyes.
She gasped and almost fainted when Naruto brought down his zanpakutō down on Kenpachi's chest and blood and dust sprayed into the air. She felt someone's Spiritual Pressures spike up before disappearing again. She ran through the crowd, pushing back many other members until she was inside the ring. Shock decorated her face, as well as Kenpachi's, when Naruto jumped back and slashed his zanpakutō in the air, removing Kenpachi's blood from it.
The cut itself wasn't significant, pretty shallow but it was enough to show Kenpachi that Naruto was serious.
A fox-like smile appeared on Naruto's lips as he fell into his fighting stance.
That's it for now, hope you liked it...
Don't have much time...
I'll have more comments later...
Next Chapter: Tears of an Uzumaki, Blood of a Hyūga...
Good luck with whatever and if you got a problem with me or one of my stories, please feel free to: Deal with it, Get over it or Choke on it...