Hey peoples, how's it hanging? Back with the next installment of Shadow of Vader: Revamped
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Wars
Sarutobi sighed as he along with a team of Anbu arrived at the top of the Fourth Hokage's head looking down over the village. Although he had trusted the Nine-Tails to help Naruto, he still had to treat a surge of its power as an emergency. When they arrived, expecting to find Naruto, they were shocked to instead see the destroyed trees that now marked the Hero of the Leaf's likeness. Not nearly as shocked as they were at seeing the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing laying open at their feet. Noticing something a bit extra, the Sandaime leaned down and picked up a note, his worry increasing when he saw it was written in Naruto's handwriting. It said two words only.
"I know." Sarutobi was near panic. Naruto, no, Vader couldn't possibly know what Sarutobi feared. But he had felt something off about his office upon arriving, and saw that while they had been put back, several items from his desk had been moved slightly. Only an eye as sharp as his could catch the slight movement of the papers and pictures on his desk. And now, here was a note that said "I know" and it was written in Vader's handwriting. Sarutobi sighed.
"All of you are dismissed" he said, defeated. His Anbu looked at him curiously.
"Lord Hokage?" they asked in confusion.
"There is nothing more for us to do" said Sarutobi. "Tomorrow, I will have to have a talk with Vader. Perhaps one that is far long overdue." But while he knew it had to be done, he was not looking forward to the chat he was preparing to have with the boy. The Anbu merely gave a traditional salute before disappearing, using the Shunshin to leave quickly. Sarutobi sighed once more before using the same technique to leave the area himself. Oh yes, there would be hell to pay, but it would be himself who had to pay it.
Vader lay in his bed, his Togruta lover at his side, resting her head on his exposed chest. After her resurrection, they had moved back to his place, deciding to celebrate with a round of love making. As Ahsoka had never been with a man before in her physical body, but had in Vader's mind, she got to enjoy the feeling of losing her virginity for real, and she had found it quite...pleasurable. Now she was asleep as Vader lay thinking of his next move. Obviously he would need to find Ahsoka a suitable katana or perhaps a pair as in her later Jedi career she had told him she had moved onto two lightsabers, and they had not been brought with her when she was brought back to life. Only the clothes she had been wearing were with her. He would also have to condition her to wielding the heavier bladed weapons. Along with her, there was also his new apprentice to worry about. They still hadn't informed her team of her apprenticeship to him.
Also, they would have to get started with her training. The girl seemed primarily dominant in the Light side of the Force. As such, they would teach her to be a Jedi. Vader had decided that in his clan, while it would need a strict controller to make sure things didn't get out of hand, that each member would be allowed to walk their own path, be it the path of Light or the path of the Dark. Or even those strong enough to walk the fine gray between. However, be they Jedi or Sith, they would both be treated equally in the clan, the only difference in being what they would be taught. He would train Tenten to teach future generations of the clan in the ways of the Light, but now needed to find someone to become a Sith to teach his clan in the ways of the Dark side as well. He and Ahsoka could always do it, but in the event they themselves were away from the clan, someone else could still teach. He tried to use the Force to see the future to find his Sith, but the future was clouded. Like something was blocking his vision. However, he tried not to let it get to him. After all, it was Anakin who had told him what he required the Force would provide. Eventually, a potential candidate would show themselves.
Now though there were other things on his mind. The mysterious "Qui-gon Jinn" that had paid for his meal the day before. He had known the name was familiar. It was explained to be the name of Obi-wan's former master. It would explain why the Force had seemed to swirl around the man so. But if he had to go through everything he did to resurrect Ahsoka, how was Qui-gon brought back. It was impossible in itself, he realized, as nobody on the planet could even know about the former Jedi. So then how was he returned to the land of the living? It just brought about more questions than answers. Looking at the sleeping Togruta girl, he smiled before kissing her on the forehead before falling into a deep sleep himself.
The next morning found Vader, Ahsoka, and Tenten all deep in meditation. Tenten had been a little shocked by Ahsoka's appearance and alien heritage, but remained respectful, showing her the same courtesy she had promised Vader, referring to Ahsoka as "Lady Ahsoka" or sometimes throughout the morning, "Sensei." Vader found this both amusing and appropriate given that Ahsoka would also be listed in his clan as his wife, leaving her in charge of the clan in the event he was away. Tenten had even accepted being told to wear her hair in the traditional padawan braid, while also letting her hair down from her two buns.
"Do you feel it, Tenten?" asked Vader, helmet on, producing his eery deep voice. "Can you feel the Force as it flows through you?"
"I can feel...something, my Master" said Tenten. "It's like nothing I can describe. I could get lost in it." Vader nodded.
"Yes, the Force has a strong pull" he said. "The Force is strong in you."
"Masters," said Tenten. "What exactly is the Force?"
"You know what chakra is?" questioned Vader and Tenten nodded, her eyes closed in concentration.
"Yes. Chakra is a life-force produced by all living things. It is necessary for life to survive, and is what shinobi use to empower their jutsu." Vader nodded. The answer was acceptable.
"In essence, yes" replied Vader. "But chakra is only one half of the puzzle that is life. One half of the energies we need for life to survive. It meets its opposite in the Force. While chakra is an internal energy, the Force is an energy that binds the very universe together. Everything is bound by the Force. You can feel it surround you, penetrate you. You can feel it between you and Ahsoka, between Ahsoka and I, and between me and the rest of the village. Through the Force you will go places, see things that you will never see normally. Life creates it. It makes it grow. And there are a few, like us, who are able to work with the Force. You will notice I do not say control the Force. To do so would imply we are greater than the Force, which is untrue. In truth, the Force can control your actions, but also it can obey your commands in return."
"Ok, I think I get it" said Tenten. As she continued to meditate, she suddenly shivered, as though a chill had just hit her.
"What did you sense, Tenten?" asked Ahsoka, also feeling the strange disturbance in the Force.
"I don't know" replied the Weapon's Mistress. "But I suddenly felt cold. There is something coming, that much I know. I don't know how I know, but I just know."
"Indeed" said Vader, standing and looking around, reaching out with his senses. "Your instincts serve you well my apprentice. There is someone here." As if accepting the unmade challenge, out stepped from the shadows a very pale individual come from the shadows. He wore an odd lavender robe, had white hair, and had two dots over his eyes on his forehead. To be honest, he looked rather sickly.
"Are you Naruto Uzumaki?" he asked, straight to the point. It sounded weak however, like he was on his last legs.
"I was" replied Vader. "Not anymore. I'd ask why you are here, but we both know that you're here to kill me, Kimimaro." The man's eyes widened in shock.
"How did you?" he asked, but was cut off by the masked boy.
"Your thoughts betray you, my friend. As did your master" said Vader. Kimimaro grew angry at that.
"You will not speak ill of Lord Orochimaru" he said, this time with vigor, but regretted it immediately as he began coughing up a storm. Vader smirked beneath his mask. The young man in front of him, while obviously powerful, could not hide his thoughts from him.
"Orochimaru has blinded you, and has purposely sent you here because he wants to not only get rid of you, knowing you will not return from this mission, and to test my skills" said Vader. "I can read your thoughts, and I know of your disease. Orochimaru told you there was no cure, didn't he?"
"There is none. My master would not lie to me" said Kimimaro, coughing viciously.
"And if I told you the opposite, what would you say?" asked Vader.
"You lie" said the man, raising his arm, before several projectiles shot from his hand, aiming straight for Vader's chest. He was shocked however when they were stopped with a flick of the black-clad boy's wrist. Reaching into his back, he pulled out a sword made of what appeared to be bone, before rushing at Vader. As he brought his bone blade down, Vader blocked almost faster than than Kimimaro could see. He struggled a bit, but couldn't force the black-clad boy back.
"Do I?" asked Vader in a mocking way. "I suggest you listen to what I have to say. I can heal you and prevent your disease from resurfacing. At the very least not as badly as it has been." He paused when Kimimaro merely coughed more, this time hacking up some blood. He then continued. "In return, you serve me instead of your current master."
"Say I go through with this" said Kimimaro, the weakness returning to his voice. "In order for me to serve you, I would require proof that I'm being deceived by Lord Orochimaru."
"You will get your proof" said Vader simply, before using the Force to put Kimimaro to sleep, not meeting much resistance, as the man was weak, with his only thoughts being how if he could be cured, he could better serve his Master. Once the man was asleep, Vader used a special technique taught to him by Dooku known as the Heart Stun. It was used to stop a person's heart temporarily while they were kept alive through the Force. It would allow him to transport the man to Kyuubi to strip him of his body and replace it with the Grievous body. Though he didn't know it, it was quite ironic as Dooku had used this same technique to keep the original Grievous alive before the Kaleesh's own operation to be placed into the suit.
"Ahsoka" he said, sealing the man into a scroll. "Please take our Neo-Grievous to our mutual friend. The operation should be done quickly, but have Kyuu take a look at his disease first."
"Of course" said Ahsoka, taking the scroll and leaving, pulling her cloak and hood on so as not to draw too much attention to her appearance. Tenten may have accepted her easily enough, but she doubted most of the villagers in Konoha would share her views.
"Now Tenten, I believe we should now go inform your team of your reassignment" said Vader, swiftly turning, his black cape flapping in the breeze as he walked away.
"Yes Master" replied the girl, eagerly following him. As they walked through the town toward team nine's training ground, people paid them no mind. It was as though in the suit, Vader was simply Vader. Nobody recognized the 'Demon Child'. People even saw him and nodded respectfully, thinking he was some impressive shinobi, rather than the focus point of their hatred for more than a decade.
They arrived at the training grounds, expecting to at least find Tenten's Sensei Guy drilling Neji, but like the day before, which was why they weren't able inform them then, nobody was there. But rather than just give up, they instead relocated to the hospital, finding Guy conferring with Lee.
"Hi Lee, how are you feeling?" she asked, getting the attention of both, though with her padawan braid and her hair down, they almost didn't recognize her.
"Ah, Tenten" said Guy. "We were just discussing you."
"Yes" continued Lee. "Guy-sensei and I were just saying how we hadn't seen you since training two days ago."
"Where have you been, my youthful student?" asked Guy.
"Well Sensei" said Tenten. "I have actually been reassigned. I'm now an apprentice under Lord Vader here."
"I see" said Guy, wearily. "I take it this is the same Vader who only a few days ago went by the name Naruto Uzumaki."
"I am indeed" replied Vader, nodding. "As Tenten has quite a thirst for knowledge, she has been inducted as a member of my clan to receive special training. However, if she is ever needed for a mission, feel free to call on her assistance."
"That is most kind of you to teach Tenten" said Lee. "Your flames of youth truly burn bright." He held out his had in order to give a thumbs up, but from his hospital bed, in his condition, he only succeeded in creating worse pain for himself, wincing.
"Would you like me to do something about the pain?" asked Vader. "While I do not exactly know how to heal you completely, I can help with your pain."
"No thank you" Lee politely declined. "Taking this pain now only raises my pain threshold."
"You are an interesting person indeed" said Vader simply, before turning. As he did, Ahsoka entered the room.
"Kimimaro was delivered as you requested" she said. Vader nodded simply, before motioning for them to leave. Tenten attempted to follow, but Naruto stopped her.
"Take the time to talk with your old teacher and your teammate, my apprentice. For tomorrow, your training continues" he said.
"Yes Master" she said, smiling, before turning back to her old team, sans Neji.
"What do we do while we wait?" asked Ahsoka. "We have a few hours at least while our mutual friend examines our Grievous candidate. And then once he's done, he'll start replacing Kimimaro's organs into the suit."
"Excellent" said Vader. "Which leaves us the entire afternoon to do whatever we want." He saw Ahsoka smile beneath her hood, as the Togruta girl leaned up next to him as they walked.
"I have a pretty good idea of what to do" she said.
Kimimaro awoke on a table with a gasp of air, before breathing deeply. It took him a moment to realize that while he still felt weak and sick, he could actually breath regularly. It was as if everything trapped in his lungs had been purged. "Oh good, you're awake." Looking up, Kimimaro saw a man with fiery red hair, wearing medical gear. "I have some good news and bad news" the man said. "The good news is that I've eradicated your disease, and your lungs, while not back to normal quite yet, will hear slowly over time."
"And the bad news?" asked Kimimaro.
"The disease will come back. And what's worse, is that I've determined the cause" replied the red-haired man.
"Which is?" said Kimimaro, trying to sit up, but was forced back on the table by the red-head.
"Apparently, the reason your disease was 'incurable' is because of your cursed seal constantly damaging your body" said the red-head. "And I doubt something like that would escape your old master." Kimimaro clenched his fists. He didn't want to believe it, but there was no denying that Vader had told the truth. No, he thought. Lord Vader had told the truth. "Unfortunately, your disease will keep coming back, and I don't know how many times you can survive the purging process" said Kyuubi, knowing pumping the young man full of youki like he had in order to eradicate the man's disease was also in effect damaging his body. "But there is an alternative."
"What alternative" asked Kimimaro. He saw the red-head move something into his field of vision. It looked like a very large, oddly designed skeleton made from some kind of metal.
"We can remove your internal organs into this body. While you would lose the ability to utilize chakra, as you would lack enough cells to produce the chakra of this body, and you would also lose your famed bloodline, you could live for decades, perhaps even centuries to come, depending on how well your organs are taken care of." said Kyuubi. "The body also increases your physical strength, speed, agility, and balance to levels nearly unheard off outside of a Kage or Sannin level ninja. Plus, it would also remove the influence of the cursed seal, meaning your disease would not come back...What say you, my friend?" Kimimaro was in shock at this information, before dropping into deep contemplation.
On the one hand, he would lose the majority of his chakra and his bloodline. On the other, he would gain elongated life, as well as have the potential power and health to get revenge against his now former master. Looking Kyuubi right in the eye, he said three words. "I'll do it."
"Excellent" replied Kyuubi, placing his hand on Kimimaro;s head, and the man found himself growing more and more tired. "When you awake you will be so much more than you are. You will be a force to be feared. You will become...Grievous." Grievous was the last word Kimimaro heard before drifting off once more. "Now then" said Kyuubi, using his claw to slice Kimimaro open. "Let's get things started, shall we?" With those last words, he got to work implanting the man's organs into the droid body.
Vader and Ahsoka lay in bed, Vader's suit laid out on a chair while his other clothes, like hers, were scattered around the room. Vader lay behind Ahsoka, his arms wrapped around the girl's stomach, with his legs wrapped around hers. Leaning in, he kissed her neck, causing her to moan.
"Mmmmm, that was amazing, my Love" she said, scooting back to snuggle into him even more.
"You know me" replied Vader. "I live to please."
"Well, you're good at what you do" replied Ahsoka, smiling a bit as Vader went back to kissing her neck, every now and then biting down a bit.
"Well, thank you" replied the Force Avatar. He chuckled a bit. He couldn't help but to laugh at the irony that having his arms and legs cut off and being burned being the best thing to ever happen in his life. Suddenly, he sensed a presence draw near. As he got up to put on clothing, there was a knock on his door. Throwing a shirt on lazily, he opened the door, finding an Anbu standing there.
"The Hokage requests your presence in his office" he said, before disappearing, his message delivered. Vader's face took on a look of irritation.
"Yeah, I bet he does" he uttered. Ahsoka stepped up behind him, her naked body pressing against his back as she wrapped her arms around him. Vader sighed. No use delaying the inevitable. "Come on" he said. "You're gonna come with to the Hokage's office. As long as I have to go, the Hokage can marry us. Unless of course you're big on ceremonies..."
"No, I think I'm good" replied Ahsoka, a small smile on her face. "Come on. The less time we spend here now, the more time we can spend here later."
"I love the way your mind works" chuckled Vader, walking into their now shared bedroom, before slipping into his suit, helmet and all, while Ahsoka pulled on her normal attire with a light brown cloak over it, pulling up her hood. Making sure they were both set, they exited the apartment. With a wave of Vader's hand, the door shut and locked itself. They casually made their way through the village, causing many to stare at their attire, but no one said anything, quickly going back to their business after the two Force users had passed. Soon, they arrived at the Hokage's tower, entering without delay or trouble. Entering the Hokage's office, Vader saw the look on Sarutobi's face. He had never seen the old man look so...well, old before.
"Vader, have a seat" said Sarutobi, taking out his pipe. "We have things to discuss."
"Perhaps things that should have been discussed some time ago" replied Vader. This was the first time Sarutobi had seen the Vader suit, and he had to admit, the eery voice and the raspy breath were certainly unnerving. The breathing could even be heard while Vader was speaking, giving a 'non-human' feel to him.
"Perhaps you are right" sighed Sarutobi, blowing the smoke from his lungs.
"I want what is mine Old Man" said Vader. "I want my inheritance. At the moment, I couldn't care less about why I was never told of my heritage, but I want what is coming to me."
"Legally, I can't do that Vader" said Sarutobi, quite adamant in his decision. "Your parents' will is binding. Not even I will refuse to disrespect the dead. It states quite clearly that you get nothing until you become sixteen, or chuunin. Not a minute before."
"So" said Vader, thoughtfully. "Than I have even more at stake in these exams than a simple promotion in rank."
"Indeed" replied Sarutobi, taking a puff from his pipe. "And if I were to guess, this is the Ahsoka girl you were attempting to bring back."
"Indeed" said Vader, mimicking the old man. "Which brings up the fact that neither you NOR Jiraiya apparently trusted me with the truth. Had you informed me beforehand of the Edo Tensei, I wouldn't have had to steal the scroll."
"Yes, which is why I've decided not to punish you for your actions, at least not in a normal sense" replied Sarutobi. "It seems you also found a way around the sacrifice required, and performed the jutsu to such a high degree that you managed to fully bring your target back to life. Such a thing would normally earn a field promotion. However, because you did in fact steal the scroll and break village laws, you will have to remain in these exams to prove yourself worthy of the new rank."
"As you wish" was Vader's reply. "Now however, there are other matters that require our attention."
"And they would be...?" asked Sarutobi, prompting Ahsoka to step forward, removing her hood, causing the old man to raise an eyebrow at her appearance.
"We want you to marry us" she said. Sarutobi recognized the tone as, while commanding, also respectful.
"Why, yes...of course I will" he said, standing. "Given the fact I thought I wouldn't live to see you get married, it would be a thrill to be the one to marry you...Naruto." Beneath the mask, a hint of a smile formed on the blonde's face at being addressed by his former name rather than his new one. Of course, he would only ever let the Old Man or Ahsoka address him by that name "If you both would stand and join hands..." They did and Vader removed his trademark mask, revealing the blonde within.
The ceremony wasn't long, nor was it profound. Something nice and quiet, just what both Vader and Ahsoka wanted. There was a few minor pieces of paperwork after it, but it didn't take long. The Hakumei clan had gained a new member. Once it was finished, Naruto had one more bit of information to tell Sarutobi.
"Now then, one last thing." Sarutobi was all ears at the blonde's words as he watched him place his helmet back on and it hissed shut, sealing itself as the raspy breath started once more. "I have recently had an attack on my life...From one of Orochimaru's subordinates." Sarutobi looked only slightly alarmed but waved him on to continue. "I am currently trying to convince him to join us, using the doubts about his master I sensed from his mind. Whether or not it works has yet to be seen, but if it does, we may be able to get all the info we need about the snake."
"Hmmm" said Sarutobi, striking a thinking pose. "And what do you think they can tell us." Suddenly, and without warning, a ruckus was heard outside the room before the doors were blown off their hinges.
"He can tell you whatever you wish" said a strange voice. It was hollow, and strangely metallic in tone, like one was talking into a tin can. Looking up, in walked a giant mechanical figure, made of shiny white metal and wore a bluish-grey cape that covered his body, which seemed hunched over slightly. Walking in, the figure, obviously Kimimaro, raised his arm to his Grievous face plate, before hacking out a few coughs. Right behind him was Kyuubi, who was looking quite smug.
"Ah, Kimimaro, you're up already" said Vader. "I trust you have an answer to whether or not your master was deceiving you."
"That fool Kimimaro no longer exists" said the cyborg. "He died today serving his master. I am Grievous, and I only serve you, Lord Vader." His last words were punctuated by a series of coughs.
"I purged his disease, but the damage to his lung was too severe to heal" said Kyuubi, as though explaining. "It would have taken more youki than his body could handle and he would have died."
Turning to Grievous, Vader said three simple words. "Tell us...everything."
Chapter End.
Ok, here's the new chapter of this story. I keep updating this in honor of Ninja Bat Master's original story, regardless of the differences. Hope you enjoy!
Peace to all my Fans
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