DING DONG, THE WITCH IS DEAD... Okay, I have nothing to talk about.
LET'S START!
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It was night in Konoha, and everyone had gone to sleep... Well, almost everyone, and one man in particular, even if he went to bed, would most likely not manage to sleep.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the man also known as the third Hokage has always been seen as a wise man. Yet, despite this renown, many stupid and cruel decisions was made. The first was that he didn't stop the second Hokage from walking to his death, the second was to let Orochimaru escape, the third was to ignore his now only loyal student, the fourth was to let the information about the Kyuubi leak out, and his latest decision led to the decimation of the Uchiha clan.
In his own mind, what he would do next would probably lead to some devastating conclusions, one way or another.
"Get me Danzo." He called to no one, yet the shadows seemed to shift ever so slightly in the room.
It didn't take long. In contrast to a certain other ninja, Danzo has always been obsessed with being on time.
"What do you want Hiruzen?" He asked in his normal narky tone, his one eye glaring daggers at the old man in front of him.
"Sit down, we have something to discuss." He said seriously, showing Danzo that right now, his petty rivalry was not to be tolerated.
He raised an eyebrow, but followed orders.
"I have nary seen you in such a mood. What is happening?" Despite his spite for the man in front of him, and his intense will to become Hokage, he could not deny that the third has lead the village to prosperity before and after the fourth.
Sarutobi leaned back in his chair while he took a drag from his pipe. He slowly blew out the smoke before setting his eyes on Danzo.
"I need information about a certain individual. I know you have someone following him inside this village, so your information is more up to date than my own. I have a feeling you know which person I am talking about."
"Hmm..." The cripple said as he closed his eye. "And what do I get in return?"
"...What about... The only evidence I have, and the only evidence that I need to prove that ROOT still exists, while at the same time able to pin you as the main factor of its resurrection."
"...Agreeable."
Both men reached into their robes, and despite the fact that there was no pockets in there, they both took out a envelope filled with papers.
"It seems like you finally caught on when it comes to his recent... changes, I bet we can call it that."
The third sat back in his chair with a sigh as he opened the envelope, looking at the bunch of papers inside. The picture of the hooded blonde made a frown enter his face.
"Danzo... In the forest, after Naruto had stolen the scroll and before Iruka found him, do you know what happened?"
The bandaged man paused for a moment before shaking his head.
"The boy has always been excellent when it comes to stealth and evasion. My man did not know his location during the theft, nor after it. For once, I am just as lost as you."
"... Danzo... Do you think that I ever have to issue THAT order?"
"... It's strange. Before, when he was weak and useless I would most likely have said no. He might have been useless, but he was still loyal. NOW on the other hand... To be honest, I cannot give you an answer yet. He seems to have somehow annoyed his team-mates, yet he is still fond of his sensei. A brotherly relationship between a student and a sensei often determines if one are loyal or not... That is, of course, if you aren't using my way." He ended with a smirk.
"I denied you back then, and I deny you now... Danzo, if you keep me informed of everything Naruto does, then I will consider sending missions to you and ROOT."
Sarutobi could see his old rival and friend consider this. That Danzo even had to think about it told him just how much his spy was worth to him.
"... It is a deal, but we shall discuss the amount and what missions tomorrow. If I may take my leave?" He asked, rising from his chair after the nod from his leader.
"Danzo." He stopped at the door.
"... If it comes down to it, you and Tenzo will be the ones to stop Naruto."
"Why me?"
"Please, do you really think that I do not know about your little transplants? Now leave, I have to finish up here."
Shocked out of his mind, Danzo just gave a curt nod before he walked out.
'How did he know?'
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"What's this?"
Another month had passed. As the summer slowly made way for autumn, the weather became colder as the leaves on the trees turned yellow. Still, since it was in Fire-country, the temperature was still quite hot, the only major difference being the somewhat shorter days.
All the teams that had initially passed their Jounin's test, Team 7, Team 8 and Team 10 that is, had all matured a bit, though it seemed like Team 7 had matured the most.
At the start of the second week of the last month, Team 7 had been on their first C-rank mission, something that the resident Uchiha had anticipating. They were also the team that latest got a C-rank, so it was somewhat understandable that Sasuke thought they were cuddling him since he is 'The last Uchiha', which, in retrospect, actually held back the entire team.
It was a bit unclear what had happened during that mission, but apparently the client had lied, and it was quickly surmised that it was a B-rank, if not a low A-rank mission, befitting a jounin leading a squad of Chuunins.
They had met a man named Momochi Zabuza, a man who apparently was bordering on being a S-rank ninja. He was known as 'The demon of the hidden mist' thanks to a story about him butchering the entire graduation class. The later coup d'etat against the third Mizukage certainly didn't help his reputation.
According to Chouji, Sasuke had meet Zabuza's apprentice, a young androgynous girl named Haku. For some reason, Sasuke took her death pretty hard, for once brooding not like an angsty wannabe-murderer, but like a normal, heart-broken teenager would.
For some reason, after Sakura saw how Sasuke acted towards Haku's death, she had become really quiet, eerily so. Chouji had tried to get Ino to talk to her since, after all, despite their rivalry they are friends. It was no luck though. The pink-haired genin had apparently just ignored her blonde friend
"What? You lost the ability to read Naruto?"
The aforementioned boy couldn't help but smirk at his teacher.
"Wouldn't be much difference now, would it?" Shino asked, gaining a chorus of laughter from his team-mates.
"Chuunin-exams... What a drag. What do you guys say? Wanna flaunt what we can?" Shikamaru asked as he laid on the grass on their training ground.
"That depends. Will you be able to stay awake?"
"Hmm, possibly. Just give me some chocolate and we are set."
Iruka couldn't help but smile. Despite their somewhat rocky start, his pupils seemed to get along greatly. It's strange, but it seemed like almost overnight the team changed. Shikamaru actually looked relaxed for the first time since the team was established. Shino seemed less prone of scowling, (Despite the fact that catching him scowling is kinda hard with his collar) And Naruto, despite the fact that he still hid under his hood seemed less cold.
Here Iruka's smile slipped a little. While he might be less cold, he was still nothing like how he was in the academy. Iruka had finally begun to realize that the bounding ball of eternal energy and happiness was gone, but then again, this Naruto wasn't so bad now, right? Right?
He didn't want to answer that question.
"Oy Iruka, you alright?" Naruto asked, waving his hand in front of his Sensei.
"Huh? Oh yeah, sorry. I was just gone in my own mind for a moment." He said, sheepishly rubbing his neck as he smiled.
"Oh... Well, we're entering the exams. You have any idea what they're about?"
"Now now, I can't make it easy on you guys by telling you what it's about now, can I? If you want to know, then you have to find out on your own. Anyway, that is really all I had for you today, so I will just give this to the Hokage. See ya later." And with a quick wave, he poof'd away.
"Troublesome. You have any idea how we can get any info on the exams? I just know that my old man won't tell us anything. Gai might, but I doubt it." He said as he rose from his position on the grass.
"I know where to get the info, but god, do I have to do some ass-kissing." Naruto said as he massaged his face which held an annoyed expression.
"You guys just wait here, I'll go and be a 'nice and wonderful' brat." He said as he ran towards the Hokage's office.
It didn't take long before he got there. He saw Iruka walk away from the academy while talking to a black-haired woman which seemed to be dressed in somewhat glorified toilet paper.
"Man, and people say I had bad taste in clothes." He muttered as he walked along the corridors.
He stood in front of the door, and after a resigned sigh, he knocked on the door.
'Well, people say I'm a good actor. Let's see how good I really am.' He thought, lowering his hood as he entered the office.
"Ohh, Naruto... Hello." The Hokage said as he looked at the blonde boy.
"Hey..." The silence between them was probably the most awkward moment Naruto had ever had, if only because he was annoyed he had to do this.
"Look old man, I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said, I was just pissed about everything that was going on at the time. I-" The old man raised his hand, signaling that he wanted the boy to be quiet.
"It's okay Naruto. I think that out of everyone, you probably have the biggest right to be angry. Now, was there anything you wanted? You usually doesn't come here for nothing after all."
"Hehe, yeah, there was actually something I was wondering. Do you know what will happen during the Chuunin-exams?"
'Why am I not surprised... I think that, this time, I will play along.'
"There are three parts. A written test, a loyality test, and a physical 1v1 test. I will only say that the first test is about determination, the second is about following orders, and it should be pretty obvious what the third is about."
Naruto smiled, yet felt somewhat disgusted inside.
"Thanks old man, gotta go now."
As the boy opened the door again, the old man noticed something.
"Naruto... Have you been out in the sun enough?"
The boy turned around with a sheepish grin.
"No, not really. I'll try and be out more, but I gotta go now, so bye." And with that, the boy was gone.
'Strange... I feel like I have been tricked, but he looked so sincere... I'm getting to old for this shit.'
Just outside the academy waited his two team-mates.
"So, found out anything?" Shikamaru asked, sitting on a bench while staring lazily at some clouds.
"Yeah, the first test is a written test about determination. Dunno what that mean. The second test is about following orders, and the third is fighting, that's really what I got out of it."
Shikamaru sighed while muttering a low "Troublesome." While Shino simply nodded while listening to one of his bugs.
"Did you actually mean what you said?" The bespectacled boy asked.
"After what he said? Like hell I meant what I said! Right now he can rot for all I care." Naruto said, some of his old coldness seeping through.
"As expected." Shino said, fiddling with his glasses.
"Let's meet at the training ground In an hour, we probably need the last-minute practice. It's only a week until the exams after all." Shikamaru said as he drudged his way towards his house.
"Yeah, probably the smartest." Naruto said as Shino, once again, only gave a nod.
Training was always good, especially now.
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"Master... There's something here." The massive fox, formerly known as Kyuubi said.
One would believe that such an enormous creature easily could dispatch all his enemies with just a lazy swipe of his tail, and that is usually the case... This man though, this... Monster in human form...
Kyuubi once went under the name Balrog, and was under the servitude of an evil lord, a man whose power was unmatched, even by the Kyuubi. His form was different at the time, looking somewhat like a demented fire-monster from the pits of hell, not the almost-cuddle worthy, but still extremely dangerous fox he is now.
He was beaten though. Despite his terrifying visage and powerful attacks, he was killed by a man... No, a deity. The being was unnatural, above even life and death. He saw it, the transformation the 'Man' went through. If Kyuubi didn't know better at the time, he would almost think the man was a lich, a being above life and death, whose only method of dispatching would have been to be sealed away in a tomb, forever rooting as it's power was slowly drained.
But no, he was no lich. He was, in fact, almost an angel, which meant that he was just as boring as one.
But Kyuubi, just like the Grey-turned-white robed man didn't die. Sure, his physical body was destroyed, but how can one kill what is made of pure energy? His essence drifted away to limbo, where it stayed until he was forced out, combining together with eight other beings into a monster with the potential to destroy the world. They were sealed away, and later separated into nine being once more.
He had the same form then as he had now, the only difference being the size and age. He meet there a man who he could honestly say that he loved with all his technically unnecessary heart...
But that was in the past, an age long forgotten in the sands of time. Now he was sealed away inside a twat who actually somewhat reminded him of his once loved master... But then 'he' came...
There's a reason Naruto never had any problems with Kyuubi, and that is because of the simple fact that... Naruto reminded Kyuubi of the man he loved... he just couldn't bear to do anything against him.
Nostalgia is a strong emotion.
But this man... This corrupted, evil man is changing everything about the boy, and there is nothing he could do to stop this inhuman being.
"Show yourself impudent being." The Witch-king said, rising from the throne of fur, one of Kyuubi's cut-off tails.
He got his wish.
Slowly, tendrils made from the darkest shadow extended from the walls, ceiling and floor, slithering from the darkness of the sewers that was Naruto's mind.
"Such evil power, yet it feels... How is this power evil, yet not corrupted?" The former king of Angmar asked himself, drawing the sword that Naruto managed to break.
A moment of silence ensued as the tendrils enveloped the room, then a beastly roar rang through the room. A moment later, a great-sword was imbedded through Kyuubi's tail at the exact location Angmar stood just a moment earlier.
"You." He said as he watched the sword disappear in a void, being followed by the scraping of metal along the floor.
"Abysswalker..."
As he walked through the bars of the Kyuubi's cell, a familiar sight entered the massive space.
"Angmar... How long has it been... About 4000 years?" A raspy voice said, emitting from under the tall, armored man's helmet.
"If I give or take a century I guess I'll be correct... It seems like I'm not the only one who has dabbled in black sorceries, or what do you say brother?"
Summoning his flail, he took a pose that only one person had ever broken through.
"You should have stayed in that undead realm weakling. I've slayed you before, and I can easily slay you again Artorias."
"Possibly, but then again, who is to say I went all-out against you last time? And do not think I am unknowing about that little spell of yours. I'm nothing more than an empty shell anyway, so technically I am no man anymore."
Unknowing to Angmar, who had his back turned to the cage, was Kyuubi who was right behind the bars, staring at his so-called master hatefully. Slowly, while the two brothers continued to irk at each others nerves he raised one of his hand-like paws, and faster than even Artorias could see he smashed the Witch-king with all his strength, feeling the burning of the sword that pierced his hand.
"Wretched being. You're just a human toying with power you can not comprehend. While you have the power to easily destroy me, it doesn't change the fact that your body is that of a human. In other words, you are frail." The massive fox couldn't help the smirk that formed on his face as he felt the man writhe under his paw.
"Well that was... Anticlimactic."
"What? You expect an epic fight every time something happens? He was stupid, let down his guard around me so he got what he deserved... I will not let this man corrupt this boy anymore." The massive entity mumbled as a quick glint of light emanated from under his paw, the writhing hand that belonged to the evil person jerked for a moment before turning to ashes.
"What are you planning now Abysswalker? What has that snake told you which made you appear here? This is simply too convenient." The fox said, fusing his cut-off tail back onto his body.
"I simply came here by my own violation. I sensed my brother in the boy, and I took the chance too end his life... But knowing my brother, he is still alive."
"That's well and fine, but you didn't answer my questions."
"And so it shall remain. So long Balrog, may we meet again in Limbo."
As the void opened under him, the tendrils that covered the room entered it along with the man. A moment later, one of Kyuubi's tails smashed the area, but nary a moment too late as the man had already closed the hole, leaving but a watery floor.
"What does he know? What is he not telling me? What has that big-toothed serpent predicted?"
Kyuubi laid down on the watery floor. He felt drained, the wretched man feeding on his powers. For some reason, the sight of the abysswalker made his power over Kyuubi slip. He was silently thankful over the fact that despite his powers, his body was still human, and a human form the olden age for that sake. The old fox couldn't help but snicker at the fact that even the children of this age was stronger than a lot of adults back then. While it's mostly just the ninja-children who are stronger, they are still children, and he would love to see that old deity that had slain him fight against one of the children from this age.
"Hmm, I wonder what happened to that man. Rumors in Limbo said something about him traveling to a foreign country together with the elves and that hobbit who had the... ring."
His eyes widened exponentially as a memory resurfaced. He had seen that ring in recent memory. In fact, he saw the ring barely a month ago.
Why didn't he see what ring that was?
"Abysswalker... You... You vile creature."
An anger he hadn't felt in almost a century bubbled inside of him. A hate even stronger than what he held against Angmar, a hate stronger than even the wretched Uchiha managed to bring forth.
"This was your plan all along wasn't it you slippery snake? Wasn't it you big-toothed worm. I won't let you, I WILL NOT LET YOU REINCARNATE THE DARK LORD! YOU SHALL NOT CORRUPT MY MASTERS SPAWN, YOU HEAR ME! I WILL RATHER DESTROY HIM THAN LET HIM TURN EVIL!"
Forgetting the seal that trapped him, he released the hold on his powers. A literal wave of impure energy spewed forth from the gigantic creature, an energy so filled with hate that It would decimate an entire city in a moments notice.
That is when the seal acted. Chains spewed out from the ground and bound him while gigantic arcs of wood feel from the ceiling, trapping him as his entire body was bound to the floor, several arcs locking up his arms, legs, and all his tails, while another arc secured his head.
A short silence ensued after this, and the a roar of not just hatred, but of pure anguish and despair came from his mouth.
He had failed his master. He had failed his spawn.
He failed the only being he had ever loved.
"Please someone, anyone, bring the boy to me. Kami, yami and everyone else, I beg of you... Please, don't corrupt the boy..."
"Please..."