TALKING: "example"
THINKING: example
BIJU TALK:example
JUTSU: example
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or bleach or anything affiliated with the two. This fan fiction cannot be Rewritten, Redistributed, or used in any other fashion without the express written consent of Prodigy282.

KONOHA'S MAELSTROM

Chapter 9 Second Wind

Three minutes ...

In Three minutes Hashirama will have been rejuvenated.

In Three minutes all hope would be lost.

In Three minutes Orochimaru will have won.

Naruto watched analytically as Orochimaru and the Nindaime regrouped leaping ten meters away. Retreating from him, now ever so eager to gain distance but to what end? Instead of seizing the initiative, launching themselves in coordinate attack patterns pressing their advantage there by keeping the momentum and pressure on him. They held back and seemed content in staying their ground.

Naruto watched them dubiously impatient anxiously, the sweat on the back of his neck melted down his spine, he licked his cracked lips steadying his gaze, forcing his mind to stay focused and disciplined struggling valiantly to stave off the immense exhaustion he felt but he trudged on.

For what purpose could they have in delaying their attack? What could they hope to achieve from this ?

Naruto thought furiously until realization struck him like a brick to the face. He had an epiphany, he ascertained there hidden motives. It dawned on him.

They planned to detain him long enough for Hashirama to be revived, and use their superior numbers and manpower to crush him in his greatly dilapidated state.

The Cowards hissed ,roared Naruto in his mind, frustration panic doubt and desperation finally starting to creep in, rearing it's ugly head.

Naruto gripped his blade and staggered slightly before dashing towards his foe with breath taking speed Hyorinmaru poised for battle.

What else could he do ?

Orochimaru watched with a sly condescending grin, as Naruto recklessly abandoned all form of defense for an all out assault.

It was a desperate gambit to be sure, in which both parties were fully cognizant.

Orochimaru released an amused chuckle before waving his hand in the come and get it gesture, indulging Naruto as he struck out in response with Kusanagi, the blades met with a loud clatter.

Naruto parried Orochimaru's blade. And then stabbed his blade into the ground and ripped it out leveling a clump of dirt off the ground into Orochimaru's face temporarily blinding him.

Orochimaru hissed in irritation blindly swiping with his blade in a feeble attempt to defend himself.

Naruto expertly maneuvered around each sword thrust in a beautiful display of dexterity and agility, he slipped beneath Orochimaru's guard and swiped his blade upwards leaving him momentarily vulnerable and undefended. Naruto evened his blade so it was horizontal with his shoulder shifting into the Ura gasumi stance before striking out in the o gasumi stance.

Only to met by the timely interference of the Nindaime who barely in the nick of time blocked Naruto's sword saving Orochimaru. Struggling under the pressure and strain of Naruto's thrust. He gracefully, skillfully slid his blade to the side expertly allowing Naruto's blade to sail harmlessly away.

Naruto hissed angrily and violently lunged forward, the Nindaime responded in kind with a controlled precise strike unhindered by emotions. Dashing forward with an overhead strike in which Naruto sidestepped and launched his knee into the sternum of the Nindaime, forcing the nindaime to gasp in pain and bend over, in which Naruto followed up with a spin snap kick to the head completely leveling the Nindaime to the other side of the arena.

He could feel the blood rushing pumping through his veins, the adrenaline was surging through Naruto's systems like some sort of endorphin rush. Allowing him to forget the pain and tiredness he felt.

Naruto then stabbed his blade to ground and clasped his hand in prayer. Eyes closed as he flashed through three hand signs.

Tiger

Ram

Snake

Wood Release Secret Technique: Nativity of a World of Trees!

Eyes snapped open as he roared his jutsu. A massive tree root emerged just beneath Naruto lifting him twenty feet into air. On every surface be it rock, water, dirt, trees instantaneously emerged with staggering quickness and the trees did not stop there. The wood tendrils branched out and lashed out at both Orochimaru and the Nidaime.

The Nindaime paused during the altercation, he was mesmerized he stood rooted in surprise. He was jolted out of his reminiscing and managed to avoid a volume of wooden tendril in one great leap.

Orochimaru jumped back attempting stay away from the forest entirely and keep Naruto in his sight which was proving very difficult, there was no end to the trees which constantly whipped out at him, they seemed to possess a mind of there own similar to that of Gaara boys sand. With his inhuman flexibility he slithered around each tree.

He eyed the Nindaime struggling, he was being constricted, tree vines and roots were binding him to the ground in an attempt to seal him.

Realizing the danger Orochimaru dashed for the Second attempting to provide assistance but was cut off by massive trees blooming before him blocking his path encircling him.

Divide and conquer Eh? Mused Orochimaru snidely.

He possesses the Mokuton ability? Orochimaru dreaded in surprise he was far to worried to be thrilled at the sudden revelation.

Why is it only now he's decides to utilize the Mokuton ability? Orochimaru pondered irritably and with great worry of the fearsome ability.

Ah I see now, he would have had to battle the first Hokage beforehand in a duel of Mokuton. Only a fool would dare challenge the first, even more so challenging the 'kami no shinobi" in the art he was most renowned for would be audacious more so ridiculous. But now with the first currently indisposed of he is free to utilize more of his destructive abilities without the threat and fear of the First neutralizing his attacks, this is a troublesome new development.

Orochimaru eyes widen as Naruto slithered from a wooden branch blitzing at him with immense speed

Crack

Naruto grinned savagely as he felt Orochimaru gasp in pain and felt the air literally rushing out of his lungs as he viciously kneed him in the gut.

"Taijutsu was never my forte, but now... I'm beginning to see the appeal."

Naruto grinned sadistically stalking over Orochimaru in sadistic glee.

He's gotten stronger, sharper, faster deduced Orochimaru worriedly just when he thought he had the boy on the ropes , he pulls out the Mokuton ability he just couldn't catch a break.

No, that's not it he is able to focus more with his attention no longer divided, and no longer focused on protecting the kazekage's child, he is able to utilize his abilities without restraint.

Orochimaru hissed in irritation. The Mokuton ability acts a shield, as well a a spear instinctively striking out his enemies as well as protecting the boy, such a fearsome ability.

Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!

Water and chakra was absorbed from trees themselves, powering the shark until it resemble the size of bijuu punching a hole through the now brittle and weak forest freeing Orochimaru.

"Nani!?" uttered Naruto in surprise.

Naruto looked on in stun disbelief.

His mastery of water ninjutsu was so great he was capable of overriding and overpowering my Mokuton Jutsu with such ease.

As if sensing Naruto's distress and apprehension the wood tentacles halted dead in there tracks.

Orochimaru grinned in delight at the Second's creative response.

It's only to natural for the Second to have developed a defensive countermeasure after experiencing the Mokuton ability from it progenitor Firsthand. (Appreciate the wit)

Bringer of Darkness the Nindaime continued softly.

Naruto staggered back in surprise as if he were punched. He began waving his hand frantically his vision completely blackened relying on his other four senses, desperately trying to grasp onto something.

Orochimaru seized his opportunity, blinded by the Nidaime's genjutsu Naruto was temporarily vulnerable. Evading the tree roots, branches and other appendages that lashed out at him attempting to protect Naruto on their own accord, he slithered around maneuvering each of them as if he were on a practice obstacle course for ninja warrior and he was a five time winner.

He stabbed kusanagi under Naruto's collar bone pinning him to ground.

Pain

A hottish white pain exploded from Orochimaru's abdomen he gritted his teeth in pain and shot Naruto a suspicious glance, who remained pinned to the ground eyes staring unfocused back at him. However "Naruto's" face now suspiciously resembled the Nidaime's and a massive tree branch was now protruding from Orochimaru's gut lifting him up off his feet into the air.

Naruto eyed the both of them from his perched branch with a predatory gaze.

"To use genjutsu on me of all people, foolish " He added with a mocking laughter.

Blazing through a set of seals he roared

Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique

Spiting a gargantuan wave of lava from his mouth melting everything in its path, setting ablaze to trees in front of Naruto burning them to a crisp, leaving a smoldering ember of ashes in its wake.

Naruto ducked under the Nidaime's sword strike not entirely surprised that he somehow escaped his attack from point black range with all his escape routes blocked.

He did not understand how he managed but that was was no longer a concern.

The Nindaime lashed forward with a right to left sword strike. Naruto took one step back allowing the blade to sail innocuously but the Nindaime stopped mid swing and jutted forward. Naruto retorted with Hyronamui and batted the Nindaime aside.

However the Nindaime was as resilient as he was persistent.

With every encounter there blades met, Naruto could feel the rising heat flowing through his blade singeing his hand.

Swing

Swing

Parry

Duck

Riposte

Pivote

Fleche

Evade

Thrust

Side step the feverish deadly dance began increasing like an allegro in Opera quickly reaching the climax and zenith.

They battled furiously as if only they existed switching gracefully from stance to stance attempting to procure just the slightest of advantage, trying to cause their opponent to make the slightest of inaccuracies to exploit. But neither battle hardened shinobi gave a inch.

A whitish transparent haze fogged the arena as both the Nindaime and Naruto steadied their gaze and settled into a loose stance. Orochimaru understanding instinctively to not interfere and to bide his time.

The haze rushed up forward around Naruto as he deepened his concentration.

The Nindaime took off like a rocket blasting off the ground approaching Naruto.

Sword clasped firmly but loosely with both hands, Naruto stood centered his sword pointed and leveled straight in front of him in the traditional Seigan no kaame stance. He took one deep calming breath hardening, focusing his gaze. He titled his blade to the side and slightly behind his body transferring to the customary Sha no kaame stance his lead leg shifted deeper into the ground, lowering his stance and readying himself as he patiently observed the Second close the distance quickly between the two.

For a split moment the world was silent, everything was so loud that for the briefest of moments there was a deafening silence gone was the noise of the bystander the weight of every single shinobi and civilian. The drumming and harrumphing of crowd was silenced. He was one with his blade and everything else was irrelevant.

Naruto's eyes were trained like lasers on the Second, silently assessing the distance his back heel digging ever so slightly into the dirt, his lead leg bent slightly into a crouched pose, leaning forward not too much to upset his balance but preparing for a quick maneuver.

He watched as the Second rapidly closed the distance shooting at him like a bullet.

If he had so much as blinked he would have been killed.

He diligently ordered and demanded himself to maintain patience, keep a calm mind and wait for the right moment, one false step would prove disastrous if not fatal.

The Nindaime was at most a few feet way before his blade lashed out in front of his body. Naruto shifted his weight down.

Now

Exploding off the ground in a split second the distance was instantaneously evaporated. They both lashed out with their blade. Their momentum was so great it carried them both a full 3 meter away before they skidded to halt, neither party looked back towards the other both silently awaiting for the conclusion.

Naruto gasped head tilted back as air rushed out of his lungs he wobbled uncontrollably forward, unsteadily staggering dropping to one knee his katana bracing his fall. His hair swung forward cascading over his face clouding his feature.

The Nindaime turned towards Naruto, Raj No Ken grasped deadly in his hold as he shifted his weight preparing for an additional attack. He raised it over his head only to be cut short when his left leg from the torso down fell limply to the floor, his right arm was next to follow and finally his head fell lifelessly to the floor.

And then the most peculiar thing happened.

The swords harmonized Naruto could feel the heat radiating off his blade. He watched transfixed as his blade broke free from his grasp and levitated to the raijin no ken .Raijin no ken reciprocated in kind the two blades spun together until they exploded in a blinding white light. Naruto shielded his eyes from the sheer intensity of the incandescent light.

He peeked through his lids to assess his surrounding as well as attempting to catch a glimpse at the bewildering turn of events. He watched as the new blade dropped from the air and stab straight to the ground. The katana was an immaculate work of art. The blade glistened with an otherworldly light . It sheened with such beauty and perfection, the sun's glare bouncing off the immaculate katana as if it were displaying, unveiling a new model walking down a runway.

The blade was covered in a beam of whitish blue lightning spasming uncontrollably from the blade in all directions indiscriminately. The blade itself was magnificent ivory color that seemed to be crafted by the finest metal mankind had to offer. The hilt was a white hilt that had four red diamond trailing along it's spine with a small silver chain resembling a dragon wrapped loosely around the hilt.

Arashi Naruto thought enraptured, bewitched, beguiled by this magnificent blade. This was his blade and it deserved a name to match its unmatched beauty.

Before anyone could gain their bearings Naruto disappeared with impressive speed appearing five meters away, before dashing madly towards Arashi and attempting to pull out the blade only to be blasted away. The blade unleashed a massive ungodly electrical shock upon contact. Naruto landed with a hard thud smoke rising from his burned hand as he grunted and slowly arose to his feet gingerly.

Naruto sighed tiredly and unsurely, he wasn't sure before he could even utilize bankai in his current dilapidated state but now, Bankai was totally out of the question . Hyorinmaru no longer existed he was different he managed to evolve somehow or mutated, eyeing his burned hand when "Arashi ' rejected him. Naruto reasoned he would need time to bond with this new sword of his or to claim it as his own, should he survive this entire ordeal.

Naruto stood up, head facing the sky while his eyes solely locked on one Orochimaru a malicious cruel twisted smirk adorned his features.

"Looks like it just me and you, come now don't be shy." Naruto spoke with a false childhood innocence and mischievousness, contrasting his sinister malicious saccharine smile .

"Don't get cocky with me boy! You're without a blade and a leg to sssssstand on!"

If you want something done right...

You must get your hands dirty

Orochimaru thought resolutely.

Gripping his blade tightly he wouldn't recklessly charge in, the boy was dangerous that much was made abundantly clear, he would have to be careful and meticulous to achieve victory, now wasn't the time for egos and male pride or bravado but logical strategic planning.

Orochimaru intertwined his slender pale fingers into the ram seal

Should I even hope for a chance at victory, I will need the power of the second Orochimaru silently conceded glancing at his slowly regenerating form from Naruto's previous attack. Orochimaru clicked his teeth in annoyance clearly battling internally with a decision.

Giving the second a hundred percent of his abilities could prove disastrous, To keep the second under control at 100 percent will be tricky and dangerous should I even be capable of reigning in his immense power, paling slightly at just recalling that monstrous chakra of his.

I'll have to risk it Orochimaru conceded once more.

To be pressssssssssssed thissssssssss far by a mere child, prepossterousssss. Ah but you are indeed worth it child.

Naruto eyes widen in shock as a fully revived Nidaime arose off the ground perfectly healed in the span of a second and shot at him like a bullet. Rocketing, blasting off the ground, completely leveling the ground rendering it a small crater. It looked like a nasa rocket literally shot off the ground as the Nindaime broke the sound barrier zooming straight for Naruto.

How is this possible? How could he have revived so quickly? What has Orochimaru done?

Naruto desperately attempted to decipher the mystery of the Second's speedy recovery and boost in power, but could only watch in horror as the Nindaime surged at him with such immense speed breaking him out of his musings.

Naruto shifted his stance and countered with a textbook straight punch only to have his eyes nearly bulge out his head when the 2nd disappeared just as his punch was about to connect to the bridge of his nose and suddenly he reappeared behind Naruto.

So fast Naruto whispered in surprise awe and amazement.

It appearsss the Ssssecond wasssss not touted asssss the fastesssst sssshinobi without merit Orochimaru grinned in delight.

Shinra tensei roared Naruto blasting the Second away. The Second just managed to through a a lone Kunai while he sailed away just nicking Naruto's cheek.

Naruto froze when the Second disappeared once more.

He'sss gotten much faster, it's likes he's a different person.

Naruto thought desperately

How is this happening, what the hell is going on? The desperation and pressure caused Naruto to panic, addling his thinking with irrational nebulous thoughts .

Naruto realized with staggering quickness in a moment of sharp clarity and lucidity.

I see in order to combat the Mokuton ability, he was forced to concede free reign to the Second.

Knowing this Naruto attempted a desperate plea.

"Lord second, If you can hear me, I implore you to cease at once. Orochimaru is an enemy of Konoha a traitor! Are most notorious heinous villainous traitor. His treachery and duplicity are unmatched, he goes against the very embodiment of Konoha. Everything you stand for, your teachings, the will of fire, he spits on, desecrates and tarnishes, he is the scourge of the earth. He must be eradicated!" Beseeched, pleaded Naruto. The time for pride and ego had long since passed, Naruto was just desperate to survive.

The Second froze halting his aggressive movements at Naruto and locked gazes with Orochimaru.

Orochimaru slightly retreated one step back. This was a calculated risk that was back firing. His eyes showed fear and doubt as sweat trickled down his eyebrows beading down his face before falling of the base of his chin onto the floor.

The Second held the gaze for a second longer before in a blinding speed dashing towards Naruto eclipsing the distance almost instantaneously.

Orochimaru threw his head back and roared with a rancorous laughter holding his sides as his body shook. Relief and joy effervescing out of his body.

"Now, Now Naruto have you stooped ssssso low assss to resssort to begging for asssssssistance. For ssssssshame, how the mighty have fallen."

The Second disappeared in a burst of speed. Naruto's rinnegans were just barely able to track the movements of the Second, he reasoned to compensate for his lack of speed, he would have to anticipate and predict the Second movements and predetermined his own attacks.

Naruto launched several Kunai at the racing Nidaime, attempting to slow down and alter the Second's movements.

The Nindaime disappeared again but Naruto was already spinning in a kicking motion as the Nindaime appeared right behind Naruto. But Naruto was prepared he kicked the Second's offending hand that was wielding the Kunai up. The Nidaime in response allowed the Kunai to fall harmlessly from his hand so that it was sailing at Naruto's face.

Naruto in response shifted, cocking his head to the side moving out of the trajectory of the Kunai.

The Nindaime disappeared only to once more reappear right by Naruto's face, kunai clutched already in his grasp mid strike descending at Naruto's exposed neck.

The Hiraishin Naruto wondered in amazement and fear.

Susanoo intoned Naruto softly the skeletal ribcage protectively hugged Naruto.

The Second's kunai snapped in half upon connecting with Susanoo.

The Second wasted no time leaping away gaining distance and then weaved furious between seals.

Water Release: Water Colliding Wave

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet

Water Release: Water Severing Wave

Wind Release: Great breakthrough

Lighting Release: Electromagnetic Murder

Each jutsu was woven in perfect continuation

Naruto looks on in unfiltered shock eyes bulging out of their sockets.

He single handily weaved and synchronized 5 jutsu in succession with different and contrasting elements

but

that's

that's

that's

Im-

that's

Impossible

That's just not possible! denying what his eyes knew to be true but his brain could not fathom.

"No matter all ninjutsu is rendered useless before these blessed eyes!" roared Naruto.

Preta path

A whittish orb ensnared Naruto absorbing each jutsu with great ease. Naruto grinned at the boon of chakra, a tactical mistake that was quickly exploited.

Naruto grinned in delight with this new influx of chakra he could stay protected with susanoo, and unlike the First the Second lacked the needed superhuman strength required to break his susanoo with brute strength.

The Nindaime was instructed to avoid such jutsu. Is this perhaps a side effect from granting the Nindaime 100 percent control of his abilities. I have full faith the Nidaime will adapt around our little Hokage's troublesome abilities this is of no concern. However if he has already disobeyed my order regardless how trivial, it poses the question. How much control over the Nindaime do I still possess?

The Nindaime froze in surprise but quickly regained his bearings.

He unsheathed a new kunai, Naruto rose an elegant eyebrow as if to say what harm could that possibly do?

The Nindaime fished several more kunai and began to barrage a hailstorm of kunai at Naruto's Susanoo ranginging in the hundreds, each brandishing an explosive tag.

Naruto's eyes widen at sheer volume of kunai, To be brought down by such a basic attack, how poetic Naruto wistfully thought.

Kabooom!

A thick cloud eclipsed the arena, shrapnel of broken kunai littered the floor.

Wasting no time at all, Naruto erupted through the fog like a bat out of hell beelining straight for the Second.

The Second dashed forward with greater speed meeting Naruto first,

Naruto threw a straight hand punch which the Second blocked, immediately broke through guard sliding his lead leg behind Naruto's back leg and hooked up while pushing forward causing Naruto to lose his balance and fall backwards all the while the Second already finished an array of hand seals to quick for Naruto to decipher or absorb .

Water style: Water Pistol

True to it's name the Second proceeded to spit water bullets rapidly, riddling Naruto's body with water pellets as if he were a turret gun.

Poof

"Shadow clone ?" Muttered the Second in genuine surprise at the audacious brazen pup.

Naruto bursted out of the ground right beneath the Second's feet a fully rasengan formed and outstretched.

Rasengan!

Roared Naruto plunging the condensed orb into the exposed gut of second Hokage. The rasengan grinded and shredded the Second's armor and skin and continued to digging into the Second's gut, enveloping the Second in an orb of blue chakra sending him spiraling away.

A sneak attack? mused Orochimaru silently.

Watching unflinchingly as the Second spun right past him bouncing off the floor as if were a pebble in a skipping rock contest.

Mhmm Orochimaru pondered silently

Hissssss battle sssssssssssstyle has altered greatly. He'sssssss now reducccccced to relying on sssssneak attackssssss insssssstead of hissssss cusssssssstomary sssssstraight forward overpowering, overwhelming attackss.

Orochimaru continued to silently dissect Naruto's rapid change in style completely unfazed with the Second's defeat.

He's getting desperate Orochimaru analyzed he continued thinking.

The boy isss proud assss he isssssss talented he'd much rather completely out right desssstroy and outclasssssss hissssssss opponent in a dazzling dissssplay of overwhelming sssskill and prowesssss psychologically crippling them with his ssssheer ability, by ssssimply overpowering them in every facet in that of a ssshinobi. For him to rely on trickery, and underhanded tacticsssss one would believe such meanssss were beneath him.

Although in fairnesssssss one could alsssssso conssssider that he is merely adapting to such a precarioussss circumsssstancesss. But perhaps more importantly, it could alssso be conssssidered an act of desssperation asss well ass perhaps an acknowledgement and admittance of the Second's superior skill.

Orochimaru mulled over, watching as Naruto took a moment to gain a breather, eyeing his heated pants of air. He resembled a majestic lion after he had just dueled and successfully stopped a takeover only to be left battered and bruised licking his wounds.

Mhmm Orochimaru patiently observed his prey watching everything nothing escaped his gaze. The irregular rising and fall of his chest, the nostril flare, the intensity of his eyes he noticed it all. He could just almost hear Naruto's heart pumping

bum

bum

bum

bum

uncontrollably erratically in his chest physically being exerted past their limit.

It was a testament to the boys will and determination, to constantly and valiantly rise like maya angelou he was determined if nothing else.

Orochimaru didn't even bat an eyelash as the Second bolted upright of the ground flying in a crouch position landing in a thud right next to Orochimaru kicking up dirt in doing so. He waited patiently silently conveying he was awaiting for additional orders.

Orochimaru expertly launched forward in a fencing thrust, shoulders evened and balanced his lead leg launching in a straight jab Kusanagi extended ten meters in the blink of an eye covering the distance. Naruto from his peripheral caught sight of movement his eyes widening briefly in shock, he just managed barely to contort his body around the blade and minimized the damage to only receive a small shallow cut that just grazed his torso. He held his side gingerly nursing the wound.

He's gotten sloppy Orochimaru analyzed, taking notice of Naruto's labored breathing and sluggish movement his once crisp, refined, elegant, movements lacked their normal grace, fluidity and snap. His picture perfect and textbook strikes now looked unrefined and miscalculated.

He'sssss tired, heeheeheee... as the adage statessssss there's no ressssssst for the weary.

Orochimaru concluded and giggled eyes lit up like a kid in a candy factory, with a savage grin adorning his feature he processed the information, he was a snake poised coiled around his prey, he was ready to pounce, but like a good predator he smelled his prey. He licked the air by flicking his tongue in a snake like hissing manner, basking in the miscellaneous scents, absorbing Naruto's emotions ranging from anxiety, fierce determination, to begrudging perhaps acceptance as well as defiance, and unyielding rage.

Orochimaru eyes took on an odd red tint, he smelled blood licking his lips, slowly, methodically his blade scratching across the ground as he strolled towards Naruto. He enjoyed it all, soaking in and absorbing and basking in the moment taking in the ambiance of this moment the glare of the sun the cool breeze, the chirping of the birds, the roaring and anxiety of the crowd, everything was filed away to memory. The day all his ambition and planning had finally come to fruition, it was so delicious this was his moment! His prey was weaken now was the time to strike and deliver the coup de grace.

It's only to be expected, fighting several kage level shinobi, one after the other as well as emancipating the Shukaku's spirit, would leave one a bit ... fatigued.

Orochimaru thought with an amused chuckle the irony being if any other shinobi attempted such a thing, most would have long since been killed.

Perhapsss my expectationssss of the boyssssssss abilitiesssssssss were a bit unreassssonable. He'sssss performed quite admirably, but he isssssssssssss after all sssssssstill just a child. Noted Orochimaru.

"Alassssssssss, you've fought the good fight dear boy, but all good thingsssssssssss mussssssssssssst come to an end, bracccccce yourssssssssself little hokage."

DUCK a voice whispered

Naruto heeded the warning, following the advice, Naruto just barely managed to avoid what would be a most devastating over head strike by Orochimaru ever so the opportunist.

Orochimaru clicked his teeth in annoyance.

I need more power Naruto chanted in his mind, repeating it as if it were a mantra, attempting to dig deeper and find some sort of inner reservoir of power. He searched desperately for an uncharted well of new power, but he was all tapped out.

He almost laughed at the heart wrenching bitter irony. The bitter taste of defeat soured his attitude and dampened his spirits. He could see the uncanny resemblance, his defeating of Sarutobi required him to demonstrate and execute superior strategic planning as well as relying heavily in exploiting his opponent's arrogance. He neutralized Sarutobi's fire prowess with a water terrain as well as focusing in ice ninjutsu. Orochimaru effectively neutralized a great deal of the rinnegans visual prowess and abilities. Using the Kazekage's sand to render the the rinnegan's ability to control gravity mute. He's used the two Hokages to exhaust the prowess of the rinnegan as well as guinea pigs for the rinnegan's more destructive abilities. Naruto's eyes narrowed as he abruptly recalled Orochimaru stating

"Kukukukukkku my boy you are not the first Rinnegan user I have met, he too possessed a similar ability to attract and repel any and all objects. A most terrifying ability with one weakness, should an object like my dear Tayuya use chakra to stick to the ground they cannot be moved."

Judging by his insightful strategy and forethought, I suspect his earlier comments hold a great deal of truth behind them , which will only pose problems for the future. Surmised Naruto.

Naruto sighed tiredly, he seemed to be doing it a lot during the battle. Every inch of victory and progress required him to expend a large quantity of energy and chakra.

He hazard a glance at the 1st to monitor his rejuvenation and noted it wouldn't be much longer to his impending revival. He glanced dispassionately at the sky.

Is this it, is this as far as I go?

Instead of the expected hatred and anger he should feel. He could only begrudgingly respect Orochimaru and acknowledge the well thought out sagacious strategic planning. He let out a bitter laugh, this is what it felt like to be outmaneuvered and out planned and unprepared and outplayed. Perhaps it was true great minds think alike, or perhaps Orochimaru and I are not to dissimilar. Naruto acquiesced, a scary thought but not an unfounded one.

He required more chakra and he needed more power, but above all else he needed a miracle. He was desperate and as the saying goes, desperation attracts the vultures.

Ask and you shall receive

A distant, ominous, immaculate, chaotic, tranquil, demonic voice echoed through the corridors of Naruto's mind.

A silky voice entranced Naruto beckoning, seducing Naruto to come.

Naruto was forcibly pulled into his mind scape, the landscape resemble a vast ocean with no visible end in sight. The sun's glare reflecting on the tranquil blue water.

Naruto glimpsed up at the sky and was met with a behemoth of manor resembling a 1860 medieval Rochester castle. The height of castle was roughly 125 feet. The main exterior walling consisted of courses of irregular Kentish ragstone, but the corners of the building and the arched windows were made of finely shaped Caen stone. The south-east turret of the keep was circular in plan, unlike the square turrets on the other corners. The entrance to the keep was on the first floor, in a rectangular turret or forebuilding against the north front. The entrance door stood at the head of an external stair.

The castle was pitched black each and every window was black, and seemed absorb the sunlight feeding of it's energy.

Naruto was slowly uplifted in front this castle by some otherworldly force.

And abruptly halted in front of the gates.

Written in bold words "Opus dei."

Naruto read, the work of God Naruto thought.

"Its latin."

Naruto whispered, tracing his hand across the letters on the door admiring the smooth craftsmanship. Trailing his slender fingers on each obsidian letter feeling one with the ambience.

"How could I have discern the meaning of such foreign words?" pondered Naruto.

"Come to me my child."

Boomed a voice from the castle it was a loud. It sounded unlike a stereo it was more of a resonating sound, echoing and vibrating through eardrums allowing you to understand perfectly and clearly each distinct sound. The sounds brought a tear to Naruto's eye, it was beautiful, angelic even.

The words seemed to clothe and fill Naruto with an immense sense of warmth and belonging.

Try as he may Naruto could not pry his eyes from the castle his body was rigid, fixated, transfixed, entranced, something no someone was calling him and he had to know who.

Naruto shakily took a step forward and the massive gates flung open before Naruto as if saying you're welcome here, you belong here. Welcome home.

But still Naruto was hesitant and dubious, he peered through the gates and saw nothing. Pitched black tinted windows reflected his image nebulously, his eyes caught sight of a shifting figure behind the windows, his heart raced. Something here was amiss.

Naruto felt every inch of his body pulling him begging, pleading for him to simply enter the castle, as if it remembered what his brain could not.

Slowly a shadowy image emerged before him hovering over him as it spoke.

"Take my power." The voice entreated with as much temptation as a siren offering a sailor a chance to rest his sea legs.

It was tempting , seducing, alluring IRRESISTIBLE.

"Take my power." Offered once more this time it was barely above a whisper.

"You will not survive without my power." The voice spoke with the finality of a God.

Naruto from the recesses of his mind was still able to understand, picture and decipher everything transpiring in the outside world.

Naruto watched as the Nindaime and Orochimaru beelined towards him, deciding now to finish him off instead of awaiting the revival of the First. Orochimaru eyes gleamed with unrefined joy with each second the distance between them strunk. Naruto weighed his option and came to the sole conclusion.

I have yet to make any significant progress, no matter how much damage I inflict they rejuvenate with the greatest of ease, in only a matter of minutes Hashirama will revive...

No matter how many different scenario and different attacking patterns and different formulas he simulated through his mind, the outcome remained the same. This was a problem he could not solve nor overcome. Not alone atleast.

He could not beat them alone this was an unwavering, irrefutable truth.

"Alone you will perish" the voice conceded,

"But together victory is all but yours." The voice goaded, the voice now had the allure of severely dehydrated man dying of thirst in the savanna and an immaculate oasis suddenly emerged before him.

"My power could all be yours,"

The voice whispered entreated pleaded once more

"You only have to willing accept, my child."

The voice coaxed.

"Be sure if you accept , for you can never turn back."

Naruto was speechless immobile and his mind continued racing through several scenarios,

Naruto's eyes once more drifted to the arena, his eyes shifted in the blink of eye to almost every crevice of the barrier looking for any alternative as well as the wall's weakness to manage an escape and to formulate a plan. His rinnegan scoured every inch of the barrier and no matter how he strained his eyes, the chakra circulating the barrier was still as strong, impenetrable and impregnable as when it was first erected .

Naruto desperately looked for anything that could salvage the situation, he was a drowning man grasping for a straw.

Until he finally closed his eyes in resignation.

It is futile. He conceded defeat.

With no other alternative, he made a deal with the devil. He had crossed the rubicon.

Immediately a massive outburst of corrosive overwhelming Godly oppressive black aura began oozing BURSTING and bleeding ripping out through every pore of Naruto's body, waves upon waves of black dark malevolent chakra descended throughout the arena the purple barrier fluttered in out of existence from the immense overwhelming oppressive power Naruto was exuding until eventually the barrier began stabilizing itself. Through strenuous effort of the sound four.

The chakra ruptured the ground itself cracks started out as spider webs until they gave way wholly to Naruto's chakra. Naruto howled in pain and rage unleashing more power.

"Perhaps for the benefit of the entire stadium, it was for the best the barrier did not break, had that chakra leaked it would have surely killed every one here."

Danzo mused silently outside the barrier.

Such power Orochimaru smirked licking his lips the only sign of his worry were the beads of sweat trickling down his cheek. Thundering the concrete. (had to rip big, love pac as well)

Naruto fell to the ground clutching his chest and unleashed a blood curling roar of pain and anguish the power of the chakra only increased, skyrocketing exponentially with no end in sight, it only increased and grew darker with each second that had gone by, his body was tearing apart from the sheer magnitude of the power.

Consuming him, enveloping him, his very veins had turned pitch black darker than an onyx gem, the power had invaded every inch of his body.

The black chakra ate through everything in it's path, trees eroded under the pressure of the chakra as if it were met with acid.

The very air seemed to suffocate from the oppressive aura letting out an high pitched squeal resembling a kettle boiling hot .

Is this another ability granted by the rinnegan? Orochimaru pondered anxiously, nervously worriedly and excitedly.

Naruto's eyes were as black as the devil's soul he roared once more in pain agony rage the emotions were swirling chaotically, oscillating between each other anger, rage, annoyance, frustration, pain, wrath until one final emotions emerged suppressing the rest.

One emotions emerged stronger than all the others.

Survival

The will to survive consumed Naruto's very being and core the focal thought of his mind, he hissed, groaned. He sounded beastial in some sort of guttural ancient dialect.

Orochimaru

For his part was rendered catatonic he could not move he was entranced, one thought crossed his mind

Beautiful,

Magnificent

Such unmatched beauty , such power, what a specimen you are dear boy, you are truly one of a kind, an being of immaculate perfection. You. Are. Mine. You belong to me!

He thought resolutely.

Woosh

Orochimaru head craned from a blow his neck snapped back while his head was fully rotated he had a front seat to what he wish he had never seen.

To the immense horror of Orochimaru the newly transformed Naruto

Naruto had his fist protruding outside in the Second's chest,

Holding a still beating heart

This was not surprising ,what was the Second unleashed such a high pitch blood curling scream, Orochimaru himself took an involuntary step back in fear and panic.

How ? The Nindaime isssssss dead he should feel nothing!?

The Nidaime continued to scream in anguish and agony until the malevolent chakra consumed his very being, eroding burning, tearing away at his flesh until he dropped to ground a pile of ash bones and what appeared to an acidic goo.

Naruto remained frozen in his one position, as if nothing could reach him nor register with him he was in his own world, unhindered by laws and reality governing this world. He was now a transcendent being.

Darkness enshrouded Naruto soaking, bathing him in this oppressive chaotic power wrapping around like a blanket would a child. He let out an air splitting roar, striking fear into the heart every person in the stadium. His power still was continuously rising with no end in sight. The roar could be felt miles away, birds perched on trees instinctively flew far away.

Orochimaru broke out in a cold sweat his body shaking in fear the hair on his forearms singed completely off just from being in the same radius as Naruto.

Orochimaru had suddenly come to the realization.

Perhaps a retreat is in order.

Though Orochimaru loathe to admit, perhaps now was the time cut his losses.

He readjusted his body and righted his neck, as if he consistently had his neck snapped and his head rotated in a 360 angle, slowly he gradually creeped away cautiously from Naruto or whatever the creature was before him. It could no longer be called human nor jinchuriki, noooooo he realized with pinpoint accuracy this was something entirely different.

Orochimaru winced in pain his scalp was being seared, a black figure out of thin air slowly unraveled matching Naruto's stature and demeanor.

Naruto stood boldly clutching the skull of Orochimaru in one hand and stared eye to eye, nose to nose, Orochimaru could feel the heat of Naruto's breath emanating only inches apart. They were that close. His eyes were transfixed on Naruto's blackened gazed. Unadulterated fear crippled his being overriding all his senses, teeth began chattering uncontrollably, he was drenched in his own sweat, he sure he possibly even soiled himself . He thought not to run away, to fight back, to struggle knowing intrinsically beyond a shadow of a doubt it was pointless useless and futile, this instinctual animalistic fear crippled and rendered him frozen, immobile . He was trapped in the gaze of predator a superior being. A God.

He watched distantly almost as if his soul was separated from his body. Fear marring his pale features, sweat dripping from the base of his chin to blackened floor courtesy of Naruto's chakra. He saw Naruto slowly open his mouth, he spoke

Begone

Just as Orochimaru feared this being would kill him. Naruto animatedly collapsed on the floor and began violently twitching, convulsing , groaning writhing in pain.

This vessel is incapable of wielding my power the voice said disappointedly.

Till we meet my child , grow stronger and survive.

The voice spoke in the mind of Naruto fading away to the recesses of Naruto's mind or perhaps it left his body entirely.

Orochimaru watched dubiously as Naruto plopped on the floor. Was this some sort of ploy to lull him into a false sense of security. He wouldn't charge in recklessly that power rattled and unsettled him immensely, he briefly considered to simply retreat for fear of the boy regaining said power.

He watched as Naruto threw up a massive quantity of blood, and pieced together, for some reason his body reacted negatively to the power. He disappeared too fast for Naruto to even register in his battered state and sent a kick. A vicious punters kick to Naruto's side, pay back for Naruto previous assault, he could feel his foot digging into Naruto's rib cage, cracking them as he catapulted him twenty feet in the air, before gravity ran its course and Naruto fell with a sickening hard thud uprooting the earth and debris.

Snap, Naruto watched distantly in pain as his left arm hung limply at his side, broken and dislocated. He laughed in sheer disbelief, how could things get any worse?

Orochimaru grinned in delight content on stalking his prey, you don't rush these sort of things, you must capture the picture perfect moment when their spirits is broken only then do you euthanize your opponent.

Boom

A massive explosion of smoke erupted inside the arena halting both Naruto and Orochimaru at the unexpected arrival.

What now? Naruto groaned as his body struggled to recover from the pernicious effects of that being's power, he cradled his now broken arm as if he were nursing a baby.

They both waited patiently and anxiously for the smoke to subside.

I had to ask Naruto morbidly thought.

The smoke gave way to reveal... The Shukaku standing in all his glory.

And there's the end of this chapter a very long winded one which required a great deal of effort and rewriting to set up the next chapter, I hope you guys enjoyed it. I really do it for you guys it brings joy to hear that you enjoyed my work, So i appreciate all the reviews good and bad it helps me get better thanks again ja ne.

ps I'm leaning towards bankai being a one time thing until my next arc it just foreshadowing things to come, it will all makes sense by my next arc perhaps why this fic may feel a tad rush i have an idea in my mind i want to get to .

pps initially this chapter was perhaps twice as long so next chapter is mostly written I've gotten feedback that perhaps shorter chapters is the way to go, so I'll make the effort.