Betrayal
"It is agreed then, we shall stay out of each other's way and avoid confrontation. This concludes our meeting. Please excuse us, we have some business to attend." Hades ended the meeting and left with Orochimaru. Brain and Midnight left afterwards.
"Talking to those humans was nauseating. Keyes, let us go and you can tell me Silver's progress." Mard Geer got up and left with Keyes.
"Of course, Master." Keyes replied with a small bow to Mard Geer.
(1 Week Later, with Naruto)
"Excellent form Naruto! You're learning the Strong Fist well." Lee taught some of his fighting techniques to Naruto in case there came a time he could not rely on his Darkness Magic. Naruto sat on the ground, clearly tired.
"Thanks. But I'm still nowhere near as good as you, but it'll come handy in a pinch." Naruto replied, with Lee offering his hand to Naruto to help him up, which Naruto gladly accepted.
"Still, I believe this will make it more difficult for me when we spar next time." Lee admitted to his blunder, but he was excited to fight Naruto again.
"Well, I already kicked your butt so many times without it. But I appreciate you helping me out with this." Naruto then looked at the other two, who were on the ground. "You two! On your feet!" Naruto kicked Choji and Shino, making them jump up in pain and they landed on the ground.
"W-Why did you kick us?" Choji and Shino rubbed the spots that Naruto kicked.
"You two were in some serious trouble on our last mission. We need to level you guys up again before our next mission." Naruto explained but he did not say why he had to specifically kick them.
"No. I mean why did you have to kick us. You could have been gentler with your approach." Shino got up, still rubbing the spot he was kicked on.
"Because you and Choji wouldn't get up otherwise. Sorry if it hurt but it'll help you in the long run. Increase your tolerance for pain." Was Naruto's reply, only frightening his two teammates. "But we have a mission to do. So, rest up for the next two days and we'll head out." Naruto left with Lee, leaving Choji and Shino on their own.
"He's being tougher on us than usual." Choji looked at Shino with sad eyes. "Guess seeing us hurt has him on edge. I don't know if I can do this anymore Shino." Choji looked at the bespectacled boy.
"Naruto cares about us and does not have bad intentions. However, Grimoire Heart is a different story. We our comrades and when our mission is complete, we will make sure that he is granted amnesty by the council. Lee too." Shino knows that they all have a bond, but also knew that Naruto was misguided. Even though Shino was right, he also did not realise that certain members of the Magical Council had their own plans.
"First let's get through this mission and then it will be over soon." Choji and Shino went to their rooms to rest, not knowing that they were in for.
(2 Days Later, unknown mountains)
"Seriously. Why were we sent to find a flower? The only thing dangerous about this was walk here." Choji did not like walking long distances, but in truth he did not walk because Lee carried him most of the way to their destination.
"Quit complaining! You didn't have to walk because Lee carried you here. Lee, drop him." Naruto ordered the green-clad boy, who did so. "Okay, all we need to do is find the flower. Shino, what was it called again?"
"It's called the Blue Spider Lily. It has special properties, one that could provide a potent recovery potion or even one that enhances the user's magic tenfold." Naruto told Choji. Naruto was able to learn how to conjure potions in his years with Grimoire Heart, his culinary skills helped make it simpler for him and he has since become an expert in making potions. Of course, Naruto was still dense at times, but his time in Grimoire Heart helped him out greatly.
"I have researched this flower too. It is extremely rare and so far, only one has been discovered and that was nearly 100 years ago." 'It is also strange that we were told to convene here. I'm sure Naruto has noticed that the Blue Spider Lily could not possibly be found so easily.' Shino began to think that Grimoire Heart sent them to these mountains for another reason.
"I don't think we'll find it here, but we have to try." Naruto was distracted long enough to be suddenly wrapped by a chain. 'A trap!' Before Naruto could break free, he was pulled away from the others.
"Naruto!" All three went after him, only for black flames to prevent them from pursuing Naruto.
"These flames…..Zancrow!" Shino summoned a bug wall to block another fire blast from Zancrow, who appeared behind the trio.
"Heh! Not bad bug boy. But that was a warning shot, and you won't be able to block next time." Zancrow had a vicious grin.
"Why are you attacking us? We're from the same guild!" Choji exclaimed, only to be met with a cruel laugh.
"You think we don't know that you guys were giving our enemies information about our guild? Master Hades knows everything." Zancrow laughed at their expressions, especially Lee's.
"Is this true my friends?" Lee looked at the other two, both could not meet his gaze. "I see. Zancrow, despite their actions, allow Naruto and I to deal with them. We're responsible for them after all." Lee, despite feeling betrayed by his teammates, remained calm. Lee himself had doubts being a part of a Dark Guild, but he has faith in Naruto and despite just finding out that his other two teammates were spies, he still had bonds with them.
"Sorry, but Master Hades wants all of you dead. Grimoire Heart doesn't need people who don't have what it takes, that includes your boss." Zancrow angered Lee by saying this.
"Hey! We were the ones who gave information to the Magic Council, Naruto and Lee have nothing to do with it!" Choji became defensive and was ready to fight if need be.
"That's just it, they too are soft hearted." A humanoid goat appeared and kicked Shino.
"Capricorn!" Shino skidded back before rebounding and is back on his feet. Lee was quick enough to react from an explosion.
"You're here too Azuma." Lee did not expect him, but now he knew that they could not hold back. "Choji, Shino. If we survive this, we'll talk." Lee took on Azuma, Shino faced off against Capricorn and finally it was Choji vs Zancrow.
(With Naruto)
"Ahhhhh!" Naruto was still being pulled by the chain until he landed on the ground and the chain undid itself from him. "Ouch! Who did that!?" He then looked around and saw he was on the lower levels of the mountains.
"I did, you stupid brat." Hades emerged with a stern expression. Naruto did not expect to his guild master here.
"Gramps, what are you doing here?" Naruto did not get the response he expected, as Hades shot a magic bullet from his fingertips as him, which Naruto barely dodged.
"I'm disappointed in you Naruto. You did not notice that the Akimichi and Aburamae boys were spies for the Magic Council." Hades surprised Naruto by saying this.
'That's why they've been acting strange. I should've known something was up.' Naruto could recall the two acting weird several times. "I'm sorry, Gramps, I'll bring them in, and we'll throw them in the dungeon." Unfortunately, Hades was in no mood to humour Naruto this time.
"I'm afraid that's not enough. I understand that you do not want to hurt those who you consider friends. That is why the Kin shall deal with those traitors." When Hades mentioned 'Kin', Naruto knew who he was referring to.
"Gramps, please tell me that you didn't send all of them to kill my team?" Naruto saw that Hades' expression did not change. "And what about Lee? Even if Shino and Choji are traitors, I know Lee is loyal."
"Indeed. But he will choose to save those two and is more loyal to you than this guild. And unlike you, he is not important to achieve our goals." Hades had an internal smirk at seeing Naruto tense up.
"We'll talk later Gramps." Naruto turned around and attempted to head back to his team, only for a magic bullet to pass the left side of his head. "I don't want to fight you Gramps, but I will if I have to!"
"Your rebellious phase is beginning to irk me Naruto. I will show you your place this time." Hades motioned for Naruto to come at him. Naruto knew that he couldn't run away easily and gripped his weapon, his eyes turning red and marks forming into his body. 'Ah yes, his malice is empowering his Darkness Magic. Seeing the death of his friends will push him to the edge and we can enact the plan.' Hades and Naruto began to fight.
(Choji vs Zancrow)
Choji was now skinny and now had butterfly wings made from blue aura. However, despite his increase in speed and strength, Zancrow still possessed more power than him and his magic was far more destructive than Choji's. Zancrow had form a scythe made from his flames and swung it against Choji.
'I might have to grow and use all my strength in one blow, but I can't let myself be hit by that. I hope the others are okay.' Unfortunately, they too were struggling in their battles.
(Shino vs Capricorn)
"You cannot defeat me in hand-to-hand combat." Capricorn was cornering Shino, but Shino would not give up.
"No. Not in this form." 'He is somehow weakening me to the point of toying with me. Capricorn is a Celestial Spirit, but Celestial Spirits cannot stay long in the human world for too long. I must use Take Over.' Shino's body was covered in light and his body began to change, enough to grab Capricorn's leg when he attempted to strike Shino. "You have forced me to use this form, I shall not be responsible for what happens." Shino tossed Capricorn away from him, thought the latter managed to rebound.
'A mantis?' Capricorn saw Shino's new form. He now stood around 7 feet, his body extremely skinny and he looked like a humanoid mantis. 'Take Over Magic. I see that I cannot hold back anymore.'
"You're going to fall here!" Shino moved with great agility and speed, his hands becoming curved blades. Capricorn jumped away, starting to go on the defensive.
'He isn't allowing me to summon my warriors. If only my magic power was greater, I could use Capricorn's full power.' Capricorn then jumped up, only for Shino to easily follow.
"You cannot escape me!" Shino managed to cut Capricorn, who managed to summon two fighters on his behalf to attack Shino. But Shino was much quicker and slashed them, forcing them to disappear. Capricorn used this chance to land a kick, sending Shino back, but the insectoid rebounded from this.
'Such power. He's more of a mantis than human….Wait! I could use my magic to take over his body and I can regain a human appearance!' Behind Capricorn, a mental image of a human man appeared.
(Rock Lee vs Azuma)
"Yes! Show me your power Lee!" Azuma was excited to see Lee hold his own against him. 'His battle with Kimimaro made him stronger. If they were to battle again, then Lee would be the victor this time.' Azuma was not going all out, but he was enjoying their battle. He took a few hits, but was not majorly injured.
"If this was any other time, I would enjoy this, but I shall be the victor!" Lee took a few hits himself, but he was holding his own for now.
(Back with Naruto)
"Dammit!" Naruto was panting heavily, and his sword was stabbed into the ground with Naruto still gripping the handle. Naruto was bruised and had blood dripping down the left side of his mouth.
"Give up Naruto. I'm not even using my full power and you are a hundred years too early to defeat me." Hades did not have a scratch on him. Hades did not show it but he felt sadness at what he was doing. "I'm sorry Naruto, but for Grimoire Heart to succeed, you must die here." Hades was about to blast Naruto until they both heard screaming.
"AGHHHHH!"
"Choji!" Naruto could recognise the screams of his teammate, having been in several battles with him and the others. Naruto turned around and tried to run back towards his teammates, only for a snake construct emerge from the ground. "You!" Orochimaru appeared, his smirking face only serving to anger Naruto.
"It's rude to glare at your seniors, young Naruto." Orochimaru then looked at Hades. "Stop playing with his emotions Master Hades and tell him the truth. That it didn't matter if he had chosen Grimoire Heart."
"Orochimaru. Stop talking." Hades demanded, trying to keep his calm. Naruto was confused by Orochimaru's words.
"Wait. What do you mean by that? Why didn't it matter!?" Naruto demanded, the marks from his fight with Kimimaro reappearing and his eyes going completely red.
"Exactly what it means. You think Grimoire Heart cares about you? Ever since that incident, all we want is your hidden power. That malicious darkness you possess." Orochimaru then yelled in pain and was on one knee now.
"I told you that's enough!" Hades' right hand formed a sign, indicating that he was the cause of Orochimaru's pain. "I shall deal with your insubordination later, Orochimaru." Hades released Orochimaru from the pain.
"My Darkness Magic." Naruto realised it. "This new form I'm using, it makes my attacks stronger but then I start losing myself to it. Was I just a pawn?" Naruto didn't wait for an answer because he blasted the ground and caused a smokescreen.
"You won't escape!" Hades caused a shockwave to blow away the smoke, only to find Naruto gone. 'He's improved. But he won't save his friends.' Hades then glared at the grinning Orochimaru. 'Damn you, you're lucky that I still require your assistance.'
(Back with Choji)
"AGHHHH!" Choji had grown in size in his Butterfly Mode, but it only made him an easier target for Zancrow to burn. Choji could not hold his form and shrunk back down, his wings dissipating.
"Hahaha! You're really weak, you know that? I've could've turned you to ash ages ago, but I wanted to play with you a little bit more." Zancrow then noticed that Choji wasn't breathing. "Guess you're the first to die…..Naruto is gonna flip!" Zancrow gave a chilling laugh.
(Back with Lee)
"Come on Lee! Use your full power!" Azuma wrapped Lee in branches, with the latter struggling to move.
'I wanted to conserve my strength, but I can't lose here!' Lee's skin tone changed and he was covered in aura. He broke through the branches with ease and rushed towards Azuma, who jumped out of the way.
'Let's see how far you can reach, Lee!' Azuma and Lee clashed one last time.
(Back with Shino)
"Your body is mine!" Capricorn grabbed Shino's shoulder and both were covered in a glow. A dark shadow came out of Capricorn's body and entered Shino's.
'I-I see…he took over Capricorn's body and now he's taking mine over.' Shino was taken over by the force which controlled Capricorn. The force did not realise that Shino was able to summon insects which attached themselves to Capricorn.
"This feels just right." Shino's voice was distorted for a second until it became normal. "Thanks a lot for using Take Over, I haven't had a human form for a whi…..Agh!" Shino's mantis body was spasming.
"Your magic allowed you to take over my body because I am not a human. And whilst Lord Shino is not in human form currently, he is still a human." Capricorn was in control of his own actions.
"H-How are you moving? You should have b-been drained of p-power!" Shino's body was reverting back his human form.
"Lord Shino managed to summon a few bugs and transferred some of his magic power to me. It's a shame it has to end this way, Lord Zoldeo, but you committed the ultimate taboo with your magic by taking over my body." Capricorn told his former owner.
"D-Do not c-call me t-tha…" Zoldeo was hit by a powerful blow, which reverted Shino back to his human form completely and released the dark shadow from earlier, revealing Zoldeo in his frail human form.
"So, this is your true form. A weak-looking man." Shino regained his bearings and was ready to strike, only for Zoldeo's body to start fading away.
"N-No!" Zoldeo's freedom was short-lived, for committing the taboo of taking over a non-human body was severe. He disappeared from the world, leaving the goat spirit and bug user by themselves.
"Thank you for freeing me, Lord Shino." Capricorn gave a small bow as a sign of gratitude.
"Think nothing of it, Capricorn. But I truly did not expect for a man to possess a Celestial Spirit." Shino stated, but he suddenly fell to one knee.
"Are you alright?" Capricorn helped Shino up. "That Take Over of yours and the fact that you gave me some of your power has left you drained. You must conserve some of your strength, Lord Naruto will require your assistance to escape."
"I understand, but please tell me one thing. Why are they targeting Naruto too? He has been nothing but loyal to them." Shino asked Capricorn, who whilst being possessed, was aware of Zoldeo's actions in his body and remembers everything.
"Lord Naruto was originally just a powerful wizard but a few years ago, an experiment caused him to manifest a new form of Darkness other than the one he uses. I'm sure you noticed it on missions, especially when he experiences negative emotions." Capricorn made Shino recall all those times.
"Yes. Though lately he could use it without losing much control. What is it?" The bug user enquired from the Celestial Spirit, he noticed the Crimson Darkness and how much malice he could feel from it.
"Lord Naruto's brand of Darkness Magic is considered unique, but that other form of Darkness Magic is considered a mutation. Lord Hades planned on killing all of you to bring out Naruto's anger, that is all I, I mean Lord Zoldeo, was informed of."
"Then we need a plan to save him and the others." Shino barely had any strength left to fight, so he tried thinking of an escape plan. Capricorn then spoke.
"I have an idea. But it will involve deception on my part." Capricorn told Shino his plan.
(Back with Naruto)
"I beat you already!" Naruto was clashing with Kimimaro, who was much faster in his human form than his demonic form. 'I better watch out when he uses his demon form. But I don't have time for this.' Naruto's thoughts were on his teammates.
"This time it will be different!" Kimimaro moved towards Naruto, turning into his demonic form, only for Naruto to use his darkness to propel himself into the air.
"Sorry, but I don't have time to deal with you!" Naruto strapped his sword on his back and then joined both his hands, using a darkness blast to as boost to head towards his allies.
"You won't escape me!" Kimimaro went to chase Naruto only for a voice to stop him.
"Let him go Kimimaro." Orochimaru and Hades appeared behind the youth.
"Lord Orochimaru! Lord Hades!" Kimimaro kneeled before them.
"At ease Kimimaro. You will get your chance against Naruto momentarily." Orochimaru was in a serious mood now. 'And we'll extract that power for Project Nobody.'
(Lee's location)
"You have done well Lee." Azuma stood over a fallen Lee and his left hand was straightened. "I wish that I did not have to kill you. You have so much potential to grow, both you and Naruto, but I am a wizard of Grimoire Heart and our goals are more important." Azuma went for the kill, only to be kicked by Naruto, who already had his marks and crimson eyes.
"Hands off!" Naruto's teeth began to sharpen and his eyes briefly glowed. He looked at Lee's beaten form and checked up on him. 'He's still breathing, thank god!' Naruto glared at Azuma.
"I see you've arrived Naruto. I hope you can give more of a challenge than Lee." Azuma smirked and was ready to fight an enraged Naruto.
"That's enough, Azuma." A cold voice called out from above. Both wizards looked up to see Ultear appear above them on a broom.
"Ur! You're a sight for sore eyes!" Naruto left his guard down and did not expect to be hit multiple orbs. 'T-These are Ur's….' Naruto's sigh of relief was gone almost instantly and replaced with rage, releasing a dark burst to shatter the orbs. "You too?" Naruto's voice sounded raspier.
"We have no use for you anymore nor the traitors. Not that the information amounted to anything. In fact, they simply caused the death of their fathers." When Ultear mentioned Choza and Shibi's deaths, Naruto stayed silent in disbelief.
'They're….dead.' Naruto's mind was going blank but the sound of crazed laughter brought him back to the current situation.
"They ain't the only ones, the fat one's son bit the dust too!" Zancrow appeared with somebody over his shoulder. When Naruto saw the figure, his eyes widened.
"Choji!" Naruto saw Choji's charred body and moved before anyone could react. He punched Zancrow and grabbed Choji's body. Naruto placed Choji's body gently on the ground and stared at his teammate's corpse. 'He's so unrecognizable…You'll pay!'
"Apologies for my late arrival, but I have completed my task." Capricorn arrived with Shino's body and dropped it down. 'Just play dead Lord Shino so that we can escape.' Capricorn hoped Shino would not become enraged or sad by Choji's death. Internally Shino was devastated, but he kept up his act until the opportunity presented itself.
"This is just sad." A few more people arrived, Kain, Rustyrose and their youngest member, Meredy. "Naruto. I'm sorry, but you must perish for Ultimate Magic World!" Rustyrose stated.
"That nonsense again? Is that why you guys turned your back on me? Is that the real reason why my team are dead?" Naruto said lowly, his rage about to burst. "You bastards!" Naruto released his rage as his magic became an explosive pillar, but this was what Hades and Orochimaru wanted. Suddenly, several strange magic circles appeared and held Naruto's power back. 'T-This is…..' "GRAMPS!" Naruto yelled out and glared at Hades, who appeared with Orochimaru and Kimimaro.
"Azuma! Ultear! Do it now!" Hades ordered as they both used their magic. Ultear summoned a lacrima and Azuma summoned a giant tree which held the orb. Hades used his special magic circles to absorb the dark power from Naruto's body. The tree began to rot and the orb crack, but the combined effort of Ultear and Azuma held them together using their own magical power, until an explosion occurred. The tree was turned to ash and the lacrima was covered in red electricity and completely pitch black.
"Naruto?" Ultear asked lowly. She was panting heavily from using her magic to keep the lacrima. When the dust settled, Naruto's condition was seen by the Grimoire Heart members. Naruto's eyes were completely white, and he fell. Some of the Grimoire Heart members felt real sadness at this, especially Ultear.
'I'm sorry. But once we reach the Ultimate Magic World, I can bring you back to my side.' Ultear was originally against doing this to Naruto, but her ambition ultimately won. However, she also believed that by reaching her goal, the amount of atrocities she committed would not matter. "Are we going to leave him here?" Ultear asked Hades. The aged master felt like he aged even more than he already had. Hades looked at the lacrima filled with Naruto's mutated power.
'The energy within the lacrima….It is more malicious than I expected.' Hades could only imagine how Subject X would turn out by using this power.
"Let me end him. It'll be a mercy at this point." Zancrow showed no sympathy and had flames engulf his hands.
"No, I shall be the one to end him. He is the second person to defeat me in combat and I shall honour him by being the one to kill him." Kimimaro looked at Azuma, the only other person to defeat him in battle and then turned his attention back to Zancrow.
"I'm afraid I cannot allow that to happen." Shino's voice called out and a swarm of insects surrounded Naruto and Lee's bodies. Capricorn used this as a chance to go through the swarm and pick up Naruto and Lee. Something Hades noticed.
"Annoying flies!" Zancrow burned the insect swarm, but Shino and Capricorn already escaped.
'Capricorn helped them escape. That means Zoldeo is no longer in control.' "Chase them! Except you Orochimaru, take the lacrima and finish continue our work. Now go!" The grimoire Heart wizards and Kimimaro all took off. 'I underestimated your subordinates, Naruto.' He then looked at the Executioner's Blade Naruto dropped. 'And you never unleashed this weapon's full potential.'
(With Capricorn and Shino)
"It won't long until they find us Lord Shino. I'm afraid that I'm almost at my limit. I cannot stay longer in the human world." Capricorn told Shino, who understood that Celestial Spirits could stay long in the human world, especially one who was taken over by a human and forced to stay here for many years. They were running down a mountain path, where they could easily fall if they were attacked, but this the safest route for them.
"I understand. But before you return to the Celestial Spirit World, please give Naruto your key. I am afraid that I will not survive this." Shino knew that at least one more person won't survive this.
"I understand, Lord Shino." They both stopped and Capricorn laid the two fallen wizards down. Capricorn took out his key, which was attached to a chain and placed it around Naruto's neck. "Forgive me, Lord Shino. I wish I could take you with me, but I no longer have the power to do so." Capricorn did think about using his power earlier to take them to the Celestial Spirit World, but not only did he lack the power, human would have trouble staying in the Celestial Spirit World and certain preparations needed to be made. Capricorn before he disappeared. "Please, stay safe."
"I'm sorry you two. But our journey together shall end here." Shino summoned insects to pick up the two but Kimimaro was the first to appear and he had a bone blade, aiming for Naruto. 'No!' Shino would not be quick enough, but someone else saved Naruto in his stead. Lee had kicked Kimimaro back. "Lee?"
"I'm fine Shino. I heard your conversation whilst Mr Capricorn was carrying us. I was able recover my strength, but fully. The week before this fake mission, I was able to use one of the last lessons of Gai-sensei taught me." 'I cannot win in my current condition, but I can ensure their survival. I shall surpass my limits.' Lee took his stance activated Enhance, but he did not activate his berserk form.
"N-No Lee. You'll die if you use this form again." Naruto's voice was heard, as the blonde regained consciousness too.
"You two recovered already, I am impressed." Kimimaro stated simply. "But you are not in full strength Lee, I can tell. You cannot win against me, just like last time." Kimimaro's words did not anger Lee. Instead, the boy with the bowl-cut hair checked in on Naruto, whilst maintaining his guard.
"Naruto. You are in much worse shape than I, you must escape. Shino, do what you can to get Naruto out of here. This is farewell my friends." Lee was ready to unleash the rest of his power. But Shino stood by Lee's side.
"These fools were always loyal to you rather than Grimoire Heart. Too bad you will die here, Naruto." Ultear arrived with the other Grimoire Heart members. Naruto managed to stand up.
"Then I'll die fighting." Naruto managed to channel darkness into his hands. This shocked a lot of the Grimoire Heart members.
'He should have been drained of magic power, but he can still use his magic. Master is right, if he leaves here alive, he could come back to ruin our plans…..Forgive me, Naruto.' Ultear was about to order the others to attack but was surprised to see Lee activate his berserk form and Shino used Take Over to change into his mantis form. But that was not the surprising part, Lee punched the ground and caused it to crack, forcing Naruto to fall.
"Lee! Shino!" The two gave him a small smile as he fell, Naruto instinctively reached out to his teammates, but they already started their assault on the Grimoire Heart members, mainly to prevent Ultear from restoring the ground in time to bring Naruto back to the mountain path. The last thing Naruto could hear was the screams of his comrades before he once again lost consciousness. He landed into a flowing river, with Grimoire Heart searching for his body to no avail.
End. Sorry for the long wait and if this chapter appeared rushed. I wanted to get the story going and this was supposed to be the last chapter for a while because I wanted to write a few chapters for Fairy Tail: Bonds, but I decided to write one more chapter for this story. I will not be writing for over two after 2 Oct as I will be going to holiday to meet family.
But if you have questions about this story, please PM me or leave a review. All will be revealed about Naruto's Crimson Darkness Magic later on and what Project Nobody is, but I'm sure fans of a certain JRPG can figure it out. Also, Lee in this chapter is pushing pass his limits, using the last of his energy and power to hold back Grimoire Heart long enough to allow Naruto to escape.