Uchiha Heiress Remix

by JGResidentEvil

They say that you can't expect everything, so what would happen when a crazy secret is revealed? You just have to wait and see! Pairings: Naruto x Hinata x FemSasuke, Neji x Tenten, Lee x Kin, more pairings coming along. Sakura and Civilian Council Bashing. Don't like, don't read.

57. Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Aftermath

---

As the heavy rain continued to fall, night settled in as the hospital of Konoha was going into overtime with the doctors, nurses and medical shinobis constantly moving. All for the sake of helping the injured members of the retrieval team, some more then others as their lives were on the hands of these very doctors.

---

In a specific room. . .

An unconscious Chōji remained still on a special bed as he was only wearing his pants, while the majority of his torso, arms and forehead had large bandages with many seals inscriptions on them. Finally his hands also had bandages, though they were bloody as his own blood had just stopped from his severed punjure injuries.

The medical shinobi were making sure that the young teen was stabilize as his body was still affecting from the side effects of the red chilli pill. That's why they put those bandages as they put the body of a person in a suspension animation, so that their body wouldn't continue be affected anymore, while waiting for the female Hokage to return.

Meanwhile said Hokage was in a room beside the Akimichi as she was working hard reading a massive book that contained the secret formula for the Akimichi's pills.

"The ingredients and effects of each pill. It's remarkable." Tsunade soon thought in a impressed manner as she then looked at some of the other doctors. "The final ingredient is deer horn. Can you get it?" She then requested,

"Yes ma'am!" One of the doctors responded as he went off to do the task given to him.

Then using her inmeanse medical knowledge, Tsunade worked hard on creating a cure to counteract and resolved the young Akimichi's Chill Pill effects.

---

In room 7 of the Intensive care ward. . .

This room was massive in comparison to other rooms, but while it had a lot of space it didn't had a lot of things in it. No, the reason why this room was so massive was because in the middle of this huge room layed a grand seal that took eighty percent of the room's floor. There were four medical shinobis laying on the four corners of the seal.

This seal was specifically made for medical purposes as it not only help medical shinobi's chakra control, it amplified it the same levels as its creator, Tsunade Senju with the assistance of her former teammate Jiraiya.

Right in the center of this grand seal was an unconscious and intensely injured Neji Hyuga with only his shorts on and two gaping holes in his torso. Some of the huge seals had moved and surrounded the injuries, this was to keep the teen not only alive but also to stop any blood from coming out. But the most curious thing was that just on both of his sides, there were strangs of his own hair near his injuries that twitched ever so often.

The four medical shinobi's were all sweating profoundly as they been at work since the moment they brought the young Hyuga in the room.

One of the obviously exhausted medic was groaning in pain as he continued concentrating. "It's been nearly three hours. . .will you take over?" He soon got out.

"Yes!" Another medic replied as went over to him as the two proceeded to switch places.

"Even though we're using the boy's hair as a the medium. . .We can't afford to mess up the cell balance in the lost tissues!" Shizune meanwhile shouted from another corner of the seal. "You must control your chakra like the surgeons you are!" She then ordered.

"Yes ma'am!" The other medics replied as they continued concentrating.

No sooner that they all shouted that, the two strands of hair began to lifted from the ground. Then the hair slowly began to mend into the massive holes in the Hyuga's chest. Slowly the hair began to formed new skin to seal the holes.

"Ngh. . ." The unconscious Neji groaned out in pain as he struggled to survive.

---

Within a normal patient's room. . .

"Ngh. . ." Tenten groaned out as she slowly began to wake up.

The young weapons user struggled to open her eyes, before she finally manage to open them. Then she blinked a few times as she was still half asleep, it took another few moments before her brain finally began to wake up as well. She turned to her head from one side to the other to looked where she was, it took just a few seconds before her mind realized where exactly she was currently at.

"The hospital?" Tenten mumbled out in confusion as she then tried to move, but as feeling started returning to her body, she felt that she couldn't move as if her body felt like lead and felt very numb all over. But from what she could felt was that one of her legs was much heavier than the other.

"Ah, I see your awake." A female voice said, causing the young girl to see a nurse entering the room as she then closed the door behind her. "I wouldn't try to move, you still have the effects of some painkillers in your system." She then advised.

At hearing this advice, the young weapon mistress finally stop moving and simply laid on her bed. "I'm. . .back in Konoha?" Tenten soon asked again in confusion.

The nurse merely nodded to this. "Yes, you came back along with the rest of the injured members of the retrieval squad." She replied.

Tenten in turn sighed in relief to that as she soon started to recall everything that happened, causing her eyes to widen. "M-My teammates. . .w-what happened to them!? Are they alright!? What about the mission!?" She frantically asked in concern as she could still vividly recalled her last moments of consciousness and how that former human nearly killed the three of them.

"Take it easy." The nurse calmly got out, trying to ease the young kunoichi. "Though some were in critical state when they came back to Konoha, all of your squad still managed to came back and are receiving medical attention even as we speak." She then informed.

This immediately calmed down the kunoichi when she heard that. Sure she was concern that some of her friends were in critical condition, she took great relief that if they made it back, then her idol and current Hokage Senju would most definitely save them.

However Tenten then realized that she had no idea how they all manage to come back, especially after what her group had to dealt with. "But. . .how did she survive? I mean, that fight with. . .that thing, was insane, how did Chōji and Kankurō beat it?" She asked the nurse with a very concern and worrisome tone.

The nurse then frown as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I don't know any of the details about what had happened." She simply informed the young kunoichi. "So you should ask either someone that from the retrieval squad or Lady Tsunade to know exactly what happen." She then advised.

"I-I see. . ." Tenten soon got out as she decided not to ask anymore on the subject.

The older woman began looking at the young girl's chart to examine her condition. "Well, aside from your broken bones, which had been mended for the most part. You did sustain a lot of internal injuries as well, but those were treated just in time before it could had turned into something permanent, so you'll make a full recovery in a few weeks." The nurse then informed. "Though you will have to use a crotch for a few days until your bones have properly healed." She soon added.

The weapons user then sighed to that while looking at her bandaged leg. "I guess. . .that's a miracle and a half, considering we just fought a literal monster. . ." Tenten quietly admitted as she still couldn't believed that she had survived. "But it sure as hell wasn't because I did anything useful. . ." She however added in her mind with a pessimistic tone.

"Indeed, that is true. . ." The nurse replied in a serious with a nod, the nurse couldn't agree more as she never thought that such young shinobi would come back is such a state in non war times. Then she left the girl's chart and headed for the door. "I'll go inform Tsunade-sama and everyone else that your awake." She then added as she then left the room.

For the young weapons user, all she could do was nod while looking out the window with a disappointed and defeated expression on her face.

---

Within another room. . .

Kiba winced as he looked at his bandaged arm. "Jeez this burns. . ." He grumbled out while sitting in the bed.

Much like the more relatable uninjured members of the retrieval squad, Kiba was one to have the less injuries save for the burns he had gotten from his confrontation with the female Oto kunoichi. Though he was still suffering from slight chakra exhaustion, he was at least in a state that he could walk.

"Arf. . ." Akamaru let out a weak bark which followed by a slight whine from his injuries.

Meanwhile the wild teenager's partner had received more burns, from first to second decrees that had singed his fur. Luckily it wasn't so serious that the puppy's fur wouldn't grow back with time.

"You should be glad that you and Akamaru didn't got any third degree burns, I would had been really concern otherwise." Hana soon informed in a serious tone before she grinned. "For Akamaru that is." She then added with a joking tone.

"Yeah. . ." Kiba then muttered out with a slight depressed tone while he looked at his injured partner.

However the older sister frown as she thought for sure his little brother would had made a snappy replied about her joke. But she could see that he was taking it very seriously, so she decided to take it seriously as well. "It's ok, he'll be alright." Hana soon reassured as she gently patted the puppy. "Though I don't want him to do anything other than light walks until his fully heals, understood?" She then warned.

"Got it sis. . ." Kiba got out as he then turned to look at his partner, his face turned blank as his mind began to wander back to the life threatening fight. . .

For the young Inuzuka, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it had to be the toughest, let alone life threatening, not just to himself but also for the lives of his friends, fight he had ever been. All with the same girl that he became friends with a few days prior.

However the young Inuzuka wasn't sure if it was right to call her that, especially when said friend nearly fried him, his partner and his friends in her out of control rampage. But he couldn't find in him to hate the kunoichi either since she was going to give up when she went out of control at the time, if anything he hated how weak he was to put an end to the fight sooner. Not in a sense of just winning the fight, more so in helping her, which caused his precious partner to be injured the way he was.

When the older Inuzuka saw the expression on her little brother's face she slightly narrowed her eyes, she had seen that expression whenever his little brother had a lot on his mind. While she would normally make fun of him for making such a face, however not this time as she knew what was the source of her brother's concerns.

Hana then casually began petting the small puppy. "So. . .That girl you brought back, Tayuya if I'm not mistaken?" Hana suddenly started with a clear yet masterfully hidden anger in her voice.

Suddenly the small puppy flinch as he could easily felt the older woman's anger. Then he turned towards his partner, hoping to all kamis above that he would also saw it and wouldn't say something stupid.

However those prayers fell to deaf ears, as the young Inuzuka was snapped out of his thoughts and turned to face his older sister. "Huh? Oh yeah. . .What about her?" Kiba soon asked after hearing that, oblivious to the reason why he was being asked..

If the puppy could had used his small paws like normal, he would he would had smacked his own forehead. . .

And as predicted by the puppy, the older sibling expression turn neutral, but to other women, they would had known that she was extremely pissed. "She's the only enemy that apparently survives during your entire mission." Hana then revealed in a dead serious tone.

"Yeah. . .?" Kiba got out as he didn't see what her sister was getting at with a raised eyebrow.

Again. . .the puppy wished he could used his paws right at this moment, but this time to get out off this room that was about to explode. . .

"Oh, it's nothing. . .its just I found it very surprising that she survived." Hana commented as she continued to gently petting a terrified and shivering Akamaru. "While I don't know all the details, but what that Nara kid told us, it appeared that the other Oto shinobis perished from something they took whatever they did that mutated them." She then informed as turned her gaze to look at Kiba with a piercing gaze. "So I simply thought that she was the only one who didn't take them." She then added.

The small puppy slowly, nearly robotically began turning his head and let out a small begging like whine at his partner that screamed don't say yes you idiot!

And once again, this pleas fell to deaf ears. . .

Kiba chuckled sightly in amusement at that. "Yeah, she also took whatever those strange pills, but thanks to us we managed to save her from dying like them too." He admitted before sighing in relief. "It's a good thing too, she was going to literally blow up in a roaring inferno, which would've killed us too." He soon revealed with a joking tone.

Akamaru's jaw hit his small bed as he would had run away, screw his injuries, if it wasn't for the fact that his partners older sister was holding him in a non-hurtful death grip.

The elder sister soon enough took in a slow deep breath after hearing that. "Kiba. . ." Hana soon started in a growl while cracking her knuckles.

At that moment. . .the young Inuzuka was left startled as he just realized why his older sister was acting the way she was, causing his face to pale. "Oh. . .shit. . ." He soon muttered in a fear filled tone.

"YOU RECKLESS LITTLE IDIOT!" Hana soon loudly roared out. "What the hell were you thinking pulling a stunt like that!?"

"Urk!" Kiba got out as he winced at his sister yelling at him.

"Do you have any idea what would had happen if you weren't damn lucky!?" Hana asked in a rhetorical manner. "You, your friends and Akamaru could have all been killed! And it would be your fault!" She then declared.

Kiba's head jerked up to this because he couldn't deny it, he was damn lucky. . .he and his friends would have died back then. If it wasn't for the reinforcement haven't arrived in the nick of time, him, his partner and his friends wouldn't be here right now.

"And for what!? For a girl you got the hots for!? You think this is a game? Shinobi die because of stupid stunts like that!" Hana soon explained her brother reckless actions.

It would be at this moment where the younger brother would normally be scared out of his mind and be begging for mercy at seeing either her mother or sister in an inebriated rage filled state. . .

". . ." However Kiba didn't looked bothered or scared in the slightest. "I get it. . ." He got out in a calm tone that was almost foreign for the young Inuzuka to have.

This however only irritated the older sibling as she nearly snarled in anger. "No Kiba, I don't think you get it. . ." Hana then started. "Because I looks like your still taking this-" She soon began, however. . .

"No sis. . .I do get it. . ." Kiba suddenly interrupted with the same calm tone.

The sudden interruption caused the older sister to stop her rant before she could continue as she was taken aback by her little brother's calm composure.

Kiba continued to stare of a few moments before he looked at his sister before he kneeled next to his partner and gently began petting him. "Yeah, I admit it was beyond stupid what I did. . .I didn't saved her." He declared with a hint of self loathing in his voice. "In fact it was a meaningless effort on my end, because it was Kakashi-sensei and Haku-sensei that saved her in the end." He continued as he let out a humorless chuckle.

To hearing this, Hana couldn't help but look down at her brother, though was still slightly irritated.

The younger Inuzuka then looked straight at his partner and gave a sad smile. "If it wasn't for them I don't even want to think what would had happen and I wouldn't ever live with myself if I lost Akamaru or I would ever forgive myself if Shikamaru and Temari had died because of me. . ." Kiba soon admitted.

It was at that moment that Hana finally calmed down at that. She now knew that he did understand that his actions would had made the outcome a lot worst. But before she could say anything. . .

"But I don't regret trying to save her. . ." Kiba declared with the most serious expression her sister or anyone of his friends had seen him make before.

". . .!" Anything that older Inuzuka was about to say was halted before it could come out of her mouth as her eyes widened, surprised that her brother would say that.

"For that entire fight. . .I honestly felt useless with how crazy everything was during the battle. . .first she was kicking mine and Shikamaru's ass. Then her using that curse thing made it worse, even with Shikamaru's brains we would had lost." Kiba soon began as he looked out the window. "If it wasn't for Temari coming in and bailing us we would had died right there." He then admitted.

"So in turn, the Suna kunoichi turned the tides for the battle." Hana stated in a serious manner.

The younger Inuzuka in response nodded to that in a serious manner as he then narrowed his eyes. "But then. . .everything changed for the worst when she took that weird pill. . ." Kiba then continued. "It wasn't a fight anymore, hell it wasn't even a one side fight either, it was simply her demolishing both us and everything around us with literal hellfire." He then declared.

"This pill. . .it was what caused her to go through that. . .transformation. . ." Hana stated in the same serious tone yet with a baffled expression on her face. "But I still don't understand how can a pill, regardless of the ingredients it may have, can give someone such abilities. . ." She then added.

not sure on that one, but even so. . .all the time, it didn't even looked like Tayuya wanted to win. . .It was only until Shikamaru finally figure it out that I found out she really didn't want to win. . ." Kiba soon revealed as he then shook his head in a negative manner. "No. . .she wanted to die. . ." He then revealed.

For the female Inuzuka, she had to mentally admit that she was shocked for a brief moment, as she was honestly surprised that the enemy kunoichi had a literal death wish.

"When I realized that. . .everything that was happening at in the fight. It wasn't about us against her, no. . .it was her against living." Kiba stated with a dark and grim tone. "I felt really shitty. . .and I didn't know why. . ." He revealed while letting out another humorless chuckle.

"I. . .I see. . ." Hana got out with a shocked expression, but that quickly changed to a calm rage as she remembered the possible reason why. "Well. . .she was working under Orochimaru. . .she probably had been through many horrifying things that would make her want to die. . ." She soon thought to herself with a disgusted and rage filled tone.

"And I pretty much gave up then and there on trying to help or saving her. . ." Kiba soon began as he smiled, not in his cocky manner, but as a self hating kind of way. "Didn't thought of it at the time. . .but pretty sure I was just a few seconds away on actually letting Tayuya get her wish. . ." He then revealed with a disappointing and self loathing tone.

"Then. . .if you were about to stop, how did you end up like this?" Hana questioned with a raised eyebrow before giving her brother a sympathetic look.

Kiba then turned towards his partner and finally let out one of his usual cocky grinned. "Well if it wasn't for Akamaru getting my head out of my ass, I would had regret not doing everything I could had for the rest of my life." He finally concluded.

"Arf!" Akamaru barked with complete agreement as he now didn't cared about the older Inuzuka's fury and would side with his partner. "Got that right! That was pretty manly speech partner, especially coming from you!" Was what the two Inuzuka's heard from the puppy.

"Hey! I have my moments too!" Kiba got out in a offended manner.

While the two partners continued their banner, Hana let out a sigh. Though she was still a little angry at her little brother reckless decision, but even still she knew he wouldn't regret it. "Alright. . .fine, I won't pressed this manner anymore. . ." She soon decided,though she didn't like it, she came to respect his decision.

This in turn caused the younger Inuzuka to grin in a relieved manner. "Hehe, thanks sis" Kiba replied in a grateful tone.

"However. . ." Hana soon started

"?" Kiba raised an eyebrow at hearing that.

The older sister then looked at her little brother and gave him a small yet terrifying smile. "You still have to tell mom about this though. . ." Hana then stated with a very fake sweet tone.

It was at that moment that any and all emotion completely drain from both partners faces as pure terror was replaced.

"Good luck little bro, " Hana soon got out with a sweat smile on her face as she stood up and turned around and began walking towards the door. "Because your gonna need it if you want to survive mom." She added and left the room.

It was then that the young Inuzuka realized that it didn't matter that what he said, the leader/mother of his clan would be beyond furious at this and nothing would save him from her fury.

"Oh. . .shit. . ." Kiba he got out with a soulless and horror filled tone.

"Arf. . ." Akamaru barked out in a sympathetic tone. "It was nice knowing ya partner. . ." Was what he said.

"You too buddy. . ." Kiba got out as he turned to look at his partner with a hollow smile on his face. "Because you also helped out on this, remember?" He then reminded.

". . ." Akamaru in turn couldn't say anything to that as he looked at his partner with an expressionless face.

For a few hours after Hana had left the room, passing patients and doctors could hear the the despaired filled howling of the two partners echoing through the hallway. . .

---

Within a secure section of the hospital. . .

While the other rooms that held the injured members of the Retrieval Squad have their own shinobi to guard them. This one room however had ANBU guarding every single counter, both from inside and outside and if need be, twenty four/seven. And why would this be more heavily guarded? Well in this room, three beds lined up next to each other, and each one held our favorite trio.

"Ugh. . ." Satsuki groaned out as she struggled her eyes open.

When the ravenette finally, somewhat, got her sight back, she turned to the side and was immensely relieved at what she saw. Both of her sides laid the two most precious people were right beside her. Though they each were bandaged to different decrees, the two still were in relatively in one piece and that was all that she could asked for.

"Thank kami. . .Naru-kun. . .Nata-chan. . ." Satsuki mumbled out as she felt a sharp pain on her left arm, she used her right had to take off the blanket and saw that her left arm was heavily bandage. "Oooow. . ." She got out.

No sooner that the Uchiha had those thoughts, the blond preteen also began to wake up as well. "Ugh. . .my head. . ." Naruto got out in a low, groaning tone, he tried to take hold of his head, but found it hard when he realized that he was heavily bandaged for both of his arms and not just his arms but his legs as well. "Damn. . .I think I overdid it again dattebayo. . ." He grumbled out while wincing in pain.

The ravenette gave a weak and pain filled grin at that. "I think. . .we all did this dattebakon. . ." Satsuki mumbled out, attempting to lighten up the mood as she looked towards the blond. "Ugh. . .Your battle got really bad too?" She soon asked.

"Yeah. . .but not like it was hard but manage to beat the bad guys in the end like always." Naruto began to say as he briefly recall everything he and his friends went through. "No, it was more we're lucky that we're all came out of it alive bad. . ." He then added with a dead serious tone.

Satsuki then used her other arm to push herself up to sit up as she tried to recall her own battle. "Yeah. . .It was like that for me too. . ." She agreed with her tone matching the blond's.

At hearing both the blond and ravenette, it was finally that the last of the trio to regain her consciousness as well. "Mmm. . ." Hinata moaned out as she opened her eyes. Out of the trio, the bluenette had the less injuries, but she was suffering from more extensify chakra exhaustion and could barely move even a single finger. "I must've overloaded my chakra coils and points. . ." She analysed inside of her head.

At hearing the bluenette's muffled groaning, Satsuki turned to look at her. "Nata-chan. . .your awake?" She called out in concern.

Hinata in response could only slightly her head to see her blond fiancé and her fellow fianceé. "Hai. . .though I can't really move, I must have overused my chakra." She softly replied.

The blond in turn winced to hearing that. "Bummer, don't know what worst, that or having all of your limbs busted." Naruto replied as he weakly moved his heavily bandaged limbs.

The Uchiha however groaned in pain from both from her injured limb and her chakra coils. "Guess I got a bit of both." Satsuki soon got out.

Then there was a long pause between the trio, as if they were trying to recall what had happen that let to this.

Hinata then gently laid her head back against her pillow and looked back at the ceiling. Then after a few moments, the memories of the battle started to come back to her mind, though they were very blurry. "Naruto-kun. . .Satsuki-chan. . .do you. . .remember your fights?" She then suddenly asked in a mutter.

This instantly got the other two's attention, they first looked at each other and then trying to recall their fights. But just like the bluenette, they too could only recall vague and blurry memories. However, before either of the two could vocally respond. . .

"Finally woke up , huh?" A familiar voice stated, getting the trio's attention.

Struggling to turn their heads, the trio then looked over to see a familiar tall man with white hair as he entered the room through the door as he then closed it behind it.

"Ero-sennin!" Naruto and Satsuki exclaimed in unison to seeing the familiar face.

Jiraiya in turn gained a tick mark to that nickname. "I said it once and i'll say it a hundred times. . .STOP CALLING ME THAT!" He roared out in annoyance.

Satsuki however smirked to that. "And we'll stop after you stop being a pervert!" She soon declared while playfully sticking her tongue out.

The blond let out a roaring laughter at that. "You tell him Satsuki-chan!" Naruto meanwhile encouraged while the female Hyuga giggled at this.

The trio's laughter strangely only lasted for a few moments, before it began to slowed down and it stopped entirely as they each had strain smiles on their faces.

". . ." Jiraiya said nothing as he looked on at the three with a critical eyes and frown.

While the Toad Sage may had know the trio for a few weeks, it was still long enough to know that this interaction felt off. While it was annoying as always, it didn't felt natural, almost as if they are forcing it. Well, he knew that they were dealing with something his former teammate created himself, so it would make sense that the trio may had been exposed to pretty bad experiences.

However Jiraiya decided not to push the subject right now, would probably do more harm than good, he need to start slowly before he could touch the subject that was bothering them. Then he lean on the wall and crossed his arms. "Anything you want to ask?" He asked with a calm yet serious tone.

It was thanks to that questions that provided something to focus the trio from their thoughts.

Soon enough, Satsuki sighed as she began laying back to the bed and looked back at the ceiling, while resting her head against her pillow. "What. . .happened to everyone? Are they alright?" She soon asked in concern.

Jiraiya in turn narrowed his eyes to that question. "Not going to sugarcoat it." He soon began in a serious tone. "With the exception of two members, most of your squad is in a pretty bad shape and by bad I meant hanging by a threat." He then informed with a dead serious tone.

The trio's eyes widen in both shock and terror, they had no idea that their mission went that bad and that their friend's lives were now in mortal danger.

Before the trio could even began to let out a shout, Jiraiya raised his hand to holt them. "But don't worry, they'll make it. They got Tsunade-hime and Shizune taking the helm of their treatment, so they'll be just fine in a couple of weeks." He stated with complete confidence in the female Hokage's skills.

In an instant, the trio's concerns wore lifted and relief replaced it. But they still couldn't help but wonder, how did things went that bad as they still can't fully recalled what had happen.

After a few more moments, Satsuki manage to recalled her last part of her mission and most likely reason for her current state. "And. . .Haruno?" She then asked in a crescent fallen tone.

At that moment, the room's door was suddenly slid open. "I can answer that. . ." A familiar voice stated in a dead serious tone.

The trio turned towards the door, well as best they could with in their current states and saw it was none other than their new Fifth Hokage entering the room. Close behind the blonde was with her disciple closing the door behind them, though the younger woman looked very tired and exhausted, no doubt from all the intensive healing she had to do towards the injured members of the retrieval team.

Unable to move, the female Hyuga bowed her head as best she could. "Tsunade-sama." Hinata politely greeted the older woman as she walked towards them.

Said Hokage merely nodded to the Hyuga's greeting before she stood in front of the trio while having a very serious expression on her face. This actually left the trio speechless and even a bit submissive as they waited for their leader's words.

While Tsunade would normally enjoy the trio's submissiveness, but now wasn't the time to delay. "Naruto Uzumaki, Hinata Hyuga, Satsuki Uchiha. . ." She listed off in a serious tone. "I regret to say it, but. . .the retrieval mission has resulted in failure." He declared with a much professionalism she could muster.

The trio's eyes widen in shocked at hearing that unable to believe that they had failed. How couldn't they? After everything they had done to bring the traitor back, risking their lives and their friends, but it only let in failure.

Satsuki in turn balled her hands into fists to hearing that while ignoring pain from her left injured arm. "Dammit. . .she got away. . ." She mumbled out in a frustrated manner.

The blonde Hokage soon nodded to that. "She did indeed Satsuki." Tsunade responded in the same serious tone. "And as Jiraiya said, almost all of your team was injured, some more then others. All of you were lucky to survive in the end." She confirmed the Toad Sage's words.

Now the trio felt even worse than before, everything they did, all of the effort, blood and their very lives was for nothing. The three of them and their friends are only alive thanks to just sheer luck. But above all, they failed to bring the traitor to justice. . .They failed to their friend that had suffered so much because of said traitor. . .possibly ending her chance as a shinobi. . .

Naruto's teeth grind tightly as he would had smack the walls with all the strength he could mustered if he could used his arms. He didn't even care if it resulted in getting more pain or injured, because it wouldn't hurt more than the fact that he fail to keep his word to his friends.

Hinata tried as best she could to clench her fists in both sadness and anger. After all, she nearly lost a precious family member for nothing in the end. That fact made her feel even worse than her current state.

Satsuki stared at her injured arm and had a calm yet furious looked in her eyes. She began tightening her fingers that it slowly began to bleed from the pressure, all the while she didn't even feel the excruciating pain she was causing herself.

However that Uchiha quickly ended her trance when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She quickly turned and saw it was Tsunade, but unlike before, she didn't had the same expression, instead she was looking at her and the other two with a calm, loving expression. "But I'm just glad that all of you got back alive. . ." She soon stated with a calm and motherly tone.

This in turn slightly caused the trio to calm down as they stated to relax themselves.

The female Hokage expression soon returned to being one full of seriousness. "Before we had sent Kakashi, Haku and Anko's Viper Squad along with the medical corp, dark mismas suddenly went through the air as an ominous aura rushed through Konoha." Tsunade suddenly revealed.

The trio's eyes then widened to this reveal. "Wait! They felt it all the way to Konoha!?" Naruto asked in shocked as he and the girl's couldn't believe that whatever happened back then everyone in their village felt it.

Jiraiya then stood straight his back and let out a sigh. "Yeah, but for some strange reason, with the expectations of a handful Genin, only high Chunin and above were the only one to feel it. While everyone else were completely oblivious to it." He clarified.

"But why only some?" Satsuki then asked in confusion.

It was then that Tsunade took charge of the conversation again. "It's possible that only those with high levels of chakra or chakra sensitive like sensors could detect it. But that's just speculations at best." She simply answered as she was one of those that supported that theory.

The female Hyuga in response nodded to that. "I see. . ." She replied in a understanding tone.

"Anyway, back on to the topic on hand." Tsunade stated as she need to know more about the mission. "While Shikamaru, Kiba and the Sand sibling had gave their reports from their perspective, I felt that there were a lot parts missing." She then stated as she let out a sigh and looked a bit apologetic. "And I hate to ask this, but I need to know. . ." She soon started as she turn to looked at the trio. "But I need you to give the details of this mission from your perspective. . .And I know this is rough to discuss, but we need the details of what happened. . ." She then ordered the trio in a calm but serious tone.

The trio then began looking at each other as they each had a concern expression on their faces. The older shinobi's saw this and slightly narrow their eyes at this.

"Well?" Tsunade then asked.

"The thing is. . ." Satsuki started in a hesitant manner.

"That is. . ." Hinata then started.

The blond then let out a sigh as he figure he should just say it. "It's going to be a bit of a problem. . ." Naruto soon ended the broken sentence.

The two Sannin members soon narrowed their eyes to that. "And why's that?" Tsunade demanded more than ask.

Not wanting to make it look like they were trying to look suspicious, the ravenette continued. "It's because. . .we don't really remember what happened." Satsuki then revealed.

The toad sage frown with concern for the young shinobi's mental health. "You mean. . . like short term amnesia?" Jiraiya soon questioned with a hint of worrisome in his tone.

The bluenette was the first to respond as she shook her head. "No, it's nothing like that. It's just everything goes very hazy at certain points for us and we can't recall most of what had happen afterwards." Hinata then explained as best she could.

"I see. . ." Tsunade got out with a bit of disappointing and frustrated tone, but not at the trio, more so at being able to fully solve the mystery of what had happen. "Well, for now can you tell me everything that you do remember and then we can deal with everything else once you recall." She soon requested.

The trio look at each other once more and then after a few moments they all nodded in agreement.

The blond then turned to look at the unmovable Hyuga's bed. "I guess, you should start Hinata-chan, because it started pretty much the same, until we had to split up." Naruto then proposed.

Hinata nodded to that as she looked at the Sannin members. "The Oto shinobi that me and Neji-niisan fought. . .he was very skilled shinobi with powerful spider like abilities and summons which made it very difficult fighting him. But above all he was a great strategist and managed to counter all of our Juken attacks." Hinata started explaining.

"So he was a strategist of the sorts. . ." Tsunade stated in a serious manner, but didn't continue as she knew that what happen next would be the most critical information, if the older sand sibling tale was anything to go by.

Then the Hyuga's expression turn worrisome with a hint of terror in it. "But. . .then he consumed something. . .a pill of sorts. . ." Hinata soon began with a frown on her face. "And then suddenly. . .he was then cocooned in his own webs and then what came out. . .it wasn't a human anymore, he had turned into a literal monster in every sense of the word. . .it was like nothing I had ever seen before. . ." She soon revealed.

Jiraiya placed a hand on his chin and took a moment to think. "Well, that does fit with what that Kankurō kid had told us about his encounter after his opponent took the pill." He muttered out loud as he turn towards the Hyuga. "He said that his foe had incredible strength and inhumane regeneration. What did your opponent have? Was it similar in any way?" He asked as he wanted to know if they all have some sort of similarities or if there aren't at all.

The bluenette took a few moments to try and recalled everything and though she found it difficult, she still managed to remember bits and pieces. "He. . .it. . ." Hinata quickly corrected as she couldn't even associate the creature as a human anymore. "It's speed was beyond anything I have seen, easily surpassing a Jonin and stealth that easily manage to hide from my Byakugan. And his spider like abilities were now of an actual spider like monstrosity." She soon revealed.

While the speed was a bit of surprised, it wasn't anything that the two Sannin's haven't dealt or seen before. However the fact that the opponent actually manage to completely hid itself from something like the Byakugan, now that was very concerning as the Hyuga's bloodline,while not all powerful, it was still something to never take lightly.

Unaware of the two older shinobi's bafflement, the Hyuga continued. "With those new abilities. . .it completely decimated the two of us with little to no effort. . .I could do nothing but watch Neji-niisan almost die. . .trying to protect me. . ." Hinata then revealed in sadden tone as a single tear fell from her check, still finding that experience to be heartbreaking.

"I. . .I see. . ." Tsunade stated in a serious tone while narrowing her eyes. "Dammit. . .what the hell does Orochimaru have this time. . ." She thought. But then she remembered that the two, while on in still in critical condition, they manage to come back alive. "So. . .how was it exactly that you were able to defeat this. . .creature then?" She soon questioned as need to know if they had some sort of weakness that they could use against any of these abominations of life.

"How I defeated it. . ." Hinata started as she struggled to hold her head in pain as she winced slightly. "I apologize Tsunade-sama. . .it all became a blur after that. . .all I can recall is seeing everything dark crimson. . .But after everything was over I remembered Haku-sensei appearing as the medical shinobi's said that Neji-niisan was still alive." She soon concluded.

The female Hokage could only let out a sigh at that. "I should have known. . ." Tsunade muttered to herself as she then placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Well regardless, I'd like to add that your efforts weren't in vain as your first aid treatment was enough to get him back to Konoha, which save Neji's life." She soon informed.

This in turn caused the Hyuga to gasp in shock. "R-Really? Will Neji-niisan really be alright?" Hinata asked in disbelief and hope in her voice.

Both medical kunoichi's simply smiled in a reassuring manner, which caused the younger teen to quietly weep in happiness. While the other younger shinobi's wanted to hug their precious person, they were unable to move because of their injuries, so they simply grinned happily for the bluenette.

While he was also glad for the younger girl, the Toad Sage knew he had to cut this short as they needed to continue. "After that, Shikamaru reported his encountered." Jiraiya soon informed.

Though slightly frowning at the Toad Sage's lack of tack, the female Hokage understood why he did and turned towards the trio. "While different in many ways, they too fought their opponent and also ended with them taking this pill and caused her to mutate. However unlike the two before were their were more physical changes, her's were more so in a fire base abilities." Tsunade then revealed.

Jiraiya then stepped forward as he looked at the blond. "Alright gaki, your up." He called his godson which said teen turned towards to him. "Did you and the others face anything similar?" He then asked.

Naruto winced when he tried to move his arms to try and hold his head, but gave up when it wasn't worth it both the hassle and pain. "Well. . .the guy I fought did had insane abilities that's for sure, my arms and legs are proof enough of that." He half confirmed, half joked with a serious tone.

At hearing that, the toad sage frown deeply. "Speaking of that." He suddenly called out as he looked at the blond with narrowed eyes. "Gaki, why in the world were you using Kurama's power so recklessly?" He asked with a disappointing tone.

The trio's eyes widen in startelement at hearing that. "Wait. . .what?" Naruto could only manage to get out.

Jiraiya let out an annoyed sigh at that. "From what Lee and Gaara explained in their report, you went completely berserk and recklessly attack your opponent with Bijū's chakra." He commented, still a bit disappointed as he had told his godson not to overused the Bijū's chakra in such a reckless manner.

"I. . .did that. . .?" Naruto responded in even more confusion as he honestly had no idea what the perverted sage was talking about with a raised eyebrow.

This simple remark actually surprised the older shinobi's, after all, while not a hundred percent trust the Kyūbi, they had gained enough trust to at least believe that the fox wouldn't do anything that would make any attempts of harming their godson.

"Did Kurama try to take control of Naruto?" Jiraiya thought to himself with fear and even slight betrayal, thinking that maybe all this time the Bijū was tricking them all this time.

Meanwhile both older kunoichi's were having the same thoughts and were now seriously concern for the blond preteen.

"Actually. . .now that I think about it. . .Kurama didn't talk the entire time during the mission." Naruto soon revealed while the girls nodded in agreement. "Hey Kurama get out here and explain what where the hell you been!" He called out with an annoying tone.

Then like always, the blond's body glowed blue before changing to a red color. However unlike before it had a weaker shade of red then normal, then the chakra turn into the Bijū's chibi form, though both his face and fur looked a bit pale and ruffled while having bags under his eyes. "Ugh. . ." He groaned out clearly showing he was feeling pain.

This in turn surprised everyone in the room to the Bijū's condition. 'Hey. . .what's wrong with you Kurama? You ok?" Naruto soon asked.

Then the chibi fox slowly began panting as he weakly turn to face the group with a twitching eye. "No. . .not really. . ." Kurama simply replied with a tired voice.

"!?" Everyone in the entire room were left speechless, they had never, ever heard the normally energetic, sarcastic and perverted fox sound so. . .drained and vulnerable.

"Hey. . .what's wrong Kurama? Why are you, well. . .like this." Satsuki asked with clear concern for the chibi fox's appearance.

The Bijū in question turn to the side and frown. "Ugh. . .I really. . .don't want to talk about it. . .I need to get back to the seal and rest. . ." Kurama bluntly replied between pants, but when he turn around and he saw the concerns expression on the trio's face he let out a sigh. "But I promise. . .I'll explain everything. . .later. . ." He then stated.

Then the chibi fox's body finally completely destabilize and returned back to his formless chakra form, which returned towards the seal on his host stomach.

". . ." Everyone in the room could only remain in a state of bafflement at what just happen.

Even the two Sannin were confused, they thought that the Bijū might had tried to trick them into stalling. However what they saw was clearly someone who was very much sick and one being the most leading expert in medicine could had seen if he was pretending.

The silence filled the room for a good while, but it was Jiraiya that quickly recover as he decided to hold his judgement until after the Bijū explained himself. "Well. . .like Kurama said, we'll talk about that later. Let's go back to our discussion." He suddenly declared to gain everyone's attention.

Luckily, this got the desired effect and everyone relax and decided to continued, though behind the trio's mind's they were still very concern for, and while never openly admit it, their precious and irreplaceable friend.

Tsunade then return her gaze to her godson. "Did your opponent also took one of this pills that cause mutation." She then asked.

The blond however shook his head to that. "He didn't take any pills from what I do remember." Naruto then revealed as he then physically flinch at recalling the conversation he overheard from his two friends before help arrived.

". . ." Both younger kunoichi's saw that and were concern by it, but they decided not to ask as they knew now wasn't the time.

"Yes, the medics actually found the foe you, Lee and Gaara fought. But unlike the others, his body didn't dissolve, Shikamaru simple believed that he died from over exerting himself." Jiraiya then revealed.

The Hokage's assistant then stepped forward as she once more looked at her clipboard. "Yes, after examining his body we determined that although his injuries were severe, it was his terminal sickness that ended his life." Shizune soon revealed.

". . ." Naruto said nothing at that as his eyes were slightly hollow and decided not to ask for anymore more information.

This however only cause both of the blond's fianceés to be even more concern.

The female Hokage merely nodded to this as she then looked at the Uchiha. "One last thing." Tsunade started once more in a serious tone. "Do you recall if Haruno took this pill as well during your fight?" She soon asked.

The Uchiha tried to recalled, but like the others, she held her head and felt pain, she could only saw a lot of blurry memories. However she manage to remember a few parts of her fight and merely shook her head. "No, from what I can remember, she just used Orochimaru's Curse Mark and her own skills that were nothing I ever seen someone our age could have, hell I think even Gaara and Lee would had trouble fighting her." Satsuki responded in a serious tone. "Though how she got those skills. . .I don't know. . ." She then added as she shook her head.

Even now, the ravenette still couldn't believe just how powerful the traitor had gotten, every single aspect nearly made her think that she was facing an actual Jonin.

"Hmm. . ." Hinata hummed out as she started to ponder on something.

The Sannin and the other Team Seven members heard this as they then looked at the Hyuga. "What is it Hinata?" Tsunade soon asked in concern.

Hinata quickly snapped out of her pondering as she turned towards the female Hokage. "Well, now that I think about it. . ." She began to say. "When I fought her during the Chunin Exam finals. . .I found it very surprising how much she had changed, skill wise I mean, when she was never the most physically talented, she was more talented mentally." She soon revealed. "I did wondered who had been her trainer. . ." She then mentally added as she had wondered who could had helped someone like Sakura become that strong in such a short time.

Meanwhile both Sannin's were in deep thought, they would had wished that they had gotten more information about these mutated pills, but they also knew that was just wishful thinking at best. But after listening to the two kunoichi's experiences with the traitor they manage to figure out something.

Jiraiya let out a sigh as he crossed his arms. "It looks like it was possibly Orochimaru that had secretly train Haruno." He suddenly commented, shocking the trio at hearing that. "Not sure why though, he would always focus on those that are. . .unique or valuable for his research or experiments." He then added. "Sakura Haruno. . .your former classmate, was there anything special about her before you first encountered Orochimaru?" He then asked.

While the trio initially would had wanted to just plain out scoff at the thought, they quickly ended that way of thinking. The Sakura Haruno they knew was long gone and this one was a clear threat to every person they care about.

Naruto wanted to put his hands behind his head, but the pain quickly reminded him not to. "Well. . .I don't really know much about her. . .other than she was really smart and give a mean punch, not much else." He commented while he could still feel phantom pain on his head.

Tsunade's eye twitched to that. "She attacked him back in the academy!?" She thought with great annoyance.

That comment also greatly annoyed both kunoichi's but decided not to comment on it. "Other than her impressive intellectual mind and. . .tendencies to hit people. I would say she had a very exceptional chakra control." Hinata soon revealed.

Satsuki in turn nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Iruka-sensei always did said that out of everyone in are class, Haruno had the best chakra control." She then begrudgingly admitted, but kept her contempt for the traitor for herself.

The toad sage meanwhile put his hand on his chin to pondered on this. "My best guess, is that Orochimaru found that to be interesting enough for him." Jiraiya stated his thoughts as he let out a chuckle. "After all, Tsunade-hime here is a perfect example of how deadly someone with perfect chakra control can be. I have the scars to prove it too." He added with an amused tone.

Though she rolled her eyes to at the end remark, Tsunade had to nod in agreement. "I wouldn't put it pass Orochimaru to forcibly recruit someone just for something as simple reason as that. . ." She admitted. "Anyways, we're getting sidetrack, let's get back on the subject." She soon suggested.

The rest of the group nodded in agreement to that. "Right." Jiraiya replied as he looked at the Hyuga . "So anything else you can remember? Anything at all, even if you think is insignificant or irrelevant could still prove to be useful." He then questioned.

The bluentte took a deep breath as she closed her eyes, then she desperately tried to recall anything else, even when she felt a very powerful headache, she still pushed on. Then after a few painful moments of recollecting, her mind finally manage to recall more vivid memories that let up to her cousin nearly sacrificed himself for her.

The fight, if you could even call that, was very one sided and she recalled how her Byakugan was completely useless to spot her opponent. But now that she was in a calmer place to think, she found something to be. . .unusual in that battle.

"Well. . .Other than his inhumane abilities. . ." Hinata soon started as she frowned with an expression that showed her confusion. "He. . .never really went for a quick and decisive kill. . ." She then revealed.

This in turn caused the Hokage to narrow her eyes. "What do you mean?" She then asked as she motion the younger kunoichi to continue.

"It's just even after turning into that. . .thing, he could have easily killed us the moment he gained those abilities, but. . .he didn't." Hinata began as she tried to find the right way to explain what she experience. "In fact, I think he actually took his time, as if he was toying with us, like a cat would with a mouse." She then concluded.

"Well, if he turned into a monster, he would probably act as if he had a predator like mindset." Jiraiya then theorized while placed a hand on his chin in a thinking manner.

While the others found the older man's theory to be logical, the bluenette on the other hand shook her head. "I don't think so. . ." Hinata however stated, gaining both Sannin members attention. "Because even before he turn, during are battle with him, he always fought as he was trying to hunt us." She then explained once more in a serious tone.

The toad sage closed his eyes and crossed his arms as he tried to processed this new information. The blond Hokage on the other hand, her eyes widen in shocked when she heard that as this conversation eerily matched to an earlier talk she had before coming to this room.

---

Flashback no jutsu!

After the retrieval squad had managed to returned back to Konoha and all of the extremely injured members were taken to the CIU room and manage to stabilized them, Shikamaru and the Suna Siblings were ordered to the Hokage's office in the hospital. Then after explaining everything that had happen Tsunade was left speechless what they had told her.

"It's hard to believe that my gaki of a godson didn't put you all up to this just to mess with me. . ." Tsunade tried to joke in a sense of coping with what she heard, but her expression soon turn grim. "But I know your not to make this kind of thing up. . ." She then added.

The Nara in turn rubbed his head to that statement. "Truthful. . .I would had thought the same if someone else said the same thing I just said. . ." Shikamaru couldn't help but agree. "But unfortunately it's all true. . .we got the injuries and even some, soon be be, scars to prove it. . ." He added as the images of his nearly killed friends still hunt his mind, if it wasn't for the female Suna Shinobi and his father he would still be in his funk.

The female Hokage already knew about the young chunin's mental state after his father had told her. "It just means you still have some growing to do as a shinobi." Tsunade then stated in a serious manner." Tsunade soon gave a deep advise, after all she couldn't help but feel sympathy for him as she herself knows about such pain. "Now then, aside from what your told me, what else can you tell me about your battles against theses. . .mutations." She than ordered.

The middle sibling of the Suna Shinobis then rubbed the back of head, though winced slightly in pain. "Other than being with Gaara before the blondie helping changed his view in life. I haven't been more terrified in my entire life" Kankurō soon admitted. "I mean the guy I fought ate some pill and then suddenly, turned into a literal undying monster with strength that could maybe each yours Tsunade-sama. . ." He then revealed as fear was still very present in his tone.

The female Hokage in turn frowned at this, while the concept of restore missings limbs would be every doctor's dream, but having something like this to a literal monster with similar strength as hers would be a cause for concern.

"And then after Chōji Akimichi defeated him. . .he literally melted?" Tsunade then questioned with a serious tone.

"Yeah. . .I mean it didn't make much sense really. It could regenerate missing limbs, hell he could regrow his head in seconds too. So I just couldn't understand why his body just melted like that."

Tsunade frown yet again at that. "Hopefully Hinata could tell me more. . .after all there was the same liquified remains where Haku found her and Neji. . ." She thought to herself. "Shikamaru Nara and Temari? How about you two? What can you personally think about the kunoichi who also took this pill?" She then asked.

The Nara simply shrug his shoulders at that. "Other than what we reported about her powers, before and after mutated, and all the lovers spat going on. Not much I can say about it. . ." Shikamaru lazily replied.

"Pfft. . ." Kankurō nearly let out a roaring laughter at recalling what her sister and the Nara said about the Inuzuka and the Oto kunoichi, but didn't want to be rude in front of a Kage or risk her sister chewing him off later.

It was a wise move on the younger brother's part as the older sister was giving him the stink eye, before turning to the female Hokage. "Hopefully you'll be able to uncover more when she wakes up Tsunade-sama. And if you do, I hope you'll share it." Temari stated as their village would need to know more about this in case their shinobi ever face something like this as well.

Tsunade nodded at this. "Don't worry, if and when we find out anything more, I'll inform Suna as soon as possible." She reassured the Suna kunoichi, then she turn at the young Nara and saw he was very quiet and in deep thought, and for a Nara that meant something big. "Shikamaru? Anything else to report?" She soon questioned.

Shikamaru didn't replied at first as he was still organizing his thoughts, then after a few moments he turn towards his leader. "It's just after listening to everything, something's been bothering me."

This in turn caused everyone to look at him with serious expression. "What's that?" Tsunade then asked.

"After the description of both Kankurō's and mine's description of the pill, its safe to assume that it should be the same." Shikamaru started. "However if that's true, my question is, why did they all change and gain completely different forms and abilities as a result?" He then asked.

It was at that moment that everyone's eyes widen as they realized this simple yet critical fact. They were all so shock and afraid by their mutated forms that they completely overlook this fact.

"I think that the possibility of their personality or mental state are key factors." Shikamaru soon deducted, once more getting everyone's attention. "The guy that Chōji, Tenten and Kankurō fought was alway about being hungry and brag about being strong, then after taking that pill he turn into a monster that's always hungry and was strong enough to rip the ground apart." He pointed out.

"Yeah. . .that sounds about right." Kankurō soon replied in agreement to the deduction.

With a nod, the Nara continued. "Then there was the girl with a fiery and suicidal mentality, she gain fire like abilities that burn not just us but even nearly killed herself as well." Shikamaru stated as he placed his hand on his chin. "And depending on what Hinata say, it's safe to say that something similar may had happen to her opponent as well." He concluded his thoughts on the matter.

Tsunade couldn't' help but feel very impressed by this. "Leave it to Shikaku's son to think of the most critical and vital things." She thought to herself as the boy would no doubt be just as smart or even smarter than his father in a few years. However her expression turned to concern when she saw the grim expression on the boy's face. "Shikamaru? What's wrong?" She asked with a worrisome tone.

". . ." Once again, Shikamaru didn't answer as first, but only this time he took much longer to think and with every passing second his expression turn even more grim than before.

Then after the Nara was finally finished thinking he turn towards the female Hokage and nearly gave her a scare by the grim expression on his face.

KAI!

---

Tsunade quickly shook her head as she tried not to think of that conversation, after all even she was very frightened at what the Nara had told her after that. So she decided to have the Toad Sage thoughts on this subject on a later date.

After a few moments, the Toad Sage finally finished thinking and let out a deep sigh. "Still I'm not gonna lie, I really don't know how you gakis did it. I'm not kidding or exaggerating when I say that you literally pulled out a miracle in coming back alive after this." Jiraiya declared with a no nonsense tone while showing his rare dead serious expressions.

The trio however remained unusually quiet as they would normally joke by saying that they're that good or that it was all skill. However they wouldn't or couldn't this time and while they still felt their memories to be hazy, the three of them knew that they were just plain lucky to come back in, more or less, one piece. And how close it was that it would had ended a lot worst for not such them, but their friends.

The Hokage in turn nodded in agreement to what the Toad Sannin had said and then frown with disgust. "When I thought that Orochimaru couldn't cross any more lines that no human should cross in his search for immortality, he now has crossed yet another even more monstrous line that no living being should ever cross. . ." Tsunade soon added with a very concern and worrisome tone.

"It's a shame that we couldn't bring any samples of those. . .creatures. We could had find out more about what they were and how to combat them if we ever encounter something like them again." Jiraiya started in his mind before slowly shaking his head. "No, that we will face, knowing that teme, he will definitely make more of these things. . ." He corrected in his head to himself as he didn't want to concern the trio anymore, at least for now.

Tsunade gave a side glance to her former teammate and instantly knew what he was thinking about as she had the same thoughts. Then the female Hokage took out a few files that her apprentice was holding. "However there is some good news." She soon started.

This instantly got the trio's attention. "Huh?" They got out in unison as they looked at the Hokage.

The Hokage's assistant and apprentice realized what her master was talking about. "That's right, there was one of the enemy shinobi's that mutated and manage to survive." Shizune soo revealed.

"Wait what!?" Naruto got out startlement,

"Are you serious!?" Satsuki exclaimed in shock.

"But how!?" Hinata soon asked confusion.

It was normal for them to be surprised by that, after everything they kept hearing about the situation they all simply assume that there was no way there would be any survivors or leads for them to find.

"Surprisingly it was thanks to your friend Kiba Inuzuka that this was possible." Shizune then revealed.

"?" The trio merely look on with confusion as they didn't understood what the older kunoichi meant by that.

Jiraiya couldn't help but let out an amused chuckle. "Basically your Inuzuka friend told us how he managed to save his girlfriend

If the trio could had move normally they would had gain a whiplashed when they turned to look at the super pervert. "Wait. . .girlfriend!?" Both Naruto and Satsuki asked in confusion and shock.

The Toad Sage let out another chuckle as he knew they would had react like that. "Yup, he went full hero during his battle and literally risking his princess from her nearly killing herself." Jiraiya soon revealed. "She was basically the only survivor out of all of them." He then added.

The trio were left stupefied at that, while they would believe that their friend would be able to beat their enemy as they had faith in all of their friends. They did not expect that there was an enemies falling in love in the battlefield thing to happening to Kiba of all people.

The bluenette was the first to got over her daze as she thought on the main subject. "And. . .she also took one of those pills?" Hinata soon asked.

Tsunade took the kunoichi's medical report from her assistant and looked at it. "We don't know the exact details yet, but after examining her body. . .and the results were unusual to say the least." Tsunade then revealed.

It was then that the blond also recovered and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, unusual?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"Well. . .for starters, any blood that drips out of her body would literally ignites into flames unless it's through a syringe." Tsunade then revealed, surprising the trio and Toad Sannin to the mere idea. "Whatever exactly happened to her, it somehow made her blood literally flammable. . .along with some other various. . .side effects. . ." She soon declared in a uneasy tone.

This in turn got the trio's attention even more. "Side effects?" Hinata and Satsuki repeated in perfect unison while the blond didn't have a good feeling about that.

The only response from the legendary medical shinobi was a puzzled expression on her face as she both look at the medical report and recalling what she personally saw.

---

Within another hospital room. . .

"Uuuugh. . ." Tayuya groaned out as she slowly woke up before weakly sitting up from her bed, she was first confused to where she was and began to looked around, but the moment she did a intense pain went straight to her head. "Fuck. . .My head. . ." She thought as she held her head. "Where the hell am I?" She then added in her head in confusion.

Quickly assumed the worst possible answer, Tayuya's face turn to fear at the thought of her being sent back to the former snake Sannin. So she got to her feet and tried to escape, however her body wasn't a full health so her limbs were very stiff, because of this she trip over her own feet and fall flat on her face. "Ugh. . ." She groaned out some more while rubbing her sore face and nose.

Then the dark pink haired kunoichi slowly got back up, ironically because of the hit, she managed to calm down slightly and got a better look around. It was then that she notice that the room was nothing to the rooms she had seen before in the former snake sannin hideouts.

Another aspect she notice was that the sunlight entering the room from outside, so it was very apparent that she wasn't underground either. This facts instantly calmed her fears, but that didn't meant she still felt safe and she knew that.

"Where the hell am I?" Tayuya soon thought in more confusion as she then got to the nearest window and looked outside, only to cause her to go pale. "Oh. . .shit. . ." She added to her thought.

What the girl was the the landmark that every Konoha shinobi and villager alike would instantly recognize, the Hokage Monument.

"I'm in Konoha!? Why the hell am I here!?" Tayuya soon thought in a panic as she then started pacing around to gather her thought on how this had happen. "Ok, first I was sent to this ass of a mission to get that psycho bitch. Then after getting her, we had to fight those jackass from here-" She then began to quietly ramble on and on with even more swearing as well.

However while pacing around, it was then that the corner of her eye she saw a mirror, at first she didn't care about it but when she noticed something odd about it she stopped her pacing and turned towards it before walking over. However the moment she did, all of her brain thinking functions stopped, her face slowly beginning to turn pale while her eyes were slowly grew in size at what she saw.

Tayuya then place both of her hand on the mirror as she got as close as she could to it to make sure, more like beg it wasn't true of what she was seeing. While all of the kunoichi's physical features such as her hair, eyes and skin color were still the same as alway, however. . .She now looked as if she was two or three years younger and even her three sizes were just as small as well along with her height.

"Wh-Wh-Wh-. . .WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO ME!?" Tayuya soon screamed in shock while looking at herself, touching her face to examine herself before covering her mouth as she realized something. "M-MY VOICE TOO!?" She soon thought in confusion as she realized that her own voice sounded a bit younger as well.

The now younger kunoichi was about ready to break the closest thing to her just to relief some of her anger and confusion. "This doesn't make any fuckin' sense! How the fuck did I become fuckin' younger!? What the fuck is going on here!?" She thought while violently rub her hair in a frantic manner, trying to think what could had cause all of this.

Suddenly the enraged kunoichi stopped as her last memory finally returned to her, it was when she fought against the two Konoha shinobis and Suna shinobis, and how it let to her swallowing the pill her master and that psychotic mad scientist had given her.

The young girl's eyes soon widened at that and began grinding her teeth in anger. "Grrrr. . .I can't fuckin' believe it! ONE IN MILLION CHANCE! And it had to happened to me!" Tayuya soon growled out, unaware that her hair started slightly glowing.

Fwoosh!

"What the-?" Tayuya began to say in confusion as she then noticed a wisp of flames flying near her, causing her to blink in confusion and shock. ". . .fuck?" She soon concluded before flicking her wrist, making the flames vanish in a instant. ". . ." She couldn't even say a word to this as she was in shock with widened eyes to it even occurring.

Shiiiii! Shiiiii! SHIIIIIIII!

"Eh?" Tayuya soon got out in confusion as she began to hear a low hissing sound while it slowly sounded louder and quickly followed by her seeing rising smoke around her.

Suddenly, the door to the girl's room opened. "Oh, so your finally up. You been unconscious for a few hours-" A bandaged Kiba got out as he walked in the room with Akamaru by his side, closing the door behind him.

Because Tayuya was still confused by both her current situation and the strange hissing sound along with the smoke, she didn't reply at first. Then she turned around to look at the boy, but before she could think anymore more of this. . .

FWOOSH!

All of the kunoichi's clothing burnt to a crisp by blue flames that instantly disappeared as quickly as they appeared, leaving her completely naked as the day she was born while also revealing that her body was indeed that of a twelve year old. . .

". . ." Both young teens could only remain standing in place without the ability to move let alone think.

"Arf?" Akamaru barked out. "What just happened?" Was what the puppy said to itself in a confused manner.

At that moment, Tayuya's soon had a raising red blush on her face while her right eye glowed red. "THIS ASSHOLE IS CHECKING ME OUT! AGAIN!" She thought, her mind being full of a burning rage and anger to what happened.

Which led for her face to finally returning to normal, and by normal I meant her infuriated expression she would normally have.

At seeing such expression, Kiba's own turn into one of pure terror. "Oh shit. . .!" He got out as the girl approached her.

"GRRRRRRR!" Tayuya growled out as she stormed over to the boy in fury and right eye glowing red.

Kiba instantly flinched and let out a high pitch squeal at this."W-Wait! H-Hold on!" He barely managed to get out as he got a iron grip to his face, then he let out a agonizing scream when he felt the powerful grip nearly crushing his skull but also felt a lingering heat in her hand as well.

"ARF ARF ARF!" Akamaru meanwhile barked out to witnessing this, but was smart enough to know to get out of the room even if it meant abandoning his partner.

Then with a surprising strength that didn't match her petite appearance, she raised the boy up, gave a full spin to gain a lot of momentum. "GRRRRR! GET OUT OF HERE YOU LECHER ASSHOLE!" Tayuya soon demanded as she threw the Inuzuka out of the room.

BAM!

"AUGH!" Kiba got out in pain as he hit the wall back first, then slowly and painfully began slighting down until he was on the floor before wincing in even more pain. "Why. . .does this always happens to me. . .?" He muttered to himself for than anyone especifically.

"Arf. . ." Akamaru let out a small bark while shaking his head. "You just don't have luck with the ladies dude. . ." Was what his partner heard the puppy saying, which made said partner whine in despair.

SLAM!

After that, Tayuya threw the boy back into the room, she shut the door close and began to take a deep breath to calm down, well try would be a better word. "Why does that always happen to me!?" She then got out with fury, releasing the boy as the puppy went to his side.

"I-It was a accident!" Kiba struggled out as he winced in pain from being slammed against the wall while rubbing the back of his head while the puppy nodded in agreement.

"LIKE A EVER BELIEVE THAT PERVERTED MUTT!" An infuriated Tayura however thought with in annoyance.

The dark pink haired kunoichi let out a scoff as she turned away from the door and went to try to find something to wear. She continued to tisk as she wish she could had given another beating before the red glow in her right eye faded.

Meanwhile, Kiba slowly and painfully began to stand up and decided for his safety, he would come later, after the girl had calmed down. "Dammit, this is what I get for coming to check on how you were doing. . ." He then grumbled out as he started to leave.

Tayuya however stopped in her tracks at hearing that and was momentary left surprise by that as she turned towards the door as it then closed, leaving her alone once more. "Wait. . .what?" She got out in confusion. "He. . .came to check up on me? Why?" She then muttered out in even more confusion.

Sure the kunoichi was still pissed off with the boy and wouldn't let it go anytime soon, but she also couldn't help but feel a slight warm sensation at the fact that someone was actually concern for her well being. Something that she had never received since she was forced to serve the former Snake Sannin.

Then suddenly without realizing it, the dark pink kunoichi's left eye began to glow blue. "Well~ It's not all that bad to be desired by someone you know. . .~" A flirty and seductive voice suddenly commented with a delightful tone while a faint smirk slowly but suddenly appeared on the girl's face.

Immediately the naked kunoichi's eyes widen so much that they nearly pop out of her skull and a massive scarlet color blush appeared on her face to those sudden thoughts. "W-WHERE THE HELL DID THAT CAME FROM!?" Tayuya got out with pure confusion, shock and embarrassment as her left eye stopped glowing.

It was then the the Inuzuka and his partner stopped when they heard the shout. "Huh?" Kiba got out in confusion and a raised eyebrow.

Then the Inuzuka and his ninken partner turn to look at each other as they didn't understood why she sounded so embarrassed before the boy winced in pain again.

---

Back in the room where Team Seven was. . .

The room was left eerily quiet as everyone, save for the older kunoichi, were in a state of pure shock at what the female Hokage had just told them.

"Her body somehow became that of a twelve year olds!?" Satsuki exclaimed in more confusion.

"That doesn't even make sense dattebayo!" Naruto then added.

"How was it even possible?" Hinata concluded.

Shizune frown as she couldn't provide an answer to their questions. "That's. . .something we're still trying to figure out. . ." however admitted.

"Tsunade-hime?" Jiraiya called out. "Do you have any ideas how it happen?" He then asked.

The female Hokage placed her hand on her chin and took a moment to think. "Well, mind you it's just speculation and theory combine." Tsunade began as she looked once more to the notes. "Since her mutation didn't change her much, in the physically sense, she stayed more or less the the same physical form as before." She stated as she handed the note back to her assistant.

Shizune them and continued where her master left. "However it was those flames that came from said mutation that caused a lot more damage than we thought, they literally burn off most of her cells around her body." She added while looking through the notes as well.

"So how about the girl's condition?" Jiraiya then questioned, thinking that the kunoichi, though alive, she would be in a bad state.

The female Hokage sensed what her former teammate was thinking about. "Not as bad as what your thinking. Even though those severe injuries were caused by her mutation, at the same time because of her rapid mutation it actually restore eighty five percent of all of her injuries that she's now closer to her original form as humanly possible." Tsunade soon revealed.

The toad sage was left speechless at hearing that, then after finally processed all this in formation a thought came to mind. "Hold on. . .wouldn't that be considered a Kekkei Genkai?" Jiraiya soon asked.

The female Hokage frown at that conclusion as that terrible feeling was slowly returning to her. "While its true that bloodlines are considered a mutation, they are considered a rarity that is the culmination of generations of bloodline evolution and depending on your point of view, a work of sheer good or bad luck to gain or in this case, create one." Tsunade stated before shaking her head in a negative manner. "But no, this is something that was created by a madman, something that forced the body to go into a forced mutation. . ." She then declared in a serious tone as she was forcefully coming to realization of something she didn't wanted to face.

". . .!" Jiraiya was one again left speechless, but this time out of sheer terror at what this could only meant. "And that's what it was. . ." He declared with a low yet grim tone.

This however confused the members of Team Seven. "Wait, what? That does this means Ero-sennin?" Naruto asked with a very confused tone while the girl's were also wondering the same.

Jiraiya in response balled his hands into fists. "Orochimaru's true goal for these mutations experiments. . ." He began as he looked straight at the trio with narrow eyes. "He must be trying to create new Kekkei Genkais. . ." He declared with the most serious tone he had ever spoken before.

To that deduction, it was an understatement that everyone was silent to what was said as a graveyard would have more lively noises than this room.

"WHAT!?" The Team Seven trio exclaimed in perfection unison of pure shock and bewilderment at this revelation.

"A-Are you serious Ero-sennin!? Creating Kekkei Genkais!?" Satsuki soon asked in disbelief.

"T-That can't be. . ." Hinata stammered out, unable to believe that such a thing was possible.

Tsunade while not as vocal as the others, she was in fact the most calmer than the others as if she had finally allow herself to come to terms that this possibility was actually true. "So Shikamaru was onto something. . ." She soon thought with a grim tone.

---

Flashback no jutsu!

The Female Hokage and the older Suna siblings turn to look at the young Nara and waited for him to speak his mind.

The Nara then close his eyes for a few moments. "I may not be a religious kind of guy. . .but even I would pray to every single kami in existence in hope that what I'm thinking is just me over thinking things, but. . ." Shikamaru soon started as he reopen his eyes and gave a grim expression that got everyone's attention. "There's a strong possibility that Orochimaru is trying to create artificial powerful bloodlines." He declared with a dead serious tone.

"!?" All present in the room were left in complete shocked at what they just heard.

"Hey. . .that's not a funny joke. . ." Kankurō tried to joke but if he was being frank with himself, he was trying to dilute himself in an attempt of avoiding the possibility that this was just the Nara overthinking this, something even his sister would hold heartly do as well.

I mean, how could they believe such a spine chilling theory that even the Fifth Hokage would incline to do the same. The concept of someone as dangerous as Orochimaru somehow obtaining more shinobis with similar powers as the ones they just barely survived against was enough to want them to deliberate ignorance.

Shikamaru however didn't blame them for feeling that way, if it wasn't for his genius mind, even he would do the same. One could say it's both a curse and duty he had to carry for being blessed/cursed with such intelligence.

But the Nara also knew that it wasn't the time for denial of the possibilities after everything that occurred. "That gluttonous shinobi that you fought." Shikamaru then started as he looked at the Suna puppet user. "You said that he was incredibly strong when he used his Curse Mark, but he gained true monstrous strength when he mutated that caused him to gain a inhuman regenerating ability that would make Naruto's healing factor a joke." He stated in a serious tone.

Kankurō simply nodded as he would mark that fight on the same level of terror he used to had when his brother would go berserk and let Shukaku out.

Then the Nara turn to face the Suna kunoichi. "As for us, those flames that the kunoichi used. . ." Shikamaru began while recalling their fight. "I have never seen or heard of someone use blue colored flames after changing from the normal red and orange colored ones." He then revealed.

Temari in turn nodded in agreement. "Same here." She replied as she could still feel that blazing heat on her skin. "Though her skin suddenly becoming blue was also unusual." She added offhanded but she simply left it as a side effect of her mutation.

Shikamaru then narrowed his eyes as he finally got the real terrifying part. "But what really made me believe this theory is her control over those flames." He stated with calm yet nervous tone. "How she controlled them was nothing I ever seen in any fire style jutsu I ever seen or read about." He then admitted.

This caused the Suna kunoichi to widen her eyes in surprise. "Now that you mention it. . ." Temari got out as she now realized that their opponent just simply knew how to control her new abilities with absolutely no difficulty, which that alone was a terrifying thought.

"And as troublesome as it is, it was almost at the same level of control as Gaara with his sand." Shikamaru soon revealed. "Though I don't think they could move on their own, she still was able to effortlessly and instinctively managed to control them as if she had been doing it for all her life." He then clarified. "Hokage-sama, how is she right now?" He asked his leader.

Tsunade then looked at the Nara as she remembered the report. "Right now she's being examined in her unconcious stated." She informed in a serious tone. "Though it's been a work in progress to fully examine her. . ." She then added as it was really a pain to deal with the flammable blood.

The Nara nodded then took a deep breath and his expression darken. "Now add all this to what the girl said about rather dying than surviving the mutation." He began to say with a grim tone. "It makes me believe that it's Orochimaru goal to find shinobi's that would survive the mutation and find out why they were able to turn it into a stable mutations or more accurate a new bloodline, a Kekkei Genkai. . ." He stated his theory with fearful tone as he turn towards Temari. "So you could say, the enemy we fought was a success while the enemies that the others fought were failures. . ." He added.

"That sounds about right. . .Orochimaru would use everyone as his test subjects for his twisted experiments. . ." Tsunade thought to herself with disgust.

"Tell me. . .how those all of this doesn't sound like an insanely powerful Kekkei Genkai that would make the shinobi's of old to band together to eradicate them for being a threat to their very existence?" Shikamaru then questioned to everyone in a dead serious tone.

And so, the room was left in complete and deaf like silence as both the Hokage and the two Suna siblings were left speechless at such a terrifying thought.

KAI!

---

The Fifth Hokage soon groaned in anger and annoyance to realizing the Nara was completely on the spot with his theory if even the Toad Sannin came to the same conclusion. "Damn. . .Of all the things he's attempting. . ." Tsunade soon thought in disgust.

Feeling that the atmosphere was getting too dark and darker by the second, Shizune flinched as she return her gaze at the medical report. "A-Anyways. . .Because this changes, the girl's physical development is now in the state of preteen, so it's likely that she's will have to go through the same development once again." She then concluded in hopes of changing the atmosphere.

Thankfully, the older kunoichi's hopes came true as they all turned towards her and relaxed somewhat, to which the two Sannin's were very thankful for the woman's attempts.

Although for the blond preteen he gain a baffled and annoyed expression. "Ugh. . .Can someone please translate? My brain hurts dattebayo. . ." Naruto requested while struggling to hold his already hurting head, but now feeling a massive headache.

"Same here dattebakon. . ." Satsuki got out in agreement as she had swirls in her eyes while rocking her head back and forth.

"It just means that the girl will have to go through puberty all over again." Tsunade bluntly explained while rubbing her head. "Which I can personally say that it's going to be really annoying for a fellow female." She then admitted to which her assistant wholeheartedly agree.

Those this explanation helps clarified the two younger shinobi's thoughts, the bluenette took a moment to process this. "So besides that. . .she only looks and feels younger?" Hinata both asked the older kunoichi.

"Basically, yes." Tsunade replied, nodding in confirmation.

"So. . .what's gonna happen to her now?" Satsuki soon asked out of curiosity. "I mean, she's a prisoner right?" She then added.

A sly smirk appeared on the Hokage's face when she heard that. "Well. . .let's just say I have something in mind." Tsunade vaguely revealed.

In response to this vague answer, the trio tilted their heads in unison with a confusion expression while not liking that smirk on the Hokage's face.

---

Deep underground. . .

"Wake up." A crude voice ordered.

Sakura's eyes slowly open and saw that she was in an unfamiliar darken area, though she didn't looked worry or concerned by this. She then turned towards the one who called her and instantly recognized who it was. "Kabuto. . .Yakushi. . ." She slowly replied.

"Oh, you finally woken up? Good, get ready because Orochimaru-sama and Danzō are calling for you." Kabuto then informed while adjusting his glasses.

Sakura however narrowed her eyes as she sat up and saw that she saw naked, though she didn't even seem to care about that nore was she phased by it. "That's Danzō-sama to you Kabuto. . ." She corrected in a slightly annoyed tone.

The medical shinobi however merely shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "Whatever you say. Now hurry up and get dressed." Kabuto reminded as he threw a simple purple outfit that prisoners used to the girl.

The Konoha traitor easily caught it with one hand and she stood up. As she was about to change, she recalled something, she looked around and smiled with vile delight when she found what she was looking for. Then quickly got the outfit on and put the object in her shinobi pouch. It didn't took even a minute to finish changing and then proceeded to follow the medical shinobi down the darkened halls.

Sakura's gaze wandered around the area as she raised an eyebrow. "Is this Orochimaru-sama's and Danzō-sama's hideout?" She questioned with monotone curiosity.

"One of of many hideouts Orochimaru-sama has around the elemental nations." Kabuto then revealed. "Though I wouldn't get to use to it, you'll be constantly moving from hideouts periodically." He however advised.

Sakura merely shrugged her shoulders and nodded to that. "Of course. It is to avoid our chances of getting caught." She replied in agreement while explaining the reason behind it.

Kabuto in turn smirked to that. "Glad you have the mind set, it will be very useful later on, trust me on that." He praised followed by the advice.

Sakura in response nodded to that again. "Of course, it is all due to Danzō-sama and Orochimaru-sama's guidance and training they had given me. " She praised her masters with reverence. "They had helped me see that who I was in the past was irrelevant to their desires." She continued explaining, however. . .

"I couldn't agree more, after all you used to be. . .less ideal of what a kunoichi was." Kabuto taunted with a demeaning tone, however he didn't had the chance to receive a reaction as they reached their destination. "They're inside." He declared as he open the door.

Sakura soon entered the room she saw the former head of ROOT first, and although having a different body, she recognize the former Snake Sannin's eyes, she bowed to them with a dulled and emotionless expression. "Danzō-sama. Orochimaru-sama" She greeted in a monotone voice filled with obedience.

Orochimaru in turn merely chuckled in amusement to the girl's greeting as he sat in his seat in a kingly manner. "Kukuku~ It is good to see your up." He praised his newest student with his usual twisted amused tone.

The former head of ROOT however narrowed his eye as he looked at the girl. "You were late. . ." Danzo stated in a dead serious tone.

While most would feel terrified at being in front of a man like the former head of ROOT after disappointing him, Sakura however didn't flinched or quivered in the slightest. "I apologize for my mistake, it won't ever happen again." She apologized in the same monotone voice with another bow.

The medical shinobi meanwhile chuckled to this. "Oh come now Danzō-sama, I think we should give the girl a break." Kabuto however got out in a amused tone with a smirk on his face. "I mean she did lose to a superior kunoichi, so it should be understanding that she was late." He then reminded while adjusting his glasses.

Both Danzō and Orochimaru easily saw that the medical shinobi was just trying to infuriate the girls with his sharp tongue. And they were at least expecting that she would show some sort of sign of anger by the clear insult to her skills, but to everyone's surprise. . .

The girl at that moment finally raised her head and they all saw a picture of calm and composure on her face. "Mmm. . ." Sakura simply hummed with a nearly carefree tone. "I guess so. I must need more training then." She simply replied with no hint of anger or rage by the clear insult she had received.

This in turn surprised not only Kabuto, but also one of the girl's masters as they all knew how much the girl loathed the Uchiha, so that reaction and answer was honestly surprising. "Oh? Aren't you upset that you lost to the Uchiha Heiress?" Kabuto voiced the both of the ROOT leader and former Snake Sannin's curiosity.

"Not really." Sakura then replied without a hint of anger, rage or lies in her tone.

Kabuto being the master spy that he was, he could easily spot when someone was lying or pretending. But to his surprise he saw that the girl was in fact completely unaffected by her lost, which greatly surprised him. "And. . .why is that Sakura-san?" He then asked.

Sakura slightly look upwards towards one of the lit torches as if she was trying to think of a reason, but simply ended with giving the medical shinobi a shrug. "Mmm. . .I just don't care anymore. . ." She soon answered in a blunt yet honest manner. "I just simply lost all interest in her, Uzumaki and Hyuga. Well if I ever do see her or the other two again, I'll probably kill them in the worst way I can imagine though." She added with a terrifyingly carefree smile adoring her face.

"!?" Kabuto instantly flinched and took an unconscious step back when he heard that as he felt goosebumps all over his skin. ". . .Her chakra is leaking out of her body as if it was a flood. . .and it's so sinister that it makes me almost want to puke. . ." He thought as he looked at the girl.

The bispecticle medical shinobi had seen hundreds of willing and none willing test subjects that had taken part of his masters curse mark powers. Most would die from not being able to handle the strain of receiving it. Others simply end up dying from overusing or not being able to control its power. While some, like the former Sound Five, had fully accepting its power and even manage to reach the second stage, which only a handful of subjects have ever reached without dying or losing their sanity.

But this? This was something the medical shinobi has never seen before. . .someone who has fully and willingly embraced everything that the Curse Mark had to offer and make it part of her own, physically and mentally.

"She fully embraced everything she had received from Orochimaru-sama and even Danzō-sama. . ." Kabuto said to himself in his head with a very disturbed tone as he came to a very frightening conclusion. "If she continues, she might even surpass Orochimaru-sama's level. . ." He then added in his head while shivering at the mere thought of it.

To hearing this and also feeling the vile chakra leaking out of the girl, the former Snake Sannin smirked in a pleased manner. "Impressive. . .she indeed shows great promise. I can't wait to see just how far she will go." Orochimaru thought in a tone of excitement and satisfaction.

The former head of ROOT however narrowed his eyes to this. "While it is impressive to see how far she's gotten, she still needs more intense training if she lost to the Uchiha. She cannot fulfill her purpose if she doesn't have the necessary mentality, strength and skill to do so." Danzō meanwhile thought as he also felt the vile chakra leaking from the girl.

Unaware of her master's thoughts, the traitor finally stood up. ". . .Orochimaru-sama, I have brought you a present as a result of my departure." Sakura then revealed as she took out something from her person..

Both nuke nin raised an eyebrow at that as they waited what their apprentice had for them. Then the girl finally took out a scroll that had a large dry blood splatter on the edges.

The green and pink haired girl then stepped forward as she kneeled on one leg. "For you Orochimaru-sama." Sakura soon offered.

Orochimaru in response took the scroll and unsealed its content, the moment he did, he felt a warm liquid oozing through his hand and saw it was a severed arm. While most would had instantly throw the limp away, the former Snake Sannin on the other hand merely smirked amusingly at the limp.

"Yes. . .this will most definitely be quite. . .the addition for our project." Orochimaru stated in a satisfied manner. "Well done my dear." He then praised.

The traitor simply smiled contentedly that was just borderline of someone who was smugly smirking. "Thank you Orochimaru-sama." Sakura responded

"Orochimaru-sama, Danzō-sama, may I please have more training?" Sakura obediently requested with a small bow while smiling in a disgustingly sweet manner.

The former Snake Sannin merely chuckled in amusement to that. "Someone's eager." Orochimaru remarked in a similar tone as he turned his expose eye towards his partner. "I believe it's your turn to train her?" He then reminded.

Danzō merely scoffed at this but nodded all the same. "Very well, we will begin in deadly." He responded in a serious tone. "I do not expect anything less than flawless from my training regimen." He warned, thought it could had easily be mistaken as a promise of death if one were to failed.

However Sakura wasn't phase in the slightest as she smiled eerily. "Of course Danzō-sama." She replied with more than just a little anticipation.

Orochimaru meanwhile got up from his seat. "Wonderful, then I'll continued with the Project." He then informed as he held the severed limb. "Now that we have the final piece, we can truly finally begin. . ." He soon thought while licking his face.

With that, their meeting was over, each went towards their own destination and each eagerly awaiting what the future will foretold. Thought it would most certainly not be a bright one. . .

While Sakura was following the former head of ROOT, a suddenly thought came to mine. "But after I train. . .I think I'll get something to eat, I am quite famished for some tart and tea." She thought to herself with a bright smile.

However unknown to everyone, the girl's eyes soon began to glow a mixture of both green and vomit yellow as they illuminated through the darkness as the smile became a psychotic grin that formed across her face.

---

Within Konoha. . .

After getting all the information they possibly could at the moment, the Hokage, her assistant and the Toad Sannin decided to leave the room so that all of the members of Team Seven to get a well deserved and needed rest.

However, the trio hardly had any thoughts of resting, now that there was nothing to keep their minds occupied they all couldn't help but remain uncharastically quiet. Though they didn't know the reason at first, they all had something deep inside that prevented them from calming down.

Then little by little, images and glimpse of everything they had experience during their death battles began to become clearer and clearer. And then after an hour or two or nothing but thinking, they slowly began to recall why they were feeling this way.

"So. . ." Naruto started after a very long time of silence. "Do you remember everything? He soon asked.

The two kunoichi's slightly closed their eyes at that. "Mostly. . ." Hinata and Satsuki replied in unison with a sad and pain filled tone.

Satsuki's then gained a painful expression. "It was like. . ." she began to say as she looked at the ceiling. "I was in a horrible nightmare. . ." She then revealed.

Hinata gave a soft nod to that as she closed her eyes. "Yes. . .One that we just couldn't escape. . ." She agreed with a sad tone as she could still feel the blood of her cousin on her hands. "Not until it was over. . ." She added as a tear fell from eye.

Naruto however then narrowed his eyes as he now knew that what each of them felt, while different for each, they still felt horrible afterwards. "Still. . .what the hell was all of that?" He then asked in a serious tone as he could still recall that all the emotions he felt during the fight.

The ravenette was pulled out of her thoughts by this as she frown with concern". . .It couldn't have been Kurama. . .could it?" Satsuki soon asked.

Hinata however shook her head to that. "I. . .don't think so. . ." She responded, getting the others attention. "Whenever we used Kurama's power, while it always felt a great source of hatred, it still felt an intense heat and anger." She then explained. "But that. . ." She hesitantly started, but trailed off at the end.

Satsuki's frown deepened as she instantly knew where was the bluenette was going with this. "We could only feel an uncontrollable rage and. . .a ice cold feeling that numbed everything. . ." She then added.

The blond in turn nodded to that. "Yeah. . .that's exactly what I felt too. . ." Naruto replied in a dead serious tone. "The guy I fought. . .even though I was so pissed at what happened to Ino. . .I lashed out on the guy I fought. . .But. . ." Naruto started, but then hesitated at the end.

". . .But?" Hinata and Satsuki soon asked in concerned unison.

The blond then shook his head. "No. . .it wasn't just because of what happened to Ino. . .it was. . .that guy in general. . ." Naruto then revealed.

". . .Why is that?" Hinata soon asked, slightly confused to hearing that.

Naruto took a deep breath to calm down. "At first I just hated the guys guts for actually being so fiercely loyal to someone like Orochimaru. . ." He began to say it a hesitating manner. "But it was Gaara that finally made me really the real reason why I wanted to beat him so much that I had urge to. . .kill him. . ." He soon revealed.

To that, both girl's were let speechless as they had never, ever heard their beloved blond actually having such thoughts. Sure, they all had thoughts of beating to living daylights of those that deserve it, but they never thought the blond, the one with the strongest desire to be a hero would actually want to kill someone.

"But. . .Why would you want to Naru-kun?" Satsuki soon asked with concern at what the blonds thoughts were on this.

Naruto then narrowed his eyes, though not out in anger at someone, more out of self loathing. "He. . .no, Kimimaro. . .was me. . ." He eventually declared with a low and vague manner.

". . .Eh?" The Hyuga and Uchiha Heiresses got out in confused unison to that sudden statement.

Naruto then closed his eyes, trying to gather his thoughts. "Just like how I saw Gaara as the same as me if I had no one in the past. . ." He began to say as he slowly reopen his eyes. "I saw Kimimaro as someone who had felt the same loneliness and was desperate for just someone to accept him for who he was. . .like me. . ." He then started explaining. "The only difference between us was that choose Orochimaru, while I choose Iruka-sensei. . ." He soon concluded.

It was at that moment that the two girls understood, they both recall just how much the words Iruka said to him during the thief of the Forbidden Scroll case. Just how irreplaceable and treasured they were to the blond, how they saved him from falling a dark path, so hearing how his opponent was so similar to him must have been very impactful for him.

Naruto then once more narrowed his eyes as he looked at the ceiling. "And the worse part of it all. . .I refused to acknowledge that. . .I refused to accept that he and I were more alike that I wanted to admit to myself." He revealed with a painful tone, he tried to use his injured hand to cover his face, he didn't even cared about the pain he felt by doing it. "I simply used that excuse of him being the enemy to blind myself to that fact. . ." He soon admitted in a ashamed tone.

"Naru-kun. . ." Satsuki mumbled out in a saddened tone as she could only watch at the very defeated blond.

Hinata meanwhile had gone silent as she too began recalling moments from her fight. ". . .I. . .I'm also not proud of my battle. . ." She soon revealed in a meek tone.

Intentional or not, this successfully managed to gain the sadden blond's attention as he and the ravenette turned towards the bluenette. "Nata-chan?" Satsuki was the one to call that out as she didn't like the tone that the girl used to have, now returned.

Hinata then lowered her eyes in a depressed manner. "During my fight after my opponent had mutated. . ." She began to say as she the painful experience was now fresh on her mind. "I felt. . .I felt so. . .useless." She admitted in a deep sense of shame in her voice. "Nothing I did in our battle seemed to work on the enemy we fought and I wasn't able to help Neji-niisan when he was severely wounded. . ." She then revealed.

The rest of the injured members of Team Seven face tighten in dismay, they could literally feel what the girl was feeling, powerless, helpless and useless to do anything. But worst of all, it was when someone precious to her was in desperate need her help, so it was probably the worst feeling one could felt in such a situation.

Hinata's expression soon became even one of more despair as she looked at her bedsheets. "But when Neji-niisan was forced to take the killing blow that was mean for me. . .All I could do was look on helplessly, completely and utterly incapable of doing anything to save him. . .All I could do was to watch him slowly die. . ." She soon revealed while tears began flowing out of her eyes and without the use of her arms, she was unable to stop them. "And it was all my fault. . ." She then got out in a self loathing tone.

Both the Uzumaki and Uchiha felt horrible at seeing her like this, but they couldn't say it was ok. I mean how could they? The girl's dear family member nearly died trying to protect her. It was only the devil's luck that they both managed to get out of them alive. So they simply decided to listen to the rest of her story in silence.

"And then. . .My anger. . .My sadness. . .my despair took over. . ." Hinata soon revealed. "It was then I recall using Kurama's chakra and. . ." She hesitantly started, but trailed off. "I killed him. . ." She soon revealed, but then shook her head in a negative manner. "No. . .killing him wasn't what I did to him. . ." She corrected herself as the self loathing was oozing from her very being.

This in turn got the Uzumaki and Uchiha's attention even more out of both confusion and concern. What could be worse than just killing someone? Fortunately or unfortunately, they didn't have to wait long for their answer. . .

Hinata's body then began to shiver in fear as she remembered more of what happened. "I. . .I slaughtered him. . ." She then stated with widened eyes as images of her butchering on the mutated creature. "I took my time to slowly and painfully try to inflict as much torture as I possibly could, all the while to feed my anger on his misery for as long as I could. . ." She concluded while larger tears began falling from her eyes as she felt disgust at what she did, she could still recall holding the creature's decapitated head on her hand and then mercilessly cut it in half.

The silence in the room was heavy and gloomy, as the other two frowned sadly at what the bluenette had went through. It was clear that it wasn't the near death that affected her so deeply, it was the feeling of being powerless to help someone very dear to her that was affecting her.

While the blond knew about loneliness, he has never been in such a situation of a family member nearly dying and not being able to save him. So he couldn't find the words to even begin to comfort her, which only sadden him even more.

However, the Uchiha was probably the only one of the two that could relate, after all she too felt the same way before. Watching everyone you love dear to you dead on the ground and their blood everywhere. . .it's not something a few words could possibly help. So she decided not to say anything and simply did what she didn't do before, being there for her in such a time.

Satsuki then decide to at the very least distract everyone from their painful experiences with her own. "To tell you the truth. . .I think I had it the easiest. . ." She suddenly said with a sad chuckle.

This in turn got the others attention as they looked at the Uchiha.

"I didn't have face someone that reminded me of myself. . .or having someone dear to me nearly die in front of me. . .well at least this time. . ." Satsuki tried to joke, but even she knew it was a horrible one and she was just forcing it, so she decided just continue. "I'm not even going to deny it. . .with the exception of Gaara, Haruno's was the toughest and most dangerous opponent around our age group that I had ever face. . ." She soon admitted in a slightly bewildered manner.

The others meanwhile were very surprised at hearing such a thing. While they knew that Sakura had indeed had gotten stronger after the exams, however they would never had thought that Satsuki, of all people, would say something like that to a girl she used to look down as a kunoichi. So it made them now truly realize that the traitor was now indeed a very dangerous kunoichi.

"Anyway, in my case. . ." Satsuki continued as her face then turn towards one of self anger. "When Haruno became a literal monster, well not like the others, it was because she used her Curse Mark. . ." She then admitted. "The same mark that was also meant for us." She then clarified with disgust.

Both kunoichi's then glanced towards their shoulders as they still felt great disgusted at recalling the moment they had gained it while the blond could only felt great anger as he was still planning on making the man pay for that.

The ravenette decided to continue her story, less she let it really bother her. "It was during that fight that for the first time. . .I was truly overwhelmed and. . .I was so angry at her for what she did to Ino, of the thought of seeing the same scene when my clan had died. . .but this time by her hands instead of my brother's when he was forced to do what he did. . .that I. . ." Satsuki hesitantly started. "My rage. . .I let it completely take over my very being. . ." She soon revealed as she then felt a pang of pain in her head.

The bluenette frown sadly at hearing that. "Satsuki-chan. . ." Hinata mumbled out to hearing her friend's reveal as she saw while she could felt her pain and sadness over what happened.

"It's not the fact that I let that happen. . .I would sometimes let it get the better and still be alright, but it wasn't that that really hit me. . .it was that I broke. . .our Nindo. . ." Satsuki soon confessed in a ashamed tone.

Naruto's eyes widen as he couldn't believe what he just heard, after everything they had went through, he would never thought that anyone from Team Seven would ever say, let alone actually break the Nindo they all share and believe.

"We-" Satsuki quickly stopped as she shook her head. "I gave my word to Shikamaru and Chōji that I would bring Haruno back to make her face justice for her actions. . ." She then started as small tears of shame began to leak hout. "But I didn't. . .I didn't care about doing that anymore. . .all I cared about was killing her and making her pay for everything she had done, of what she could have done in the future. . ." She then concluded as she felt deeply ashamed that she had had honestly believed she all right in the world to do such at thing.

". . ." Both the Hyuga and Uzumaki were speechless as they imagined what their friend had gone through. But at the same time, they couldn't find it in them to really blame her. After all, the three of them had done things they weren't proud as well as they done so while they were not their normal selves.

The three were soon silent once more, but they all had one similar thought in their minds. While their emotion did get the better of them in such a desperate and stressful encounters, they each had one common denominator that was the same. . .they all had used the same vile and dark crimson chakra. . .

And with that thought they all turned towards one another and nodded at the same time. "We need to talk with Kurama." The trio soon decided in unison.

Then the trio lean back on their beds and closed their eyes, it didn't took long before their minds instantly went into the blond's mindscape.

---

Within the seal. . .

The trio soon reopened their eye to see the darken corridors of the mindscape. They all saw the Bijū laying inside the huge gate, but when he sense their presence he open his eyes. Then he stood up and the trio saw that, while still looking a little tired, the Bijū was much better then before.

"Che. . .took you three long enough to get here. . ." Kurama remarked while rubbing his head.

The three of them frown out of concern, after seeing how tired and weak his chibi version looked, they thought his real self was in even worst condition.

The ravenette then stepped forward as she lean on one of the large pillars. "You feeling alright now?" Satsuki soon asked as the other two soon followed behind her.

The Bijū merely nodded to that with a sigh. "More or less. . .though I'll still need a few days rest to fully recover ." Kurama responded in a serious tone. ". . .And a couple of nights with my mate." He then added the joke while trying to lighten his mood.

However the Bijū's attempts wasn't successful as the trio's expressions didn't change.

"Kurama." Naruto retorted in a deadpan tone. "We all know that this isn't the time." He then added in a serious tone.

The Bijū merely sighed again to that. "Yeah. . .guess not." Kurama admitted in agreement as he laid down to looked at the trio. "Alright, I promise to explain what happen." He soon stated in his own serious tone.

It was at this that the trio got closer to the gates to hear the Bijū better, they would had prefered to go through them, but the seal wouldn't let them to pass. So they simply settle with leaning against the large pillars.

Hinata took a deep breath as she looked straight at the Bijū's huge crimson eyes. "Kurama. . ." She soon began with a serious tone. "What. . .happened to us during our battles?" She then asked in a hesitant manner.

"Who was that we heard during the fight?" Satsuki soon asked. "Because it sure as hell wasn't you." She then added in concern.

Naruto then narrowed his eyes. "And. . .why did that chakra we used felt so. . .wrong? That blood colored chakra." He asked the final major question.

Kurama merely sighed to that as he then narrowed his eyes while looking at the trio. ". . .It's not easy to explain. . .nor something I was expecting. . ." He revealed in a serious tone, but when he saw the annoyed expression on the trio's face he let out another sigh. "So, I'll just show you." He then decided.

"Show us? How?" Naruto soon asked in a confused manner.

"This is a mindscape idiot, figure it out." Kurama retorted in a deadpan tone.

Then by a simple flick of his hand they all saw the mindscape change. The trio was now seeing the tragic day when the Kyūbi had attack the village all those years ago and all the destruction that had occured as a result.

"T-This is. . ." Hinata muttered out in a nervous manner as she looked at the scenery around her.

"The day when that guy with the spiral mask forced Kurama to attack the village." Naruto got out

"The one with the Sharingan eye. . ." Satsuki meanwhile thought to herself with a frown while balling her hand into a fist. "I'll never let that happen to Kurama again dattebakon. . ." She then added to her thoughts.

Kurama however heard the Uchiha's thoughts as he couldn't help but give a small smirk to that. "Hmm. . .Maybe you'll really be the Uchiha in a long, long time that I'll be able respect again. . ." He thought to himself before he waved his hand again. "You know what happened before, so I'm just skipping that." He simply said as the scene quickly change like VCR.

"OI!" The Uzumaki and Uchiha exclaimed in unison while the Hyuga simply sighed at this action.

The Bijū however simply ignored the two and continued watching the scene. "Ah, here we are." Kurama got out as he stopped the image. "This is where it all started."

Then the image halted when the Shinigami was pulling half of the mightiest of all Bijū's chakra and soul. They all could see a silhouette of Kurama's other half desperately trying to pull free, but it was for not as he just couldn't free himself from the powerful clutches of the grim reaper himself.

Kurama soon groaned in annoyance as he watched this occurring. "Well I didn't like being trapped inside your mother for all those years. So you can bet your life that my other half didn't want to spend eternity with your father." He then revealed.

The other half half of the Bijū's chakra continued it futile struggle, but as he every inch it was being pulled, the top part of its chakra began to expand more and more.

"And knowing that it wouldn't be possible to save himself at that point. Well you could say he abandoned ship at the last second, he divided his mind from his part of his body." Kurama soon stated as they all watched what was occuring.

It was at that moment that where the small piece of the Bijū's chakra separated from the rest of its body, while said body was completely sealed inside of the Fourth Hokage's gut.

"And by chance or a miracle, it worked. That half of me was able to escape being imprisoned inside the Fourth's seal, though he had to sacrifice his body and the half of our chakra." Kurama revealed as he narrowed his eyes. "Good deal if you ask me. . ." He then muttered out.

The trio then noticed a very weak and see through silhouette of the Kyūbi hovering a few feet away from the two shocked lovers after seeing that the Bijū had more or less succeeded in escaping its full imprisonment.

"Then what happened?" Naruto soon asked as he and the others listened on intently.

The see through Kyūbi the slowly began to hover towards the two dying lovers, more so towards the crying blond baby.

"Well. . .He tried to gain a new body." Kurama answered as he then eyed the blond haired baby. "And by new body, I mean yours Kit." He then revealed with an unconcern tone.

This however caused the eyes of the three to widen to that reveal. "WHAT!?" The trio exclaimed in shocked unison.

The Bijū simply crossed his arms and looked to the side away from the trio. "Hey remember at that time all we cared about was being free and your parents were hell bent to imprison us again." Kurama reminded in a serious tone. "So sorry if we were desperate after finally being free for all those years." He then apologized in a sarcastic manner, though he was sorry about the attempt, he didn't blame his other half for trying to do it at the time.

The trio groaned at that, they could understand why he would do it. I mean, if you been enslaved, imprisoned, enslaved again and then going to be imprisoned again, one would be desperate enough to do something like that to finally be free.

Though the blond didn't like it, he decided to let it go, because he knew that he would never be able to know how horrible that must had been for the Bijū to go through. Then he and the girls turn back to look at the memory.

Kushina instantly realized what had just happened, that the half of the Bijū had freed its mind and was trying to find a host to possess, in other words her son. "OH NO YOU DON'T DATTEBANE!" She roared with a sudden determination and found new strength from within.

CHINK!

Suddenly, one more Chakra Chain came out of the dying mother's back and caught the flying apparition, preventing it from getting any close to her son.

This however caused the blond Uzumaki to shiver at seeing what his mother's final attempt of protecting him. "M-Mom. . ." Naruto muttered out with a sad yet proud tone.

Both young kunoichi meanwhile looked on with amazement, seeing such inner strength the female Uzumaki possessed in her obviously weakened state was a sight to behold. It made them realize just how much they themselves still lack and hoped they could be like her someday.

"Well. . .obviously that didn't happen in the end." Kurama remarked in a serious tone. "Because your Mom's annoying never giving up attitude, she found the strength to stop my other half." He continued with a very annoyed tone and while he still hated the woman for imprisoned him, even he begrudgingly respect that fierce determination she had. "And since he didn't had any of our chakra, she didn't had any trouble doing so." He soon revealed as he narrowed his eyes.

And as to prove the Bijū's point, the apparition uselessly struggled to free himself, but wasn't able to. Had he still had even a small portion of his chakra, he could had been able to.

The Fourth turned from his wife and the apparition and also understood what had happened. He remained quiet for a few moments as he turn towards the seal on his gut and frowned in disappointment.

"But because the Fourth already seal my other half's chakra inside of him, he knew he couldn't seal my other half's mind." Kurama once more began before he then started to rub his head in a frustrated manner. "So he did something both desperate and incredibly stupid as a result. . ." He then revealed.

With a heavy heart at knowing what he was going to place even more burden onto his son, the Fourth began making a few hand seals in an attempt of adjusting the seal when the time of sealing the other half of the Kyūbi.

Suddenly the Kyūbi that was still bound by the chains was slammed onto the ground, then everything went white as he couldn't see or hear anything for a few moments. Then when he regained his senses, he could only see the two parents smiling sadly yet softly at their baby before both him and the apparition was sealed inside the blond.

Kurama meanwhile let out an irritated groan to this as he could still feel that moment being fresh in his mind. "After he sealed me here, he then seal my other self's mind inside an isolated place further inside the Eight Trigrams Sealing." He then explained in the same serious tone.

Then the mightiest of the Bijū disappeared as the two parents fell as their eyes closed, never to be reopened again. The trio soon began to feel a wave of sadness towards seeing this while the blond let out a few tears fall from his as he would had wanted to hear their last words, but knew that wouldn't be possible.

Then as the images of the past faded away, Naruto wiped his tears away with his arms as he turned towards the real Bijū. "So. . .why would this be desperate and stupid thing to do? I mean wouldn't it be the same now? You're sealed here too." He then asked as he couldn't see the difference of why his father's final decision was a bad one.

The trio flinch in fear when the Kyūbi looked at them with the most terrifyingly serious expression they had ever seen before in their life.

Seeing that, Kurama calmed down by taking a deep breath. "Oh I don't know. . .let's think of your friend that Shukaku is seal in." He began to elaborate with a slightly sarcastic tone. "In his seal, he wasn't able to sleep, he could still move around, but couldn't sleep like I could here. That cause him to go slightly insane with the urge to kill everything. . ." He then stated in a more serious tone.

The trio shuttered in unison at recalling the first time they felt and meet the Bijū after their friend from Suna had unleashed it for the first time. They thanked the Kami's that they had Gamabunta by their side and that the Bijū wasn't at full power when they fought him or they didn't know how they could had won that day.

"Though Shukaku's an impulsive idiot to begin with." Kurama then bluntly added in a deadpan tone as once again he showed little to no respect for his youngest Bijū sibling.

To that, the trio couldn't help but sweatdrop to that last bit the fox Bijū made toward his his sibling.

Kurama quickly regained his serious composure once more. "Anyway, now imagine not having a physical body, no way of sleeping to rest his mind, which that's all he is. . .only being able to recall every single human that had use him or imprison him and finally being completely and utterly alone . . .for twelve years. . ." He listed with a deadly serious tone that went even more serious with each thing mention.

"!?" This in turn got the trio's full attention.

"While I can understand your parents trying to protect you from my other half. But I think you can imagine that I will never forgive what that fucker Madara, the other Uchiha and your parents for what they did to me. . .to us." Kurama declared while letting a bit of his massive and overwhelming killing intent spew out of his body, but quickly calmed down as he didn't want to lose himself in his anger. "Now how do you think my other half would be feeling after finally able to escape?" He then questioned with the most serious tone and expression had ever made.

This in turn caused the trio to wince to that. . .vivid description of what the other half of the Bijū had gone through. They couldn't and wouldn't dare try and say that they did, because no human could ever hope to relate or understand what a trapped Bijū could had felt for centuries, so they simply remained quiet out of respect then of fear or saying something insulting.

However after hearing this, the three young shinobis finally understood where that cold rage, hatred and despair came from. That this intense and terrifying feeling that would make Kurama's true emotions pale in comparison, which was quite ironic that it came from said Bijū's other half. All those years of being imprisoned, of being completely and total isolation for more than a decade with only bad memories to keep him company.

The Bijū then started rubbing his head again. "And though I thought for sure that we wouldn't have to deal with my other half for a year or three, so I didn't want to mention it." Kurama began as he then rubbed his head with his paw in a irritated manner. "However. . .something unexpected happened due to recent events. . ." He revealed in annoyance..

"Eh?" Naruto got out while looking at the Bijū.

"What does that mean?" Satsuki then asked.

"Unexpected?" Hinata repeated in concern and confusion.

The Bijū then began scratching his head. "I'm not sure how. . .but his awakening this time was triggered. . .by the traitor. . ." Kurama then revealed.

". . .What?" Satsuki bluntly asked in a serious manner.

"How-?" Was all Naruto could get out as he and the others didn't had a clue how was possible

Kurama merely sighed to that, but could understand the blunt response from the girl. "I have no idea. . ." He simply replied with an uncertain tone. "But when she made her leave, it cause something inside of the seal to go unhinged. . which somehow cause my other half to finally found a way to resurface from his imprisonment much earlier than I thought." He deducted as he then narrowed his eyes towards the trio. "But it was you three that crack the lock." He soon declared.

"Us!?" Naruto got out in shock.

"Why would you say that Kurama?" Hinata soon asked in more confusion to that accusation.

"Yeah! What the hell Kurama!?' Satsuki however asked in a more offended manner.

"Right, let me clarified." Kurama stated with a very fake cheerful tone that he had no intention of continuing. "It was all your fault that he got out much sooner than I thought." He then clarified with absolutely no nonsense or joking manner.

"!?" This in turn shocked the trio even more to that clarification.

"The way you felt about the traitor for the actions she performed towards the Yamanaka girl." Kurama quickly stated before the two loudmouths could even think of shouting. "Though with everything that the bitch did, I can't blame you for being pissed." He stated as he understood why. "But because of all those negative emotions you all felt and that kept growing during that mission was like a massive fire for my other half to follow." He then revealed.

"!?" Once again the trio were shocked, but this time they held no emotion or willpower to shout or even deny the Bijū's very accurate declarations of how they felt during the retrieval mission.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it to you three. . ." Kurama soon started in a dead serious tone. "If you let something like this happen again, he will come out again." He then revealed with a conflicted tone as he found it hard to think of facing his other more dangerous half of himself. "Trust me that you were lucky he was just playing, he could had done much, much worst to you or those you care about." He stated in a dead serious tone, because he would had done the same if the roles were reversed.

". . ." The trio felt completely silent at that, as they just couldn't comprehend that everything that they did was just the other just playing and then horrified that it could had been much worse.

Kurama then sighed as he looked at the depressed trio. "And don't even expect having any help from me. . .I was completely at his mercy because he took control of all of my chakra. If it happens again, you three are on your own." He advised in the same dead serious tone. "The only reason he wouldn't kill me is because he can't or risk being killed along with me." He then revealed.

". . ." Once again the trio went silent as they didnt know how to deal with this. It was hard enough to deal with the intense negativity when they used the Bijū's chakra, but now they had to deal with something even darker now.

The Bijū then thought that it was enough and decided to change the mood a bit. "The only bright side to all of this is that he had his fill, so he won't come out for a while." Kurama then revealed, giving the trio a sense of relief. "Not sure for how long though, it could be days, weeks, years or at any moment, who knows, but I know he will come out make no mistake." He soon explained.

". . ." Naruto frown as he gain a contemplating look on his face. "Can't we do something about you, I mean the other Kurama." He soon asked with a hint of sadness in his tone while the girls also wondered the same thing.

The Bijū however shook his head to that. "Nothing. . .that part of me is too far gone to simply try and reason with. If you think you could even come near it and expect a have a civil chat, then you have a better chance of breathing in outer space than having a friendly talk with him." Kurama soon declared with a hint of exaggeration in his voice, though he meant every single word.

". . ." Naruto could do or say nothing but frown in dismay and sadness, while he could never fully understand how bad the other Kurama had it, he still understood the pain of loneliness and how bad it can change people for the worst.

". . ." While Hinata also didn't saw anything, her mind was too busy thinking of everything she had learn and how much it concern her. This could bring great danger for both her love ones and friends and she could do nothing about it.

"Oh great dattebakon. . ." Satsuki meanwhile mumbled out, both concerned and frustrated to what will happen now with this darker version of the Bijū. "I won't be like Madara. . ." She meanwhile decided in her head.

Kurama turned away and let out a sigh at their reactions as a thought then came to mind. "Though. . .There might be a way. . .but forget it, their not remotely strong enough to even think of try it. . ." He thought to himself, but decided to keep it to himself because he knew that if he gave them a small hope, they'd be stupid enough to try it now. So he'll tell them after they get strong enough. "I think you've been here long enough now, some people are coming in now." He then informed.

The trio in response didn't say anything for a few seconds, then they nodded in unison and soon after they vanished from the mindscape.

As the Bijuu was soon left alone, he closed his eyes to concentrate and prepare his copy as he then thought about the Uchiha's last thoughts he heard. "That girl really is an anomaly among her clan. . .and not just cause of the kit. . ." Kurama thought to himself.

---

Back at the trio's hospital room. . .

The room was eerily quiet after the trio had entered the mindscape to talk to the Bijū. but that didn't change in the slightest when the three had woke up. The trio were still very quiet, none of them didn't had the any desire to say anything for a while, wanting time to fully process what the Bijū had told them.

"I. . .still can't believe this happened though. . ." Hinata soon started, getting the others attention. ". . .A second Kurama is within the seal. . ." She then mumbled out in a quieter tone for only the trio to hear.

"Yeah, but. . .that Kurama is nothing like the Kurama we know. . ." Satsuki continued as she just couldn't find it in her to accept the other Bijū's actions and how he basically toyed with them in the most violent and heartless manner.

". . ." It was only Naruto that continued staying quiet as he felt that this revelation was much heavier towards him than to the girls and didn't know how to feel about it.

As the trio continued to poundered in their minds, their room door was suddenly opened to reveal a familiar purple haired jonin.

"Well looks your three finally had you beauty sleep." Anko joked out with a smirk on her face, but that quickly changed to a frown when she felt the heavy atmosphere in the room.

The trio weakly turn towards the door and they each smiled tiredly. "Oh, hey. . ." Satsuki greeted the older kunoichi with a weak and tired tone.

". . ." Anko could only look on at the trio with a concern expression. "Looks like they finally seen and did things a true shinobi would normally do. . ." She thought to herself with a sadden tone which soon turn into contain anger. "And I can only thank that asshole Orochimaru for it. . ." She then thought in a angered manner.

"Sensei please, they had a rough mission and are recovering from it." Another familiar voice chided from behind the older kunoichi.

"Are they awake yet!?" A younger and spirited voice asked which was soon followed by three adorable animal cries.

This caused Anko to nearly tumble forward, but managed to caught herself. "Oi Nina! Quit pushing!" She ordered as she felt the four eager members of her team trying to push her out of the way.

The youngest member of Viper Squad poke her head over the older kunoichi's shoulder and let out a squeal when she saw Team Seven awake. "Naruto-niichii! Hinata-neechii! Satsuki-neechii!" Nina exclaimed with childish delight yet a hint of concern at seeing their bandage forms.

Then the black wolf pup, white tiger cub and red bird chick ran and flew pass the older kunoichi as they jumped or flew towards Naruto, Hinata and Satsuki's respectively as they lick or rub their faces against the trio's faces.

The trio couldn't help but chuckle and giggle at the affections display of the little creatures as they couldn't do much to stop them, given their current states, not that they had any intention of stopping them anyways.

Then Nina ran passed the purple haired Jonin to lean on the Uchiha's bedside. "I'm so glad your awake! I was so worried!" She declared with a mix of excitement and concern tone.

Satsuki merely giggled to that as she first petted the small tiger cub with her healthy hand before rubbing the girl's head. "Sorry we scared you Nina-chan." She soon apologized.

"Yes, we didn't mean to." Hinata agreed as she giggled at the affection the little bird chick was giving her as the chick then went on top of her head.

"Yeah, our bad." Naruto also apologize as he had difficulty getting the small wolf cub off him with his heavily banged arms.

Yami then calmly walked into the room, she grabbed the energetic cub and sat next to the blond. "As long as you, Satsuki and Hinata will be alright, that is all I could asked for sensei." She calmly stated with small kind smile on her face while she gently patted the wolf cub.

The trio's eyes slightly widen at that, they looked at each other for a few moments before they smiled in unison. "Yeah, I think we'll be just fine." Naruto voiced their thoughts while giving his signature fox grin.

Both Yami and Nina smiled happily at hearing that, while both had different amounts of time they had spend with the trio, they all cared for them in their own unique way.

"Awoo!" Okki howled as she jumped out of the white-silver haired girl's arms and landed on top of the blond's bed as she then began jumping happily. "Its so awesome that your awake! Let's play! Let's play!" Was what Nina and her animal companions heard.

"Wow! Hey! Still injured here dattebayo!" Naruto shouted as he tried and failed to catch the energetic cub who was too springy to catch.

"Meow. . ." Ora meowed out in a deadpan tone. "Really? Can't you control yourself for once?" Was what was said.

"Chirp! Chirp!" Oti chirped happily as she lay on the amused Hyuga's head. "For once! For once!" She repeated with a carefree tone.

Nina giggled at that as she smiled happily. "Okki-chii is just really happy your all ok!" She declared.

Anko let out a sigh at all this, but couldn't help but smiled contently at seeing the trio cheering up a bit. "As must of a handful as they are, I think it's best that I leave them with the three." She thought in an amused tone, but then she frown when she looked around and didn't saw the other unofficial member of Team Seven. "So. . .where's Kurama?" She soon asked.

At that moment, the distracted blond didn't notice that he was covered in the red chakra for a moment as it then came out of his stomach and near the bed as it then formed in the human disguised Bijū. "You rang m'lady?" Kurama asked in a suave tone while giving off an exaggerated gentlemen's bow.

Anko initially smirk at that, however she quickly frowned when saw the Bijū's slightly pale complection. "You're not alright." She muttered out in concern.

Kurama in turn couldn't help but let out a sigh as he then let out a weak chuckle. "Couldn't fool you, huh?" He remarked in a attempted amused tone before he dropped the act. "But yeah, I'm a bit. . .under the weather and going to be for a while." He vaguely revealed with a very tired tone.

Anko's frown deepen at that as she thought it had something to do with what the trio had faced. "Is it because of the mission?" She guessed with concern in her voice.

The human disguised Bijū however picked up on what the purple haired kunoichi was feeling and thinking as he smiled thankfully at her concern. "Yeah. . .but not what your probably thinking." Kurama then replied as he then turned to the trio. "Oi. . .this time, I really need some alone time with Anko. . .no bullshit. . ." He mentally told his host and the girls with a dead serious yet tired tone.

The Team Seven Trio looked at each other for a moment as they knew the Bijū this time was being serious and could use some time alone as they all soon nodded in agreement.

Naruto chuckle a bit when he saw the dejected wolf cub finally get caught by the annoyed blue/silver haired girl as he then turned towards his Bijū. "Sure. . .go ahead Kurama." He mentally replied while he gave a small yet understanding smile.

Satsuki just sigh and shrugged her shoulders. "Not like we're going to go anywhere for awhile dattebakon. Got enjoy yourself." She got out in her head.

Hinata could only close her eyes and carefully lean her head down to give a nod. "Just take it easy." She telepathically advised.

This made Kurama to let out an amused scoff as he knew that this was the trio's way for him to distress. Thought he won't ever say it out loud, he was thankful that they let him do what he wanted.

At that moment, the two very strange couple left their equally strange teams alone to so that they both could spend some alone time.

---

Back at the Team Seven Residence. . .

Soon enough, the disguised Bijū and Snake Mistress of Konoha were within the large housing complex, more specifically, the purple haired Jonin's room as one of the two had taken off their coat, the disguised Bijū revealing his muscular and well toned chest.

"Still. . .I'm glad your back Kyū-chan." Anko softly muttered as she cuddled into her man's bare chest.

The human disguised Bijū then made a single hand sign as silencing seals formed around the entire room as they then faded into the walls. "As much as I would like to have a quality time with you. . ." Kurama started as he looked at the purple haired woman. "Not today. . .please. . ." He soon requested in a serious tone.

Anko was taken aback at that. "R-Really?" She got out with a surprised and concern tone as she was sure that the normally flirty Bijū would love to after returning from a long and difficult mission.

Kurama merely nodded to that. "I know, even I find that weird for me to say it." He then admitted before recalling the pain he went through when his other half tried to take control of his half of his chakra. "But. . ." He hesitantly started but trailed out.

Anko didn't said a word as she remain silent, wanting the Bijū to finished his thoughts before saying anything.

The Bijū took a few moments to think of the words before he said them. "I. . .really just want to spend some time with you. . .as my mate. . ." Kurama soon confessed in a no nonsense tone.

Anko soon smiled softly to that. "Sure. . .I'd like that too." She replied happily at that as she secretly wanted the same, just spend some time with him after that dreaded feeling that was in the air. But she then frowned at recalling said feeling. " But before that. . .What. . .happened on that mission?" She asked with a very concern tone and wanting to really know what happen.

". . ." Kurama said nothing to that as he narrowed his eyes while looking at the ceiling and recalling all the events and what could had happen. "Something bad happened Anko. . ." He soon revealed in a deadly serious tone as he could still hear phantom echoes of his other half inside of his mind before he shock them off. "But. . .I'll tell you about it later, I promise." He then reassured.

Though not liking that she wasn't told anything, the kunoichi was at least glad that the Biju promised that he would tell her. "So. . .just cuddling?" Anko soon suggested while taking off her jacket while she lean the Bijū on the bed.

Kurama made absolutely not move to stop her and let her leaning him to the bed. "Yeah. . .that, sounds nice. . .my love. . ." He slowly replied as his eyes slowly began to shut and was falling into a deep sleep.

And then the two simply laid on the bed as the Bijū fell asleep and the Snake Mistress simply cuddled next to him before falling asleep as well.

---

Back within the hospital, in the ICU section. . .

The rhyming electric beeping of the heart monitor could be heard echoing inside the room as well as the gentle breathing of a person soon followed. This was the room where the body of the unconscious Ino Yamanaka was hospitalized.

The nurse in charge of the young kunoichi was doing her daily routines of checking for the girls vital signs. "Good, their still staple and are growing." She muttered to herself with relief while writing her observations down on the girl's papers.

However at that moment. . .

The young blonde's eyes soon started moving. "Mmm. . ." Ino moaned out in a strained tone.

"!?" The nurse was startled by the noise and when she turned to look at the girl was left surprised when she saw the girl's eyes opening.

The now awaken girl slowly blinked a few times as her mind slowly began to reboot after a long time being asleep. "Where. . .am. . .I. . .?" Ino muttered her first words in a long time. . .

---

JG (JGResidentEvil)'s A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! JGResidentEvil here with Fight2Protect with most recent and last Chapter of Uchiha Heiress Remix for 2018!

F2P (fight2protect)'s A/N: Yo! It been forever! But its awesome to finally be back!

JG: At the End of 2018!

F2P: Yeah. . .Our bad for that, we took a really long break and then we had little time to work on the chapter, blame real life for that. . .

JG: We would've gotten it done sooner, but a lot of stuff came up for the two of us. Three words: Real Life Issues. . .

F2P: So we can't say that it won't happen again, but we will still work hard to put out the next chapter ASAP! Or at least a chapter each two month. . .

JG: Yeah, so let's get it on with the Review Response! Here's mine from SonicBlast4444 from Chapter 56!

Lethal Pain. Annihilation Crusher. Satsuki was a mini Velvet for this fight. Hell yeah. I hope those abilities come back later. Hell i can see a lot of similarities between velvet crowe and satsuki uchiha. Very fitting. Awesome fight scene and another amazing chapter.

Glad you like it! I kept imagining Satsuki to be like Velvet Crowe thanks to the chakra claw, so I thought it would be fitting for her to have her own variations of those attacks! :D Though you got the names wrong for the second one. It's called Annihilating Crash. ^^"

F2P: Yeah! All of the trio's moves in their- *thinking pose* . . .let just call it Corrupted Bijū forms, they are all base on something that could be familiar if you pay attention enough. . .or played a lot of games, can you guess which we base their attacks from? XD Now onto my revie from Leaf Ranger from chapter 56.

Well, that's over with. Here's hoping that whatever that darkness infecting Hinata, Naruto and Satsuki was, Kyuubi can explain it to them and warn them against it. I'd ahte for this to be something they have no idea about. Guess we'll see, won't we?

Incredible fight, even if it was annoying that Sakura got away. But at least she didn't do it on her own power, like Sasuke did in canon. that was such BS, I thought.

Keep up the good work!

Well, now it's as good time as any to address this, but yeah, some of you faithful readers figured out that the was an evil Kurama that was the cause. But it trust us it has a purpose and not just an asspull, and we are only going to say it will involve something we both DID NOT agree or like in part 2, this is to correct or adjust that issue. Though we won't explain or say what now. XD

And finally, I'm so glad you enjoyed that epic fight! Took us forever to write such an epic clash of the titan's kind of fight! Also yeah I felt the exact same way as you, it WAS BS that Sasuke could just leave on his own power. . .

JG: Now that we got that out of the way, we'll need to have a small discussion for the future involving the upcoming arcs for Uchiha Heiress Remix after the Sakura Capture Arc. Via being a poll on my page.

For the upcoming Arcs for Uchiha Heiress Remix, how many chapters do you think they should be per arc?

Yes, basically it's a simple question where you can only choose two choices out of the ten with it being between a single chapter or up to ten chapters for an Arc.

F2P: Also, keep in mind depending on the how long each chapter will last will mean that it will take longer to upload the next chapter IF you guys want just ONE chapter per an arc. And honestly. . .we don't recommend it, because as we said in other AN, each of this arc WILL have a very important event that will affect the future of this fic. So if you pick one chapter, you may not keep in mind of all the things that WILL affect the later chapters of fic.

JG: That as well. So be wise about choosing chapter amounts. A single chapter will take longer then a multiple chapter arc. And this will be for an estimate for every arc that will be in the story. And remember, these will be the Arcs that are going to be coming up along with what episodes they are for anyone curious.

Land of Rice Fields Arc (Episodes 136-141)
Mizuki Strikes Back Arc (Episodes 142-147)
Curry of Life Arc (Episodes 152-157)
Stone of Gelel (Between episodes 160-161)
Land of Birds Arc (Episodes 162-167
Saving Ayame (Episode 168)
Land of the Sea Arc (Episodes 169-173)
Hoshigakure Arc (Episodes 178-183)
Land of Vegetables Arc (Episodes 187-191)
Haunted Castle (Episode 194)
Crescent Moon Kingdom (Between episodes 196-197)
Trap Master Arc (Episodes 197-201)
Kurama Clan Arc (Episodes 203-207)
Ultimate Weapon Arc (Episodes 216-220)

And not mention, even within some of the Arcs, they'll be some original surprises, so also take that into consideration.

F2P: Trust us. . .its going to be a fun ride! XD

*taping F2P shoulder*

F2P: Hm? *sees future new character* Right. . . Listen it's almost time for you to be part of the story, but please be a bit more patient ok?

Future new character: *Taking a thinking position* I hope so. . .I really want to meet my teammates. . .

JG: And you too!

F2P: We promise that it will be in this year! *turns to the side* Hopefully. . .

Future new character: *Nods* I wish you luck on that. . .I'll be training until then. . .

F2P: That. . .hurt my feeling a bit. . . TT_TT

Future new character: Well. . .it's your guys fault for being slow. . .*Walks off*

JG: Yeah, we know already. . . *sweatdrops* *Looks at watch* Shit! It's almost 2019!

F2P: Oh crap! You're right!

JG: Anyway, yeah it's gonna be an interesting era for Uchiha Heiress Remix! XD So, we gotta go for now! Can't wait to see all of you in 2019 for the next era of Uchiha Heiress Remix and even beyond that! :D

F2P: And hope your ready for this, slightly slow but badass, character debut!

JG: Until next year! See ya! And also Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

F2P: And may you all have a Happy New Year! Peace out!