Chapter Two
After the events of the Wave Arc, Sasuke Uchiha found himself at a crossroads in his life. He had witnessed Naruto's unwavering rage to avenge his friend, even at the risk of his own life. It left a profound impact on Sasuke, causing him to question his pursuit of revenge against his brother, Itachi. He's still dead set on killing him, but Sasuke realizes he doesn't want to become a monster in the process. Still the death of the Clan burdens his sleep.
One evening, as the sun set over the Hidden Leaf Village, Sasuke approached Naruto who was sitting silently over the Hokage Monument. "Hey, idiot," he began, using his usual nickname for Naruto.
The blonde turned around, his lone blue eye dawning a confusing look. "What are you doing here? Be carful I don't want your fan girls to be upset about the almighty Uchiha princess hanging out with a lowly Genin like me." The blonde said sarcastically.
Sasuke eye's twitched at the disrespect but chose to ignore it. He sighed heavily "I've been thinking... Maybe there's more to life than just vengeance. I want more for myself in the long run." He said quietly but the blonde still picked up on it.
Naruto looked surprised but curious. "What are you getting at, Sasuke?"
Sasuke hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I want to get stronger, not just for revenge, but to protect the people I care about; the future I think about. I want to be a better ninja, and I think you can help me with that. We can help each other improve."
Naruto grinned ear to ear. "You got it, Sasuke! I'll train with you anytime!" Not really understanding the situation but is happy to finally have someone to hang with.
Sasuke dawn a small smile at the simplistic way of thinking his teammates have. He wish to one day be like that. Just carefree, living happily in peace.
From that day on, Naruto and Sasuke started training together. They pushed each other to their limits, sparring and honing their skills. After a while Naruto learned his elemental jutsu is wind, furthering their connection with collaboration jutsu, turning a normal C Rank jutsu to a whopping A Rank jutsu while working together. Their competitive spirits fueled their progress, but beneath it all, a genuine friendship was blossoming.
Sakura and Kakashi noticed the change in Sasuke's demeanor. He smiled more, and he no longer isolated himself from the team. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
As months passed, Naruto and Sasuke's bond grew stronger. They developed a friendly rivalry, constantly striving to outdo each other. Whether it was mastering new jutsu or improving their teamwork, they pushed the boundaries of their abilities.
Sasuke found himself not only seeing Naruto as a teammate but as a brother. He realized that Naruto's unwavering support and friendship were more valuable than any revenge he could seek.
Their journey was not without challenges. They faced formidable opponents, including rogue ninjas in C-Rank missions. But Naruto and Sasuke's combined strength and trust in each other allowed them to overcome every obstacle.
Their progress did not go unnoticed by the village. The Hokage himself acknowledged their growth, proud of the young ninjas they were becoming. They were soon invited to the upcoming Chūnin exams.
Sasuke and Sakura were waiting for Naruto at the Academy entrance. Sasuke had no doubt that Naruto would show up but Sakura was the one he had thought would never show up for the Chūnin Exams, the girl is simply weak. Yesterday she did not seem too sure of herself that she would enter. It did not take long for Naruto to appear.
"Wassup you guys!" Naruto greeted in his usual exuberance, dawning a ear to ear foxy smile.
Sasuke smiled challengingly "I didn't think you'll actually come loser."
A tick mark appeared on the blonde's head "Grr... Sasuke!!! Just you wait , when these exams start I'll shove my foot so far up your ass that every time you brush your teeth, you'll shine my shoes!!"
Sakura eyebrows twitched and she punched Naruto on top of his head. The two teammates started bickering while Sasuke shook his head.
The Uchiha sighed, "Okay guys, let's go inside." He said turning around to face the academy doors. Both his teammates followed him behind.
The academy was full of activities. Sasuke was just not interested in anything though he just wanted to get over with it. The only person that interested him was the sand ninja. The others would just be annoyances that talked more than necessary.
The team walked inside the academy ignoring everything else that was taking place. They wanted to get to the room they were told to by their sensei. It was of no benefit to them to get into other people's business.
They were stopped when a green blur appeared in front of them. The boy in front them wore a green jumpsuit; his forehead protector was worn as a belt on his waist, and black shinobi sandals. He had thick eyebrows and shiny black hair. He looked at the boys then at sakura. He smiled at her and gave her a thumps up.
"You must be Haruno Sakura, I am Rock Lee," he introduced himself to the pink haired girl. Then he blushed slightly, "Will you go out with me, I will protect you with my life." He said begging the pink girl for love.
Sakura was quick to speak, the boy was lame his jumpsuit, hair and everything about just seemed wrong. "Eh…no!" she said. 'What a creep doesn't he know I belong to Sasuke-kun' she thought to herself.
Sasuke seemed disappointed at her answer. He had hoped that the girl would accept Lee's proposition and leave him the heck alone, but seems that it was not to be.
Lee seemed disappointed at the rejected and brightened up slightly. He looked at straight at Sasuke's eyes, "YOOSSSHHH Uchiha Sasuke, WE MEET AT LAST, I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL, LETS TEST OUR FLAMES OF YOUTH" He screamed, drastically changing his voice tone from uttering his rival name.
Sasuke smiled "Lee as much I love a good fight, I have no interest in taking part of a pointless battle, but when the exams start be ready" If he was still power hungry bent on revenge he would've accepted but since Wave, he's taken a new path. One day he'll thank Naruto for that.
Lee started to shed tears, "S-So *Sniff* honorable *Sniff* S-So... YOOOUUUTHHHFULLL!!! YES I SHALL BASK IN THE FLAMES OF YOUTH AND SHOW YOU MY FULL POWER IN THE EXAMS!!!!" He exclaimed rushing off. A flame trail left behind him.
Leaving Team 7 stupefy. After that debacle, Team 7 walked towards room 301 in silence. They reached the doors and were stopped from opening the door when Kakashi appeared between them and the door. Kakashi's eye smile was in place as well as his orange book, make out paradise.
"Yo"
"Kakashi-sensei what are you doing here?" Sakura asked looking at her sensei.
Kakashi was a little surprised that Sakura had decided to enter the exams. He looked at Sasuke; Sasuke was the reason the girl entered the exams. If Sasuke was not in her team she would never have entered the exams.
With the look he saw on her face yesterday it was truly a surprise that she decided to come. 'I should not be surprised' He thought to himself. There was really nothing that Sakura would not do for Sasuke.
He sighed and closed his book, "I'm glad that you all decided to take part in the exams. But to be honest with you, the chunin selection exams can only be taken by a team of three. For example if Sakura had decided against taking part in the exams Naruto and Sasuke wouldn't have been eligible to take part in the exams."
Sakura felt relieved that she had decided to take part in the exams or she would surely have disappointed Sasuke. She had no doubt that Naruto was going to participate but that would not have mattered had she decided against participating in the exams.
Sasuke would have been upset with her had she stood in the way of him taking part in the exams. She looked at her sensei, "Why did not you tell us that yesterday?"
"I wanted everyone to participate on their own choices not because they were forced to. If you had decided not to take part in the exams Sasuke would have forced you to enter." He replied earning a nod from Sakura. She knew it too well Sasuke would have forced her to enter the exams. She was not sure how Naruto would react if she had chosen not to enter, but thinking of it Naruto might have not cared either way. The dummy would've probably forgot about it.
"Sakura don't allow yourself to be a burden to your teammates," Kakashi said firmly, interrupting her thought process.
Sakura nodded, she look to the ground in shame, she had always needed to her teammates to carry her.
He then look at Sasuke "And Sasuke, make sure everything stays on course. If anything changes you immediately let me or the Hokage know." He said handing him a scroll, giving his student a knowing look.
The Uchiha nodded, he definitely didn't need Naruto going crazy during the exams.
"Well then, good luck" Kakashi said as he disappeared in swirl of leafs. Even though Sakura was weak he was not a bit worried about her for he knew that her teammates would look out for her.
Naruto stepped forward and opened the door, he smiled "Alright you guys, let's kick some ass!!" his teammates followed him as he entered room 301.
The moment they entered the room they were greeting by killing intents from different directions. Sasuke shrugged it off even though it made him a bit uncomfortable, he had come across killing intents that made him want to kill himself so this was nothing. Sakura held her hands together she was a bit scared now because the killing intents were too much for her.
The only person that had an abnormal reaction was Naruto. He was staring at a red hair girl like he's seen a ghost. His forehead began burning and was confused why he has the feeling that he knows her some way.
Karin doesn't even know how to use Killing Intent, but sure can sure as hell sense someone looking at her. She looked around to see a strange boy staring back at her with wide surprised eyes.
'His chakra is so bright, so warm ,so welcoming.. How can a shinobi be so pure. It feels abnormal' She became suspicious and felt his chakra more thoroughly and widened her eyes in terror 'W-What is that! It's so dark.. I can feel the wrath.. the bloodlust.. it's like evil itself!' She thought in terror.
Before she can examine the monster before her, a huge plume of smoke erupts at the front of the room.
A giant scarred guy and a number of other ranked Konoha Shinobi stand at the ready behind him. The scarred guy puts a hand on Naruto's shoulder and in an instant, the pain from his forehead vanishes.
Naruto breathes a sigh of relief.
"Alright stop talking, let's began the Exams!"
Forest of Death
There were signs if danger all over fences. It signified that it was a dangerous place. Anko had a too sweet smile upon seeing the forest as if she was familiar with it.
Everyone knew the woman was always at the forest of death playing with her snakes. It was creepy. But that didn't matter to Naruto, he was staring at the Kusa red head with a knowing look.
'Who is that girl? Do I know her.. if I do then where?' He began thinking hard about who he knows with red hair. Blurred images played in his head, almost like something or someone was trying to reach him but suddenly a burning sensation can be felt in his mind.
"Arrggg" He squeaks out, in pain from a mysterious headache. 'What's wrong with me?'
Sasuke looked over to him and narrowed his eyes. He's concerned that the pressure would make Naruto snap again.
''This is training ground 44 also known as the 'Forest of Death' it will be the stage of the second chunin selection exam.'' Anko said with a grin.
''This place gives me the creeps.'' Sakura said. She had never been to the place but the weird feeling she was feeling about it was enough to creep her out. Naruto was still lost in thought.
"You will find out soon why this place is called the forest of death.'' Anko said with a smirk. The genins gulped, some shuddered. They did not hope to find out why the place was called a forest of death.
Sasuke could tell that Anko liked to plant seeds of fear within the hearts of other people. Her pathetic attempt is laughable at best.
''Before we start I would like you to sign these papers.'' She said as she held a paper in her hand, the Genin looked at her curiously, ''In this test there will be killings, and I don't want to be responsible for your deaths so you have to sign these wavers.''
The Genin looked at her some thinking they should quit, they were going to do the second test in a place called a forest of death and now there was going to be some killings in the forest, it was too much for some Genins.
"I will explain the test before you sign the wavers. This test will be a survival test; the training ground 44 has locked gates, a river, forest and a tower at the center. From each gate there is about 10km until the tower,'' She paused for a moment to let them digest her words.
''In this training ground you will compete in an all out, no rules scroll battle. Each team will be given one heaven or earth scroll. For a team to pass you have to present both heaven and earth scrolls to the tower in the center of the training ground.
There is a time limit; you have only five days to get into the tower with both scrolls to pass the test. If you arrive after 120 hours you will fail the test. There is not quitting once you enter the training ground. You will in there for five days.'' she said to the listening Genin.
''What about food?'' Choji asked while eating snacks. He was worried that he would have to be trapped in the training ground without barbecue and chips.
''The forest is full of food, all you have to do is avoid man-eating bugs, poisonous insects and plants,'' The genin shuddered at the thought of being eaten by bugs. The forest was indeed a scary place,
''The forest will be full of enemies, so if you get to the tower faster with both scrolls you will avoid enemies,'' She paused for a moment before going on
''Now let's get on to who gets disqualified, the first I have already told you, which is not being able to get to the tower with both scrolls and in time,'' She said as the Genin nodded.
"Second is those who lose a teammate or a teammate gets killed. Lastly you must not open the scroll before you reach the tower. As chunin you be expected to courier important documents. This will be a test to your trustworthiness.'' she finished her explanation to the genins.
''Come on now and take the wavers and sign them!'' She said as the genins went over to her and took the wavers to sign. Some were hesitant to do so, but everyone singed them and handed them to Anko. She had given each team their scroll, but did it in a way that no team would know which team held an earth or heaven scroll.
This would avoid a team going to a specific team; it would also cut down numbers because a team would take a scroll from another team they have defeated even though it is the same as theirs.
She did not tell them that, they did not need to know it. ''Final word of advice, don't get killed!'' She said with a maniacal grin that had the Genin think that she wanted them to kill each other. Each team went away to their assigned gate and got ready for the second test.
Team 7 heard the gates being announced for the different teams, his team was assigned gate 12. With a simple nod of their head they turned and began walking. Waiting for the signal to start, Naruto spoke out loud.
"H-Hey you guys... uh there's a girl from Kusa I want to talk to. I have a weird feeling everytime I look at her. I need to know why I have this feeling.. It's like a weird sensation in my head" Naruto said sheepishly and still confused.
That knowledge stunned Sasuke but confused Sakura , but saving him from the questions a unusual Genin from Grass Country appeared. The one with the messy chakra that no one can tell whether it's a male or a female. It chimed in , hearing the conversation while walking.
"Oh my... you're interested in the Uzumaki?" The mystery Genin asks in a rhetorical way. It approaches them fearlessly, which alone is enough to make Team 7 nervous. Naruto forehead started burning again when hearing that name.
"Leave" Sasuke dismisses the intruder, feeling uncomfortable for its appearance.
"Kukuku, so cold Konoha-kun." Kusa-nin chuckles sickly. "I am something of a historian, I cannot help but feel attracted to discussing a clan as legendary as the Uzumaki."
"If you don't have anything useful to say, then leave."
The Kusa-nin chuckles again, completely ignoring the rude tone
"I am rather surprised that you need to ask about the Uzumaki. After all, they were a key component in the creation of Konoha. It is said that their strength was matched only by the Uchiha and Senju in that time. The Uzumaki pioneered Fuinjutsu as a Shinobi art. Even your Yondaime Hokage used Uzumaki knowledge, and became feared as the 'Yellow Flash' all across the world. A most valuable ally... but even they were not immune to tragedy. All of their mythical strong chakra was not enough to stop them from being slaughtered -"
Before it continued, it was cut off, a kunai slung through the air and slices the tag off the Kusa-nin hat. The Kusa-nin doesn't so much as flinch, and instead smiles a little wider.
Mitarashi Anko, the proctor for this stage of the exam, looks none-too-pleased with being ignored in spite of the grin on her face.
"I think you'd better go back to your team, before you say too much Grass-chan." Anko's smile is disturbingly similar to the subject of her torment.
"Kukuku, of course proctor-san." The Genin gives her an unsatisfactory response and leaves as requested.
Naruto sees the ninja walk away but his confused expression doesn't change. 'So I have a clan, but why I don't feel surprised? Why do I feel anger swelling up within me? Dammmit what is wrong with me?' He questioned mentally. He grabbed his chest as his heart started beating rapidly. He then clasped his head in pain once again.
Sasuke put a hand on his shoulder, "Naruto are you okay?" Naruto instead of verbally asking, just nods with a grimace on his face.
A few hours has passed and you see the three Genins gathered around each other planning their next move "That proves that we can't just trust appearances, we have to come up with a way of knowing each of us is who we say we are, and not some imposter using some transformation Jutsu." Sasuke said firmly.
Naruto shook his head in agreement "That makes sense."
"Alright, so what do we do?"
"We need some form of password.." The Uchiha answered
"Uh? What kind of password."
"A secret one, something known only by the three of us. And don't trust anyone that doesn't know it. No matter what."
Everyone nodded in agreement and after a moment of silence, Sasuke continued. "Okay listen closely, because I'm going to say this once. The question will be 'When do a ninja strike?' And your response is 'A ninja waits until the time is right. When the enemy sleeps and drops his guard, when his weapons lie forgotten in the silliness of the night, that is the moment a ninja strikes. Got it?" He said firmly
Sakura nodded with vigor, "I got it"
While Naruto still had a blank confused expression on his face. "You got something a bit shorter?.."
Both sighed , "No Naruto, that's it." Sasuke said with finality
"Come on, What's wrong? Didn't you get it, I memorized it easily" Sakura said irritated
Naruto still confused, shrugged his shoulders "What do you mean, I get it.. I was just making sure you got it. No problem! I just thought it was going to be a password not a pass speech."
Sasuke shook his head at his friends antics "Alright then, I'll take the scroll."
Naruto became concerned, "Wait Sasuke, I thought we-
!!BOOOOM!!
The explosion separated Team 7 from each other as dust uprooted from the ground, covering everyone field of vision. From a distance you see three Grass shinobi standing at the end of the trench.
"Alright, you two fan out into the woods and keep your eyes open. I'll take care these three alone." The weird looking Genin said. Both nodded and disappeared in opposite directions.
The dust slowly drifted away from the forest and you see Sasuke pressing a kunai towards Sakura, making sure she isn't a spy. Once She proved she wasn't, the loud mouth orange clad ninja walked onto the scene.
"Whew, hey what's up! You guys okay!?" The blonde said, running up towards them. He stop when both Sakura and Sasuke tensed and raised their Kunai.
"Don't come any closer.. What's the password?" Sakura demanded.
The blonde dawned a ominous smile, "Oh sure no problem! Okay, a ninja wai-
WHACK
He was cut off when another Naruto kick him across the face. He landed smiling cockily, rubbing his nose. "Heh.. you think they'll fall for some cheap trick like that. You can never be me, you're just a cheap knockoff. I'm Naruto Uzumaki dammit! THE NEXT HOKAGE!"
Both Sasuke and Sakura sighed tiredly 'Yeah.. That's the real one... Idiot'
The fake Naruto tongue extended as he licked the blood off his face. "Aren't we the clever ones." And in a poof of smoke, it revealed the weird Grass nin from earlier.
Naruto lone eye widened "It's you.."
Sakura began to step back in fear as Sasuke activated his Sharingan.
The Grass nin smiled and pulled out a earth scroll "Oh? You'd love to get your hands on this scroll huh? Kuukuku" it chuckled and shoved the scroll down her throat. Suddenly, she's slammed her hand on the ground. "You must past a test before I gift it to you.."
Summoning Jutsu
In a poof of smoke a huge brown snake rushed towards Team 7.
Sasuke pushed Naruto out the way saving him. When the snake turned around it dashed at them again. Both looked at each and nodded. Jumping in opposite directions Naruto and Sasuke hopped through the trees with Ninja wire in hand. Dodging and weaving through attacks from the giant snake. After a while it was tied up from head to tail.
"Now Sasuke!!" Naruto screamed as he went through hand seals
Wind Release : Wind Bullet Barrage
"Right!" Sasuke did the same, while jumping in the air for a combination technique.
Fire Release : Phenix Flower Jutsu
When both baseball size attacks combined, a barrage of Great Fire Ball Jutsu rained from the sky. Turning two respectable C Rank Jutsu to a A Rank Jutsu. The Grass smiled and nodded her head. She's impressed by the display of teamwork.
!!BOOOM!!
The dust clear to see Naruto and Sasuke side by side planting but smiling triumphantly. However that small feeling of victory was stripped away when they heard clapping sounds.
"Bravo! Encore! Encore! What a marvelous display! But unfortunately I only need the Uchiha.." The Grass Nin said ominously
Another giant snake appeared out of no where and swallowed Naruto whole and slithered away.
"NARUTO!!!" Both Sakura and Sasuke screamed in horror.
Sasuke and Sakura were terrified. That would be the only way to explain what they were both experiencing right about now, in front of them stood a Grass kunoichi who unleashed such killer intent that it made Sasuke Uchiha remember the massacre that befell his clan when he was 6. Even after so many years of trying to cope with his losses, he still found himself vomiting his breakfast out at the slightest memory of that night.
Sakura wasn't doing much better as she was a simple civilian-born girl who had for the most part neglected her training in the academy and later on when she had graduated as well. This level of ki (killing intent) was far above what she experienced during the mission to the land of waves, and there she had fazed down Zabuza Momochi, The Demon Of The Mist.
"Kukuku, dear Sasuke-kun, we're finally alone." The crazy woman said, not acknowledging Sakura presence. She stared him down with barely contained glee. Sasuke however was mentally in turmoil, is Naruto dead.. someone he considered the closest thing of family is gone. Slowly his eyes glowed ominously as his third Tome spun to life.
Elsewhere in the forest, another interesting situation was taking place right around the same time, Naruto was currently being swallowed whole by a snake around the size of a normal house. Down in the gutter, he was contemplating on what the hell he should do. He already knew how to get out of the snake's gut but was drawing it out by mentally berating himself for getting swallowed in the first place.
His thoughts were broken off when he felt a large ki signature off to the south where his team had been located, and in seconds he panicked and made a sea of shadow clones without the use of hand seals.
As he had expected, the snake's gut literally exploded in a shower of guts and gore that painted the forest floor red with blood, and all his clones fell to the ground and dispelled sending their very short memories into the skull of the original who landed gracefully on a branch. Or he would have if his left food hadn't slipped in a stray pool of blood and sent him falling on his back in a very uncool manner.
"Aww that was so uncool..." the blond whined to himself. His eyes moved to the battlefield, and within the next moment, the blond ninja was gone and heading for the fight that he could both sense and hear raging on. While jumping through the trees, he couldn't help but think of the worst so his anger start building up, he feels a burning sensation on his head but chose to ignore it, then suddenly without knowing, a thin line of red chakra oozed out from him.
Back on the battlefield, Sasuke and the Grass Nin were hot In battle with each other at the moment, the Uchiha had initially been scared out of his mind when he had met and tried to escape from the crazy lady. However, when Naruto got swallowed whole, he went on a minor rage indused berserker spree, and tried everything he could to land a strike on the enemy.
Sakura on the other hand was sitting silently a small distance away on a branch shaking in her boots with how scared she was, never in her wildest dreams had she imagined herself in a situation like this one where her lived was barely the concern of her black haired teammate, sure she had been in a similar situation back in wave country, but back then Sasuke had at least seemed a little concerned with her actions unlike now where he was nothing more than a raging berserker. It scared her even more than the snake lady to see her love acting like this.
She was brought out of her thoughts at the sight of Sasuke getting thrown into a tree branch and staying embedded which spurred her into action. "Sasuke kun!" she called as he started falling from the branch and she knew that she wouldn't catch him in time. The Grass Nin saw this too and was about to move in to at least save the boy's life so he could get ahold of him later on. However, before either of them could get to him, an orange and red blur shot past them both and caught Sasuke before landing firmly on a tree branch with its back turned to them both.
"Y-You're alive..." Sasuke said in shock
Initially, Sakura panicked at a potential threat, though his worries were washed aside immediately when seeing the tell-tale orange pants and the wild blond hair that gently blew in the wind. Wait... wild blond hair? Naruto always had orange and stiff hair so could this guy really be him, she couldn't be sure with so many enemies around them all at once.
"N... Naruto, is that you?" she called but received no response, instead, there was a sudden puff of smoke beside the Naruto look alike, and a brand new Naruto suddenly appeared on the branch.
Both Sasuke and Sakura looked slightly confused, while the Grass Nin narrowed her eyes, 'A Shadow clone without hand seals? Kabuto didn't tell me that this boy could do seal-less Jutsu. And what's that seal? Oh? How devious..' She thought as he smiled to herself. The clone already knew what to do as it picked up Sasuke and turned to Sakura before jumping down to her, she was unsure until she saw the lone azure blue eye that reminded her of sapphires which was a tell-tale Naruto sign.
"Sasuke, Sakura, we need to move some distance away while the boss fights this snake creep." Sakura could only muster a small nod in reply as she gazed back at the original Naruto to see that he still had his back turned to them both while the snake lady or man, was observing him.
"Naruto! Just call and I'll come alright!" she called out to reassure her teammate of her support even though she was scared shitless in the snake teme's presence. For the first time since he had gotten there, Naruto turned around causing Sakura to gasp. In place of his lone sapphire blue eye now were a blood-red eye with black slits going vertically down like a feline of some kind, perhaps a cat or maybe a fox. Also oddly enough a seal pulsating on his forehead. "Thank you Sakura-chan, but you need to move now."
Once again she was taken by surprise, Naruto just spoke to her in such a serious and cold tone that she almost wondered if this was Naruto that she saw in front of her right now. However, one glare from him was enough to send shivers down her spine and make her run after the clone. Sasuke on the other hand was panicking, if Sakura knew what he knew she would've run far away but hopefully this wasn't the worst case scenario.
When she was gone the blond heard the sound of his opponent cackling. "Kukuku Naruto-kun, you shouldn't glare at your allies like that you know."
He received a snarl in return as the blond's gaze hardened further into a deep frown, "I don't know who you are but you're going to pay for hurting them!"
His answer made the Grass Nin grin as she reached up and ripped off her snake mask to reveal his true pale face to the world, "Ah what a resilient one you are Naruto-Kun, but you shouldn't stick your nose in business that has nothing to do with you."
The blonde was disgusted by the display, then Naruto's snarl turned into a low growl as he spat his next words, "When you target my team, then it becomes my business you bastard"
"I should surmise that you're surrounded by the Kyuubi's chakra right now correct but how? Isn't that seal on your head suppressing your Yin chakra?" Asked the snake to which Naruto frowned and sent a large dose of killing intent toward Orochimaru who wasn't even faced by it.
"It's impressive that you can input this amount of negative emotions with that Yin seal on you but is that all you can do Naruto, or do we have to throw down to find out everything?" Orochimaru said mockingly
Naruto lowered himself into a taijutsu stance that he developed while training with Sasuke a Sharingan user. Orochimaru hadn't seen before which intrigued him slightly, which was shown with a barely raised eyebrow.
The blond container roared as he launched himself forward with enough force to shatter the branch he stood on, of course, this was nothing to Orochimaru who simply stepped to the side and allowed the blond missile to impact the wood he stood on. Barely half a second later the blond came out on all four and threw punches, claw slashed, and supported sidekicks at the snake who simply blocked, parried, or sidestepped every attempt.
Naruto was already slightly influenced by the demonic chakra that flowed through his veins which made him a little more animalistic and aggressive by nature. This of course led him to be more prone to anger and aggressive outbursts when using this chakra, so seeing someone toying with him like this made his blood boil and anger shine through.
Landing on all fours on a tree trunk that was facing the teme, he launched himself forward and made to punch Orochimaru in the face. He was however sidestepped and forced to try and wiggle his way around in the air to avoid a high kick from the teme right afterward. Luckily for the blond, he managed to get one of his hands on the branch that they were fighting on, and used it along with his upper body strength, to pull him out of the way of Orochimaru's attack.
Then using his pure battle instincts, he lashed out with a dropkick while only balancing himself with one arm on the branch while the other swung in the air.
Orochimaru however wasn't a sannin for nothing and dodged the attack with ease before spinning 360 degrees around and sending a powerful roundhouse kick into the blond's spine which made it crack as he was sent flying into another tree where he stayed stock still. 'The sharingan pales in comparison to the Nine-Tails' power. Kukuku, he will make a better vessel for me than Sasuke.' Orochimaru thought.
Having made up his mind he formed three hand seals. Naruto slowly recovered and turned toward the tree branch Orochimaru was perched on.
"You put on that much of a fight while half your potential is sealed away? Well done, Naruto. You passed with flying colors." Orochimaru said. Naruto gave Orochimaru a confused look.
"What do you mean 'passed'?" Naruto asked. Orochimaru continued to smile his crooked smile.
"You have proven to me that you are superior to Sasuke. That the power of the Nine-Tails is far more powerful than the sharingan. So now I've decide to bring out your full potential ... consider it a gift." Orochimaru said. Suddenly, Orochimaru's neck extended before he reached Naruto and bit the left side of his neck.
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!" Naruto screamed in agony.
"Curse Mark of Heaven Seal!" Orochimaru muttered before he retracted his neck. Naruto dropped to his knees as he grabbed where Orochimaru bit him. Naruto's features briefly changed then returned to normal as the pain coursed through his body.
"NARUTO!" The both screamed, Sasuke snarled at Orochimaru and dashed towards him.
Hours Later
"The mission is simple," A older women stated to a small group of eight Sound Ninja, "You guys swoop in and kill the brat. If his teammates interfere, then you kill them too, got it?" The eight shinobi, Dosu, Kin, Zaku, Jirobo, Sakon, Tayuya and two random Joūnin all nodded.
Their mission was to kill Naruto Uzumaki. Guren didn't know why, but she didn't necessarily care either way.
"Eight of us seems kinda overkill," Sakon stated as he licked his lips at the thought of spilling blood. Guren shook her head.
"Lord Orochimaru said that this boy can possibly rival Kakashi Hatake at full power. If he wakes up, it'll take all of you to take him down, and even then it won't be easy. I'll stay behind just in case you eight are defeated. Stay on guard." She said seriously.
Zaku, one of the Genins scoffed. "He's just a brat, he can't kill all of us." Jirobo shook his head at the arrogance of the young one, but they emerged from the bushes where a beaten up Sakura was taking care of a terribly beaten up Sasuke and barely breathing Naruto.
"W-Who are you?" Sakura asked as she held up a kunai, narrowing her green eyes at the group before her.
Tayuya gave a mock bow.
"Just common ninja of course," She replied sarcastically. "And we're here to kill blondie over there. Just stay out of our way and we won't kill you," Sakura shook her head, denying them easy access.
"I may look weak, but I've gotten stronger since l've become a Genin!" She shouted, raising her kunai as she got into a stance, signaling that the fight had begun. Tayuya let out a small sigh.
"Fine, we'll do it your way. Jirobo, Zaku, Kin, kill her." The three Sound Ninja charged forward, eager grins on their faces before a flash of green made them all fall onto their asses, dumbfounded as they nursed their jaws.
"I am the handsome Rock Lee, and I will protect the beautiful Sakura with everything I have!" Rock Lee proclaimed proudly, Sakon rolled his eyes.
"More Leaf trash? Fine, I'll take care of him," He said before Dosu stopped him, the bandaged boy peering at Rock Lee curiously.
"No, I think he surpasses all of us in brute strength and taijutsu, even Jirobo, no offense. But...," He held up his arm, revealing an all-metal thing before a blast came from it, hitting Rock Lee straight on, his vision going blurry as his ears had a ringing in them.
Tayuya smirked.
"Good work, Dosu. Now hurry up and kill the freak so we can kill the pink." She ordered. Jirobo punched Lee straight in the face, sending him back into a tree where he crashed, making the tree vibrate as a few leaves fall down.
Zaku and Kin charged Sakura as the engaged in a completely one-sided fight. Zaku and Kin's teamwork were just too good for Sakura to handle as Kin suddenly caught her by the hair and had a kunai at her throat.
"This could've been a lot easier, but you stupid Leaf Nin always gotta make things difficult," Kin muttered under her breath as a grin came across her face.
"Your hair is silky, I'm kinda jealous, to be honest, I wish my hair was this good." Sakura gritted her teeth in pain before she took out a kunai and cut her long hair, shortening it to just above her shoulders.
She backed away from Kin before stabbing the girl in her calf, causing her to fall to her knees in agony before she whirled around and killed Kin with a quick swipe to her throat, blood spilling out like a waterfall.
"Kin!" Zaku shouted in anger before he began punching Sakura in the face ruthlessly, giving her plenty of hits that would turn to bruises. He then dropped her to the ground as he prepared to give her a killing blow.
"Zaku, just finish her already," Tayuya said, slightly annoyed. She didn't particularly care for Kin so it didn't matter that she died, but she was annoyed that Lord Orochimaru would most likely be displeased about this development.
Suddenly, a dark, malicious chakra filled with rage and hatred exploded from the tree trunk Sasuke and Naruto resided in, getting everyone's attention.
When Orochimaru placed his seal on Naruto, he never knew that he had opened a proverbial can of worms. He made a mess that was so great and terrible that he was sure to regret ever sending people to kill him. Placing a curse seal on top of the Yin seal completely override it and revealed the true Naruto.
Naruto emerged from the tree, his lone eye red with the black slit, glowing as black flame like marks were spread across his body. He just stared at his hands, being trapped in that cage he haven't felt this free for months. A small smile etched on his face. It started as a chuckle then it turned to a full out manic laughter.
"HEEEHAHAHAAA!!!!" The spine-shilling laughter echoed throughout the forest.
On the edge of the Forest even the sand siblings became terrified when a cold laughter echoed through the forest. Temari and Kankuro froze for a second while looking at their youngest brother Sabaku no Gaara. To their surprise, Gaara was on his knees while clutching his forehead and shivering.
He suddenly said with a voice full of devotion, "Mother, do not be afraid! I will kill the person who made this sound. You will not have to worry about him."
Temari nearly had a heart attack; there was something in this forest that could even scare a Bijuu. She hoped to never face someone like him in battle. All across the forest, people and even animals had a similar reaction the laughter.
"Na..Naruto?" Sakura questioned, she is scared. This feeling of death reminds her of Orochimaru. There's no way this is the same goofy blonde she grew to love as a brother. She can't accept it, she won't.
"N-No fucking way," Tayuya cursed out loud. Seeing he's still not paying attention, she screamed at her comrades "Attack him now while we have the chance!"
A Reddish Purple chakra exploded from his body, halting everyone in their tracks as they looked at the blonde with a mix of curiosity and fear.
"Finally.." Naruto began, he then looked at his Pink hair teammate. "Who did this to you?"
She began shaking at the feeling of his chakra, it felt so ominous so dark yet familiar. When did she experience this power before? She couldn't remember, it was almost as if there was a blank in her memories. Before she spoke out loud, Zaku spoke up.
"I did you, tattooed freak, what the fuck are you gonna do about-" Zaku began smugly but was cut off as a chakra infused clawed hand found themselves deep into his throat, busting his head of his shoulders, killing him instantly.
"Who's next?" The blonde said with a fierce gaze
Jirobo snarled and charged towards blonde, right behind him Sakon is trailing. Jirobo level 2 curse mark glowed into life as he turned into a ghoulish beast and with a roar he slammed his fist towards the blonde. "YOU BASTARD" A small explosion and crater was caused as Naruto swiftly jumped over the big beast and drop kick Sakon behind Jirobo. As Sakon went flying, the big beast turned around and went through a flurry of hand seals.
"Earth Style: Sphere of Graves"
A huge bolder made from rock in his hands and with the strength to destroy a mountain, he hurled the big bolder towards the blonde. "Son of a bitch," Tayuya muttered before she disappeared, leaving Dosu all by himself. Dosu in a panic jumped out the way.
Naruto stared at the rock impassively before his channeled corrosive chakra to his hands and put both arms in a X motion. He uttered his technique.
"Cleave"
With a single swipe the bolder was cut in fourths. It left Jirobo completely bewildered but not deterred but unfortunately for him, before he tried to do another Earth Jutsu, Naruto in a blur, with a sword made of Kyuubi's chakra sliced him in half. Jirobo fell to the ground, left there to bleed out.
Naruto spat at Jirobo corpse, "Pathetic" He turned around as he felt two separate chakra surge in power. Nothing was shown on his face except a single eye brow raised, curious on their changed form.
As two of Orochimaru's closest and most powerful warriors, Sakon and Ukon powered up in their Level 2 form, they resembled oni as their skin become red, gains yellow eye irises with dark black eye sclerae, and black curved markings appears from the corners of their eyes a upward fashion. Their fingernails becomes longer and sharp, lips turns black and their mouth is torn from ear to ear and gains canine teeth.
They gain long, waist-length white hair, their chins elongated, and a single long horn grows on opposite sides for each brother's foreheads. Symmetrically on opposite sides of their bodies, their hardened skin turns black and folds like scales, appearing like spiky armour on their arms and legs. Beside them two where two random Sound Joūnin.
The blonde looked at the men with an expressionless mask. A smile crept in his face as he began laughed slowly as he licked his sharp teeth in anticipation.
"Come you insects! I must test this body!!!" Naruto said ominously with a crazed look in his eye.
One of them, having heard enough lunged towards him but having the power and fighting experience of a centuries old Tailed Beast, 'Naruto' could see the shinobi coming all the way. The man stabbed a kunai towards his face. Naruto side stepped the strike and twisted around swiftly. He lifted his clawed right hand and ripped off the man's shoulder, sending his arm flying off. The Sound Joūnin screamed in agony until the blonde back handed him away.
The boy laughed in sadistic glee "HEEAHAHAAA!!! With that level of speed killing you would be considered a mercy." The blonde mocked.
Sakon sneered at him and responded by dashing towards him twisting clockwise, while swinging his right leg. Naruto watched the incoming attack and jumped back, slightly, avoiding the kick.
When his left foot touched down the ground, the blonde sensed more movements. A second after touching the ground, another Sound Joūnin, flashed just above him, and he swung his sword in a downward slash that was aimed at his right shoulder. Naruto leapt into the air, and twisted around. He slammed his foot on the back of the man's head, sending him flying away.
Naruto then landed on the ground. He then heard something approaching.
Fire Style : Grand Fireball Jutsu
The fire ball was coming in from behind. It was a pathetic excuse for a fire. Almost lazily, swiped his right clawed hand and the flames just died down in the blink of an eye.
"You are nothing but insects, unworthy to even stand before me. It is quite pathetic really for the dogs who decided to attack me. Your power is nothing compared to mine…" Naruto said with a shake of his head.
"Come, let me end your suffering…" he said motioning for them to come.
When they didn't attack him, he became impatient so Naruto picked up the discarded kunais from the ground. He held them all with just his left hand and then flung them towards the sound shinobi while charging forward in a burst of speed.
The sound Joūnin dodged the kunai by tilting his head to the side. When he saw Naruto coming, he threw a right hook, but to the blonde; the speeds he reached compared to them, everything seemed to slow down. Sidestepping the attack he watched the punch fly past him with both eyes. He held out his right hand and channeled corrosive chakra. He swung it and cut through the man's midsection, separating his torso from his waist.
The gurgled sound of agony echoed throughout as the man pathetically attempted to crawl away. 'Naruto' smiled savagely as he walked to the man before he dropped dead.
"Come now, dying by bleeding out would be too boring now wouldn't it..." The blonde said ominously as he planted his foot on the masked man head. Naruto applied pressure, the man's eyes bulged before his skull was completely crushed.
Quickly Naruto fell on his back when he saw another Sound Joūnin stomping downwards. He rolled to the side just once to avoid the blow. When the man's foot crashed into the ground, Naruto's right hand moved swiftly with his corrosive claws still activated. The nails cut through the man's left leg, just above his knee. He stood up and another swing cut deep through the jugular and blood gushed out as the man fell down headless.
"Only two more insects to go, COME FACE YOUR JUDGEMENT!!" He roared
Sakon and Ukon snarled at being underestimated "You bastard, don't look down on us!" both brothers charged towards him, Naruto stood still and waited for what felt like eternity. They flanked both his sides, swinging their fist at the same time. The punch connected and the brothers smirked deviously.
"You fool, we got you! HeeHaHa!" Sakon and Ukon roared in laughter. With level two of their cursed seal, Sakon and Ukon could deconstruct their body on a molecular level and enter an opponent's body. At that point they were able to alter the cells and proteins of the target at will, effectively killing them, and then leaving the target to reconstruct their own body again.
Naruto suddenly smiled, which stopped their laughter.
"Did you?" The blonde said before proofing away in smoke.
"No way.. C-Clone!!" Both screamed out in confusion
The blonde flashed behind the Sakon who'd attacked him from the left, he grabbed him by the back of his neck and pushed him towards his brother. He shifted to the right and plunged his clawed hand through both of them. Piercing their heart simultaneously.
When both dropped dead his eyes turned to Dosu, who was quite literally shaking in his boots. "Let's see what I can do to you, okay?" His neck twisted as he suddenly appeared behind Dosu, grabbing the teen's arms and pulling them from behind him as he placed a foot on Dosu's back before he began pulling.
"Based on your fight with Lee I noticed you seem awfully attached to those arms of yours"
Naruto said as the black markings on his skin glowing even more. "It'd be a shame, if you were to," He pulled back with all of his strength as the two arms ripped out of their sockets and off of Dosu's body.
"Lose them!"
Dosu screamed in agony as the now armless boy laid there, screaming in pain as he withered away. Naruto watched as the teen slowly died from blood loss as he stopped moving. He then looked at a terrified Sakura and a now awake Sasuke. and said nothing, simply walked towards his team.
Sauske narrowed his eyes at Naruto, and stood before him he knows something changed. He just hope he's not a threat. The blonde entire aura is different, and in his state he couldn't defend himself. Sakura still a bit scared felt relieved. She's just glad Naruto is alive and well. Despite the obvious showing of brutality before her.
Sakura smiled shakily "N-Naruto I'm glad your okay, we sh-" she was cut off
"You two should camp here for the night. We will move out in the morning. I'll be back." The blonde said quickly, it's only a matter of time before the curse seal recedes back. He needed to put things in motion first before going back to the bubbly idiot.
Naruto looked at both his teammates with cold and dispassionate eyes and disappeared. Sasuke watch his teammate dash away, clenched his fist. 'This is bad, I need to alert Kakashi of this..' He thought to himself. He pulled out a scroll and pushed chakra through it.
Author Notes
I hope you guys enjoy it. Next chapter coming out soon.