chapter 26 enjoy
Naruto only has one thought seeing the display of power before him from the curse mark.
"This isn't good."
Waiting for all the enemy genin to be safe away, Naruto dropped down, putting up a barrier seal.
"Naruto?" Sakura said, recognizing the short stature and mask anywhere.
"What you are doing here, this is definitely breaking the rules," Sasuke added.
"Normally, yes, but we discovered a security risk. It concerns the man who gave you that mark" he pointed to the back of his lower neck.
Naruto quickly pulls out a few black pills from the pouch on his side.
"Take these. They'll help you get your strength back" he throws them to Sakura.
He walked over, getting Sai to his feet, walking him over to his squadmates.
Each one took a pill and instantly felt better.
Naruto does a few hand signs before his right-hand glows a golden color.
He grabs one of Sasuke's shoulders, passing his hand up and down his back.
After a few minutes, Sasuke's injuries are fully healed. Then, with a food pill running through his system, he's back to 100%, if not more.
Sakura is in awe at this strange jutsu Naruto to bring Sasuke back to full strength.
Her mind wondered if it was possible to learn that jutsu to help her squadmates in the future.
Then he worked on her to properly heal her kunai wounds before finishing off with Sai.
Like Sasuke, they're at 100% if not more before they all looked to Naruto to explain his involvement in further detail.
"The man you ran into and gave Sasuke that mark is one of the sannin, Orochimaru. When he was a Konoha ninja, he trained under the third Hokage. So he is an S-class missing ninja in the bingo books."
He gave them a few moments to process this information, well, two of them.
"I need you to tell me exactly what happened when you encountered him, don't leave out a single detail!"
The traded look before recounting their battle with him.
Flashback start
Sakura just finished reciting her password to Sasuke with Sai right beside him.
Suddenly a massive burst of wind tore up the forest floor.
Unfortunately, the wind struck with enough force to send Sai flying into the brush.
Sasuke and Sakura weren't much better getting sent back as well.
The two's eyes match the grass ninja, only for unimaginable levels of fear to take over their body.
The grass ninja sent two kunai aimed for their heads.
Sasuke overcomes the fear of pain with his little strength by stabbing his leg with a kunai.
After an unknown amount of time, Sasuke and Sakura try to hide from their new enemy in vain.
A quick exchange of words led to the grass ninja eating his earth scroll before.
Sai watches overhead, hoping he isn't being detected, waiting to see what Sasuke will do.
Then Sasuke does something Sai never thought would happen.
Sasuke tossing the grass ninja their heaven scroll. Knowing he is throwing away their chances ar chunin Sai sends a bird.
His ink bird intercepts the heaven scroll bringing it back to him.
"Sasuke, what the hell is wrong with you!" He announced, landing beside Sasuke glaring at him.
They don't have time to debate as they are forced to dodge the grass ninja.
Seeing Sasuke is still perplexed after everything happened, Sai decides to take on the grass ninja.
The two trade blows with every ink creature Sai send getting destroyed one after another.
Unfortunately, he wasn't creating them fast enough only to get slammed, sending him straight into a giant tree getting knocked unconscious.
Sakura throws a kunai keeping him pegged against a tree before comparing Sasuke to Sai's fearlessness.
It does the trick, and Sasuke goes all out with his Sharingan and fire-style jutsu.
But to no avail, except for revealing the grass ninja being someone going by Orochimaru.
He burns the heaven scroll before leaving Sasuke a gift causing the boy to fall unconscious.
When Sakura finally makes it to his side, she sees a strange mark on the lower left side of his neck.
She carefully takes him to the forest floor, hiding under a tree before going back for Sai.
Flash back end
Once they finished, Naruto lets out a sigh before standing up.
He gets behind Sasuke to get a better look at the mark.
"This mark changes things. Protocol tells me I need to take you back with me to either the Hokage or T&I" this gets a look of fear and frustration. It's clear to him they don't want to forfeit the second exam.
"If it were anyone else who found you, they would drag you back. But, luckily, it's me."
"What difference does it make?" Sasuke asks.
"If I had the means, I could seal this curse mark up, but I don't. I can, however, temporarily deactivate it so what happened with the sound ninja won't happen again for the remainder of the second exam." There's a moment of silence from the three genins.
"Just get it over with already," Sasuke demanded.
"Fine, ready, Kurama?"
"Make it quick."
Naruto's right hand glowed not golden but dark red before placing his index and middle finger on the curse mark.
The chakra travels to his body, covering only the mark.
A searing pain shot through Sasuke's body, but he kept his nerves together.
After about a minute of agonizing pain, Naruto pulled his hand away.
"That should last till the end of the second exam time limit. If you make it to the tower with both scrolls before then, I can do a proper seal on it."
This got nods of understanding from the genin.
Sakura hands the small pouch back to Naruto, but he refuses.
"You three are gonna need them a lot more than me" he pulls off the barrier seal before waving goodbye before dispersing in a flash.
He lands inside the tower. Now he has to wait for the second exam to finish.
He runs into Kurenai and the suna siblings as he walks through the empty halls.
The three Konoha genin no better take up too much of Naruto time.
They give a simple hello to him. Then, he provides his own before heading higher up the tower.
He crawls out the highest room window moments later, the remaining members of his squad land before him.
"So what happened during your pursuit, Kitsune?" His sister asks, being careful not to speak too loudly.
"Unfortunately, Anko and I weren't fast enough. Orochimaru used his curse mark jutsu on Sasuke."
The three stayed silent, knowing how dangerous curse marks could be, especially since Their squad leader has one as well.
"So, what did you do?"
"I temporarily deactivated it with Kurama's chakra. But as soon as he and his squad reach the tower, I'll have to put on a proper seal. So do you have anything to report on your end?"
"Lord Hokage will inform everyone of Orochimaru once the second exam has ended," Deidara informs.
"Understood, unfortunately, with Sasuke bearing the curse mark, I'll have to remain at the tower till the exam ends. So stay here with me or go is completely up to you," he says to the three of them.
"I'll stay with you, Kitsune," his sister said
Just as Deidara was about to speak, they all felt Hiruzen chakra enter the tower.
They Shunshined toward the village leader. They now kneel before the Hokage.
"Have anything to add to Naruto?" Naruto stands, taking his mask off before giving him his report on current events.
"That was extremely risky for you to interfere with the exams!" Anko added.
"It couldn't be helped. This is Orochimaru we are talking about. Add onto the fact Sasuke now bears a curse mark!" He said, glaring at Anko
"Enough!" This broke the two from their mental battle.
"You were right to help Kakashi's student Naruto."
"Thank you, sir,"
"I assume you will be staying at the tower for the remainder of the second exam?"
"Yes, I need to make sure that curse mark won't be a problem in the future."
"Are you sure you're up for it? Kakashi is his squad sensei?"
"Absolutely! Kakashi is good at sealing jutsu, but I'm better!" He said with a slight chuckle.
"Trout, Owl, and Wolf, I want you to stay here as well. Then, when the second exam is over, your job is to gather the survivors!"
"Hai," they all shunshined out of sight.
They took up resistance in one of many rooms for ninjas to rest when need be.
Fortunately, the one they're in is reserved for Anbu agents.
The remaining three are quick to take off their mask, getting a breath of fresh air.
"What's on your mind, Naruto?" His sister asked.
"You can't sense it, but the suna jinchuuriki is in the tower." This put the three on edge.
"What will you do, Naruto?" This time it's Haku to ask.
"Unfortunately, to make shukaku behave himself, I'll have to join my chakra with Gaara, I think his name is." The three couldn't find the words to continue.
Naruto gets up, walking towards the door, "I may need your help, so we're not interrupted" the four instantly slip their mask on, following his lead.
They find the suna jinchuuriki still up with his siblings sleeping soundly in no time at all.
Naruto activates Kurama chakra getting the redhead's attention. The two look each other in the eyes before nodding.
Naruto sat down across from him, holding out his fist.
"Bump your chakra to mine!" Gaara complies.
One second they're in the real world, the next in an infinite black void.
Looking down, they are in ankle-deep water. Behind Naruto is Kurama laying down with a smirk.
Behind Gaara is Shukaku eyeing his nine-tail brother with a grin of his own.
"Follow me, Shukaku!" Kurama asks. Shukaku complies, walking far enough that the two containers can't hear them.
"So, how is life in suna?" Naruto asks. He gets blank expressions from Gaara. "Not one for small talk then."
"Whipped!" Shukaku yells only to get whacked to the ground by several Kurama's tails. The two containers cringe at the display of power.
Kurama manages to drag his fat ass brother a reasonable distance away.
Shukaku is out on edge seeing Kurama's grin. It wasn't his usual evil or snarky one.
"What's the meaning of this Kurama?"
"I can't have a chat with my brother?"
"Fat chance after telling our power based on our tail count!"
"You're still hung up on that?" He said, smirk.
"Of course I am!"
"Fine, be that way," he said with a chuckle.
"Why do you want to anyway?"
"I just wish you not to be at war with Gaara. I think his name is. I'm not with mine."
"Bullshit!"
"It's true he has control over my power."
"Ha Whipped!" He shouts, only to get slammed against the ground by his brother's tails.
"Unlike you, I have freedom!" Shukaku glares at him. Shukaku paused for a few moments before speaking.
"Tell me, how did he win you over?"
"That will take some time to cover,"
"I got time."
Kurama lets out a sigh before recounting his first meeting with the boy during his time with Kakashi to right now.
The two tail beasts and their container perspective are in an endless black void. To the outside world is another story.
Naruto squad plus the remaining two sand siblings watch with bated breath at the two.
What puts them on edge is Gaara sand has encased the backside in Naruto's body. As a result, his face and torso were exposed to the air.
For Gaara, his entire body is covered in a red chakra cloak like when Naruto uses the one to three tails worth of chakra.
Naruto turns his head to his friends.
"Can you bring us some tea, please?"
"Sure," Temari said, walking into the other room. Moments later, she came back in with two cups of green tea.
The two jinchuuriki grab a cup taking a few sips before their features darken.
The observers assumed their minds went back to where they were before.
Kurama finally finished his tale waiting for some kind of response from his brother.
But he got nothing, it's rare to him for Shukaku to be speechless, and if his expression is anything to go off of, he's deep in thought.
"Now it's my turn," the desert spirit said. He told his counterpart about his first container and the words the two traded from time to time.
"I see. Well, I'm starting to see the old man in Naruto as well." He said with a smirk.
"Hmm, if you've put faith in your container like Gyuki, I suppose I can as well," he said reluctantly.
"And from the connection we all share, I feel Chomei is starting to feel the same way," Kurama added.
"Hard to argue when your container only uses your power when it needs not to want to." He said, getting a chuckle from Kurama.
"Ha, I was hoping you would say that."
"Just to make one thing clear, the next time we meet will be on the battlefield to see who is the strongest!" He shouts, pointing an accusatory finger at his brother.
"Fine, one more thing. Stop torturing the boy and let him sleep!"
"Fine!" He says in an annoyed tone.
"I'll see you on the battlefield then" he walked over to Naruto.
"I take everything's good on your end, Kurama?"
"Now it's time to take our leave," he says, looking at his brother once more.
Naruto cuts off his chakra from Gaara and finds himself back to reality.
He looks to his side to see five sets of eyes on him. He looks around at a pile of sand around him.
Then he hears snoring. Looking to the source, he sees Gaara sleeping soundly on the floor.
The two sand siblings are freaking out at this. Not wanting to make things worse, he speaks up.
"Don't worry about it," he pointed to Gaara.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Do you have any idea what will happen now that he's aslee-'' Kankuro is silenced by his sister's hand on his mouth.
"What did you do, Anbu!"
"Hmm, if my hunch is right. The beast hopefully won't be an issue in the future. Now it's time to let him rest. He'll need it after being up for who knows how long." He ushers his squad out the door before taking one last glance at Gaara.
"Thank you, sir," Kankuro said, looking him in the eye.
"No problem, I'll stand by in case something happens to him."
"Again, thank you!" With those words, he closes the door.
He finds his perch in the ceiling above the door. His squamates decide to join him.
He unseals his shogi board and pieces, wondering who will challenge him first.
Two days later, Kakashi's team finally made it to the tower with both scrolls in hand.
After the trio unravels the scroll and learns the secret messages of the two scrolls, they head deeper into the tower.
As they turn the corner into the next hall, they see Naruto in his Anbu gear.
"You made it with time to spare!" This gets a smirk from the three genin.
"Hate to say this but mind if we can get some rest first, Mr. Anbu?" Sakura asked.
"For two of you, sure." He turns to Sasuke, who lets out a sigh.
"Let's get this over with" he follows Naruto deeper into the tower till they are in a large room with a wooden floor.
"I need you to take your shirt off. And sit down over here."
"Whatever," he said before complying. Naruto lightly cuts his finger.
He painstakingly draws out all the symbols on the floor and Sasuke's body in his own blood with his bleeding finger.
He now stands over Sasuke's shoulder with his hand at the ready.
"This is gonna hurt. Try and hold still!"
"Just get it over with!"
Gathering his chakra in his hand and little of the chakra chain chakra, he places his hand on the curse mark.
Sasuke scream in agony as all the symbols on the floor come to life before forming around the curse mark.
With the jutsu finally complete, Sasuke passed out again, laying flat on the floor.
Then the hairs on Naruto's neck shot straight up, feeling a dark and malevolent chakra wash over the hind body.
He immediately cast his tailed beast clones as he faces the source of this chakra. Standing before him is one of the legendary sannin, Orochimaru.
"Weekk what di we have here. The fox brat is not only a member of leaf village Anbu but also sting enough to perform the curse sealing jutsu!"
He suddenly ducks out of the way to see someone make even the excellent snake sannin flinch.
The fourth Hokage himself was Crouched, where Orochimaru just stood. Beneath his feet is a creator that the Rasengan can only make.
"I'm warning you, Orochimaru, if you take one step closer, I won't miss next!"
"Fine, but Sasuke will be mine eventually," he said before sinking into the floor.
Once his chakra got far enough away, father and son plus Kurama let out a sigh of relief.
"Time to take Sasuke back to the others," Natsu said, pulling Sasuke up and over his shoulder.
He takes his father's hand, absorbing the chakra back into his body.
He takes unconscious Uchiha back to his squad's room to see Kakashi with them.
"I take it the seal is in place?" The jonin asked.
"Yes, and unfortunately, we had a visitor!" Kakashi didn't need to ask.
Then Naruto held his hand to his mask-covered chin and clearly pondered how to proceed.
"I need to talk to the Hokage!" He said before disappearing in a poof of smoke.
Suddenly he poofed out of nowhere in front of Hiruzen. Who decided to stay at the tower for the time being.
"What is it, Kitsune?"
"I just finished sealing the curse mark when Orochimaru showed up!"
Hiruzen stayed silent, knowing Naruto had more to add.
"Since it's clear he wants to destroy the village and is after Sasuke. Add onto the fact A and the killer bee will be in the village."
The two broke out into laughter.
"If we play our cards right, we can turn the tables on him. Possibly capture him! Deidara has been dying to use his art on an enemy!"
"Hmm, if that's the case, I'll make sure Lord Raikage is kept hidden from him and his Allies.
"One more thing, Tail beast clone!" The Kurama Version of Naruto stands beside him before transforming into Minato.
The grin the two shared grew in size, with the yellow flash being able to participate in the coming battle.
Later the day, Naruto stopped by Kakashi's squad. However, he needs to continue when he places the seal on him.
He rounds the corner into the doorway, and to his luck, Sasuke is the only one still up.
Going off his expression and hand over the seal he placed, Sasuke pondered the power the curse mark gave him.
"Sasuke!" This got the young Uchiha's attention
"What is it?"
"We need to chat about that mark on your neck!" Sasuke took a gulp, having a feeling there was more to.
He hasn't had the chance to confront Kakashi or the others after placing the seal. And who better than the one who put it.
Naruto went into great detail about what curse marks and what they can do. He even gave his side of the story when Sakura was forced to fend off the sound ninja.
"If I didn't place that seal, it would eat away at your chakra to the point you would die if left unchecked. One more thing, if you rely on that mark for power, it only proves how weak you truly are, Mr. Sharingan!" He said that last part with a chuckle, raising Sasuke's spirits slightly.
"Rich coming from you, Naruto!"
"I only use your power when I need to, not want to!"
"He's got you there, Kurama," his father added.
"Shut up!"
"I read the report before the Uchiha massacre. Your clan can do some amazing things with your kekkei Genkai, so why would you need a curse mark when you have those eyes!"
"That reminds me how Kakashi sensei said you got this strong through good old-fashioned hard work." He said with a sigh.
"You're a gifted prodigy. Imagine how far you'd go if you combined the two!" He said, getting a chuckle from Sasuke.
"We'll thank you anyway. I assume you have business concerning this mark?"
"Yes, and the headaches are already setting in," he said with a sigh getting another chuckle from Sasuke.
Naruto checks the time, and the second exam has one more day to go.
Checking the sand siblings he sees can tell Gaara isn't as irritable now that he's gotten proper sleep.
The other two are still amazed at the subtle change in their brother. A good night of sleep can give someone.
On the final day of the exams, several other Anbu squads showed up at the tower.
The forest of death covers a lot of ground. But unfortunately, they have no way of knowing how many failed applicants are still alive.
And there is also the fact that a preliminary test will be needed with eight teams passing the second exam.
The eight teams stood side by side, facing a stage with two hands doing the ram hand sign.
In front of them are the exam proctor squad sensei and the Hokage himself.
Not only that, countless Anbu are perched on the ceiling and catwalks situated on the sides of the room.
Hiurzen explained the point of the exams, and another proctor informed them of the preliminary exam they would have to do.
Sakura decided to be brave and raised her hand to ask questions.
"Lord Hokage, why are there so many Anbu here as well?"
"Two reasons, one to scan the forest for failed applicants," he then dawned a proud smirk before continuing.
"two, it's not too often we get a good crop of candidates, let alone this many. Can you blame them for being interested!" This got a chuckle from the leaf genin.
Hidden amongst the jonin, Orochimaru knew more than Hiruzen was letting on.
It's clear to him the Anbu are here to size up the foreign genin.
And letting him know Hiruzen isn't intimidated by him and his forces if the occasional look from the Anbu and lead jonin sending him glances is proof.
If Orochimaru is honest with himself. The Hokage and his forces are on to him, is exhilarating to the Sannin.
"Hehe, he took the bait!" Kurama commented on Orochimaru's emotions.
"Hook line and sinker!" Naruto added.
Bonus section
Unknown to Naruto, one of the chunin at the tower overheard Naruto word on curse mark on the lone Uchiha.
It brought a smile to face as a member of the lower branch being forced to bear a curse mark of his own.
The sun fully sank beneath the horizon when he made it back to the clan compound.
He still has to report to Lord Hiashi, the clan's head. So it's rare he can go to sleep early.
He knocks on the door "come in!"
"Evening, sir," he said, taking a bow.
"What do you have to report?"
"Nothing significant to report that the Hokage won't tell you," lord Hiashi is aware that the Orochimaru has finally moved on, destroying the leaf village.
"There is one thing that might pique your interest!"
"What is it?" He recounted the short speech Naruto gave on curse marks.
Hiashi leans back in his chair, looking to the ceiling before letting out a sigh.
"The most detestable kid in the village becomes a member of the anbu. Relations with Kumo are growing at an unprecedented rate. And the same kid spoke words of wisdom far beyond his years. This marks the end of an era. Hopefully, our mistakes won't be repeated!" He spoke loud enough for his one-person audience.
"I haven't heard that tone from you in a long time Lord Hiashi."
"It's a privilege that is yours alone, Taiyoko Hyuga!"
"I understand" Taiyoko is reminded of the day when Lord Hiashi had a moment of weakness.
That moment he learned his clan head detested using the clan's curse mark jutsu.
Hiashi discovered him shortly afterward. That moment is when he earned Taiyoko's respect and vice versa.
Since then, Taiyoko has become his personal servant, as some would say. But also someone lord Hyuga can confide in, especially his most provocative thoughts.
that it for this chapter
also I might add these bonus section from time to time to add details that would make it into the main story
little thing to help flesh out the wider world as a whole
that it for this chapter as always make sure to fav follow and leave a chapter review