(Chapter 52: Burning Sastisfaction and a 5th Hokage!)
It would be a bit more into the month of August as a myriad of things were going on from everyone enjoying their promotions to Chunin and above, the Senju's celebrating Dan's coronation as the new 5th Hokage, among other things left Konoha in great spirits. The only one on the downturn among other things was the once great Toad Sage, who was experiencing his fall from grace in such a manner that it would make anyone's head spin from how fast he'd fallen in recent memory.
(August 17th, 998 S.E, Senju Estate, Konoha, 2:16 Pm)
It would be a bit later into the sunny August day as Orochimaru was visiting to congratulate her friend in his recent minting as the 5th Hokage of Konoha, something that had Dan feeling surreal at the experience of at long last obtaining his dream job.
"How does it feel to finally have the coveted Hokage's hat after all this time?" Orochimaru asked the now 5th Hokage
"To be honest, it feels almost unreal. I always had hope that one day I might earn the position one day…But never like this." Dan answered back as while he was happy to be the 5th Hokage it was by that same token lessened by how he got it
"I understand, Dan. Having something you always dreamed of; tainted by another is nothing if not unpleasant…Believe me the past 20 years and beyond have been nothing but that." Orochimaru said in knowing the feeling all too well associated with her fellow Sannin
"However, despite that; it does not detract from the fact that you have more than earned it. If anyone is deserving of the title of this village's new Hokage, it would be you…For there is no one more capable, trustworthy, or mindful enough to be Hokage than you as far as I am concerned." Orochimaru further spoke an earnest smile of comfort spreading throughout their features
"Thank you, I could use the words of encouragement. It's one thing to hear it from Tsunade and the kids, but it is always appreciate from one of my best friends." Dan said to the Serpent Sannin
"Of course, as all you have to do is ask for my council and you shall have it. It is the least I can do for the people who never gave up on me." Orochimaru replied happy to be of service to her friends when needed
"By the way, how have Tsunade and your children taken to your new position. I take it very well?" Orochimaru further asked
"They are taking it as well as you'd imagine…The moment after my coronation finished I was pretty much tackle hugged into the ground by the kids. You should have seen their faces when they saw me in my hat and robes." Dan answered back still feeling the impact of getting brute-force hugged by Kazushi and Lyoto
"That is wonderful to hear, and what of Tsunade? I know that with her family history in regards to those who have chosen the path of Hokage. That she would have understandable reservations." Orochimaru asked in regards to her blonde counterpart
"She is actually alright with it. We had talked about my taking it if it ever came up…What with her grandfathers having perished when they were Hokage, and the incident with Nawaki. She did have her fears about me becoming Hokage and something similar happening to me as well." Dan told the Serpent Sannin in regards to how his wife felt over his becoming the 5th Hokage
With the matter of Dan ever becoming Hokage being a subject that had been discussed many time given the history of what it had wrought for Tsunade in those who pursued or became it, and something that became a rather tenuous discussion in the weeks leading up to his coronation as Hokage.
"I can assume that you two came to a mutual agreement given that you fully accepted the position?" Orochimaru asked once again as Dan nodded
"Yes, as once I gave her the assurance that I would be making changes to make the job easier. Considering that there are a lot of things that can be done in order to make the position more efficient…Now that I have the power to do so, I want to change the village for the better as much as possible." Dan answered back regarding the agreement he and Tsunade came to
"If there is anything you need to help make the process of being Hokage a less taxing task. I am more than willing to help…In fact, I am happy to lend some of my own to aid in whatever bureaucratic tasks; that need to be dealt with." Orochimaru offered to the new Hokage beside them
'If it weren't for Sakon and Ukon being as talented as they are through navigating red tape and paperwork. Then things would be far, far more cumbersome to deal with.' Orochimaru internally remarked in being glad for the help of the twins of the Sound 5
"I would appreciate that greatly, Orochimaru. Perhaps, once things die down a bit more; we can arrange a peace deal between our villages…Now that Jiraiya isn't as big of a power player as he used to be. We can work something out that can bring both our villages towards a better tomorrow." Dan said as Orochimaru couldn't help but smile at the thought
"That sounds delightful, Dan. I would like to work on that very much." Orochimaru said as the two then spent the rest of the afternoon further talking and catching up with each other
Meanwhile, said Toad Sannin was at Mt. Myoboku; the usually boisterous and over-the-top Toad Sannin was now a much more dour and dejected man after what had happened in the aftermath of the Chunin Exams. Wherein with the reality that the chance to fufill either prophecy was in shambles, Toshiro a soon-to-be dead man, Mizore a deranged shell of herself with the full totality of the 9 tails, Naruto being a demigod with free-range to do whatever he want, alongside Orochimaru in better graces than ever; alongside his freedom and all of his good graces and power being torn asunder in what felt like an instant.
Suffice to say as he overlooked his 2nd Home which looked like a nightmare where the Toads continued to become a morbid hellscape where the twisted abominations of the Toads he'd fought, trained alongside, and found companionship in; were now being forced in a fight for their lives against their own kin. Especially those that had succumbed to the curse of Giratina that as the warped and twisted perversion of maddened flesh-beasts that were once the denizens of Mt. Myoboku fought against them in a maddened frenzy, as the more ground they gained against the Toads that had not killed or converted into one of the skinless flesh monsters; the more their domain turned into a perverse simulacrum of Giratina's home.
"How bad is it Ma?" Asked the almost hollow voice of Jiraiya
"At this point, things are getting more dire by the day. We have tried to evacuate the mountain, but unfortunately even that is impossible." Shima told her summoner with a grim look about herself as she surveyed the horrific scene around and before her
"Those 'things' out there have somehow caught on to us trying to find another home. So they've sent out their own to ambush us and pick us off one by one…By land, sky, it doesn't matter if we hid so well that we wouldn't leave footprints. They always find us, and before anyone knows it their dragged back to become part of this horde of monsters that just doesn't seem to end." Shima further spoke with a defeated look on her face
"And there's nothing that can be done at all? Everyone is just trapped here until those things break through, or everyone starves, dies, or becomes one of those things?" Jiraiya said with a look of horror
"I am afraid so. It seems whatever that young boy is connected too, wanted to make sure that we died a painful inescapable death…Looks like it will get it's wish at this rate, as even with our best warriors we are fighting a losing battle." Shima replied grimly at the state of Mt. Myoboku that looked more like a necrotic plague swept through to ravage the usually bustling home of the Toads into a desolate wreck
"What about 'Bunta? Has he made it through this goddamned nightmare?" Jiraiya asked in hopes his favored summon was able to make it through
"He is doing the best he can to push through the plague, that monster inflicted on him when it took his limbs. However, even he is nearing his limits, Jiraiya-boy. He has perhaps weeks at best and at worst days before he fully succumbs to it…It is a miracle that he has held out this long before turning." Shima answered back in denoting that Gamabunta was at this point part of the walking-dead
"C-Can I go see him at least?" Jiraiya asked
"I am afraid not, his strength while still formidable is not what it used to be. Not to mention his mind is long the battle to whatever that nightmare god infected him with…So I cannot in good conscience allow you to see him, not unless we risk what happened to Gamaken happening to you." Shima answered back as Jiraiya flinched at the reminder of what happened to 'Bunta's blood brother
"It is hard to forget what happened when Bunta went crazy and tried to gut him like a fish…I never thought I would see him get that wild before…And I thought fighting Hanzo was terrifying." Jiraiya spoke as the sight of the partially mutated Bunta would haunt his nightmares forever
"Believe me, I do not like it either, but for now the best and only thing we can do now…Is to pray for a miracle, for that it was we need to stop this nightmare from continuing." Shima replied
'Who do we even pray to, when everything keeps going wrong at every turn?...What deity would allow any of this to continue…It is all that rotten brat Naruto's fault, and somehow, someway, I will find a method to make this all end, no matter what it takes.' Jiraiya wondered before swearing to find a way to make Naruto pay for the horrors inflicted upon his summons
(2 days later, Yakiniku Q, 2:10 Pm, August 19th, 998 S.E)
On the other side of things as the month of August continued to wear on, Sasuke was with Azula who was telling him about the upcoming 'exhibition' between her father who would be engaging in it with Orochimaru vs that of Jiraiya both as a means to show friendship between the two countries and to publicly humiliate the treacherous Toad Sannin.
"I will give your father credit, his idea to make Jiraiya pay for his crimes and make it an entertaining spectacle. It is certainly a very well-thought strategy to get what he wants." Sasuke said whilst he and Azula had finished their lunch together
"Yes, father did want to make that miserable pervert pay for his crimes. My only regret is that I couldn't be allowed to do so as well…The fact that he was able to get away from stealing from my family, and the imperial court for this long is inexcusable." Azula said back in utter scorn of the Toad Sage
"The Blood Prison isn't good enough for filth like him, if anything he should be executed for his crimes. Yet for some reason, father thinks sending him away for a mere life imprisonment is better. Why anyone like him deserves to breathe a moment longer; I will never understand." Azula further spoke bewildered as to why her father didn't simply have him executed
"I am not one to question the whims and wishes of my ruler, and neither am I the one to say that death is too good for him. But what I do know, milady, is that he will be punished for his crimes and be made an example out of." Sasuke responded
"Fair enough, I suppose. But enough about him, I want to focus more on us and what we can now pursue together." Azula spoke to a slightly confused
"Could you elaborate, as I am a bit lost here?" Sasuke asked
"What I am trying to say is, now that you are of a higher rank. I can bring the matter of us being in a relationship to my father. Then from there; we can become one of the most powerful couples the world has ever seen!" Azula half told/half proclaimed to Sasuke
"So you truly do wish to be in a relationship with me?" Sasuke asked once again
"Of course, I do, Sasuke. There is no one else that I find more compatible, or more desirable to my liking than you…You are everything that I wish to have in a consort, and to have myself settle for anyone lesser than you is out of the question." Azula answered back in seeing no one else but Sasuke as a suitable consort to be at her side
After all, from her viewpoint Sasuke wasn't simply someone as her equal as far as power and martial skill went, but also someone who through their continued time in writing to each other; was something that she felt a genuine connnection with, and someone who made all of these confusing feelings of deep affection for seem right and understandable.
"I am glad you see me that way, milady. I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel a similar way towards you. After all, during our times writing to each other, I have felt a growing connection to you too." Sasuke said with a semi-
nervous gulp at what he was about to further say
"In fact, you are the main reason why I pushed myself as hard as I had during the Exams…I wanted to prove myself as worthy and capable enough to be with you. I don't know how else to explain it other than; simply wanting to make myself worthy of not only being approved for your hand by your father. But also to be capable enough in your eyes to have you want to spend your time with me. Be that platonic or romantic, i am simply happy to know that you consider me as such and that you were the motivation that helped me grow strong enough to be seen as great enough in your eyes." Sasuke spoke with a genuine sense of emotion in his voice that was enough to move the Daimyo's daughter
"You certainly know how to flatter a woman…I didn't think that I meant that much to you." Azula said fighting back the heat that threatened to rise in her face
"Considering that you are everything that I dream of in a woman. I would be hard-pressed to find another that motivates me to better myself than you. After all, Princess Azula…there is no other lady in all of Fire Country that can make the flames of my ambition burn as bright you." Sasuke replied in earnest making Azula's face nearly flush red from those words as her palms nearly sparked alight in blue flames
'D-Did my heart just skip a beat?...Curse my weakness for honeyed words like that.' Azula said to herself as she continued to fight the blush that threatened to make her face burn like a wildfire
"Is there something wrong, Princess Azula?" Sasuke questioned in seeing the somewhat reddening in Azula's cheeks
"N-No everything is completely fine. I am just…I-I…oh to hell with it all!" Said a flustered Azula before she grabbed Sasuke by the face and swiftly kissed him on the lips with the passion of a roaring inferno
'Of all the things to happen today, this was not one of them…But I will most certainly take it.' Sasuke said to himself as he had enough wherewithal to return the kiss in full albeit with a somewhat lesser amount of passion
"Apologies, I did not mean to be so forward with you. It's just that all of these feelings you bring out in me are overwhelming, and I didn't know how else to express them to you." Azula spoke with a semi-embarassed reddening of her face
"You are more than fine, milady. If anything I am honored that you felt that strongly about me." Sasuke said with a chuckle of his own
"...How about we go for a walk around the village to settle things down, and get to know each other better?...After all, there is still quite a bit of time and wiggle room to better know each other; before I ask your father for his approval." Sasuke said as he stood up and offered her a hand
"That sounds delightful. Thank you, and lead the way." Azula said albeit a bit more demure in her voice as she felt the strange yet welcome burning in her cheeks
Yet as the two continued on their 'date' as it were around the village, Gaara was with Kankuro who was saying their farewells to his younger sister; who after a good deal of thought and consideration had decided to stay in Konoha, in having felt more welcome in the Hidden Leaf than she ever had in her home village in ages.
"As much as I want to say that I can't believe you're staying here. I also can't say that I blame you for wanting to, since their really ain't shit back home to keep you there any way." Kankuro said to the shorter redhead who now wore a Konoha headband in place of her original one
"Between our father and 'loving' sister, as well as the village still thinking of me as a monster. Whereas here I am treated among people as an actual person, with people who actually want to care about me, and not hate me for what was placed inside me…It didn't take much to consider my options before making the call to do so." Gaara said back in regards to her choice in switching sides
"Besides, father almost seemed overjoyed to pawn me off to Konoha. In fact if I were a guessing girl; I would bet that once he returns to the village. That he will throw a parade that the Sand Demon wearing my face is gone for good." Gaara further spoke in regards to Rasa's disgust at her overall existence
"Yeaaahhh, Dad really is piece of work. But…if it means anything to you, Gaara. I am happy for you that your getting a fresh start somewhere where your happy." Kankuro told his little sister who seemed surprised to hear such words
"You are? I have never seen you happy for me in…in ever? Are you under a genjutsu, is this some sort of prank that Temari put you up to? If it is, then I am going to break both of that wretch's legs, and truly give her something to cry about." Gaara wondered as to if this was all some sort of elaborate ruse
"No, oh fuck no!...I've just been doing some soul-searching and growing up since the Exams…and realized longer than what I should have. That you deserve a lot better than what you got dealt back home. But most of all, that I am really, really, messed up bad at being your big brother, and I know it won't fix things. But for what its worth…I'm sorry." Kankuro told her in earnest
"While I appreciate that you finally are apologizing for being the worst big brother ever. I do not accept your apology…You sat by and watched our father make my life a living nightmare, you played bystander to the villagers hating me almost every day of my life; alongside Temari. And worst of all you watched me go insane from Shukaku eating away at my everything, yet you didn't even say or life so much as a finger to comfort me when I needed you." Gaara spoke her teal-colored eyes still holding contempt for Kankuro and her family overall
"Yet it was Naruto someone who I met in the desert, who had no reason to be there for me at all. Who gave me true friendship and compassion. Treated me with actual decency, kindness, and friendship. Someone who comforted me when I needed it, and made me feel like my existence was something to be validated. But most of all he opened me up the possibility that I am worthy of being loved, where my only family hated me for something out of my hands from the day I was born…I-I need that in my life more than anything Kankuro." Gaara further spoke as for some unexplained reason that continued to elude her all she could feel was an unabashed sense of joy regarding the blonde who made her feel genuinely loved
"I'm pretty sure I get the picture, Gaara. To be honest, I'm not going to say that I didn't expect you turn down my apology…The only thing I want right now is to at least say, good luck and I wish the best for you, Gaara…You deserve it." Kankuro said to the sand-manipulating redhead who sighed before bringing out her sand and began manipulating it into one of her sculptures
"While I may not care for your apology in the slightest, I at the very least appreciate that you were always honest in your feelings towards me. That at least with you, I knew that I was never being lied too unlike with our sister. So for that, I want to grant you something to remember me by." Gaara said as she made Kankuro an animated sandstone/quartz sculpture of an Oni wielding a club
"Thanks, Gaara…You know what, I really going to miss you making these little sculptures of yours. You always did have a talent for these sort of things." Kankuro said taking the sculpture
"Thank you…brother. In the meantime, you should go and finish packing. Father isn't one to forgive lateness of any kind." Gaara said in feeling awkward over calling him her brother in a genuine sense
"Don't remind me…Well, goodbye and good luck, Gaara. If things really go your way for once, then this place will treat you a helluva lot better than what we did." Kankuro said as he walked off waving his goodbyes to Gaara
'I already have a feeling that everything for the first time in years, will finally and truly go my way for once.' Gaara said to herself as she looked up at the sunny summer sky with hope and possibilities of a positive future
(3 days later, Senju Stadium, Konoha, August 23rd, 998 S.E, 1:00 Pm)
It would be days later as the long-awaited 'exhibition match'/punishment of Jiraiya vs Lord Ozai would commence as an aura of excitement and menace filled the stadium, as the Fire Daimyo held nothing but a dark sense of mirth at finally being able to have his satisfaction against the treacherous Toad before him.
"Don't give me that look, Jiraiya. You have only yourself to blame for this situation." Lord Ozai spoke as the crowd roared around them
"Can you blame me? It's either I put on this 'show' for the village and possibly lighten my sentence. Or I don't and I'm still sent to the Blood Prison for the rest of my days, without a coin to my name." Jiraiya replied still hating that he was forced into this
"I said I would 'consider' giving you a potentially lesser sentence, if you could make this halfway entertaining." Lord Ozai corrected the lecherous Sage
"Although, I doubt it. The only thing you have strengthened over the ears, is the amount of bastards you have sired, and the amount of sexual diseases you have accumulated. It is all the reason why; I have no doubt in my mind that I will crush you, but more than that…I am going to enjoy melting the flesh off your bones; for crossing me as you have." Lord Ozai spoke a cruel grin spreading across his face with such malicious intent that Jiraiya couldn't help but feel his blood chill and curdle in his veins
"Of all the people I had to be forced to fight, why did it have to be him of all people." Jiraiya spoke before the 'exhibition' began
"I'm surprised, Lady Orochimaru. I had figured that you would have taken this opportunity to take your pound of flesh from him as well." Isane questioned knowing of the bad blood between her and Jiraiya
"As entertaining as it would be to do so. I have far better things to spend my time on than bullying someone so…beneath me." Orochimaru spoke as the Fire Daimyo blitzed into action like a wrathful comet of hellish flame
"If anything it would be the equivalent to a dragon, immense and powerful in its strength fighting a peacock; though boastful and brash in its appearance is nonetheless worthless before something of true power. Besides, it would be a waste of mine and everyone's time to fight against someone who I have far, far outgrown in every facet of life." Orochimaru further spoke regarding her former colleague as something so beneath her that it would be insult to her to have to fight him
"Sounds about right…how long to give him against this Ozai guy?" Isane questioned as Ozai wasted no time in unleashing either blasts' of hellish flame or blisteringly intense taijutsu against Jiraiya
"Even with his senjutsu I would say this has roughly 12 maybe 15 minutes to last; if I am to be completely generous. While Jiraiya is no doubt capable, there is a reason why Ozai and his lineage have held the seat of Fire Daimyo for over 300 years through sheer martial prowess." Orochimaru answered back regarding Ozai's immense martial prowess
And right she was given that even with the strength of Jiraiya's own impressive physicality and Toad Kumite, it was not much more than a stall tactic against the Fire Daimyo whose overwhelming aggression and relentlessly unyielding strikes were swiftly wearing him down. Something that wasn't helped as he used his familys' gift of freely manipulating fire to increase his movements to absurd levels in order to attack the Toad Sannin from all angles possible with the ferocity of a ferocious dragon disturbed from its peaceful slumber.
Wherein it was taking all of Jiraiya's skill in close quarters to contend against the fury of the Fire Daimyo whose overwhelming aggression was such that even a seconds' respite to think of another move was dangerous; lest he be struck point-blank by a fireball, or be forced to leap out of harms way from a roundhouse to the face that would've melted flesh from bone. Then there was the moments when he would send out almost razor-like lashes of flame that if it weren't for years of experience and his reflexes being as high as they were; then his limbs would've been shorn/burnt from his body.
Yet even still as bruises, welts, and all manner of burns began to accumulate at a rapid rate, and yet even in this battle where Jiraiya was forced onto the defensive backfoot; that there was an air of which Ozai was holding back despite Jiraiya looking as though he'd been struck by a sledgehammer that had been set ablaze. What with Jiraiya's attempt at getting a breather to stall for time in the form of a Swamp of the Underworld jutsu doing little if anything to impede the Fire Daimyo in question, given that with a muffled stomp of their foot not only incinerated the mud-pit that would've dragged him into its depths into smoking brick.
It had also sent out a concussive shockwave of pure heat and concentrated flame so strong that it sent Jiraiya flying clear across the stadium, landing with bone-cracking force causing a sharp wheeze of pain as Jiraiya peeled himself out of it. Yet not even a second later was forced right back into when he was struck by a fireball the size of a small child that blasted off his haori, and reduced his shirt to nothing more than cinders as full-blown 2nd-degree burns stretched across his chest.
"Because, I want this to last for more than a few minutes of my time, if I am to be truly entertained...So I will be generous and give you the opportunity to use that disgusting brand of senjutsu as you and Orochimaru call it against me." Ozai spoke to a still-recovering Jiraiya
"Why would you even give me the chance to turn into my Sage Mode, Ozai?" Jiraiya questioned
"Simple, this does nothing for me if I can't crush you at your fullest. I want to humiliate you when you are at the peak of your strength, so that it is immortalized in your flesh; that the foolishness of taking from me will forever remain…THAT is the reason why I am giving you this chance." Ozai answered back with a dark sense of joy in crushing the Toad Sannin at his strongest
"So hurry along, I still have things on my itinerary to do today, so get on with whatever those wretched toads have taught you." Ozai spoke with a patronizing level of condescension to his voice
'With how little of a choice I have here, I might as well go for broke…Hopefully, everything will still work out.' Jiraiya said to himself as he began to nature chakra
"Is there something wrong, Naruto? You don't seem to happy about numbnuts over there getting his ass kicked from here to Kumo?" Sakura asked as Naruto had a rare scrutinizing gaze
"Yeah, I'm good. Its' just that Pervy-Sage's energy feels off like Toshiro's did when he went into his Sage Mode during the finals…Only a lot more fucked up when I look at it." Naurto answered back in recognizing the distorted aura
"Really? If that's the case, then it looks like Lord Ozai might be in a little of trouble then." Sakura remarked as the audience along with Ozai continued to witness Jiraiya's transformation into his 'Perfect' Sage Mode
While Jiraiya had indeed reached the perfected version of the Toad Sage Mode, but due to Giratina's blight it had warped and shifted into a form that was much more monstrous in appearance than its incomplete version the corrupted natural energies now enlarging the Toad Sage into an 8-foot tall behemoth. His musculature having been engorged to the point that his skin looked as though it might tear with the slightest movements from how obscene and warped he now stood, as he now stood with a toad-like hunch about himself, his legs warped into a cross between man and the webbed appearance of a bullfrog, his face also having become warted and swollen to reflect his summons, and his eyes although golden; were now much bulbous in appearance as well.
The Fire Daimyo could only stare back in contemptable disgust at the supposed hidden strength of Jiraiya's senjutsu that made him look more akin to a bipedal toad than anything human, as said Sannin let out a garbled sounding croak like groan; that sounded too deep and bestial to be anything close to human. What with Minato, Tsunade, and Orochimaru all looking at Jiraiya with equal parts disgust, revulsion, and even pity at what he transformed himself into, as Minato much moreso in seeing what the toads had reduced his once loved sensei into was very much considering leaving his contract with them, if this is what their power yielded nowadays.
Even still the power he exuded although malformed and warped was nothing to scoff at, as even Naruto would have to admit that it was enough to have him actually try should he have had to fight Jiraiya in this new form, as the Toad Sannin in question without pause leaped after the Fire Daimyo in question with such force that the ground cratered beneath him. What with Ozai despite holding a look of disgust did not seem even the slightest bit phased by Jiraiya's newly increased strength as the Toad Sannin went to strike with a mighty overhand to pummel him with, only for it to be met with a blazing rising knee that collided with the by contrast gargantuan fist.
The strength of the blows were such the ground warped beneath them from the immense pressure and heat on display, yet despite this as Jiraiya was able to keep up against Ozai in this mutated state of his, the Fire Daimyo in question was still able to not only keep up his pace against the Toad Sannin in question. But even when the strength of Jiraiya's corrupted senjutsu-enhanced blows landed against him, he tanked them in stride as if anything seemed to welcome them; given that with the more Jiraiya's attacks landed against Ozai, the more the Fire Daimyo's attacks began to intensify as though the blows were feeding fuel into a living furnace.
Evident by how not even a solid 2 minutes into Jiraiya's transformation was Ozai beginning to glow like a living blast-furnace from the amount of compressed flames constantly growing strength as he battled, with Jiraiya's unleashing a Sage Art: Goemon against the Fire Daimyo after managing to land a harsh series of punches that sent him against an adjacent wall. However, instead of looking the slightest bit worried at the gargantuan wave of superheated oil that came towards him like a roiling tidal wave; Ozai took a deep inhale as his chest glowed all the more brighter like the flames of a forge; before exhaling a blast of flames to combat it.
The stream of flames breathed out by Ozai was of such intensity that it not only distorted the air around him from the sheer intensity of the blaze, but also parted and subsequently dispersed the burning wave of superheated oil with the ease someone would squash a roach as it barreled towards the enlarged Sannin; whilst Naruto used his psionic powers to deflect the remains of the Goemon away from the audience. All the while Jiraiya attempted to hold back the fire-breath barehanded which actually worked to some degree, as the attack was halted in place even as it melted the ground beneath the Toad Sage into molten rock that bubbled and hissed beneath him.
Yet Ozai dissatisfied with this being the case merely began to dash forward and ignited a concussive burst of flames behind him, as he combined the flames of it and his fire-breath to turn himself into a fiery spear of pure incineration that rocketed towards Jiraiya at incredible speeds. What with Jiraiya not realizing what Ozai was doing until the Daimyo turned near mammoth spear of flame came flying towards him at insane speeds, as Jiraiya tried to summon forth a Mud Wall with one hand in order to defend himself, but it was too late.
The immolating form of the Fire Daimyo impacting Jiraiya's gut in a blazing Superman punch so fearsome that nearly 2/3rd's of the arena were erupting into white-hot flames that threatened to melt and ashen everything they consumed, as Jiraiya's massive form impacted a wall with a thudding KRRAAAKKKOOOMM! The shockwave left the nearly 9 foot tall Sannin hunched over from his body sporting nasty full-body burns that while it looked parts of his flesh were either almost blackened or looking to have started melting off his body, he still was able to continue fighting against the Daimyo; entering into a fearsome exchange of blows against him.
However, as punches, kicks, and elbows, and other strikes were involved something was noticed, given that in the fearsome exchange that Ozai didn't look the slightest bit tired at all, whereas Jiraiya who had taken substantial amount of damage from Ozai felt his Sage Mode draining swiftly from using so much chakra to keep up. In fact the Fire Daimyo seemed to almost glow brighter and brighter to the point where his form almost began to look like a humanoid made of flames, as every blow countered, taken or landed seemed to act as fuel for the blast furnace that was his immense power and strength.
"So you've noticed it too, Sasuke." Azula spoke in seeing Sasuke's look of realization
"I figured that something was going on as your fathers' attacks were growing stronger during the course of the match. On top of the fact that despite taking 4 Rasengan's, he looks more invigorated than wounded…So it stood to reason that he was using some form of technique to make the attacks from Jiraiya become fuel to agument himself further." Sasuke replied in having been able to suss such a thing out as another Rasengan seemed to act as more of a bee-sting than anything of threat as it only left a modest scrape-like wound against his sternum
"You are partially correct. It has more to do with our familys' bloodline ability." Azula spoke as in retaliation her father landed several punches and claw strikes that punctured and rent the Sannin's engorged flesh
"All of us are able to freely manipulate fire and even its cold-blooded cousin lightning, without the use of chakra. However, we are also able to take it a step further and take our fire manipulation to manifest in ways tailored to our way of fighting. For my Uncle Iroh it was embodying the power of a dragon, to act as a terror across the battlefield. But for my father his allows him to take the power of the enemies attacks and use it as fuel to as he puts 'strengthen the fire within to punish the weak'. Something that as you can see is quite literal." Azula spoke as Ozai tanked a full-force punch go the kidneys with a look of not pain but malevolent joy at seeing the look of despair on Jiraiya's face at how little it did to stagger him
"That would explain why he allowed him to transform into…whatever that form is." Sasuke remarked as a brutal stomp kick was unleashed with such force that it burned a hole through Jiraiya's left femur
"While father is one for theatrics, he is nonetheless one of the most formidable warriors in the land…There is a reason why no one has dared attempted a coup or tried a betrayal as brazen as the lecher's. And this is why." Azula said as a jumping hook kick to the temple sent Jiraiya skidding across the ground
"Is this all that the 'Gallant Jiraiya' has to offer? Here I thought that the one who was going to bring peace to world; would be a better warrior than this." Ozai spoke as he grabbed Jiraiya by his dense mane of hair and lifted him up
"N-Needle J-Jizo." Jiraya croaked as his hair spiked outwards to impale Ozai…or rather would've if said hairs didn't burn to ash before they reached skin
"Really, resorting to this to try and beat me, and here I thought you were so much better than that...Oh who am I lying too, you were never better than some pauper on the corner of a syphillis-riddled brothel." Ozai responded before kneeing Jiraiya so hard in the jaw that it now only shattered in 4 places but also burned off the bottom half of his face
What with Jiraiya once more being sent into the wall as Ozai whose form looked in-between that of his regular self and a being made of a living inferno; grinned a malevolent smile full of nothing but mirthful menace at tearing through the Toad Sannin. All the while said enlarged Sannin who felt himself on his last legs as the accumulated damage being such that he was struggling to hold onto his corrupted Sage Mode, that he decided to go for one final attack to strike an make some dent against Ozai as he made a Rasengan in hand.
All the while Ozai looked up in mild amusement at the Rasengan in question grew to gigantic proportions that was of such obscene size that it nearly blotted the sky from view, as he jumped up into the air and dove downwards to try and drive it into Ozai…The key word being tried as the in response to this Ozai began to generate lightning of such intensity that it looked like a miniature storm had gathered around him, with such power being emitted that the ground beneath him turned to glass.
…Once the massive Rasengan was mere meters away from impact he unleashed the lighting that was further augmented by the amount of built-up heat and concussive force he'd been generating throughout the battle and fired it as a singular bolt of concentrated lightning so strong in its power. That it not only split the massive senjutsu enhanced Rasengan on contract as though it were made of wet clay before a butcher knife, it also proceeded to eviscerate through Jiraiya as it split whatever clouds were in the sky with the greatest of ease.
The display of power being as impressive as it was swift, given that Jiraiya's entire right arm at the shoulder parts of his ribs, stomach, and the right side of his face had been scorched completely avail leaving only smoking pitch-black charred stumps that went from his scorched skull down to his hips, as the resulting attack was storng enough to knock him immediately out of Sage Mode. All the while he landed onto the ground with a solid thud, unconscious as Kurenai during a weekend bender, as the crowd was a mix of stunned silence at the one-sided clinic and uproarious applause at seeing their Daimyo put on such a fantastical display of raw power, as Ozai stood with a smirk at having decimated Jiraiya.
'Fatality, and as always a Perfect Victory for the greatest in all of the Elemental Nations.' Were the thoughts of the Fire Daimyo in question
(2 days later, 4:08 Pm, August 22nd, 998 S.E, Naruto's Farmhouse)
Meanwhile, it would be quite a bit later as Naruto was currently with one of his favored summons in Entei as he was feeding the massive beast of a fire-type Legendary some brisket and ham he baked, in enjoying the peace and quiet alongside one of his favored summons.
"Thank you again for making food this wondrous, young Naruto. Truly your talents at making food are unmatched in regards to the humans of the previous era!" Entei spoke enjoying the food that Naruto made
"Glad you like it, Mr. Entei. Plus, I figured that with you and Mewtwo being my favorites that I've met so far. That it couldn't hurt to make you some grub…Plus, I just like spending time with you in general." Naruto replied in just happy to spend time with one of his summons as he pet the large beast before him
"I am most appreciative that you enjoy my company, young master! I hope that you will continue to summon me in the future, as you are among one of the mortals that I have grown fond of as of late." Entei told Naruto as he devoured another chunk of ham
"Why thank you…I know I'm not all that much, but I appreciate the thought." Naruto said back
"Of course, as it is only the truth that I will ever speak to you. You have a great heart about you, one that has a level of nobility and courage that is near-unmatched…As such should you call upon me in future battles, I shall be more than happy to answer the call to arms." Entei said to his creator's champion in seeing a great young man within him
"Thanks, and I hope I continue to keep things that way. I don't know how the future will go from here on out, but I know that as long as I have my friends, the wonderful people I've met along the way, and all of you guys that Mr. Arceus allows me to meet. That things are going to be just great." Naruto replied in regards to his feelings of what would come down the line
"Excellent to see that your spirit remains as unwavering as ever, young Naruto! I look forward to seeing more of what you will accomplish in the future." Entei said back as he and Naruto continued to eat more of the meat made by the superhuman blonde
From there on the late afternoon and well into the evening was a rather relaxed and chilled-out affair, given that after Naruto and Entei finished eating and chatting that they spent a good chunk of the day riding around the farmgrounds, foot-racing, and lighting up the sky with fire-based attacks until the sun began to set. Wherein afterwards Naruto then allowed for Entei to roam around the area unabated in figuring that the legendary beast of fire, could use the opportunity to stretch his legs and roam around the grasslands…so long as nothing important was set ablaze.
To which Naruto was then left by his lonseme as in his boredom he proceed to simply do the dishes and sweep his porch, before sitting beside himself and having a glass of lemonade to enjoy the rest of the day; before readying things for the upcoming harvest in the impending fall. Yet as the sun further began to set on the champion of Arceus's farmhouse, did he soon find himself being visited by the form of Orochimaru flying down to his house…something that actually surprised the superhuman blonde to see.
"Oh hi, Orochimaru. I wasn't expecting to see you at my farmhouse…I know it doesn't look like much, but I hope that you like it for as long as your here." Naruto said to the Serpent Sannin
"Trust me, I am not one for opulence or over-the-top indulgences. Besides, it is rather comforting I will say, as I will also admit that it is a bit of a shock to the system; to see you as a farmer. Despite all that you are capable of." Orochimaru replied in finding the dichotomy of Naruto being a farmer and his being an incredibly powerful warrior was a bit of whiplash to say the least
"Hey, its' something that I've always wanted to do. After all, when and if I get bored of being a shinobi. I figured that it would be fun to have something to keep me busy. So what better way than making and growing something that's gonna do just that, and keep me well fed and well paid for all time." Naruto said back as he took a seat on a rocking chair that was on his porch
"Now then, with all that said. What did you swing by my place for?...While I'm always happy to have company over, I also feel like it would be poor manners of me not to at least ask." Naruto said as he invited his new guest to take a seat in an adjacent rocking chair
"To put it simply, I have a proposition for you. One that may prove beneficial to both of us." Orochimaru replied as she took a seat
"Really, now? Well, by all means say what you gotta say." Naruto spoke giving the floor to said Sannin
"As you may well know, I am collecting tablets or as you took to calling them during our visits Plates; that have not only allowed me to augment myself. But have also allowed me to improve and enhance my soldiers and my people overall for the better." Orochimaru told the inhuman blonde
"Well, yeah. And to be honest, I'm still looking for the last bit that are out there. Since you and I both know they pack a whole lot of power in 'em." Naruto replied
"Precisely, and as such because of what they hold. I wish to make the proposition that I will help you find the ones that remain in the world. On one condition, and one condition alone." Orochimaru said to Naruto
"What is it?" Naruto inquired
"That I be allowed to study and see the results of what may come of it. As I am still keen on studying the effects of what can be done to improve the people of the world overall for the better. And see if they hold any secrets that can benefit those that are willing for the better." Orochimaru informed Naruto
"After all, it allowed me my final body and prevent my untimely death; from my original form nearly failing from a compromised state of health." Orochimaru added
"Hey, I'm all for helping everyone out. Since I want everyone in my circle to flourish as much as possible. So anything that can be done on my end to make sure people can live a good life. Then I'm absolutely here for it." Naruto said back in being fine with using the power of the Plates to improve life for all in a positive manner
"Great to hear, as I will also allow you to absorb the plates at my disposal as well. After all, I have a working theory that even should you absorb them. That their power can still be used to improve others, if not more efficiently so…That is if you are willing to aid in these experiments?...As my equal I would not do anything to or against you without you're explicit consent."
"Sure! I don't see why not. Just as long as it isn't anything too weird, or is gonna haunt my nightmares in terms of absolutely fucked. Then I don't mind being a part of what you've got planned." Naruto said with a shrug of his shoulders
"Wonderful to hear, Naruto! Oh, this is such great news! In fact, I also want to do this in order to see what you will evolve into. After all, seeing your rapid rate of growth has piqued my interest into seeing such things." Orochimaru told Naruto regarding her curiosity of what Naruto would become once he gained the power of all the plates
"You and me both, Miss Orochimaru. I won't lie when I say that I've been wondering what kind of cool form I'll turn into once I get everything." Naruto replied in having been curious on the subject for awhile
After all, from the moment he first gained his powers up until recently he had always wondered what he would become when he gained the full totality of the plates at his disposal; given that with his powers continuing to rise and grow without any real defined limit. It was always that remaining thought of what he would be able to transform himself into once he finally gained the full access of his powers as the one true inheiritor of Arceus's cosmic and otherworldly powers.
"If that settles it, then I can assume we have an accord?" Orochimaru questioned the superhuman blonde
"You sure can better believe that we do have ourselves an agreement! I'm just excited to get started on seeing more of what I can do!" Naruto said in excitement as Orochimaru let a smile of pure excitement and fascination cross their pale features
"Then I look forwards to working with you, Naruto. I'm sure that together we will create a wonderful future for all those around us." Orochimaru said back
"Hey, with how much of a smartypants you are and how much of a superfreak I am. I'm sure that things are gonna go awesome!" Naruto replied
"I have no doubt they will, until next time. I wish you the best." Orochimaru said as they got up to leave before Naruto teleported twice-over to have a freshly baked roast chicken in one hand and a box of freshly wrapped sides in the other
"Wait a minute, before you go. Have this…I was making some for dinner for later. But since I hate to let anyone leave with an empty stomach. I figured that you could have this." Naruto spoke as he psionically floated the freshly made chicken, sweet potatoes, and collard greens to the Sannin
"You didn't have to do this, Naruto. I would have been fine, finding something in the village to eat." Orochimaru replied as they caught the chicken in their hands
"Hey, you're a really nice person who has been nothing but kind to me. Theinally got Jiraiya least I can do is make sure you leave out of here on a full stomach…So go on, have yourself a good dinner and a nice rest of your evening." Naruto said with a broad smile that for a moment reminded her of the broad kindness filled ones Nawaki would give them
"Thank you, Naruto. I will be sure to enjoy it." Orochimaru said as they then floated off with their dinner
'Man…looks like things really are gonna keep coming up my way.' Naruto said to himself in good spirits of where his life was headed from here
And so with Ozai having decimated Jiraya and finally gained a measure of satisfaction against the deceitful Sannin, alongside Dan now reigning as the 5th Hokage. It also seems that Naruto and Orochimaru are in accord to jointly work towards not only acquiring the remaining plates, but also to discover what gifts and powers will be acquired through learning of Arceus's power…Stay tuned to see how the events to come and more will transpire in the following installments of, Naruto: The PokeSage!
Alright, that takes care of that as I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter and everything that has gone on in it, as we finally getting his commupance from Ozai…as from hereon its off to a life sentence in the Blood Prison. Otherwise, I am again wanting to say thank you to everyone supporting the story so far, as it feels almost unreal to know we are 50+ chapters into the story as from here on we pretty much start going into Shippuden early given that with how much I've changed that things timeline wise will shift radically to do so.
As such and as always this is Pravus666 signing off until next time. What with the next chapter having a small jump forward as for the time being Orochimaru will be sticking around here and there for peace talks and an alliance between the Otogakure and Konoha. So stay tuned for more of what's to come.
Part 3 Theme Song: Themata by Karnivool
Random End Song: Burn the Bridges by Mushroomhead
Now then onto some of the reviews from the previous chapter.
Skull Flame: Yep, Mizore's a ticking time bomb that belongs in an asylum since its a matter of if and not when she bursts, and Toshiro after all that Naruto put him through, his half of Kurama getting punched out of him, and his soul getting eaten like a tootsie pop...he's done for good. Plus, Kurenai with Dan at the helm with her actions to Yakumo may very well be fired from the shinobi program all together due to how severe her fuck up was overall. Also, having Saiken's fuck you to Rasa as the invasion is gonna rear its head on Orochimaru's turf was too good not to do, since it just felt like vindication for our favorite slug monster to do, since if Saiken can't be happy then their gonna make sure that Rasa sure as heck won't...especially with how them mutating like a Nurgle spawn is only the beginning of Saiken messing with Rasa. Also, I really did love it and Bjorn and Ben being bros is something I thought was dope, for how cool it would be to be pals with Space Vikings, also I did mean Luther, who Ben will be getting to know as well since I imagine there would be a level of respect between the two once they know each other better...and hey who knows Ben may even given Luther some upgrades to stand toe-to-toe with some of his fellow Dark Angels.
Kourtney Uzu Yato: Yup Toshiro is gonna be a vegetable in the ground soon enough, since with nothing in there anymore on top of all the damage Naruto done...then yeah even life-support ain't gonna cut it at this point. Also, Mizore going absolutely insane over what happened was something I'm happy I got to do, since as I said before, no one taught either her or Toshiro how to handle defeat and because of that on top of how puffed up there egos are alongside the monstrous gap between them and Naruto as well as Kurama messing with her; her going insane was practically a given. Furthermore, with how long Rasa has been an underdog of a Kage for and older than Yagura, I'm pretty sure that he's got the experience of knowing when and when not to pull the trigger and pulling the trigger at the Finals wasn't the smart move to do, so he relented in knowing that it would've gotten him more losses than it would've gained. Lastly, as you've seen Jiraiya now not only got a life sentence in the Blood Prison but now is a deep-roasted Toad thanks to Ozai getting some much-needed catharsis.
Michael Bourne: I couldn't figure out where to put in this chapter, but I think that it will work out great for the next chapter which will be more chilled out than this one.
God of Wind 200: I think I can make that work, it'll be a bit tricky to pull off. But if I can swing it, for just the pure shenanigans of it alone then I will do my best to do so.
starravenwolf: Also, I told you she was going off the deep end, since the only thing she's gonna be getting is a one-way trip to the nearest asylum in a straightjacket, and side-tangent never had a Krackle Bar so I'll put that on my list of candy bars to try out in the near future. Also, I'm glad you enjoyed the Giratina scene since I figured even the Eldritch Satan of Pokemon could use some warm fuzzy vibes every now and again. Furthermore, at least Gaara is far and well away from him, but on the otherhand Naruto is gonna beat the breaks off him when he gets the chance and Orochimaru may tag-team as well; given how pissed she's gonna be when Rasa tries her to think he can get away with a double-cross. Lastly, Jiraiya tried and failed to run, and instead got flame-covered butt-kickings from the Fire Daimyo himself since there was no way I was gonna let Ozai not get his back in blood for how Jiraiya hoe'd him for almost 20 years, also a good chunk of the male bastards are better than what he is...but some not so much since its mainly a coin-flip with his male bastards and female ones alike. Also, I'm saving Kin for when the invasion of Oto rears its head all things considered, given that I want to show in full what Kin looks like after going through Project Siren Song.
SPark81: Konoha will learn of it, its just gonna be awhile before it happens; since I want the timing of it happening to be perfect for Konoha to get involved and help squash things in Kirigakure.
