Chapter 2: What have I gotten myself into?
Naruto Uzumaki:The Super Soldier
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these rights.
Otsutsuki no Yami: Regarding the fisherman's name being Japanese and not Chinese, that was my fault. In my initial draft, I had Naruto land in Japan instead of China, so I forgot to change their names to Chinese. After doing some more research, I scrapped the idea of Naruto landing in Japan and switched it to China.
With that out of the way, let's let the word river flow as we chart the course of our narrative voyage.
As a convoy of military jeeps rumbled to a halt, the midday sun cast a warm glow over Changchun Hospital. Dust settled around the vehicles as the Lieutenant General, a stern figure in his uniform, stepped out with a determined expression. Armed guards wearing olive green uniforms surrounded the hospital entrance, securing the area.
As the Lieutenant General strode towards the entrance, his boots echoing in the quiet courtyard, he could not shake the gravity of the situation. Intel had led them to this hospital, where a western child was supposedly under their care. A possible asset of great value or, as he had been informed, a possible danger to their nation.
The Lieutenant General entered the hospital and was led by a superior through sterile hallways, the sound of their boots clicking in the silent passageways. Upon reaching the assigned chamber, the Lieutenant General inhaled deeply before pulling open the door.
His eyes widened slightly as he took in the unexpected sight. On the hospital bed lay a young western boy with odd features and strange facial marks that resembled whiskers. The Lieutenant General, who was used to keeping his cool, was briefly taken aback by what he was witnessing. The whole thing seemed almost too good to be true.
The Lieutenant General, having composed himself, addressed the attending doctors and nurses. "I want to know as soon as he wakes up," he stated firmly.
"Hi!" They said this as the Lieutenant General gave the kid one last look before leaving.
{-Scene change-}
Kakashi walked back to the village, the failure of his mission weighing heavily on his shoulders as the shadow of the Hokage Monument loomed overhead. His thoughts were clouded by the loss of his sensei son, and sadly, Sasuke was able to cross the border, preventing Kakashi from pursuing. As the village gates loomed ahead, Kakashi's steps slowed, his heart constricted by the weight of the news.
Tsunade and Sakura were waiting tensely for him to return at the gates. Tsunade's eyes flickered with hope as she peered out at the horizon, certain that she would see Naruto's familiar, sun-kissed blonde hair. Inner Sakura wondered where Sasuke was, doubting Naruto's promise to return him to her arms.
Tsunade's voice broke the awkward silence. "How did the search go, Kakashi? and where is Uzumaki Naruto?" She looked around for any sign that her favorite missing Shinobi was nearby.
With a hint of hesitation visible in his one visible eye, Kakashi hesitated. With deliberate word choice, he questioned, "Um, Lady Tsunade? I believe it would be best to talk about it in your office." In a subdued request for a more private setting, he gestured toward the Hokage Tower.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed at Kakashi as her suspicions increased. Her face became serious as she nodded after pausing calmly.
"Dismiss Sakura, and let us talk," she ordered, then gestured back to her office.
Sakura, who had been listening in on the conversation, looked from Kakashi to Tsunade, then quietly bowed and left. As Kakashi and Lady Hokage began walking back to her office, the air was thick with unspoken concern.
Inside the Hokage's office
As Tsunade and Kakashi settled into the uneasy silence that surrounded them, the air in Tsunade's office became heavy. The Hokage watched Kakashi's strange behavior with dread in her stomach. The absence of his usual coping mechanism—the Icha Icha book—only intensified her unease.
Tsunade quickly dismissed her guards as the door clicked shut, her eyes flashing with concern. Swiftly, she made a barrier by swerving through hand signals so that no one could overhear their conversation. She returned to her seat and fixed a stern gaze at her silver-haired subordinate.
"Kakashi, tell me, where is that traitor and Naruto?" Usually firm and authoritative, her voice exhibited a slight tremor, reflecting the tightness in her chest that indicated uneasiness.
"I... do not know," Kakashi admitted, sighing heavily. His visible eye reflected Tsunade's growing apprehension.
Tsunade slammed her hand against the desk, her rage erupting and echoing throughout the room. "What do you mean you do not know where either of them are?" Anger and desperation mixed together in her command.
Kakashi began his report by recounting the mission's failures, Sasuke's escape, and Naruto's mysterious disappearance. As he spoke, Tsunade felt her emotions churn like a rough sea. She felt the burden of accountability and the anguish of yet another possible loss of a family member heavily on her shoulders. She said nothing, taking time to absorb the harsh reality that was being thrust upon her.
Tsunade said with forced composure, barely masking her sorrow, "You can leave, Kakashi." Feeling helpless and heartbroken, Kakashi bowed his head and turned to walk away.
"Please be okay, Naruto, and return to the village," was all they could think about as Kakashi left.
Tsunade was left to deal with her sorrows alone as the massive wooden door shut behind Kakashi. Her sobs rang out across the village, signaling the death of yet another relative, another soul taken by her cursed necklace.
{Inside the Changchun Hospital}
Slowly awakening in a disoriented haze, Naruto instinctively shielded his eyes from the intrusive brightness with his left arm. The stark white surroundings welcomed him, and he could not get rid of the question, "Am I in a hospital?" He looked around the room and tried to get up, but something felt off in his chest. His gaze lowered, revealing wires connected to unfamiliar machines displaying blurry images. "Where am I?" he wondered in his mind.
"Baachan, where am I at? I need to leave to stop Sasuke and return him to the village, as I promised." As footsteps approached, Naruto yelled urgently, and a nurse, startled by his awakening.
Naruto began to panic when he saw the unexpected nurse, as he was expecting to see Tsunade or Shizune. He screamed, terrified, "Who are you?"
The nurse called for assistance to calm him, and more staff members rushed inside the room to subdue him. As Naruto tried to free himself, a nearby doctor used a syringe to inject him in the right thigh, causing drowsiness, after which Naruto collided with the pillow. "Sofi, go notify the Lieutenant," the doctor ordered, taking a deep breath after the altercation.
Following orders, Sofi set off in search of the commander.
The staff was surprised by Naruto's quick recovery, as they had expected him to be bedridden for a few weeks. Instead, he woke up in just one day. As a result, the doctor immediately ordered blood tests and screenings to be done on the unusual patient.
In the dimly lit Jeep, Lieutenant General Tanaka was buried under a mountain of paperwork, the only source of light coming from a flickering overhead bulb. His brow furrowed in concentration as he sifted through the reports. Suddenly, a movement caught his attention, and he looked up to find the nurse, Sofi, standing by the window, her silhouette outlined against the darkness outside.
"Lieutenant General, the patient has regained consciousness," she announced, breaking the night's silence.
There was a trace of surprise in Tanaka's otherwise stern expression, but he nodded. He paused for a moment before declaring, "You are dismissed." She bowed before leaving.
After getting his Hanyang 88 bolt-action rifle out of the Jeep and entering the hospital, Tanaka saw that Naruto was being watched and ordered that he be taken to a private room for questioning.
Gradually, Naruto felt his consciousness slowly resurfacing from the depths of unconsciousness. As the dense fog of general anesthesia started to lift, he became aware of a steady, silent beeping sound. He had to squint against the haze to see that he was placed in a cold chair in a well-lit room with white walls.
"I see you are awake."
Naruto's eyes snapped open at the sound of the voice, his senses immediately on high alert. He turned to see Lieutenant General Tanaka sitting across from him, a commanding figure in the lit room.
Lieutenant General Tanaka sat across from Naruto, his eyes fixed on him. The atmosphere was tense. "Start talking Westerner. Where do you come from, and why are you in Jilin Province?"Tanaka demanded in Japanese, his voice harsh.
Confusion clouded Naruto's expression as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. "Who are you?" With a hint of fear in his voice, he shot back, "And where am I?"
The revelation of Tanaka's identity did little to ease Naruto's growing unease. "Lieutenant Colonel Tanaka. And you are in a secure facility," Tanaka reiterated, his words heavy with implication. "Now, explain how you ended up in Jilin Province."
"West-er-ner?" Naruto said in a confused tone before he shook his head and replied, "I... I don't really know. The last thing I remember is that I was fighting Sasuke, and then... here. And I must find him and return him back to the leaf village," Naruto replied back in a broken mix of Japanese and English.
Tanaka raised an eyebrow. "You're not making any sense. How did you end up here in northeast China?" he asked, his suspicions rising.
Naruto, sitting on the cold metal chair that chained him to the ground, looked around nervously. "I already told you; I don't really know. I was fighting my teammate, and then all of a sudden I arrived here," he insisted, his voice wavering with a mixture of fear and frustration.
Tanaka leaned forward, eyes narrowed. "You think I am going to buy that shit? Who are you working for?" he asked, getting more insistent in his tone.
Naruto started fiddling with the material of his hospital gown as he started to feel the pressure. "I swear, I am not sure how I ended up here. I just want to go back to the leaf village and fulfill my promise," he pleaded.
"Leaf village? Don't play games with me, boy!" he growled.
Naruto shifted uneasily. "I am from the Hidden Leaf Village. I'm a Shinobi," he admitted, causing Tanaka to raise an eyebrow in disbelief.
"You're a ninja?" Tanaka scoffed. "What's a ninja doing in Imperial China? What kind of nonsense is this?"
Lieutenant General Tanaka pounded his fist against the metal table, losing patience. "Enough of your lies! Was it the West who sent you here?" He barked, the room echoing with the intensity of his voice.
Beads of sweat started forming on his forehead as he struggled to maintain eye contact. "I told you, I don't know how I got here!"
Tanaka became so enraged that he threw himself forward and grabbed Naruto by the gown's collar. "You're hiding something, and I intend on finding out what it is," he snarled, a glint of violence in his eyes.
Tanaka's grip grew tighter, and Naruto winced. "I don't have anything to hide!" He cried, "Leave me go!" but was quickly struck across the face for his resistance.
Naruto was pushed back with a backhand as Tanaka's violent, intense interrogation began, and blood was seen dribbling from his mouth's corner. Naruto was brutally questioned for several hours before he finally gave in and began telling the Lieutenant General everything he knew.
Naruto was visibly distressed as he struggled to explain the complexities of his world. "Shinobi's are capable of amazing feats in my world. We use chakra for jutsu—techniques like walking on water and summoning powerful creatures," he explained. His words were met with skepticism.
Tanaka, still questioning the legitimacy of Naruto's story, leaned back in his chair. "Summonings? This is ludicrous," he muttered.
The Lieutenant General, eyes narrowed and arms folded, remained unconvinced. "Prove it then. Demonstrate that you're truly a ninja from another realm," he challenged, his tone laced with doubt.
While Naruto honestly did not want to demonstrate, he knew that if he didn't, he would be imprisoned or, worse, killed, so he relented as the Lieutenant General released the restraints that bound him.
Naruto could not help but feel uneasy as he stood up, rubbing his sore wrists and stretching his arms. The Lieutenant General's stern expression and the menacing weapon in his hand as it was aimed directly at him. While Naruto did not know how that long weapon could hurt him, he didn't want to find out either.
With newfound freedom, Naruto walked towards the nearest wall. His chakra was directed toward his left foot as he drew closer, taking a deep breath. Sticking his foot against the wall, he defied gravity with a fluid motion. Upon observing Naruto's corpse remain pressed against the wall, the initially silent Lieutenant General raised an eyebrow.
Naruto covered his right foot in chakra as he proceeded with his demonstration, and he easily climbed the wall. The Lieutenant General's doubt turned to disbelief as he watched Naruto ascend, and the room fell silent. The young ninja went higher and higher, defying gravity until he was standing on the ceiling.
Hanging from the ceiling, Naruto toyed with the idea of conjuring a legion of shadow clones within the tight quarters of the room. However, a sense of caution rooted in rationality held him back. Naruto knew he was at a significant disadvantage because he was unaware of his captors' capabilities, and he was also aware of the high-security measures that surrounded him. As a result, he dismissed the idea. He knew that even if he could persuade the Ninetails to assist him, it would be foolish of him to take on an unknown force alone without knowing what they were capable of. Uncertain of the power and skills of this world's inhabitants, Naruto opted against risking it all.
Tanaka's jaw dropped open in shock at what he was witnessing. Perplexed by Naruto's upside-down position on the ceiling, he muttered, "What the fuck?"
After a few more hours of questioning Naruto about his extraordinary techniques, the Lieutenant General left before chaining him up.
Naruto cursed himself for sleeping through an interrogation lesson back at the academy, which came back to bite him in the ass. Additionally, it occurred to him that Kakashi had made the foolish choice to prioritize tree climbing over equipping his Genin for situations like this.
General Li Jie, dressed in a resplendent military uniform, stood before Mao Zedong, the revered chairman of the Communist Party of China, and politician in the lavish chambers of Imperial China. The atmosphere was serious as the general prepared to deliver his report.
"Sir," the general said respectfully, bowing his head. "I come before you with critical information obtained from the patient we discovered. Lieutenant General Tanaka conducted a thorough interrogation, and the revelations are both extraordinary and confounding."
Mao Zedong, a figure of imperial authority, nodded with measured acknowledgment, allowing the general to proceed.
The general started cautiously: "The patient, Uzumaki Naruto, claims to be a ninja from another world. He showcased exceptional abilities, defying the laws of the mortal realm. Walking on walls and standing upside down on the ceiling were two of his otherworldly abilities."
The courtiers present muttered in disbelief. The General continued, "His language is odd, a blend of English and Japanese, and he insists that he hails from a realm where individuals wield extraordinary powers, manipulating a force known as 'chakra.'"
Mao Zedong maintained a stoic expression as he took in the information.
"In addition, he says he is a vessel for the Nine-Tailed Fox, a strong entity that is sealed inside of him. This entity, known as a 'Bijuu,' is a powerful force in his world capable of destroying mountains with ease," the general added, summarizing Naruto's claims.
The grand hall fell silent, the weight of the information palpable. As he acknowledged the seriousness of the information, Mao Zedong quietly conferred with his advisors.
"General, please report what we found to Arnim Zola. With our strong relationship with Hydra, we could have our own super soldier to utilize in fighting the enemies of the Chinese Communist Party," Mao Zedong said imperially.
The general's eyes widened at the mention of Hydra, an organization notorious for its covert operations and pursuit of cutting-edge technologies. He acknowledged the Emperor's command with a deep bow. "As you command," General Li Jie assured, his voice a mix of determination and reverence.
Mao Zedong gave the general one final nod, at which point the general turned to obey the command. The prospect of using the potential of a super soldier to serve the great Imperial China added a new layer to the geopolitical landscape, which the General welcomed.
In a lit laboratory hidden deep within the mountainous terrain, Arnim Zola, the brilliant scientist and Hydra operative, sat in front of a bank of computer terminals. The soft hum of machinery filled the air as Zola monitored Hydra's covert operations.
A Hydra operative approached, holding a formal letter sealed with the insignia of Northeast China. Zola looked up from his work, his glasses reflecting the glow of the computer screens. The agent, with a precise salute, handed over the letter.
"Dr. Zola," the agent said with a practiced formality. "We have received communication from our allies in Northeast China regarding a person of interest to the super soldier program."
Accepting the letter, Zola quickly read it. A subtle smile graced his lips as he absorbed the information. The letter outlined the discovery of Naruto, an enigmatic figure from another realm, and emphasized the potential he held as a formidable asset for Hydra.
"This could be the breakthrough we have been waiting for with Barnes, and now, Naruto in our hands, we will be unstoppable for global domination," Zola thought as he folded the letter and slipped it into his coat pocket. He then told his agent, "Draft a response expressing our gratitude. Notify them that we are prepared to relocate him to our undisclosed facility in Kazakhstan to undergo the super soldier program."
The agent nodded and quickly departed the room to fulfill Zola's directive.
{-In Kazakhstan-}
A week later, four doctors pushed Naruto into a room while strapping him to a stretcher. He fought back, asking, "Wait, where are you taking me?"
"I gave you all the information you wanted; let me go!" he screamed as he struggled to unbuckle himself.
"Do not worry, everything will be fine," reassured one of the doctors in Japanese.
They entered a room with twelve doctors as Naruto struggled to free himself. "Now that you have arrived with the subject, we can get started," the head doctor said as she adjusted her surgical gloves.
When Naruto started struggling, two nurses grabbed him and held him down, while another nurse grabbed a mask to cover his face as the anesthesia gradually put him to sleep until he passed out.
Surrounded by an abundance of state-of-the-art technology, Naruto lay unconscious on the operating table in the sterile glow of the hospital room. As they got ready to integrate the metal arm made of vibranium, the sterile medical team moved with precision.
The lead surgeon, an expert in the field, skillfully coordinated the procedure. The room was filled with the soft beeping of monitors and the low hum of machinery as the team worked methodically. The vibranium arm was nearby, waiting to be attached.
The lead surgeon made the first incision while being guided by cutting-edge technology. The vibranium arm, crafted with utmost precision, was positioned for seamless integration. While the surgeon performed her intricate surgery, assistants monitored Naruto's vital signs to ensure his stability.
By carefully joining blood vessels and nerve endings, the surgical team was able to create a link between sophisticated prosthetics and natural tissue. The vibranium arm, a sleek and gleaming appendage, began to take shape, each component seamlessly aligning with Naruto's right anatomy.
Due to the connection between Naruto's nervous system and the vibranium arm, Kurama's chakra and Naruto's chakra began to combine with the vibranium arm. The operating room hummed with the subtle energy of chakras as both were entwined with state-of-the-art technology.
Hours passed in a symphony of medical expertise and cutting-edge technology. The lead surgeon, pleased with the meticulous work, signaled for the final adjustments. The vibranium arm, which was now fully integrated, responded to calibration tests by precisely flexing its articulated fingers.
As Naruto awoke from anesthesia, the lead surgeon kept an eye out for any signs of discomfort or disorientation.
"Take it slowly," the lead surgeon advised reassuringly. "Your new arm is a remarkable piece of technology. Given that it is tailored to your body."
Even though he was still sleepy, Naruto experimented with his fingers, feeling the cool touch of the vibranium.
"Are we ready to proceed to phases two and three?" As Arnim Zola was in the room during the procedure, the head doctor heard.
"Sir, we recommend that the patient rest while his body heals and adjusts to his new arm."
Still dazed from the anesthesia, Naruto glanced around the room and noticed Arnim Zola's gaze remained cold and calculating. His expression fell into confusion as he tried to make sense of what was going on. "Phase two? What's going on?" he asked, his voice a mix of exhaustion and concern.
Arnim Zola exchanged a glance with the chief physician. "You are going through a revolutionary procedure, Uzumaki Naruto. The vibranium arm is only the beginning. Phase two entails honing your skills and transforming you into a lethal super soldier for Hydra's interest and glory!"
As Naruto processed this information, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. The medical staff stood back and observed his reactions.
Still getting used to the feel of his new right arm, Naruto paused. "I did not agree to this."
Arnim Zola chuckled as he dismissed Naruto's final statement. "You and Bucky Barnes will play a crucial role in shaping the course of history. This will be for the greater good."
Zola let out a sigh, watching as Naruto labored to break free of his bonds. "So stop fighting and allow us to continue transforming you into a lethal assassin for our cause." He covered Naruto's face with the mask in an instant, causing a sedative to quickly take hold of him.
Another head doctor issued a directive to the head nurse with a sense of clinical detachment. "Go ahead and begin shock therapy."
The head nurse nodded, her expression concealed by professionalism, and escorted Naruto to another room.
Following the arm procedure, Naruto was placed in a chair with a machine restraining his arms. Bewilderment and terror overcame him as he gradually recovered consciousness. He looked around, unable to identify the strange apparatus approaching his head.
A cluster of machines to his left displayed his vital signs and heartbeat, making him feel even more vulnerable. Before he could express his confusion, the doctor turned on the machine. It started to enclose Naruto's head, crackling electricity inside and giving off a sinister glow.
Fear filled Naruto's eyes as the device settled on his head. Anticipating his distress, the doctor gave him a mouthpiece. "You might need this, as this will be painful," the doctor said as he placed the device in Naruto's mouth.
As the memory-wiping process began, the mouthpiece muffled Naruto's screams, causing anguish to echo and combining with bone-chilling screams from outside the room to create an eerie soundtrack to his memories being erased.
Inside the seal
With his massive paw trembling at the very foundation of the mental realm, Kurama, the mighty nine-tailed beast, jolted awake from his slumber in the empty mindscape. Confusion etched across his features as he was pushed towards the left side of the gate, his eyes narrowing in an attempt to understand the disturbance. "What is going on?" he wondered, his voice echoing throughout the mindscape.
Recalling that he had been resting after expending a significant amount of chakra during his jinchūrki's recent battle, Kurama decided to delve into Naruto's memories. Shock and disbelief painted his enormous face as he sorted through the memories. Anger slowly welled up within him as he uncovered the nefarious plot from Hydra to transform Naruto into a mindless killing machine.
The revelation enraged Kurama, who attributed it to his own experiences as a tailed beast controlled by Madara. As he became more aware of their efforts to deprive Naruto of his identity and reduce him to a mere tool, his agitation increased.
"Damn you, fourth Hokage, and damn this cage!" Frustrated by the limitations imposed by the seal that bound him, Kurama's thoughts were full of frustration. Desperation was written across his face as he tried to find a way to save Naruto from this dreadful fate.
"Though I may not be fond of the child, the idea of him being turned into an obedient tool makes my blood boil," Kurama snarled, reluctantly expressing worry for his jinchūrki he was angry and frustrated, but he knew that the seal bound him, rendering him helpless against the growing danger to Naruto's identity.
Despite being physically unable to assist his jinchūrki due to the reaper's death seal, Kurama delved deeply into Naruto's memories, sifting through the vast tapestry of experiences that shaped the young ninja. He decided to save all of Naruto's memories in the hopes of one day using them to free his host from Hydra's grasp. Each cherished moment, every hardship, and every triumph, Kurama meticulously stored away, like precious gems hidden in the recesses of his vast mind.
"Brat, I will find a way to save you," Kurama swore, his words resonating in the emptiness of his red, fiery eyes. He vowed to protect Naruto's essence.
Outside the seal
After hours of suffering, Naruto's voice finally stopped screaming, leaving the room in an eerie silence. Arnim Zola entered the room as the sounds of his suffering faded, his face showing no sympathy for what had transpired.
"Is the patient's memories clean?" Zola inquired clinically.
"Yes, sir," one of the nurses reported, her tone crisp and efficient. "His consciousness was successfully divided into two blank slates. The internal slate has been successfully trapped deep within his mind, while the outer slate is a blank canvas waiting to be sculpted into the ideal soldier; however, sir, some memories may resurface, in which case we will need to 'clean' his mind, but we have provided him with enough voltage to recall his Shinobi training."
As he took in the news, Zola's satisfaction was palpable. "Since Naruto has had no military training in our world, I will have some of our best operatives train him to become the perfect vessel, and after three years of intense training, we will inject him with the super soldier serum," he declared.
With cold efficiency, Arnim Zola excused himself from the room, saying, "Now, if you will excuse me, I have important matters to attend to."
As Naruto's erased memories remained silent, so did the ominous plan that would shape his future into a Hydra-designed weapon.
The end Please read the author's notes carefully, and I sincerely hope you enjoy this chapter.
A: Alright, so let me clarify a few things about the interrogation scene. Naruto considers fighting back by summoning shadow clones. However, he ultimately decides not to because he is in an unfamiliar world and has no knowledge of his captors' capabilities. Naruto believes it is too risky to attack without knowing what weapons or powers they may possess. Additionally, he's uncertain whether relying on Kurama would be effective, as he doesn't know if they have a way of subduing him when he is using the fox's chakra. Obviously, we (the audience) know that there are only a few things in this world (the MCU) that can stop Naruto, but he is unaware of this. Thus, Naruto's decision reflects his cautious approach to avoiding unnecessary risk in an unknown environment. If there is any misunderstanding or miscommunication on my part, please leave your questions in the review, and I will go into more detail in the next chapter.
B: To address the language barrier between Naruto and others, when Naruto is in Kazakhstan or China, the dialogue will be in English. However, in any other country, Naruto will speak the native language, with English subtitles added at the bottom. The font size for these subtitles will be slightly smaller than the rest of the story.
Example: One agent adjusted his glasses and pointed to the screen. "Geuga chim-ibhan changmun jubyeon-ui imijileul ganghwahaseyo. Uliga nohchyeossdeon mueongaleul yeosbol sudo issseubnida."("Enhance the image around the window where he broke in. We might catch a glimpse of something we missed.")
Please do not hesitate to leave a review!