Hey guys and girls.
Firstly, I am so sorry for not being able to update.
I've been assigned a massive project handed to me. My team and I have been going full throttle for nearly a month and I've been so exhausted. Also just got back from a flight to Namibia.
Don't worry, Melissa works from home so she was able to take care of the kids. Every afternoon while I was on my trip I face timed her to stay in touch and also to say hi to my kids.
I made that vow to ensure that no matter where I am, I make time to speak and be with my family. No questions asked. I will always make time for my family, no matter how exhausted I am. Sure I may need a few minutes to get it right when I'm tired, but I always help my wife around the house.
So, the last place we left off was where Naruto had became truly unhinged. His bloodlust has already take over so much that it just activates on its own. It will take a lot of effort from him if he wishes to control it.
But now it begins again. Akatsuki has won. They have turned Naruto into a ruthless killer. An ideal assassin who will do any mission without fail. Esdeath for herself knows this as she and Raven didn't even threaten the boy when told to interrogate the prisoner. The cherry of the cake for them, well for Esdeath rather, is when Naruto hung the prisoner without a shred of humanity. A truly unhinged being now. All that's needed now to truly push him over the edge, is the final trial.
But what is going to happen now?
Enjoy.
Disclaimers: I own nothing.
Opening song: Digital Daggers - The Devil Within.
Chapter 9: Familiar Taste Of Poison.
So much time had passed Naruto gave up trying to keep track. The days had been blurring alltogether now and everything seemed to be easier for him. Due to the nature of the training he and Erza went through, taking human lives became much easier.
The recoil of the pistol, the slight resistence of the blade, the kick of a two handed assault rifle. All of them he was familiar with in ways to kill now. Not only was this becoming second nature to him, but the new sensation bubbling within him. Deep within his very core.
Very pull of the trigger now became a burst of euphoria and ecstasy. The feeling of playing god with the taking of lives. Choosing who will breathe their last and who would live to see another sunrise was exhilarating to the teen.
No longer bound by the feeling of morality and conduct was truly a sensation he never felt in his miserable life. Living with his mother and her whorish ways truly made him weak. Now that he knew that, he'd truly do everything in his power to never feel like that again.
The fateful day had come. He and Erza would now be put through their final trial.
Flanked by two agents of Akatsuki, Naruto was led along with Erza down a corridor. The smell of anesthesia and disinfectant flooded the noses of everyone present. A small feeling of anxiety rushed over them as they inched closer to the metal door. Their final destination awaiting behind the doors.
Both never looked at each other. Both never spoke to one another. The rule Raven enrgained into their heads rung still to this day. Never ask questions.
The doors soon opened and low and behold. Two silver tables with shackles rested within the room along with two doctors. Machines and pipes littered the floor as the doctors checked and rechecked their measurements. A dim light hung above the room with some powerful overhanging lights over each table was the only light source within the room.
An observation room stood above them at the far end of the wall. Within the room sat Madara along with all members of the Crows. Well, the ones that could join anyways. The only ones Erza could recognize was Esdeath and Raven, while Naruto was slightly shocked to find his closest friend, Sasuke's brother, Itachi among the ranks of the Crows.
Once the two teens were standing by the tables, Erza on the left and Naruto on the right did Madara get up from his chair and clear his throat.
"This is the final challenge you'll both face." he began in an ominous tone.
"All members of the Crows go through this final trial. To put it simply. This procedure is not for the faint of heart. The military condone this practice in fear of creating a monster. But that is what the elite of the Crows know. To fight a monster, one must become a monster."
As if on qeue, the agents both stripped Naruto until both were in their under garments and pushed onto the tables. The ice cold nature of the tables jolted the sense awake as they were soon secured on the metal apparition.
"The Dance of Poison And Blood. A trial to make you fully one of us. And to truly bring you to the level of Akatsuki's greatest agents. You will now be subjected to what is known comically as The Trial of the Grasses. All the training you've been doing has led to this very moment. Many of the initiates do not survive this process. 1 out of 3 to be exact."
Pausing for dramatic effect Madara sneered at the two now on the table.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat this. It's going to hurt like hell."
Sitting back down and waving to the doctors, the people gathered watched as the doctors grabbed the first vial of liquid. A pungent odor filled the nostrils of Naruto and Erza as the doctors opened their mouths and forced the liquid down their throats.
Feeling the mixure ooze its way down his throat, Naruto's body soon felt weird. But that was quickly pushed aside as his body soon reacted violently to the liquid and tried to dispell the contents from the body but couldn't for some reason.
Both parties screamed in absolute agony and pain as their bodies literally felt like they were being torn apart from the inside. Veins soon protruded forth from all over as they trashed about on the table. Their lungs on fire, blood beginning to pool in their mouths along with what looked like foam coming from the corners of their mouths as they held their eyes closed in a desperate bid to try and ease the torture they were in. But it was all in vain.
Esdeath, from her seat in the room, leaned back while kicking a foot over her other leg. A sinister grin creeping on her face as Raven rolled her eyes at the sight of her partner.
"I never get tired of this part of the trials." cooed the cyan haired woman.
"Even though you went through it yourself?" barked back Raven folding her arms with Esdeath resting her head in her hand.
"Yeah. But for me, it was enjoyable. Just seeing my future boytoy in so much pain, knowing full well what he is capable of..." trailed Esdeath as she licked her lips as her smile twisted itself into a hellish grin. "...I'd love to have him on a few missions to push the boundaries of his brutality."
"I bet you would." spat the black haired woman as she went back to looking at the two teens writhing about in pain.
After a few minutes, their thrashing spotted all together. Almost simultaneously. But there was no room to rest. A needle was soon plunged into their arm as another dose of a different liquid was pushed into their systems. Once again, as if on qeue, their bodies again rejected the liquid.
For over 1 hour, their screams continued with only Esdeath relishing in their tormented screams. But for Naruto, something more was happening to him. Through the bloodshot eyes of his within his own mind, he witnesses his entire life flash before his eyes. A red haze descended over his vision. The first vision he saw was when his father saved him from a group of thugs. He witnessed his father hold a bloodied pen along with an equally bloodied belt. His back turned to his son as he breathed in and out slowly, as if trying to bring himself back from the brink. Once calmed, he dropped the items and turned to his son with a smile and dropped to his haunches.
"Father, how did you get so strong?" asked a young illusion of Naruto to his father.
"Trade secret my boy." cooed the taller illusion. "Just because you have power doesn't mean you can trample the weak. You must use your gift to help those who need it. Promise me."
"I promise." spoke Naruto with a smile.
But the vision began to distort and shift. A door stood in his way as the cries of pleasure echoed through though muffled, the sound sickened the child.
"Mother?" asked the boy creaking the door open showing Kushina entangled in bed and flesh with Naruto's Primary School PE teacher, Mizuki.
"Fucking kid." barked Mizuki getting off the bed as Kushina moaned in frustration at how he fun was ruined.
A punch sent to a 10 year old cheek sent the boy barreling to the ground. Tears now welling up in his eyes. Looking to his mother who held no sympathy at what just happened, scolded her son.
"Don't interrupt mommy when she's having her special playtime with her friends. Stupid brat." barked Kushina as she threw a pillow at the boy. Punctuating her throw with a click from her tongue.
"Yeah, listen to mommy. Fuck off, if you know what's good for you." snapped Mizuki before kicking Naruto in the gut and slamming the door.
A bruised Naruto lay there in tears as he heard the mumbles from the other side.
"Fucking useless kid. Why do you keep him around?" questioned Mizuki.
"Someone has to clean the dishes." cooed Kushina before she resumed her moans of pleasure along with the grunts of Mizuki.
"Guess he's not completely useless." grunted Mizuki as he picked up the pace.
The final vision Naruto witnessed, was that of visiting his father's grave. The grave itself was tarnished and reaking of alcohol. Him and his now whore Mother visited the grave while Kushina leaned against another grave sipping on a can of beer. She had already finished bad mouthing her deceased husband for what he did and how much of a mess she is in now. Now it was Naruto's turn.
"Father, I miss you. All my life you taught me to be strong. But, I'm not. No matter what I do. No matter how hard I try. Everything it taken from me. Why am I so weak?" he spoke as he lowered his head only to have a beer can thrown at his head by his mother.
"Hey, dumbass. Hurry up. I have an...appointment soon." she spoke trying to hide the fact that she had yet another booty call waiting. "You're such a fucking waste. Why did I get stuck with an idiot like you."
"Please father. Help me." begged Naruto clasping his hands in prayer only to be grabbed by the collar of his shirt and dragged away.
"Seriously. How much of a fucking loser do you have to be? I am so ashamed to have you as my son. You make me the laughing stock." she growled as she walked away with Naruto being dragged behind his mother.
Yes, this was the reason for Naruto's pain. His torment. His eternal suffering. His very own mother was the reason he was pushed to such extreme lengths. The reason he was here. It all stemmed from her. And he was the second reason for his suffering. He was the cause of his own hell. All his life, Naruto tried to make a difference. But no matter how hard he tried. He could never find the right people to show his success. All around him he was face with toxic people. He longed to see himself stand above them all.
He wanted power. Power to show them just what it means to defy him. To cross him. Ever since that first encounter when Mizuki screwed his mother. Something snapped within his mind. He wanted to show people that he wasn't a screw up. That he wasn't a failure. His first attempt at this was academics. But due to his mother being the slut she was. The vice-principal and the principal thought it would be a good idea to keep failing Naruto and keep him in school. That way they'd get to enjoy the fine piece of ass that was his mother. Kushina was all for this.
He tried his hand in earning his own salary and worked part time at a local store. Too bad his mother found out his account details and was soon siphoning money from his account to buy expensive things and more alcohol.
But, that was all in the past now. Now, Naruto no longer had to fear anyone. Now, he'd have the power to take what he wants. The power to step on those who try to cross him.
A devilish grin stretched his mouth as his body still convulsed on the table. This intrigued Esdeath as she leaned forward while unlocking her legs from their crossed position.
"There it is." she purred with excitement. "There's the moment I've been waiting for. All this time. The final tether has been broken. Now the true Naruto can play."
The final injection had already taken place and soon, after 5 pain filled hours, the shackles to their tables were removed. The two agents untied the restraints as they looked at the sweat riddled bodies of the two people. Small bits of blood pooled at the bottom of each table as they undid the straps.
But as the agent undid the final strap on Naruto's right arm, did they witness something truly horrific.
While keeping his eyes closed, Naruto sprang like a bear trap from the table and grabbed a syringe from the small tray next to his table. Plunging it into the man's neck as the wicked smile never left his face, he began to work the embedded syringe within the man's artery. The man's face was frozen in horror as he felt the syringe move around in his neck before feeling his head be grabbed by Naruto's other hand and twist, snapping the man's neck as a fountain of blood soon erupted out from the artery from Naruto pulling out the needled syringe.
Like a newborn being brought forth into the world, Naruto stood there as he was showered in the man's blood. The death almost acting like an omen to the arrival of such cruelty begot by Naruto. Erza had just came to and witnessed the whole thing unfold before her. She knew Naruto was unhinged, but what just happened was on a whole other level.
Whatever Naruto went through during the procedure, truly changed him.
"Whose next?" growled Naruto opening his eyes to reveal their new color.
What truly shocked everyone gathered was that Erza's eyes had stayed pretty much the same after the whole trial. But Naruto's eyes had gone through a change all on their own. No more was the clear crystal ocean blue eyes when he first arrived on the island.
No more was the slight icy cold eyes he bore during the previous trials. But now they were a demonic red. A set of eyes that would distill fear in any who looked directly into his eyes. Madara was truly impressed. This had never happened before.
The sounds of a gun being cocked drew him out of his self congratulatory reverie. Looking to the other agent who had his gun pointed at Naruto, the man shook as he aimed down the sights. Reason for his shakiness was due to Naruto now looking directly at him. His evil red eyes and overwhelming killing aura terrfied the agent to no extent. Erza herself felt slightly afraid of this new beast before her.
"Hold your fire." spoke Madara. "He was acting in self defense."
This clearly was a lie and Madara knew it. What Naruto had just shown was no fluke or bad luck. This was the very image he was searching for. The image of someone fully giving into their other side. It was clear now. Esdeath was right. The final tether had indeed snapped and the Stone Cold Hunter he'd been after for so long was now before him. A true agent of the Crows. The perfect agent. Everything had been gearing up to this very moment. The pieces were all sliding into place. With Naruto no longer having anything to live for. Naruto had nothing left to lose.
And scene.
Well now. This is different. Naruto has fully embraced the monster within him and is now a full member of the Crows. Too bad that poor agent had to die to signal Naruto's rebirth into the monster he is now.
But this was coming. Naruto has been pushed down too many times and now that The Dance of Poison And Blood has been performed. That final snap to bring him into this new state of mind has now taken place.
And yes, I did take inspiration from The Witcher with the whole Trial Of The Grasses thing. Loved those games.
Also, Naruto won't be sterile along with Erza. According to The Witcher lore, if you take part in The Trial Of Deams to improve eyesight, then you become infertile. That won't take place here.
Also, I am correct in terms of veins vs artery.
Artery sprays blood. A vein bleeds.
If someone who knows biology, please check to see if I am correct or not. Much appreciated.
Sorry this chapter took so long to push out. Only now can I finally breathe. In the home stretch of this project.
Chapter 10: Wine And Die.
Coming soon.
Thank you for reading.
Please rate and review.
BlackSpirit101 out. ;)