(Chapter 14: A Cursed Assault)

After many weeks of training, hanging out with his friends, and working at the Akimichi's; Naruto got informed by Mizuki that he was going on a high-class mission to take out one of Orochimaru's bases in Grass Country, and wanted the superhuman blonde to accompany him…Given how this was an offer to further make use of his abilities and see all the more of what he was capable of, Naruto immediately said yes to the offer; especially with his body-double being able to provide a cover for him while he and Mizuki ventured off.

Hence why the two would eventually set off for the Land of Rice Fields to eliminate the Fuma Clan who'd allied themselves with Orochimaru, and his twisted endeavors.


(December 4th, 996 S.E, Land of Rice Fields, 7:44 Am)

It would be the midst of the winter morning as Naruto and Mizuki garbed in winter clothes were roughly half a mile away from where the Fuma clan resided, and where the base was located.

"Are you ready, Naruto?" Mizuki asked

"Yeah, let's hop to it already! I'll make a distraction, and you can sneak in while I get shit poppin' off." An excited Naruto replied as he summoned his weapon in hand

From there Naruto teleported himself and Mizuki into the Fuma Clan compound wherein Naruto used Charge twiceover before rushing in and delivering an extremely powerful Discharge attack, that had Mizuki ducking for cover as Naruto erupted into great tendrils of orange and electric blue lightning; that on contact eviscerated a house or building. The white haired-Chunin bore witness to the localized lightning storm that was his student, having turned them into fiery electrified coffins that left nothing but charred husks, and as such rousing the Fuma Clan members who weren't immediately killed in the wake of the fearsome electrical attack, with Kotohime and a large gathering of her clansmen running out to see what had happened.

Only for said Fuma clansmen to find herself gasping in pain as Naruto's weapon in its shortsword form pierced her in the jugular, as he teleported into view before slicing upwards and punching her in the face so hard it collapsed in on itself…Kamikiri and several others being quick to join her as Naruto thrust his hand outwards and unleashed a Flamethrower; sending a stream of all-consuming brilliant orange flame that turned them into ash and blackened skeletons in the span of seconds before he then leaped onto another Fuma clansmen with his blade extending into a spear.

Kagero tried to intercept and rushed forwards as quickly as her legs could carry her to get them away from the murderous blonde, yet Naruto was far, far swifter for her to do so, as in the time it took her to reach them, he'd impale one through the skull with his spear and then used Crunch to bite out the throat of another. But before she could go through hand-signs to distract him long enough to assist more of her clansmen, as he impaled another with his spear through the heart, and then violently decapitated another with a Blaze Kick; she found him vanish out of existence when Jigumo tried to ensnare him with a thick deluge of webbing he spewed from his mouth.

Those in attendance in the massacre wondered where he had vanished off to; before getting their answer when Naruto teleported behind Jigumo and unleashed a Brick Break with such force that his head imploded into a gore-filled shower of blood, bone and grey matter, as the headless corpse of said Fuma fell unceremoniously to the ground, as Naruto looked at them all with a predatory grin that would make Kazushi proud. All before gathering up psionic energies to cloak himself in a thick warbling shell of multicolored power, and then promptly charging forward like a water buffalo on crack as he used Psyshield Bash to turn anyone in his warpath into a flattened bloody paste, as he ran them down as though they were ants beneath his feet whilst a trail of carnage and corpses lay in wake.

Kagero was able to barely get out of the way as several more of her clansmen were eviscerated by the charging blonde; although before she could try to go through hand signs for a Mist Blaze Dance jutsu; Naruto rounded on her once more and used a Sucker Punch to land a nasty-rib shattering right hook to the body, that was followed through by a lightning-quick Mach punch to the face that obliterated her kidneys on impact. The green-haired Fuma staggered back and clutched at her side; coughing up blood as she felt her ribs pierce into one of her lungs as she staggered back on shaky legs from Naruto…unfortunately, she wouldn't get far as Naruto unleashed a point-blank Thunderbolt that had her briefly scream in agony from being electrocuted before she slumped to the ground with a smoking fist-sized hole in her chest.

Once he had turned her into another charred husk like her fellow clansmen, he saw that her fellow clansmen were attempting to flee in having seen the carnage that Naruto had single-handedly wrought. However, they weren't able to make it very far as they saw an assortment of glowing fist-sized seeds raining down on them like artillery shells; that the moment they made contact; the area around them erupted into a fearsome and nearly deafening explosion that shredded the ground into a jagged crater.

"That takes care of all that, stuff. So unless any of them know any super cool jutsu; that lets them fake their deaths. I guess that only leaves regrouping with Mizuki-sensei." Naruto said to himself before teleporting to Mizuki's location

The superhuman blonde soon appeared next to Mizuki after taking a few moments to locate the Chunin's aura-signautre; who had cleared out a considerable portion of the base evident by the caved-in heads, corpses that had shattered ribs, and crushed spines from his kanabo, or were crushed/impaled at the hands of various earth jutsu; courtesy of Mizuki. So after a confirmation between the two of Naruto having cleared out the Fuma Clan outside; they then proceeded to venture further into the base and soon clear out the rest of whomever lay within it's depths.

Yet for one of Orochimaru's bases that was supposed to have an entire clan stationed there, something that was reinforced once after descending down another level and a half; did Naruto stop to use his Aura sensing ability to check for any more Fuma clansmen laying about or in wait to ambush him, or anymore of Orochimaru's men in general…The results of which came up empty except for one aura signature in particular; that Naruto relayed to Mizuki in it feeling warped and twisted, as though 3 other signatures had been forcibly fused to it.

So after sensing this warped Aura signature Naruto teleported himself and Mizuki towards the warped Aura signature to reveal the warped form of none other than Arashi Fuma himself; who had in sensing the decimation of his fellow clansmen; had taken to using the Causality Puppet to absorb those that were further standing guard within it. Turning him into a 13-and-a-half-foot tall, maroon-skinned hunchback that had 3 other masses that resembled the upper bodies of fully-grown men; that their comatose faces jutting out from the writing masses on his back as he turned to face the duo.

So in response and doing what any sane person would do in their predicament; Naruto immediately unleashed a Dark Pulse at Arashi while Mizuki used Earth Flow Spears to attempt to impale the charging abomination. While the abomination in question managed to partially tank the spikes made of stone and earth that slashed into his flesh, the sphere made of black and orange rings of compressed darkness and negative energy however, slammed into him like a brick wall as parts of his flesh began to blacken and harden as though it was being withered away.

The warped form of Arashi was sent careening backwards across the length of the lowest level of the base, and was further assailed by Naruto teleporting behind him to unleash a barrage of Mach Punches to his side that lifted the hulking hunchback into the air from the sheer force, and sent fully into the ceiling by a gut-busting Sky Uppercut…All before Mizuki came in with his kanabo to smash Arashi's primary head back into the ground, with the 3 other bodies upon the Fuma's back launching out after him in retaliation for the blow that nearly broke his jaw; like ravenous wolves ready to devour a deer.

Mizuki found himself soon vanishing out of range from where the 3 bodies were and Naruto appearing in his place to deliver a Night-Slash with his spear; that was wreathed in shadow and dark reddish-orange energy before he slashed out at the leftmost body on the warped hunchback; slicing through it as though it were made of tissue paper. Causing Arashi to recoil in pain as the corpse of his fallen clansmen was sent skidding in twain, before Naruto sent him back with a Thunderbolt to the chest at point-blank range, further alighting the area in electric blue and orange.

"How did you do that?" Mizuki questioned

"Oh…the teleporting you from getting your shit-rocked? That was something I've been practicing with Sasuke and Sakura. Pretty cool huh?" Naruto answered back with pride in the latest application of his Teleport technique

"How much more can you do that?" Mizuki asked

"As many times as I want?...Are we about to abuse the shit out of this?" Naruto asked back with an impish grin spreading across his face

"Oooohhh, maliciously." Mizuki replied with an equally malicious grin aimed at Arashi

From there the two proceeded to bum rush the stunned Arashi who was still recovering from the point-blank Thunderbolt, as Mizuki came in for an overhead swing with his kanabo towards Arashi who tried to grapple at the ROOT operative with his much larger frame. The white-haired Chunin smirked as he was soon teleported out of the way as a smirking Naruto appeared in his place to deliver a rib-shattering Sky-Uppercut to his sternum that sent him flying into the ceiling, and spewing up blood as Naruto then sent him back down almost immediately with a Sucker-Punch to the liver.

All the while Mizuki used an Earth Dragon jutsu to bite into and slam him through a number of pillars where Naruto was there to teleport with a Thunder Punch the centermost body with such force that it didn't just implode the corpse in a electrified mass of bone and blood. It also left him open for Mizuki to be teleported alongside Naruto and the two land a vicious onslaught of attacks to his enlarged body, with Naruto landing a devastating combination of Mach and Thunder Punches to his stomach; while Mizuki attacked with a thunderous assault of overhands from his kanabo that not only broke Arashi's jaw but fractured his left orbital.

The ROOT operative then shattered said broken jaw with a powerful underhand swing of his weapon that sent Arashi flying into the air once more, as Naruto teleported into the air and used Agility to assist in his next assault. Of which came in the form of a brutal Psycho-Cut that sliced the remaining corpse off of Arashi's back, severing muscle, and cutting through bone and his spinal cord before the superhuman blonde then landed several more deep slashes that flayed Arashi's hunchback down to the bone.

The assault only made worse when Naruto used his spear to deliver another Night Slash that sundered a large handful of his ribs upon using his spear like a giant baseball bat, yet it didn't end there as Mizuki was teleported towards the descending Arashi to deliver an earth chakra enhanced sideswipe that all but caved in his skull. Sending the warped and battered form of Arashi crashing into the ground hard enough to crater it…or at least it would've remained a crater had Naruto not proceeded to immolate him with a Flame Burst that had such power packed into it that he was flash-incinerated in before a scream of agony could escape his throat.

"Well, that takes care of that. What do we do now?" Naruto asked the white-haired Chunin

"I say we bring this place down and get the hell out of here...We've done everything we need to do here, and I don't like the idea of leaving Orochimaru anything usefl" Mizuki answered back

"Say less, I've got something for that...Just be prepared for some loud as shit explosions." Naruto replied as he used Teleport to get them out

However, before Naruto would use a nearly full-powered Energy Ball to destroy the base or rather the encampment once he got them far enough away from it; where the now sundered Fuma Clan once lie; a camera was still recording before everything was devastated by Naruto's attack eviscerating everything in sight for 2 miles of pure annihilation…The footage before it went dark was sent to none other than Orochimaru who had been watching it out of boredom turned to piqued interest at seeing the displays of power that Naruto had unleashed, as one single thought crossed his mind.

"Interesting, it looks like Iruka's reports of Minato's eldest were far, far outdated." Orochimaru said to himself

"It seems as though I may have to plan a visit to my former home soon enough...Hmm, perhaps the Chunin Exams will be an opportune time to do so after all." Orochimaru spoke as a serpentine smile spread across his face


(2 days later, ROOT HQ, December 6th, 996 S.E, 4:08 Pm)

It was a few days after Naruto and Mizuki had successfully terminated the Fuma clan, and as such the latter was currently reporting to Danzo on the success of the mission.

"This all most impressive news, Mizuki. Well done, on taking out the Fuma clan so swiftly." Danzo said to the white-haired ROOT operative

"Of course, Lord Danzo. Anyone who sides with Orochimaru is deserving of death." Was Mizuki's immediate reply

"Also, you are positive that the encampment and the base surrounding it was destroyed? The very last thing we need is Orochimaru salvaging anyone or anything from it." Danzo questioned

"I am certain of it. Naruto made certain of it when he turned the place into nothing short of scorched earth." Mizuki answered back in knowing for a fact that next to nothing could survive

'If there's one thing I'll give him credit for, it's the fact that he is extremely thorough when it comes to getting rid of evidence..I almost wonder it that isn't is first time doing that kind of stuff.' Mizuki said to himself as he was pretty sure that even after the Energy Ball he unleashed that Naruto's using Flamethrower for 10 minutes straight did the job

"That is very good news to hear, Mizuki. Your compensation for the mission will be given to you within the day." Danzo told his subordinate

"If I may make a request could half of that be given to Naruto? The kid did one hell of a job in taking out the place…In fact, if it weren't for him; this would've taken several operatives to do under the cover of night. Instead of myself and him to do it." Mizuki requested from the warhawk

Since Mizuki was many things, but one of them wasn't selfish when it came to compensation, and considering how Naruto wrecked shop against the Fuma clan; the ROOT operative knew for a fact that Naruto was deserving and more of his fair share.

"Considering what was detailed in your report of the mission, and the fact that doing this took less than a day to complete. This can be easily done." Danzo replied, seeing no reason why the request couldn't be done for the blonde

"Thank you. Also, instead of it wired to his account. I would like to give it to him personally. This way it won't be traced back to us, and Lord Hokage or his wife won't catch onto what we're doing…Despite their treatment of him, I don't think that they would take too kindly to having their son go on A-ranked missions before he's even graduated." Mizuki requested further

"By all means, do it. Not to mention it would be a very wise idea. I don't think anyone wants to have Minato much less Kushina barging in wondering why we've allowed Naruto to go on these unofficial missions." Danzo said back

"Again, thank you, Lord Danzo." Mizuki thanked the warhawk

"Not at all…However, I would be remiss to not make note of young Naruto's astronomical amount of power and growth. Given that he annihilated almost the full entirety of the Fuma clan within under 5 minutes. Then to top it off, helped make quick work of another in under 2 minutes." Danzo spoke in regards to the devastating prowess and might Naruto commanded

Something such as this shouldn't go without being made note of. Given how this is a type of talent and power that comes once every few generations. Similar to Hiruzen, and even Hashirama-sensei." Danzo further remarked at Naruto's astounding destructive abilities

"That's not accounting for the fact that he now has control of darkness...Which in my personal opinion looks a lot cooler than what the Nara's do with it." Mizuki added

"Yes, that as well…It seems as though we are witnessing firsthand the evolution of a great soldier of the village. If anything, I'd hazard to guess that by the time he graduates the academy. He will far outstrip his siblings in terms of raw output." Danzo estimated

"I would agree with that as well, Lord Danzo. Especially, given that even while he was attacking the Fuma clan; that it hardly looked like he was trying. Hell, if I had to really give my 2 cents on it. He barely looked like he was breaking a sweat against any of them." Mizuki told the warhawk

"So trust me when I say that if those two jackasses decide to go rogue. That I'd bet my house on the fact that he could wipe the floor with them, with one arm tied behind his back." Mizuki further spoke

"Are you confident to say that; even should they draw upon the power of the 9 tails?" Danzo questioned

"Especially if they drew upon that monsters' power. I'm telling you, Lord Danzo; Naruto's abilities are on a whole other level than what those two can do…The day he stops holding back so he can get on a team with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, is the day when he will really show himself as their superior." Mizuki answered back with absolute faith and certainty on Naruto's level of power being that high

"It is good to know that you hold that much faith in his abilities. Especially given how he has handled himself thus far…That being said, once the time for his graduation comes. I will be sure to pull whatever strings I can to ensure he gets on a teach with Sasuke and Sakura." Danzo told Mizuki

"Wait, really?! You'd actually do that for him?" Mizuki asked

"Of course. It is the most obvious move to be made if he is to grow stronger for the villages' sake." Danzo answered back

"...If I don't do this, then Minato and Kushina in some misguided attempt to repair the damage their treatment of him has dealt; will try to place him on a team with his siblings, with Kakashi or Kushina as their sensei….All as part of some ploy to play family once again. Something that cannot be allowed if our only countermeasure against the jinchuuriki is to truly prosper." Danzo further elaborated

For the warhawk knew that if he did not act to ensure that Naruto winded up on his dream team with Sasuke and Sakura; that the worst outcome in his winding up with a genin cell under his siblings with Kakashi and or Kushina at the helm, would only stifle his growth, and that was something that the ROOT founder wouldn't allow under any circumstance.

"Good luck with that. Since after what happened with Toshiro trying to ram a Rasengan down Naruto's throat; their gonna try to start pushing for a mend with that hot mess of a family." Mizuki spoke knowing that such a thing was gonna be inevitable

"Do not worry, Mizuki. I am sure that won't happen. Given that between my pull and power, the Senju's, Kure's, and even the Uchiha's all have Naruto's wellbeing in their interest. I'm sure that with these factors I should be able to convince Minato to make the right decision…After all, even he has to see the logic in having Naruto being with his true comrades as it were." Danzo replied

"For his sake, I hope you can pull it off. I don't wanna see the kid get shafted because his parents wanna make up for 5 plus years too late." Mizuki said back in concern for his student

"I can assure you, I will have this matter under control…In the meantime, unless you have anymore to say on the subject. You are dismissed." Danzo said to the white-haired Chunin

"Nothing at all, Lord Danzo…Thank you for your time." Mizuki replied before taking a bow and leaving the premises

'If I have my way about it, the villages' only countermeasure against the 9-tails will not be shackled to those two undisciplined maggots.' Danzo thought to himself as he began to plan how to ensure Naruto wasn't placed with his siblings

However, whilst Danzo was mulling over further ways to counter the twin jinchuuriki should they either go rogue, or their egos spiral out of control and become more of a threat to the village than they were worth, Kushina who had just recently returned from her diplomacy mission in the Land of Iron was none too happy of the news she recieved that Toshiro tried to all but brazenly kill off her eldest child.

"Minato, why is it that the first thing I hear when I come back from my mission? Is that one of my kids tried to kill each other? EXPLAIN!" A furious Kushina hollered

"Your guess is as good as mine, Kushina. However, I am not happy about this either...I've put him on nothing short of house arrest for that incident after he was cleared to leave." Minato replied as the moment Toshiro was cleared to leave he had him grounded till graduation, and unless it was training or studies was forbidden to go anywhere else

"That is nowhere good enough, Minato. I thought that things were hopefully getting better when I was away. But lo and behold in nearly 3 months time, I come back and find my youngest son being a cowardly little shit who can't take a loss...Ooohhh, I am gonna wring his little neck when I see him!" Kushina seethed at the information

"Better yet, where is he right now? I want to talk to him myself and see why he got so pissy over one little sucker punch." Kushina further spoke still in disbelief that she was back for barely a day and had to hear of this

"Jiraiya-sensei has him. He decided that some intensive training would do him some good after being out of commission for a month." Minato replied as to Toshiro's whereabouts

"Where are those two?" Kushina 'questioned' as her hair began to float in its trademarked tails when she was angry

"The same place they always go, Training Ground 7. They left around an hour ago, however, I have Shisui watching them for me to keep me up to date on whatever it is that he is teaching him." Minato quickly answered back

"And where is Naruto?" Kushina questioned further

"He's spending time with Choza's son at the Akimichi's. Something about wanting to help him with his taijutsu, or something of that nature...I can't remember what exactly." Minato replied as to where he remembered Naruto was

"Good, at least Naruto's in good hands with Choza...However, that doesn't excuse the fact that when I see Toshiro and even moreso Jiraiya, I'm putting them both through a fucking wall." Kushina said back

"...I knew it was a horrendous idea to have him be taught the Rasengan so early. Especially with this prophecy nonsense going to their heads, but surprise, surFuckingprise look what happened...Everyday that we go along with Jiraiya's crap, is another day our family gets screwed up and I'm..I'm so fed up with already!" Kushina added as the top of a chair she was leaning on was crunched into sawdust from her furious grip

"I've grown tired of it too, dear. But...if we really want peace to happen so that our kids and maybe even our grandkids don't have to see another war happen. Then as much as I don't like it, we have to stay the course." Minato said in ever-growing reluctance to follow along with the prophecy

"Minato, is it even worth it anymore if its turning our children not only against each other. But the fact that its made them so fucking full of themselves, that they try to kill each other over one little loss. Which from what Tsunade told me, wasn't even that bad...All he did was get caught by one lucky punch, and then he decides its more than enough reason to haul off and try to hit our eldest son with a Rasengan! And a full-powered one that's amped even more by the 9-tails!...He could've been put in a wheelchair or god forbid even died from that!" Kushina said as her mind couldn't help but race toward the worst conclusions of what could've been

"I-I honestly don't even know anymore, Kushina. With so many things changing, and one of our sons is a walking flight risk. I don't know what to do anymore." Minato replied at a loss for what to even do with his children anymore as the prophecy was becoming more and more of a detriment

"Well, I know for certain of what I'm going to do...Since Toshiro thinks everythings' peachy, I'm going to pay both him and Jiraiya a personal visit." Kushina told her husband as her glare only intensified the more she thought about her youngest son

"If this were any other time, I would stop you from tearing our son a new one...However, given what's happened, I say he could use someone to knock some sense into him. Perhaps a few dozen times with how pig-headed he is." Minato replied as Kushina cracked her neck

"Oh don't worry, Minato. I'll knock something out of him when I find him. Because, apparently he and Jiraiya have been spending far too much time together, if he thinks he can pull shit like that. Prophecy be fucking damned, he is not getting away with this." Kushina said as she soon stomped her way in a fury away to go headhunting

'...Its times like these that make me wonder how anyone could do parenting and not go insane.' Minato wondered to himself as thinking over everything since the prophecy made him feel 12 years older


(3 days later, December 9th, 996 S.E, Orochimaru's Prime Base, Land of Rice Fields, 2:10 Pm)

It was the following Friday later as Orochimaru was working on his newest Curse Mark formula, one that would if he managed to get it done correctly would make Kimimaro whom he planned to give to, far more lethal than he was and even get rid of the disease that plagued him.

"Lord Orochimaru, may I enter?" Kabuto questioned

"You may...Now, what do you want?" Orochimaru replied as he continued to work on the seal matrix before him

"If I may ask what exactly is it that you are working on? You've been silent for the past nearly 2 weeks…I was beginning to grow concerned." Kabuto asked as Orochimaru stopped laboring over the curse seal to pay better attention to his 2nd in command

"Apologies for not communicating with you or my other subordinates. I have merely been busy with some of my new projects…Of which have been possible thanks to that godsend of a tablet we found 3 and half years ago." Orochimaru answered back

"Oh yes, that…To be honest, I can see your fascination with it. The power it holds by itself rivals any tailed beast." Kabuto remarked

"Indeed…Thanks to my experiments with it, I feel as though I may have made a breakthrough with not only being able to create my final body…But also be able to create one that can withstand the use of senjutsu." Orochimaru replied with a wide insidious grin

"Finally, I will no longer be beholden to the weakness of my own genetics no more…At long last will I achieve the perfection of a body that is deserving of my genius, and to be called an apex predator." Orochimaru further spoke on his endgoal finally being within reach

"I only thought that your creation of a final body was something that was near-impossible…But your positive that it can be done?" Kabuto asked with skepticism in his voice

"I am. This tablet along with the d.n.a samples that Iruka has collected from Itachi's little brother, the fox brats, and even Tsunade herself when she comes to visit on Naruto's behalf for parents conferences. Among other samples that I have had him pilfer from the hospital, for what I have planned. He has provided me with all that I need to create what should be my final body…Oooohhh, I cannot wait to no longer be shackled to switching bodies every few years, no more fearing a body giving way from its meager existence." Orochimaru answered back

"Then congratulations are in order. I can't wait to see what will come of it." Kabuto spoke with curiosity of what this could bring

"Neither can I, Kabuto…However, we are getting off topic." Orochimaru said

"What I am working on is a new curse mark utilizing the tablets' power. If all goes accordingly, then it should exceed the power of my current ones by five to potentially tenfold." Orochimaru added causing the silver-haired medic's expression to take one of rare surprise

"That is…incredible…Who are you going to choose to be the lucky test subject of this?" Kabuto asked

"I plan on it to be Kimmimaro. Given that he is one of the strongest of my subordinates, it makes perfect sense to give it to him." Orochimaru answered back

"If I may, speak freely. Wouldn't it be prudent to give this prototype seal of yours to someone else? Given that we do not know the effects that you curse marks power in tandem with that of the tablets' will have on someone." Kabuto asked

"That is a fair point to make, as this seal is quite literally one of a kind...At least for now until I can spread it to my elite." Orochimaru replied in agreement

"Whom do you have in mind?" Orochimaru inquired as to who his chief medic had in mind

"I would say our very own Iruka would be perfect for this. He's expendable enough that should it go wrong, that we won't lose too 'important' of an asset. Yet he will be perfect in seeing how it functions on a live subject, and see firsthand its effects and if it is ready for further testing." Kabuto told the serpent Sannin as to whom he had in mind

"That is a good choice for the prototypical version of my new curse mark. Although, I will need to develop a killswitch into it…I can't have Minato or Danzo find out what we're up too; should Iruka become compromised." Orochimaru said back

The serpent Sannin knew for a fact that in giving Iruka his new seal, that he would be sure to install safeguards within its design, to not only prevent his moronic teammate Jiraiya from uncovering his pawn's position within the village. But to also make sure that Minato nor Kushina were the wiser of it either, on top of Danzo who he was sure had his ROOT operatives sniffing around given how the warhawk loved to have his hands in everything.

"How long will it take for the prototype to this seal to be completed, Lord Orochimaru? I want to know so I can inform Iruka of when he is to be given it." Kabuto questioned

"Within another week or two. The process of getting this right isn't exactly easy…One wrong misstep, and we risk catastrophic results." Orochimaru replied in memory of the aftermath of failed experiments concerning the tablet

"How could I forget after the incident with Gen'ryumaru." Kabuto said back with a shudder at what happened with said shinobi

"Indeed. It was unfortunate as well given that he was an exceptionally talented shinobi, and prospective future host…Nevertheless, his death shall not go in vain, as it has all gone towards better understanding the tablet." Orochimaru replied

"Speaking of it, Guren and her men had found another tablet in the Iron Country. Granted it took evading the eyes of the Samurai to do so…However, we managed to successfully recover it, and they are currently en route back to our closest base." Kabuto informed the serpent Sannin

"Excellent news, Kabuto!...It seems as though this year has truly gone my way…minus a few hiccups." Orochimaru said back with a wide grin

"I agree. Also, what should we do with Minato's eldest son? He did annihilate the entirety of the Fuma clan after all?" Kabuto questioned

"For now we do nothing. I do not want us to tip our hand to Konoha just yet. Besides, I am curious to see what other abilities young Naruto may have at his disposal." Orochimaru said with a look of keen interest concerning the superhuman blonde

"Do you have plans for him, Lord Orochimaru?" Kabuto questioned

"Perhaps. However, I will reserve doing anything concerning him until I have my new body…Which shouldn't be too much longer at our current rate." Orochimaru answered back

"For now, we work towards getting our 'village' up and running by this spring. I want everything to be perfect for when we pay Konoha a visit during the next Chunin Exams." Orochimaru told his 2nd in command

"As you wish, Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto replied

"Good. Now then if there is anything else you wish to report to me?" Orochimaru further asked

"Other than the fact that everything is proceeding as planned with the Hidden Sand, as well as Kimmimaro having our men continue to take bloodline users from the purges in Kiri. There is not much else of not to report." Kabuto answered back

"Good. Honestly, those bloodline purges are a blessing in disguise…Why Yagura would waste so many promising kekkai genkai is beyond me. No matter his madness will only ensure everything goes all the better for what is to come." Orochimaru replied in still disbelief that said Mizukage would willingly exterminate so many fascinating kekkai genkai

'Whatever has taken hold of that madman has only made things that much easier for me…Who would've thought that playing savior would swell my ranks so easily.' Orochimaru remarked to themselves over having been able to prophet immensely from the Bloodline Purges being used to grow his ranks at a stellar rate

"If there is nothing else, I will be on my way." Kabuto replied

"Also, before you go, Kabuto…Once I gain my new perfected body, I want to have a word with Tayuya personally. I've grown tired of hearing her talk behind my back so crassly, and I feel as though she would be a fitting test subject for breaking it in." Orochimaru said back with malice and steel in his voice that was hidden behind his usually slick composure

"Of course, I will notify her after you've adjusted to your new body." Kabuto replied

'Can't say I blame him for wanting to use her as an overgrown punching bag. Her undermining and talking behind his back was going to catch up to her sooner or later.' The silver-haired medic noted to himself

While Tayuya was still a rather proficient soldier for the Sound Five, her constant talking down of and belittling of her master behind closed doors was something that had grated on the serpent Sannin's nerves; especially since it had gotten to the point where some had began to doubt his strength. Hence why in combination with her being the objectively weakest of the Sound 5, and her caustic personality that Kabuto couldn't really blame his master for wanting to make an example out of her.

"That being said however, I would like to take my leave. I have plans for tonight." Kabuto said to the serpent Sannin

"Hmmm, I didn't take you for the social butterfly, Kabuto." Orochimaru said

"No. However, Kimmimaro suggested that it wouldn't hurt for us to go out every now and again. As such I am taking him, Jugo, and Jirobo on a proposed guys night." Kabuto told him

"How interesting. Do tell me how it goes once you return, and please be careful with Jugo. You know how important he is to our cause." Orochimaru responded

"Of course, I have already had him take his medication…So the risks of him going berserk should be at a minimum." Kabuto said thankful that they managed to come up with a medicine that was strong enough to keep Jugo's 'rages' in check

"Good..So unless there is anything else to be said, you may leave." Orochimaru said with a tone that was a combination low-energy happiness, annoyance from being distrubed and joy at things going so much his way this year

"Nothing at the moment. However, I will continue to keep you abreast of any further developments." Kabuto replied before taking his leave

'So many things are set in motion this year…This is going to be such a delightful new year to come.' Orochimaru said to himself as he went back towards perfecting the prototype cursed seal


(8 hours later, Akimichi BBQ, Konoha, 10:40 Pm)

Meanwhile, both a semi-tired Choji and Naruto were sitting inside eating some leftovers from the nights' recently ceased dinner rush; both happy at the fact that they managed to pull through it in one piece.

"Well, Choji. In just a couple of weeks, we'll have made it to the new year." Naruto said as he tore through his rack of ribs

"I can't believe it myself to be honest…In a few more months, we're going to actually graduate. I really didn't think that I'd get this far." Choji replied as he took another bite of his apple pie

"Oh come on, man. Don't even do yourself like that. You're a great guy who's gonna make an even greater shinobi. So I don't wanna hear any of that stuff." Naruto immediately said back

"Because their ain't no one who can't tell me nothing about you; not being awesome one of these days!" Naruto added in refusal to let the behemoth downplay himself

"Thanks, Naruto that means a lot more than what you think…I just hope I can make my mom and dad proud of me when I get my headband." Choji thanked the blonde for his kind words

"Trust me, they're already plenty proud of you. You're strong as shit, a pretty chill guy to be around who has a heart of gold, one of the best at taijutsu I've ever seen, and an outstanding cook…By the way thanks for helping me learn more about your peoples' recipes…Bottom line, I have no doubt in my mind that your already making them proud just by being you." Naruto told Choji inbetween bites

'I swear if he isn't then I will be absolutely blown away.' Naruto said to himself while he and Choji continued to eat

"...So what do you have planned for the new year, Naruto?...Other than getting on a team with Sasuke and Sakura." Choji asked after eating half of his second pie

"I dunno maybe try to save up to get another place of my own for starters…Hell, I might even take up farming." Naruto told the behemoth who chuckled at such a thing

"Really? You being a farmer?!" Choji snickered at the thought

"What?! I could do it, I mean it can't be all that bad." Naruto said back

"Sorry, Naruto…Its just that you don't seem like the guy who'd spend his time farming or doing anything with plants…No offense." Choji replied

Since Choji saw Naruto being more at home sparring or training his martial arts skills than picking up some gardening tools to start farming crops or plants with.

"I could totally do it no problem. All I gotta do is get equipment, a big enough space for me to pull off what I want, find stuff that's good enough to wanna plant. Then hot damn, I'm in it!" Naruto said back assured that he could pull it off

"If you say so, Naruto. But don't complain about anything when your green thumb winds up being a rotten middle finger." Choji replied

"Whatever, man. Just you wait, I'm gonna grow some awesome shit one of these days. Then everyone's gonna see that I'm just as good at growing stuff, like I am with the hands!" Naruto spoke with the utmost confidence in himself

'Not to mention, if I can figure out my powers good enough. Then I'll be able to basically bullshit my way into being the dopest farmer to ever do it.' Naruto said to himself with a mental shit-eating grin

"I'll see it when I believe it, Naruto." Choji responded in refusing to take part in his friends delusions

"Alright, Mr. I have everything figured out. What do you have planned for the new year?!" Naruto asked

"Other than wanting to not be stuck with Ino. I really don't have anything that I want to set out and do…At least not at the moment." Choji answered back

"Really?...There's not anything other than getting away from Ino's punk-ass; that you wanna do for the new year? Not anything at all?" Naruto questioned further

"Not really? To be honest, I've got everything going for me right now. I've got great friends, I'm doing very well with my clan techniques and taijutsu. On top of doing well at the restaurant…So to be honest, I can't think of anything else that I'd want to do…Because my life is already great as is." Choji responded in contentment of everything going on in his life

"In that case, I just hope that things continue to go great for you…If anyone deserves their roses, it's definitely you, Choji." Naruto said as he devoured more of his ribs

"Same to you, Naruto. Hopefully, you don't get stuck on a team with Toshiro and Mizore…I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy." Choji replied in not wanting to see one of his best friends get suffocated by their egos

"I doubt that I would…Other than just using me to puff them up, and sell it as our villages' version of what Sunagakure has with the Kazekage's kids…So other than using me as a puff piece and added bit of publicity. They could give less of a fuck about me." Naruto said back

"Honestly, its one of the perks about being the forgotten child of the Hokage's kids…People could give less of a fuck if you wound up with them or not." Naruto added as he and Choji continued to eat

"...Man, why is it that every time we talk about your family. It gets really depressing." Choji wondered

"Because it is…. No real way to sugarcoat it, since you can't get around the fact that my family life sucks. But I ain't gonna complain about it…Right now the only thing I can do is focus on all the great things I can do, and not the crap that's behind me." Naruto said back with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders

"Anyways, man. All I know is that we're real close to ringing in the start of something great for the both of us, and that's all that matters." Naruto added

"I won't argue with you there. Just hate that its a downer every time I hear about your folks." Choji replied

"Yep…So how about we finish up, and do one last go around of the place, before lock up." Naruto said to the behemoth of a Akimichi

"Sounds like a plan." Choji replied

So after another 15 or so minutes of eating and chatter, the two did their final round of checking up the place for anything they missed during clean up, before they locked up for the night and bit farewell too each other. However, as Naruto eventually headed off towards his home with Sakura; he couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism that he hadn't felt in ages since being under the shadow of his siblings…that while it wasn't an overwhelming feeling of joy that had swelled within him, it was a notable one nonetheless.

One that had him smile a smile that wasn't filled with his usual sense of bravado or almost overpowering optimism/assurment toward whatever could come his way…as this was one in which made him feel like; for the first time that things could truly be his way without the suffocating presence of his family life invading his future.

'...Finally, things are gonna go my way once I graduate.' Naruto said to himself as he continued to run to Sakura's house

So with Naruto's mission with Mizuki yielding yet another success at hand, it also put him on the radar of Orochimaru who is using the power of one of the plates to fuel his own experiments and ambitions…That being said, what will await the inheiritor of Arceus's will, now that the serpent Sannin possess one of the Plates he is in search of? Find out in the new chapters of, Naruto: The PokeSage!

Alright, that takes care of that as we finish up this chapter and get Orochimaru introduced into the mix…Since oh boy do I have plans for them to start mixing shit up, as we start to close out Part 1 soon.

However thank you guys for continuing to support this story so far, because I have some more fun stuff to coming up later on, so I hope you guys will continue to stick around to see those things happen in Naruto's misadventures. Also, any favorites, follows, reviews or suggestions are more than welcome, as I'm happy to take suggestions on what can make the story better.

That being said, this is Pravus666 signing off until next time. For our next chapter will have a minor time-skip to ring in the tailend to Part 1 of the story. So stay tuned for all of that good stuff!

Part 1: Evolution by Korn

Random End Song: Year of the Snake by Chimaira


Now then onto some of the reviews from the last chapter.

Kourtney Uzu Yato: And yeah, I told ya that Toshiro is gonna be a whole-ass problem; because when I say that he can't handle taking losses I full on meant it. And yeah to the half of the 9 tails that Toshiro has; its fucking hilarious that his host thinks he's even anywhere remotely stronger when Naruto is basically a walking demigod to be. And yeah Mizore is part of the reason why Naruto's mind is more or less a steel trap seeing as how, its hard to have privacy or any self-confidence when your sister can read your emotions and rip on you for every feeling you have. Also, yeah Tsunade doing what she did with Minato and her being angry about everything is from the most understandable place considering how she's a mother, whose having to watch her grandson get hurt by someone listening to a person who knows absolutely nothing about being a father in any capacity...Also, I'm sure you'll live up to 'em and then some, you always not it out of the park with your updates.

Skull Flame: In concerns to Naruto's fear with the Rasengan then yeah that pretty much sums it up. Since Naruto's pretty jacked up in the head from that technique, since when I said that his siblings are gonna be some of the worst; I meant it. And you'll see about Mizore and what she's like shortly. Also, considering that to Sakura; Naruto's like her little brother then you can't really blame her for getting up in arms about him getting nerves about it...Yeah its a matter of them uncovering it; given that they haven't really found out earlier due to Jiraiya being really good at making sure things stay on course, and having the subjects of the prophecy being impeded by being grounded or things like that ain't really conducive toward bringing about peace when they could be training.

God of Wind 200: Actually, that's gonna make using the Aura Sphere rather interesting; given its similarities to the Rasengan. But its moreso something he'll hold off on learning or mastering given his fear and distaste for the Rasengan having jacked him up mentally to where he starts freezing up when he sees the stuff...So its definitely gonna be an interesting ride on how Naruto can possibly use the Aura Sphere and it even being effective, when it resembles the thing that could've taken one of his arms.

UnsanMusho: Glad you liked that bit with Minato and Tsunade, since it made the most sense to have a conversation with them happen. Given that in this iteration of things that Tsunade knows full well what its like to be a parent, and as such is understandably pissed when Minato takes advice from someone who is by all standards unfit to be one by a wide margin. And that's the thing; thanks to Naruto having had to plead his head off to Tsunade and everyone to keep it a secret and Jiraiya being able to sweep things under the rug...they just think that Naruto got off with a few bruises after a training incident that got a bit out of hand.

Razberry17: Oh trust me, Mizore will be eating some in the future chapters to come; since Sakura ain't done with her quite yet, and beleive me when I say that the Toads are gonna get there's in the near future. Because, their meddling isn't gonna come without punishment seeing as how Arceus will make good on his word to annihilate them out of existence should they continue to meddle with Narut's life for the sake of their prophecy.