Disclaimer: I do not own any of the content following this statement. Masashi Kishimoto owns all titles, names, and plots.

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How the West Was Won
or
Redemption

Naruto groaned as he regained consciousness, the world around him coming into focus in fragments. The first thing he noticed was the cold—sharp and biting, wrapping around his body like a second skin. The second was the flicker of firelight, shadows dancing on the rough stone walls of what appeared to be a cave.

The metallic tang of blood filled his nose, mixing with the acrid scent of smoke. His body ached with every movement, and his head throbbed like someone had driven a kunai through it. Blinking away the haze, Naruto pushed himself up, his palms scraping against the uneven rock beneath him.

A figure sat near the fire, the flames casting eerie highlights on pale skin and dark, flowing hair. Orochimaru.

Naruto froze, his muscles tensing instinctively. His mind raced, searching for a reason—any reason—why this snake of a man would be sitting calmly by his side.

"What the hell...?" Naruto growled, his voice raw and low.

Orochimaru glanced at him, his golden eyes gleaming like a predator's in the dim light. "Ah, you're awake. Good. I was beginning to wonder if the mercenaries had done more damage than I thought."

The mention of mercenaries brought flashes of memory flooding back. The sharp clash of steel, the wild cries of battle, and then... darkness. Naruto shook his head, trying to piece it together. "Mercenaries? I fought Mercenaries?"

Orochimaru smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. "A rather unsavory group, intent on making a name for themselves by killing a leaf shinobi, you should be more careful. He gestured toward Naruto's midsection. "You should thank me. I stopped them before they could carve you open."

Naruto's hand flew to his stomach, finding his shirt torn and bloodied but his skin intact. His glare snapped back to Orochimaru. "Why would you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Help me."

Orochimaru leaned back, his movements slow and deliberate, like a serpent coiling itself into a comfortable position. "Let's just say it would be... inconvenient for me if you died here."

Naruto's scowl deepened. "Bullshit. You don't do anything unless it benefits you."

A soft laugh echoed through the cave, low and unsettling. "Oh, Naruto. Always so quick to mistrust. Perhaps you're right. Perhaps I do have my reasons but if they align with yours then all the better."

Naruto pushed himself to his feet, though the effort sent pain lancing through his legs. "I'm not interested in your games. If you're expecting me to thank you, forget it."

Orochimaru's smile widened, but his eyes remained sharp, and calculating. "Gratitude? No. I wouldn't expect that from you. But perhaps we can strike a bargain."

Naruto snorted. "Not a chance."

The fire crackled between them, filling the silence as the tension hung thick in the air. Orochimaru's gaze lingered on Naruto, his expression shifting, just barely, into something that resembled... pity?

"You won't last long out here on your own," Orochimaru said finally, his voice low and almost mournful. "The western lands are nothing like what you've faced before. The people here are desperate, the land unforgiving. You'll need more than brute strength to survive. You have been weakened by your battle, it will take time to recover."

"I've made it this far," Naruto shot back, though even he could hear the edge of doubt in his own voice.

"Barely," Orochimaru countered, his tone cold. "And if I hadn't intervened, you'd be rotting in a shallow grave right now."

Naruto clenched his fists, anger bubbling in his chest. "If you're so eager to help, why don't you just say what you want?"

Orochimaru's gaze flickered to the fire, his expression unreadable. "Let's just say... I have a vested interest in keeping you alive. For now."

Naruto stepped closer, his voice rising. "What does that mean?"

Orochimaru didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his robes and pulled out a small, polished vial. The liquid inside shimmered unnaturally, catching the firelight in a way that seemed almost alive. He held it out to Naruto.

"What's that?"

"Consider it a token of my goodwill," Orochimaru said. "A remedy for your wounds. And perhaps... a way to fortify yourself for what's to come."

Naruto eyed the vial warily, every instinct screaming at him not to trust it. "You expect me to drink something you just pulled out of your sleeve? I'm not an idiot."

"Far from it," Orochimaru replied, his tone smooth. "But you're also not in a position to refuse help, are you?"

Naruto hesitated, his mind spinning with confusion. Where was he? Why was he even here? The most basic questions had no answers. His gaze shifted between the vial and Orochimaru's face, searching for clarity. But in the man's eyes, he found only darkness—something desperate and hidden, buried beneath layers of calculated calm.

"I don't need your charity," Naruto said finally, his voice firm.

Orochimaru tilted his head, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Charity has nothing to do with it. I simply want you to live past the coming day is all."

The cave became silent again, the fire casting strange, shifting patterns on the walls. Naruto turned away, his mind racing. He didn't trust Orochimaru—he never would. But the man's words lingered, scratching at the edges of his thoughts.

Why was he here? What was he after? And why did he seem... haunted?

As Naruto moved toward the mouth of the cave, the faint light of dawn filtering through the jagged opening, he heard Orochimaru's voice behind him.

"The Shinigami has no mercy, Naruto," Orochimaru said softly, almost as if to himself. "Not for you. Not for me. Remember that."

Naruto paused, the words sending a chill down his spine. He glanced back, but Orochimaru was already turning his attention back to the fire, his expression unreadable.

The Shinigami.

Naruto clenched his fists and stepped out into the cold morning air. The weight of Orochimaru's cryptic words hung heavily on his shoulders, like an unseen chain he couldn't shake off. Whatever the man was hiding, whatever plan he had in mind, Naruto knew one thing for sure: this wasn't the end. Not by a long shot.

The sun hung low in the sky, its warm light creeping across the rugged landscape, brushing against his face like a gentle reminder of the life he had left behind. The warmth felt good, especially after the cold, damp cave. Naruto breathed in deeply, the crisp air filling his lungs as he staggered a few steps forward, trying to get his bearings.

But as his feet moved forward, the pain in his gut suddenly flared to life, searing and intense. He staggered, his vision blurred, and for a moment, everything spun. His knees buckled, and with a grunt of frustration, he fell against a jagged boulder, the rough surface scraping his palm as he reached out to steady himself. His breath came in short, ragged gasps, and his body trembled with the effort of simply staying upright.

"Dammit..." Naruto muttered under his breath, clutching his stomach. The poison... it was still working its way through his system.

"You're not going to make it far in that condition," Orochimaru's voice came from behind him, smooth and calm, as if the pain Naruto felt was nothing more than an afterthought. "One of the blades was poisoned. Without treatment, it will only get worse."

Naruto spun around, his eyes narrowing, though every movement made his head spin. Orochimaru stood there, his figure framed by the shadow of the cave, as if he were a part of the stone itself. In his hand, he held out a small vial—a familiar sight, the blue liquid inside shimmering under the early sunlight. The same vial he'd offered before, with its sickly sweet promise of relief.

Naruto gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain standing despite the nausea that churned in his stomach. His instincts screamed at him to run, to fight, to get away from this man, but his body betrayed him. The poison gnawed at him from the inside, and with each passing second, it became harder to think clearly. The cave was too far behind him now, and the distance was a reminder that Orochimaru had control over the situation.

He didn't trust Orochimaru. Not now, not ever. But as the pain intensified, and his head spun in dizziness, Naruto realized that there was no way around it. He needed to survive—he needed to get stronger if he was going to make it out of here and back to the village. And right now, that meant swallowing whatever Orochimaru handed him.

With a grunt of pain, Naruto walked back toward the shadow of the cave, each step like a battle against his own body. His gut twisted in knots, but his will was stronger than his fear. Just survive, he told himself. You can't afford to be weak.

"I still don't trust you," Naruto said, his voice strained as he approached Orochimaru. He reached for the vial, the blue liquid calling to him like a cruel joke.

Orochimaru didn't respond immediately. He simply watched as Naruto pulled the cork from the vial, the smell of the liquid sweet and sickly, almost too much to bear. But the pain in his stomach urged him on.

With a final glance at Orochimaru's unreadable face, Naruto tilted his head back and drank the liquid in one swift motion. It slid down his throat like honey, its sweetness coating his insides. The warmth spread through him almost instantly, like fire, burning away the cold of the poison. But as the warmth spread, it was mixed with a heavy fatigue that weighed his limbs down. His vision swam as the liquid coursed through him, and for a moment, he almost felt himself slipping away.

But then the sensation passed, and the pain in his gut began to dull. The dizziness receded, leaving a strange clarity in its place. It wasn't a complete cure, but the poison's grip was loosened.

Naruto stood there, his body still trembling, his mind reeling from the strange concoction, but his hands were steady now. He looked up at Orochimaru, whose expression remained unchanged.

"That's better," Orochimaru said, his voice calm. "It should last long enough for you to recover. But remember—this is not a permanent fix. The poison is a reminder that there is always a cost to power."

Naruto wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, glaring at Orochimaru with suspicion. "I didn't ask for this, Orochimaru. I didn't ask for any of this."

"And yet, you are here," Orochimaru replied smoothly. "This world doesn't care about what you ask for, Naruto. You may think your life is your own, but it is not. Power comes with a price. And sometimes, the only way to survive is to accept the help you would rather refuse."

Naruto didn't answer. He couldn't. The taste of the liquid still lingered in his mouth, and the weight of Orochimaru's words sat heavy on him. Despite everything, he couldn't deny that the man was right about one thing, he was going to survive.

"Why?" Naruto asked hoarsely, looking up at Orochimaru with narrowed eyes. "Why help me? What do you want?"

Orochimaru's expression remained unreadable, his voice as smooth as ever. "What do I want? I simply want to ensure that you're alive long enough to learn what I have to teach. But your strength is your own. You're the one who decides whether or not it's worth the cost."

Naruto's frustration boiled, but he was too tired to argue. He could feel the weight of his exhaustion pulling at him, but the more important questions still gnawed at his mind. What did Orochimaru want with him? What did he hope to gain by training him?

As the moment stretched on, Orochimaru didn't offer more answers. He simply watched Naruto with those cold, calculating eyes—eyes that hid so much.

The silence hung heavy between them, and Naruto finally broke it with a grunt. "I didn't ask for your help, Orochimaru. But I'm not stupid enough to ignore it either. Just... don't expect me to thank you."

Orochimaru gave a quiet chuckle, as if the very idea of Naruto thanking him was laughable. "You don't need to thank me. But you may find, in time, that your gratitude will be the only thing that stands between you and your own destruction."

…

The next morning, Naruto awoke feeling more like himself. His body still felt heavy with exhaustion, but the pain in his stomach had subsided significantly. A sharp reminder of the poison still lingered, but now it was a dull throb, like a distant ache from a forgotten injury. The effects of Orochimaru's strange, sweet vial had worked wonders—though he still didn't fully trust what he'd consumed the night before.

He sat up in his makeshift bed within the cave, stretching his stiff muscles. For the first time since he'd arrived, he felt like he could move without collapsing into pain.

"Better?" Orochimaru's voice came from the shadows, his figure already standing by the cave's entrance, a faint gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

Naruto nodded, rising to his feet and feeling the strength return to his limbs. "Yeah... I feel better. What now?"

Orochimaru's lips curled into a small smile. "The poison is limiting your connection to the Nine-Tails. But that connection is also what makes you special—and that's where we begin."

Naruto's brow furrowed, still a little dizzy from the previous night's events, but his curiosity was growing. "What do you mean?"

Orochimaru turned toward the mouth of the cave, his silhouette framed by the soft light of dawn. "Chakra is more than just a force used to create jutsu. It's the very essence of life, the power that connects everything. You've only ever used chakra to form jutsu, but chakra is everywhere—it's a part of every living thing, every element. And like everything else in this world, it can be controlled, shaped, and changed."

Naruto's confusion deepened. "Wait, so you're saying chakra isn't just for techniques? It's like... part of the world itself?"

"Exactly," Orochimaru said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge of something deeper—something profound. He turned to face Naruto, locking eyes with him. "It's in the air, the earth, the trees, the animals—every part of nature is woven from chakra. And, like any material, it can be manipulated."

Naruto absorbed the words slowly. He had always viewed chakra as a tool—something he could mold and direct to create his jutsu. But Orochimaru's words were shifting his understanding of it. Chakra, the very thing he used for his Shadow Clones, his Rasengan, his Sage Mode, was part of something much larger than he had ever realized.

"Then why doesn't everyone just use it to manipulate everything?" Naruto asked, skepticism still clouding his thoughts. "I've never seen anyone control the world like that."

Orochimaru's smile turned wry. "Most people see chakra as nothing more than a weapon or tool. They don't understand it, don't see how it flows through every part of existence. Only a few can perceive it, and even fewer can shape it. Even your Sage training only taught you to pull chakra from nature, not to use it where it already lies."

Orochimaru started walking, his steps deliberate and slow, as if he were allowing Naruto to absorb the weight of his words. "Chakra is not just what makes up your jutsu. It's what makes up your very existence. You are connected to the Nine-Tails, and that connection gives you access to a vast well of chakra. But you must learn to control it. Not just use it, but understand it."

Naruto followed him, trying to make sense of what was being said. "So, what—today we're gonna be looking at trees and trying to control them or something?"

Orochimaru glanced over his shoulder, eyes gleaming with an unspoken challenge. "You're impatient. But that's fine. We will start simple. Come."

They walked for what felt like hours, with Orochimaru weaving through narrow passages and hidden paths in the mountainous terrain, Naruto trailing close behind. The landscape around them was barren and desolate, with jagged rocks jutting out of the earth. It was quiet, save for the wind whistling through the crags.

When they reached a clearing, Orochimaru stopped and turned to Naruto. "Here we begin. Sit."

Naruto did as he was told, though he couldn't hide his annoyance at being ordered around. But he didn't argue—he was still recovering from the poison, and his curiosity was still gnawing at him.

"Close your eyes," Orochimaru instructed. "Feel the air. Feel the ground beneath you. You are a part of this world, Naruto. Chakra is in everything around you. The moment you can feel it, you will have taken the first step in learning to control it."

Naruto followed the command, closing his eyes. The world around him was silent, but his mind was racing. He was too used to using chakra for practical purposes—creating clones, casting jutsu, powering up his Rasengan—but now... he was supposed to feel it? Just feel it?

"This is not Sage training but something more, allow the Chakra to flow around you not into you," said Orochimaru as he felt Naruto start to use his Sage training.

At first, nothing happened. But then, the smallest shift—a sensation like a current moving through him. At first, it was faint, just a hum in his bones, something he couldn't quite grasp.

"You feel it?" Orochimaru's voice broke through his concentration, his tone measured.

"I... think so," Naruto said, though he wasn't sure what he was supposed to be feeling. He focused harder, trying to center himself and allow the chakra to enter his body and leave as it wished.

"That is chakra," Orochimaru said, his voice taking on an almost reverent tone. "It flows through everything. The trees. The wind. The stones beneath your feet. The difference between a strong shinobi and a weak one is not in the amount of chakra they have, but in how they can perceive and control it. Your chakra has been used to attack, to defend, to create. But today, you will learn to shape it, to see how it moves the world around you."

Naruto's senses began to expand as the realization hit him. The air felt alive, pulsing with energy. He could feel the chakra in the earth beneath him, swirling and weaving like a living thing.

"It's... it's everywhere," Naruto whispered. "How is this possible?"

Orochimaru knelt beside him, his voice soft but firm. "It's always been this way. You've only ever focused on using chakra for yourself. Now, I will teach you how to use it for everything. The trees, the earth, the wind—they all have chakra. You simply need to learn how to manipulate it."

"Manipulate it?" Naruto asked, his mind struggling to catch up with the idea. "Like... change things?"

Orochimaru's smile deepened placing a newness plucked leaf in Naruto's hand. "Yes. But you will start small. A leaf. Let's see if you can change it with your chakra, just a little at first."

Naruto closed his eyes once more, his focus narrowing. He could feel the energy of the leaf still alive in his hand. He reached out with his chakra, his hands trembling slightly as he willed it to change.

For a long time, nothing happened. But then, to his surprise, the leaf shifted—just slightly, a flutter of movement then its color changed before his eyes.

"Good," Orochimaru said, nodding approvingly. "You're starting to understand. Chakra can be used to influence the world around you, to bend it to your will. But only when you learn how to perceive its flow, how to interact with it."

Naruto couldn't help but grin despite himself. There was something exhilarating about it, like he'd just unlocked a new world. It wasn't just about his own strength—it was about being connected to the world itself.

"Plants have no true will of their own," Orochimaru explained, his voice calm but insistent, "but with skill, you can impose your own will, your own desires upon them. Watch closely."

Orochimaru's hands moved through the familiar, fluid sequence of hand seals. His gaze was fixed intently on a small bush just a few paces away. Naruto could feel the air grow thicker with energy as Orochimaru's chakra poured into the ground beneath them. The bush began to glow faintly, its leaves rustling as if stirred by an invisible wind.

Then, with a sudden, violent shake, it seemed to shudder against the earth. Naruto blinked in disbelief as the bush began to pull itself out of the ground. Roots twisted and turned like serpents, pulling the small plant upright. Branches sprouted quickly, thickening as the plant's form grew more defined, its once-still body now moving with purpose. The bush shuddered again, like a tree caught in a storm, before it slowly ambled toward Naruto on its thick, twisting roots.

"What the hell…?" Naruto whispered under his breath, eyes wide with astonishment.

"Focus and a strong will," Orochimaru said with a smirk, his voice cool and confident, "chakra is much more than you've been taught. This is the real potential of chakra—shaping it not just to create jutsu, but to reshape the very world around you."

Naruto watched in stunned silence as the bush continued its slow, deliberate steps, its leaves rustling in an almost eerie imitation of life. The moment it reached Naruto, he extended his hand, cautiously shaking one of the thick, spindly branches.

"Go on," Orochimaru urged, watching with cold curiosity as Naruto shook hands with the animated plant. "You see? With control, chakra can be used to animate the world, to command it. It's not enough to simply channel chakra through your body. You must learn to use it to shape and control the environment itself."

Naruto still had trouble wrapping his mind around it. The Sage training had taught him to absorb chakra from nature, but this... this was something entirely different. This wasn't about simply drawing on nature's chakra—it was about shaping it, turning nature into an extension of his own will.

…..

A week had passed since Naruto first learned to manipulate plants. The cave, surrounded by barren land and sharp cliffs, had become his constant training ground. Each day had blurred together in a cycle of intense exercises, physical exhaustion, and mental strain.

Naruto had gotten used to using his chakra to manipulate plants—shaping them, making them grow, and even forcing them to move as he willed. But it was only the beginning. Every day, Orochimaru had pushed him further, teaching him to understand chakra's flow, how to control it and direct it with precision. It had been grueling, and yet Naruto couldn't deny that there was a kind of satisfaction in each small victory. He was getting stronger, and more attuned to the world around him, but he still had so much to learn.

This morning, Orochimaru was more focused than usual, his eyes sharp as they watched Naruto carefully.

"Today, we move on to something more complicated," Orochimaru said, his voice calm but serious. "You've learned to manipulate plants, and that's an important step. But it's only the beginning. There's more to chakra than that. Much more."

Naruto stood up from the patch of grass he'd been sitting on, wiping the sweat from his brow. "More? What now?" he asked, still feeling the ache of the last week's lessons in his muscles.

"You've only scratched the surface. Chakra can do much more than animate a plant. It can control the very elements of the world around us." Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he spoke, his tone turning almost reverent. "The five elements—Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning—are the building blocks of the world. But here's the key: you don't need an affinity for these elements to control them. All you need is control over chakra itself, and you can manipulate anything in the world, regardless of its element."

Naruto blinked, confusion written on his face. "Wait… You mean I can control fire, water, and all the other elements, even though I don't have an affinity for them?"

Orochimaru nodded slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Yes. It's a deeper understanding of chakra, a refinement beyond simply using your chakra for jutsu. If you can control the energy that flows through all things, then you can influence anything—whether it's fire, water, wind, or even lightning. Affinity helps, but it's not the determining factor in your ability to manipulate the elements."

Naruto's eyes widened as he processed the implications. "So, I don't need to be a natural with Fire or Water... I just need to understand the chakra that makes up those elements?"

"Exactly." Orochimaru stepped closer to him, looking more serious than ever. "Your affinity for an element may make it easier to manipulate, but it doesn't limit you. Chakra is universal. By understanding it, you can bend it to your will, regardless of the medium."

He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to settle in. Then, with a small gesture, Orochimaru began summoning a small flame to life in the palm of his hand. It flickered to life, dancing on his fingers.

Naruto couldn't help but watch, intrigued. Orochimaru wasn't using any hand seals, no complex jutsu—just pure chakra manipulation. The flame burned brightly, but there was no heat, no smoke. Just the controlled flicker of chakra.

"This is fire," Orochimaru said softly, letting the flame die down. "It's not a matter of how much chakra you use—it's about how you shape it. I'm not summoning fire the way most shinobi would. I'm using the energy of chakra to form it. The trick is understanding the properties of each element. Once you understand how they work, you can shape them."

Naruto's mind raced. "So, it's about knowing the elements... and controlling the chakra that makes them?"

Orochimaru nodded. "Exactly. You're not just pulling fire from the world or from your chakra pool. You're creating it by understanding how chakra interacts with the world. Once you grasp that, fire, water, wind, earth—none of them will be beyond your control."

….

For the next several days, Naruto threw himself into his training with a new sense of urgency. Each morning, Orochimaru would demonstrate another element: controlling wind, shaping earth, manipulating water, and even creating small lightning bolts from thin air.

Naruto struggled at first, feeling as if he were trying to control forces beyond his comprehension. His chakra still felt untamed at times, and every attempt to manipulate the elements seemed clumsy, and ineffective. But with each day, he learned something new.

On Day 8, Orochimaru decided it was time for Naruto to begin practicing.

"Today, you will try to manipulate water," Orochimaru said, standing by a small stream that wound through the clearing. "Understand how chakra moves through it. It's all about control."

Naruto looked down at the water, feeling the natural pull of chakra inside him. "You want me to... shape it? Like the plants?"

"Exactly," Orochimaru replied. "But now you will shape something far more complex. Water has its own properties—it moves, it flows, it can even be changed. Think about how it behaves, and then manipulate its flow. It is flexible but can be controlled."

Naruto knelt by the stream, closing his eyes and trying to feel the flow of chakra within the water. At first, nothing happened. He reached into the stream with his chakra, willing it to bend, to move. But the water didn't respond.

"Focus," Orochimaru urged from behind him. "It's about understanding the essence of the element. The chakra is already there. All you need to do is direct it."

Naruto took a deep breath and tried again, this time visualizing the water's flow in his mind. He felt the chakra surge as he channeled it into the stream, coaxing it, trying to guide its movement.

Slowly, the water began to ripple, and then form small waves. It wasn't much, but it was something. Naruto's face lit up with excitement.

"I did it!" he exclaimed, barely able to contain his grin.

Orochimaru watched him with a rare, approving nod. "You did indeed. Now, you must refine your control. Water is about adaptability. It's not enough to move it—it must be shaped."

Naruto looked at the stream again, his mind racing with possibilities. For the first time, he felt as if he were learning something real—something beyond the limits of jutsu. The elements, the chakra, the world around him—it was all connected.

And slowly, over the course of the next few days, Naruto's control began to grow. He could manipulate water, form gusts of wind, shift the earth beneath his feet, and even summon small sparks of lightning. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

…..

The cave was quiet, the only sound the occasional crackling of the fire that Orochimaru had built. The flickering flames cast long, dancing shadows on the rough stone walls, and the air was cool, still, as if the very atmosphere was holding its breath.

Naruto lay sleeping on the stone floor, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Though the effects of the poison had faded, the clone's body remained fragile. Its chakra reserves were limited, its existence tenuous. Orochimaru couldn't afford for the clone to crumble—it needed to endure. For the training ahead, the clone's body would have to be strengthened, its energy stabilized, and its connection to natural energy deepened.

Orochimaru knelt beside the clone, his sharp, calculating gaze softened by a faint flicker of something almost... hopeful. He pressed his palm gently against the clone's chest, his other hand weaving slow, deliberate seals. A faint hum resonated through the air as Orochimaru began drawing in natural energy from the environment around them.

The soft glow of natural chakra began to radiate from Orochimaru's hands, blending seamlessly with the energy already present in the clone. The process required precision—too much, and the clone would destabilize; too little, and its chakra reserves wouldn't hold.

"This energy belongs to the world itself," Orochimaru murmured, his voice quiet and reverent. "It's not mine, nor yours. It's life itself. It's what will keep you whole."

As the natural chakra flowed into the clone's body, Orochimaru's hand seals shifted, creating a stabilizing seal over Naruto's chest. The intricate markings glowed faintly, anchoring the clone's existence to the natural energy surrounding it. The seal pulsed gently, ensuring the clone would no longer rely solely on its own limited chakra, instead drawing strength from the world around it.

Once the seal was complete, Orochimaru added another layer, clouding the clone's memories. He didn't want it burdened by unnecessary thoughts or confusion—its purpose was singular: to train and to grow stronger. When the clone eventually dispelled, it would return its experiences to the original Naruto without the distractions of the here and now.

As the final markings faded into the clone's skin, Orochimaru sat back, letting out a soft breath. His body remained still, but his mind churned with thoughts he rarely allowed himself to dwell on.

The glow of the firelight flickered against the walls, casting distorted shadows that reminded him of the life he had lived—dark, twisted, and full of regret. For so many years, Orochimaru had pursued immortality, his quest for power leading him to discard everything that made life meaningful. People, trust, bonds—he had severed them all in his pursuit of the unattainable.

He closed his eyes briefly, the memory of the Shinigami's decree flashing in his mind. The image of the death god's cruel grin, its empty eyes boring into his soul, haunted him. The Shinigami had made it clear: his soul was bound for eternal torment, torn apart and pieced back together in a never-ending cycle of pain. Unless he could tip the scales, unless he could do something to restore balance, Orochimaru's fate was sealed.

For a long time, Orochimaru had dismissed the idea of redemption. He wasn't a man who sought forgiveness; he had always seen such concepts as weaknesses. But now, as he looked at Naruto—this young shinobi with the potential to reshape the world—he felt a flicker of something he hadn't felt in years. Not hope, exactly, but... possibility.

"This isn't about saving myself," Orochimaru muttered softly, his voice almost lost to the crackle of the fire. "It's about something greater. Something beyond me. The Shinigami had said death was coming for us all unless I tipped the balance. "

The clone lay still, its chest rising and falling with newfound strength, the natural chakra pulsing faintly beneath the surface. Orochimaru's seal had worked—Naruto's clone was now a vessel that could withstand the training ahead, drawing on the energy of the world itself rather than its own limited reserves.

But Orochimaru couldn't help but wonder: Was this truly about Naruto, or was it about himself?

He leaned back against the cold stone wall, his yellow eyes reflecting the firelight. Memories of countless lives destroyed, bridges burned, and pain inflicted weighed heavily on him. They were inescapable, shadows that lingered even now, no matter how far he ran. Yet, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Orochimaru felt the faintest whisper of something unnamable—a need to leave something behind. Something that wasn't destruction.

Was that old pervert right all along? Orochimaru thought, the question cutting deeper than he expected. Was there good buried somewhere within him, deeper than he dared to look? Fear of meeting the eyes of the Shinigami once again had kept him from even considering the possibility. But now... now, there was something different.

"Perhaps this is my way out," Orochimaru murmured, his voice barely audible. "Perhaps by teaching him, by guiding him, I can tip the balance of the world."

The fire crackled softly, the sound a comforting rhythm against the quiet of the cave. Its warmth pushed back the encroaching chill, but the real warmth came from something else—a flicker of purpose Orochimaru hadn't felt in years.

He closed his eyes, letting his thoughts drift to the path ahead. The road would not be easy—for Naruto, or for himself. Yet for the first time in years, Orochimaru felt as though he was walking toward something, rather than running from it.

….

Naruto stood on the balcony just off the family's great room, the crisp morning air brushing against his face. His eyes drifted downward, tracing the gentle flow of the river that wound its way through the village. Across the water, the warehouse complex stood like silent sentinels, a testament to the relentless ambition of the Hyuga clan. Once, there had been only a single structure, but now three expansive buildings towered above the riverbank, bustling with activity as the Hyuga trade empire flourished. Their influence had grown far beyond the borders of Konoha, and even from this distance, Naruto could see workers hauling crates, boats being loaded with goods, and shinobi moving like shadows to guard their interests.

It was a symbol of resilience, of a clan rebuilding after immense loss, and yet... it made Naruto's chest feel heavy. The Hyuga were thriving, but at what cost? He had been away during their darkest days, and no matter how much time passed, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had failed them.

Naruto leaned against the railing, his gaze shifting upward to the village beyond the river. The streets below buzzed with life—merchants calling out their wares, children darting between stalls, shinobi moving with purpose. The village was alive, vibrant, but it wasn't the same Konoha he had left. Rumors of war echoed through its foundations, and even as new buildings rose, the fear of impending loss lingered in the air. The fall of Kumogakure had reached every ear, and the total destruction of one of the great villages cast a haunted look in the eyes of every villager. Were they next?

He had met with nearly every clan head since his return. Some meetings had been brief, formal exchanges where loyalty was pledged and plans were discussed. Others had been more challenging, navigating unspoken tensions and old grudges from the academy days. Yet two meetings still loomed over him, unaddressed and weighing on his mind.

The Yamanaka and the Hyuga.

Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair as his thoughts turned to Ino. Meeting with her felt almost like walking into a trap. She would already know why he was there—her abilities made secrets impossible and as master of Root she would know more than him. Worse, she would use that knowledge against him, twisting the conversation into something he couldn't control. Ino had always been unpredictable, her sharp mind and sharper tongue keeping him on edge. She wouldn't hesitate to tease him, to push his boundaries, to try and pull him into her bed with that disarming mix of confidence and playfulness she wielded so well.

And then there was Hinata.

Naruto's jaw tightened as his gaze drifted back to the warehouses. Talking to her wasn't something he feared for her sharp words or manipulations, but because he didn't know *how* to face her. She had lost so much—the Hyuga clan decimated, its power shaken to its core. He hadn't been there to help. He hadn't been there to protect them.

He had been told of the funeral pyres, how they had burned for days, their flames reaching high into the night as the Hyuga mourned their dead. He could almost imagine the acrid smoke filling the air, the grieving faces illuminated by the firelight. It was a pain he hadn't shared with her, a pain he hadn't even witnessed.

How could he face her now?

Naruto's fingers tightened on the balcony railing, the cool metal grounding him against the tide of his thoughts. Hinata was strong, stronger than most ever gave her credit for, but that strength had come at a cost. The weight of leadership had fallen squarely on her shoulders, and she had borne it with quiet determination, rebuilding the Hyuga clan from its ashes.

Yet, despite everything she had done, Naruto couldn't ignore the growing distance between them. It wasn't just time or circumstance—it was the unspoken words, the shared history they both carried like an invisible wall. A wall he didn't know how to break through.

She deserved better than his silence, better than the way he had avoided her since his return. She had been his rock, his anchor in moments when he felt lost. His touchstone of strength. And when she needed him the most—when her world was crumbling around her—he wasn't there.

His wives had done so much in his absence, more than he could have ever asked. They had freed the branch family from its cursed seals, healed as many as they could, and worked tirelessly to help rebuild. But it wasn't the same. He wasn't there. And no matter how much had been done in his name, he couldn't shake the guilt that came from knowing he had failed her.

Below, the sound of laughter drifted up from the streets—a reminder of the life that continued to move forward, even when the past clung to his thoughts like a shadow. Naruto straightened, his hands relaxing on the railing. He couldn't change what had happened, but he could try to make amends, to bridge the gaps that had formed while he was away.

First, he had to face the challenges he had been avoiding. *Both of them.*

The wind stirred, carrying the faint scent of the river and the distant hum of the village. Naruto turned, his Will of Fire hardening as he stepped back into the great room. There was work to be done, and the past wouldn't wait forever.

In the great room, Karin lounged on the oversized couch, her legs tucked beneath her. She had followed Naruto out of bed long before the first rays of sunlight touched the sky. A thin, semi-transparent nighty clung to her form, leaving little to the imagination as it swayed just below her hips. She had always been confident in her body, but now she was proud of it again.

They had spent the night of wild untamed sex with Tayaya, a long passionate reunion that had left them glowing. But now, as she watched Naruto's silhouette against the balcony door, his silk robes fluttering in the wind, the air between them felt different. This wasn't the playful intimacy of the night before—this was something heavier.

Karin pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, her sharp red eyes narrowing as she studied him. She knew. She always knew. She understood the worries he carried, even when he wouldn't speak them aloud. It was a skill she had perfected, learning to read him in ways even Tayuya couldn't. No ly could be spoken without her knowing it. It was a gift or a curse depending on what side of her sharp tongue you were on.

"You've been out here too long," Karin said, her voice breaking the silence. It was soft, but the edge of knowing in her tone was unmistakable.

Naruto glanced over his shoulder, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Couldn't sleep," he said simply, though they both knew it wasn't the full truth.

Karin leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, the sheer fabric of her nighty shifting with the movement. "No, you've been thinking. About them," she said, her words precise and cutting.

Naruto's smile faded, and he turned back toward the view, his hands tightening on the railing. "What do you want me to say, Karin? That I'm not worried? That I don't know how to face them? You already know, we have been talking about it for days."

Karin rose to her feet, moving toward him with deliberate steps. Her bare feet made no sound against the cool stone floor. "Of course, I know. I also know that your way of handling it isn't working." She stopped just behind him, her hands resting lightly on her hips. "You're trying to do this with charm and loyalty, Naruto. But that's not enough—not anymore."

Naruto turned to face her, his eyes sharp. "Loyalty is what holds this village together, Karin. It's what keeps people fighting for something bigger than themselves. Fear? Deals? That only makes people follow because they have to, not because they want to."

Karin tilted her head, her smirk both amused and challenging. "Fear works, Naruto. It's quick, it's effective, and it gets results. You don't have to like it, but it's the truth. The Hyuga didn't rebuild their empire by holding hands and singing songs of loyalty. They made people fear them—respect them—and now look at them."

"Respect isn't the same as fear," Naruto shot back, his voice firm but measured. "You build something with fear, and it crumbles the moment that fear is gone. You build it with trust, and it lasts a lifetime."

Karin sighed, crossing her arms over her ample chest. "You're too idealistic sometimes. Trust is nice in theory, but not everyone in this village deserves it. Some people need to be pushed—need to be shown that they don't have a choice. That's how I get things done, look at this building, our children, you think all these people come to us for nothing."

Naruto stepped closer, his presence suddenly towering. "And what happens when the pushing goes too far? When people start resenting you instead of respecting you? Fear can only take you so far, Karin. I want more than that."

Karin's gaze softened, though her smirk lingered like a shield she wasn't ready to drop. "You always want more," she said, her tone carrying a faint wistfulness. "You always see the best in people, even when they don't deserve it. That's why people follow you, Naruto. That's why I follow you."

Her smirk faltered for a moment, and her eyes darkened as she continued, her voice quieter but laced with pain. "But we lost a village to that trust. Our clan was too trusting, too willing to depend on loyalty to save them. And they all died for it. Never again, you hear me Never again."

Her words hung in the air, the rare vulnerability in her tone catching him off guard. She sighed, stepping past him to lean against the railing not caring who could see her from the docks below.

"But that's also why you need me," Karin continued, her voice returning to its usual sharpness. "Because while you're out there inspiring loyalty and trust, playing the hero, I'm the one in the shadows making sure things don't fall apart. I'm the one who makes the hard deals, who pushes the right buttons, who protects what we've built."

Naruto regarded her carefully, his expression softening. "I know," he admitted after a long pause. "And I don't take that for granted. But don't forget, Karin—this village, this family—it's not just built on deals and threats. It's built on us. On what we believe in, on what we stand for."

Karin turned to look at him, her smirk fading into a rare, genuine smile. "And that's why you're the leader, Naruto. Because no matter how messy things get, you make people believe in something better."

For a moment, the tension between them eased, replaced by a quiet understanding. They were different—light and shadow, each with their own approach, their own methods. But together, they were stronger.

Karin reached out, her fingers gently resting on Naruto's chest. "Just don't forget, Naruto," she said softly, her gaze locking with his. "You don't have to do this alone. Let me handle the shadows. You stay in the light."

Naruto covered her hand with his, his grin returning, though there was a touch of seriousness beneath it. "Deal. But don't get too comfortable in those shadows, Karin. One day, I might just drag you into the light with me."

Karin laughed lightly, the sound genuine but carrying the usual edge of defiance. "Good luck with that," she teased, stepping back toward the great room. "I grew up in the shadows, trained by the master of shadows, and in the shadows, I will stay. Don't forget that."

Orochimaru. His name was never spoken aloud, but it was there in the way she held herself—unspoken, yet heavy. Karin rarely spoke of him, of those years spent under his control, shaping her into someone who survived by any means necessary. The blood on her hands, the countless lives taken in cold, calculated ways, was a weight she carried silently.

Naruto, who had never quite understood the depths of her past, remembered the first time they met, back in the dark, crumbling depths of the prison. How easily she had killed those 1,000 men in her trapped in their cells. Without hesitation. The coldness of it had chilled him to the bone, the casualness with which she spoke of it, as if it were simply another part of her life. He had been disturbed, not just by the act itself, but by how effortless it seemed to her, how she embraced it.

He hadn't forgotten that moment, the way Karin had looked at him afterward, the flicker of something unreadable in her gaze. He had been scared of her then, not just because of the coldness she exuded, but because of what it had revealed about her.

Naruto shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. The way Karin hid behind her sharp words, the way she held her composure—it was a defense mechanism, a way to hide the vulnerability underneath.

She turned toward the great room, her movements graceful yet guarded. "You'll never understand, Naruto," she said softly, almost to herself. "I didn't want this life. I didn't want to become... this. But in the end, it was the only way to survive."

Naruto didn't respond immediately. The weight of her words hung in the air. Her past wasn't something she was eager to revisit, but the shadows were a part of her—whether she wanted to admit it or not.

She'd told him about the thousands of bodies she'd left in her wake, how she'd killed those creatures without remorse, how the bloodshed had been a means to an end, freedom. It wasn't a topic of pride for her, but it was something she owned, even if she buried the truth behind layers of sharpness.

Naruto's brow furrowed as he thought back to that moment, to the look in her eyes when she'd spoken of it. It had terrified him, yes. But there was something else, too—a glimpse into her soul, a reminder that she had been forged in darkness and had come out the other side stronger for it.

"I know you carry a lot," Naruto said quietly, the words more to himself than to her. "But the past doesn't have to define you, Karin."

She paused, her back still turned toward him. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken history. "You think I don't know that?" she said finally, her voice low but firm. "I've tried to run from it. Tried to bury it under everything I've done since. But you can never outrun the shadows, Naruto. They follow you. And sometimes... sometimes, they catch up."

Naruto watched her, her words sinking in. This wasn't the Karin who teased and manipulated, who used her beauty and sharp tongue to push people away. This was a glimpse of the woman beneath it all—the scarred survivor, shaped by loss and betrayal. The woman he had fallen in love with all those years ago.

He took a step closer, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. "And what happens when the shadows catch up?" he asked, his voice soft but serious. "What then?"

Karin didn't turn to face him immediately, but the subtle shift in her posture told him she had relaxed slightly under his touch. The tension in her body softened, though a faint trace of it remained—something she had carried for far too long.

"I don't know," she admitted quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "I don't know what happens next."

Finally, she turned to face him, her eyes meeting his with a mix of vulnerability and quiet strength. "But I know one thing," she continued, her voice firm with conviction. "I have the most loyal, loving husband by my side. And I'm sure that will be enough."

Naruto nodded slowly, the sincerity in his gaze matching the warmth in his words. "Yes, today and every day after, I will be here. Always."

For a moment, they stood together, the quiet weight of their shared silence between them. The past was never far behind, but the future stretched ahead, filled with possibility. And for the first time in a long while, Karin didn't feel quite so alone in it.

….

So this is what you get when you watch an old western and get in a fight with your girl. Hope you enjoyed it. Still no word on killing Killer B. Strange? I guess he doesn't have a fan base.